FX final version. Originally I was going to compile a selection from the many clips of footage I had made during this project, but in the end I decided on an underwater theme. This way I could combine some of the more tranquil, atmospheric images with something I created digitally - the 3d modelled submarine. This is a second version as the particles (subs bubble trail) weren't very noticeable in the first, which can be viewed on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/148477625

 

 

Above is my attempt at creating a 3d model and importing it into after Effects where it can be edited further. I had to try this in 3ds Max as my version of Cinema 4d doesn't save the files - trial version.

Unlike in the C4d tutorial we got - on adding tags and object I.D.'s - I was unable to do this in 3ds but you can add Giff I.D.'s to separate elements of a 3ds model and in theory edit them further in After Effects. I did manage to add a fractal effect one face of the cube but it seems to act more like a mask as the fractal image itself isn't rotating.

 

 

Above is the blue glass pebble that I found on our driveway. I discovered that it made an ideal filter to create the scene in the video below. I used it for the background in my final FX video as the changes in light and shade reminded me of an underwater view.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well I finally opened the hand mould to see how the cast turned out. Another disaster I'm afraid.

 

The first impression was that it seemed o.k.

 

There's a share of excess silicone around the centre join but that can be trimmed off easily enough

 

The first mistake can be seen above where the first layer of silicone didn't stick to the latex layer and peeled away.

 

I obviously should have secured the mould halves together as the depth of the cast is deeper than it should be, i.e. the excess silicone didn't get squeezed out when the halves where placed together.

 

There are also a lot of blemishes from little holes in the plaster that I should have filled beforehand

 

The palm side isn't too bad - though again there are places where the latex layer didn't stick properly to the silicone layer

 

This angle shows how thick the cast is

 

Compared to the original it's not bad from this angle. The biggest problem though is the fact that the armature doesn't work. The fingers can be bent o.k., but due to the volume of silicone, they bounce back into the straight position. I've since worked out that the armature should be almost as thick as the hand itself - with only a minimal amount of silicone covering it. Plus there needs to be a 90 degree angled space between the joints to allow for movement. The question is how to fill these spaces, or with what, so that they don't accidentally fill with silicone. maybe some sponge? Anyway I won't be able to animate this one so I guess it's back to the drawing board - again.

 

 



 

 

I am still working on the hand cast and it's kind of slow progress as I have to leave each layer of silicone for 24 hours to set. So while I was waiting I tried out another experiment. One of my ideas for my FYP involved human like androids, and one of them has convinced all the humans that it's also human - that until it's skin gets torn revealing the robotic mechanism beneath. I wanted to create an effect of torn skin on my arm using liquid latex - with the robotic mechanism then showing. Something like the image below, but with loose skin around the cut.

 

 

 

Instead of drawing or painting on the robotic bits I thought I would paint on a flat colour and key it out later in After Effects, and add an image of the robotic arm. I used some blue face paint which I had to apply fairly thickly.



 



 

 

I then applied a layer of liquid latex

 

I soon realised that the latex dried almost transparent but figured that I could add some make-up over it to give the area a skin colour

 

After several layers of latex the blue paint underneath was still very obvious. I wanted to get a white colour to apply the make-up over.

 

I had seen a video on the interweb where the person added a layer of tissue paper between the layers of latex to save on latex, so I decided that this would give me the white I needed and hide the blue.

 

As I had no make-up (I think foundation is what they use) I decided to just rip the latex - as this is only an experiment as yet - to see how it will look. As you can see the layer of blue face paint stuck to the first layer of latex and came away with the latex. Also the tissue was too thick and gave a lumpy texture, not a bit realistic.

 

I also didn't shave a big enough area on my arm but I did discover a new method of hair removal (though I wouldn't recommend it). Next time I'll draw on the robotic section and cover it with a release gel. I also discovered that there's a liquid foundation that can be added to the liquid latex before applying, so I'll try that too.

 

I've added several more layers to each half of the hand mould and have since joined the two halves after applying more silicone to hopefully fill in all the gaps - It was a case of guessing where it was needed as I couldn't see into the mould. There's a lot to be said for a viscous material. I know from experience that this cast could take ages - over a week - to set, so at the moment it's outside where there's a strong breeze. Hopefully this will speed up the setting time.