Valve’s “Source Filmmaker” (SFM)
I went to see Madagascar 3 in 3d few days ago and I was struck by how efficiently they used the 3d.
Like most purist I don’t usually care about 3d and would usually go for the cheaper and flatter 2d version when/if available but this made me realize that we are living in a very exciting time.
As soon as I got out of the cinema I wanted to do some modeling and animation. Not because the movie was so good (you can swim from Tanzania to Monaco in 5 minutes, but can’t reach New York in 10? right….) but I am guessing because I had been sharing 90 minutes with CG puppets made alive, and, thanks to the use of 3d, those puppets were simply made real.
For the past few years we have merely tried to replicate in CG what had been done for 100 years with traditional 2d animation when we actually have the tools to take storytelling and cinematography to greater heights.
Let’s have a look at what video game company, Valve, just presented in a very compelling video today.
Non other than Gollum’s creator, Bay Raitt, is introducing Valve’s “Source filmmaker” (SFM).
From what I understand, they basically give you the best tool to create your own Machinimas.
We will be able to to use Valve’s realtime VFX, lighting, animation engine to create our own realtime shortfilms… for free? 😉
On top of that, we can already imagine that animation, props, VFX creators could sell the fruits of their labour on the Valve marketplace or Steam, for everyone to enjoy. Got some crazy walk/run cycles? Sell them! You missed out on the Iphone App market? This is your chance!
Those guys are definitely thinking outside the box and created a really fresh ecosystem and business model. I look forward to hearing more about it and seeing how the wider audience will react to it.
Hit to following link for loads of tutorials.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zri1c_If6Ic[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcYOq6bqK-M[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRfkXu5SzNg[/youtube]
While we are at it, check out that “Meet the Pyro” video I hadn’t seen before.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUhOnX8qt3I[/youtube]
Related posts:
Bay Raitt
Design outside the box
Things change, new opportunities ariseB
As usual Valve is breaking new grounds. Kudos to them. look forward to getting my dirty hands on ;D