Bram SmuldersTech artist, vfx, character modelling
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Bram took the job of creating the Golem's entrée. As well as modeling the main character "McDoogle". The main focus was on simulating the the several simulation in the animatic. Varying from fracturing, fluid- and fur-simulations and research.
Houdini
After some research and testing the Golem's entrée was simulated in Houdini. A voronoi fracturing process was used to create the chucks made by the golem ripping through the ground. Particles emitted at random intervals and points on the golem as well as on the ground geometry. Both were done in Houdini. The dust was created in Maya using a fluids system.
One of the fist tests made in Houdini showing the features of what will become the fracturing hill. This was used as a baseline for the later itarations.
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This iteration had the golem going through the hill. However, the chunks where too big and also created plates that also were too big in size. Things that were fixed in later versions.
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Here we have the last iteration of the simulation. Having the fractures, particles and fluids together in one simulation.
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Fluid Simulations
Maya fluids was used for the dust emitted from muliple objects set in the world, mainly the golem and the fractured hill.
A quick test of the golem's fist colliding with the ground had to create a cloud of smoke radiating from the fist.
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A later render of the golem's fists colliding with the ground had to create a cloud of smoke radiating from the fists. Also his breath was visualsed using a cloud of dust made in the same manner.
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Maya fur
Maya fur was used to create the grass, hair and the feather of the main character. The simulation was achieved by attaching a hair system onto the fur.
The feather was the accent on McDoogle. It had to become large and soft, similar to a musketeer's feather.
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Here we have a small test showing the grass reacting to the wind and a placeholder character.
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McDoogle
Modeled after the design by Derk Over and Chi Wong in Zbrush. His feather and hair were added later in the prduction line using Maya Fur.