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Example using PopVideo Converter 3 masked videos, to create a compositing Sci-Fi project on iClone6

I wanted to show the possibilities of iClone 6 when creating a sci-fi set mixing 3D props and billboards with video textures. The new Reallusion popVideo 3 software allows one to mask HD video footage filmed using green screen backgrounds, creating a keyed high definition video format than can be used as the texture in iClone 3D props. It allows one to mix real footage in virtual sets without further compositing operations.

In addition, iClone also allows rendering video sequences with the transparent background that can be used later in a new project such as billboard textures, in order to create crowds, vegetation walls or any other compositing layer.

All these video textured billboards, can be placed in the 3D set as any other prop. It’s very convenient, as they get fully affected by the lights of the project, (colour, intensity, etc.), receiving the shadows of the other props in the scene and projecting their own shadows as well.

Also, if the scene has a camera travelling, the parallax effect is automatically created in the final render, as the billboards are actually placed in the set.

Read More “3D compositing a futuristic sci-fi city”

3D compositing has always been a challenge for video creators as it has been difficult to find, and master ,3D animation software with enough flexibility and ease of use that would allow artists to focus on their special effects, and not so much on the complicated process of actually working with 3D assets.

But with iClone‘s real-time capabilities, 3D compositing is somewhat easier since users can simply manipulate 3D objects, and animate characters in combination with video billboards, video textures, and video cutouts provided in popVideo formats. If you are wondering what popVideos are, they are basically transparent, cutout videos that are ideal for iClone 3D video compositing. Now, 3D compositing in iClone has been further enhanced with additional iClone content packs like the new Super VFX 200 pack, which is a collection of some of the best video effects from industry veterans – Digital Juice. The popVideos in this pack contain alpha masking information already embedded into their videos, allowing you to quickly click and drag them into your 3D scenes to integrate them into your animated projects.

Read More “Easy 3D Video Compositing with iClone”