Rhino Augmented Drawing 3D Scanning Arc GIS

🟡
During this workshop, we explored the process of created augmented drawings using a base 3D model across software such as Cinema 4D, Adobe After Effects and Artivive. The purpose of this workshop was to introduce us to the basics of animating an image, either through an animation created out of a 3D model or with over laid 2D elements on a rendered image. These would then be compiled and uploaded to the Artivive App, where we are able to view these augmented drawings via a trigger image that begins the animation through the device viewport.
 
Table of Contents

✍🏼 Workshop Notes

When creating short, animated videos, it is important to think about the concept from the beginning rather than treat the project as an afterthought. Adding in 2D elements via Adobe After Effects will be far more efficient than trying to create everything in a 3D modelling software. This also gives it much more interest depending on the project context.
Initial thoughts related to design project:
  • Augmented animations could be used to give everyday objects a new meaning or purpose, show them as future fossils
  • Could even transform the perception of a space over a period of time
  • Thinking about themes of consumerism and escapism, these animations could be delivered in the form of paraphernalia or archaeological expedition drawings?
  • Uncovering or peeling back layers, similar to the excavation process of artifacts
 
❗
Don't bother with unnecessary level of detail and high resolutions as these animations will only be displayed on smaller screens.
 

🎥 Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering application developed by Maxon and is a great application for motion graphics, modeling, and texturing.
For this workshop, we explored the software UI and interface, its basic features including material assignments, replacements and creation as well as lighting techniques and animation basics. Below are the series of steps shown in the example.

Process

  1. Import a 3D model
    1. You can import Sketchup 2019 (or earlier) into Cinema 4D but it is important to know that materials may vary so keep the materials quite basic like block colours
    2. Other software such as Rhino can also be imported with the correct file types
  1. Adjust the Render Settings
    1. Setting the correct aspect ratio for the animation (1000 X 1000 pixels as a square aspect ratio). This has to match the trigger image and animation.
        2. Change the frame rate export to 'All Frames' and 24 frames per second.
    2. Check the Save box (save as a c4d file) and turn the Alpha Channel ON
        3. Change format of the export to an mp4 in order to import into Artivive later on.
    3. Anti-aliasing; change to 'Best' for final output (smooths the edges)
notion image
  1. Assign and Replace Materials
    1. Use the material editor to assign, replace or create native materials in Cinema 4D.
  1. Turn on Global Illumination & Other Lights
    1. Adding lights will give the model depth and shadows. Here you can also add in a floor surface to ensure these show properly.
    2. For a Skylight, you can also adjust the dates and times of the sunlight to create the desired effect - make sure to turn this on whilst doing test renders.
      3. notion image
  1. Object Attributes
    1. To make things easier, you can group together objects in order to apply the same animation effects i.e. to an object and the camera attached to it.
  1. Adding a Physical Camera
    1. Similar to 'Scenes' in Sketchup, adding a camera will set the position from which the animation will be rendered. This view can be locked and any panning or orbiting will not effect the camera view afterwards.
    2. You can also set up cameras in the 3D modelling software and import them into C4D by saving it as a .act file. This will help if you are also rendering in another software or making additional changes later on.
  1. Creating Key Frames
    1. Key frames are a simpler process of animation in which the software fills in the frames between two points. Therefore you will need to add in a key frame for each moment something changes in the animation.
    2. If moving the object, ensure you turn on the keyframe icons whilst the slider is at 0 seconds. Then, move the slider to the desired length of time and alter the object accordingly. The effected keyframes will turn orange.
  1. Exporting the Animation
    1. Rendering the entire animation will consist of individual renders of each frame. At this point, make sure to turn on anti-aliasing to ensure a smoother output.
      2. notion image
 
❗
Turn on the Protection tag for the camera to lock the view; this is because C4D doesn't save the camera view and can be lost at any time.
 

🚕 After Effects

Adobe After Effects is the industry standard tool for motion graphics and visual effects.
In After Effects we looked at a similar animation process but with a 2D image. For this example, I used an illustration from my previous work. We simply experiemented with a simple zooming in animation and setting an alternate anchor point.
❗
When importing images and media, make sure to drag them onto the canvas or into the toolbar at the bottom left to ensure they are in the frame.

Process

  1. Set the Canvas Aspect Ratio
    1. to match that of the trigger image and final animation - remember it does not need to be of high quality at this stage.
  1. Transform & Animate
    1. Each image or layer will have its own set of transformation properties that can alter the size, scale or rotation at a very basic level.
        2. notion image
    2. You can also mask objects, or import media from other software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
  1. Setting an Alternate Anchor Point
    1. Click on the image in the layers tab and select the Range Selector to drag and move the anchor point in the image. This will mean that if you are zooming in to the image, it will focus on the new anchor point instead of the middle of the image.
  1. Exporting the Animation
    1. Head to File → Export → Send to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
    2. Click on the green play button to export the render and save to a location of your choice.

💻 Extra Tutorials

Video preview
Video preview
 

🎨 Artivive Bridge

Artivive is an AR tool that allows artists to create new dimensions of art by linking classical with digital art.
Finally, we can compile the outputs of the C4D and After Effects into Artivive by uploading the 2D image along with an mp4 animation file.
Basic
The basic process is a simple upload
3D / Pro
The 3D editor allows you to edit and transform the 2D elements as well as adding transparency to the final augmented animation.
 
 
badge