“Alusi” is a 3D animated short that brings the rich traditions of the Igbo people to life, focusing on the revered Igbo deity, Alusi. This animation is part of the “Tales by Moonlight” project, designed to showcase the spiritual and cultural significance of Igbo traditions in a visually captivating and accessible way. Through intricate 3D animation, we explore the deity’s role in Igbo society, highlighting its connection to nature, protection, and the ancestral spirits. The short uses vivid storytelling and dynamic visuals to immerse the audience in Igbo culture, offering an educational yet engaging experience.
The technological revolution is changing aspect of our lives, and the fabric of society itself. it’s also changing the way we learn and what we learn. Factual knowledge is less prized when everything you ever need to know can be found on your phone. There’s no imperative to be an expert at doing everything when you can.
Step into the future of education with MIVA Open University’s VR Center! This animation showcases an immersive learning environment where students engage with cutting-edge virtual reality technology to explore, create, and learn like never before. From interactive simulations to dynamic virtual classrooms, the VR Center transforms traditional education into an extraordinary experience.
Character Walk-Cycle Animation in After Effects
I created a dynamic vector character animation using free online assets, showcasing the power of After Effects in transforming simple designs into engaging motion graphics. Starting with pre-designed vector elements, we customized and layered them in Adobe Illustrator to prepare for seamless animation.In After Effects, the character was rigged using Duik Bassel, allowing fluid movements for the arms, legs, and facial expressions. A time-lapse of the process highlights our expertise in asset integration, rigging, and animation, demonstrating how we bring static illustrations to life with precision and creativity.This project exemplifies our commitment to leveraging accessible resources and advanced tools to deliver high-quality animations tailored to our clients’ needs. ✨
For my personal project, Tales by Moonlight, I implemented a three-point camera setup in Unreal Engine to capture multiple burst views, enhancing the cinematic storytelling experience. This technique involved strategically positioning three cameras to frame dynamic angles of the scene, ensuring seamless transitions and immersive visuals.
For the Alusi series in Tales by Moonlight, I meticulously crafted a vibrant and immersive environment in Unreal Engine to reflect the cultural richness of Igbo traditions. The project involved designing a traditional village setting, complete with huts, clay pots, and lush greenery, to create an authentic backdrop for the story.🌟
Asset Development Workflow for Alusi 🎨
For the Alusi project in Tales by Moonlight, I employed a streamlined asset creation pipeline involving Maya, Quixel Mixer, and Unreal Engine. This workflow ensured high-quality, culturally authentic assets while maintaining efficiency.🌟
At Kencrafts Studio, we’re excited to share a glimpse into the making of our upcoming 3D animated short project, Scam Alert. In this behind-the-scenes timelapse, we showcase the creation of key assets for the film, inspired by the charm of a classic Nigerian living room.
- Modeling in Maya
- We started by modeling a classic Nigerian couch, center table, and a vintage TV in Maya. Each piece was carefully designed to reflect the cultural aesthetics and functional style of traditional Nigerian homes.
- Texturing in Quixel Mixer
- The assets were then textured in Quixel Mixer, bringing them to life with rich, authentic details. From the textured fabric on the couch to the polished wood of the table and the retro metallic sheen of the TV, every element was crafted with precision.
- Compositing in Reallusion iClone
- Finally, these assets were assembled and animated in iClone, setting the stage for the vibrant and relatable scenes in Scam Alert. The real-time rendering capabilities of iClone helped us fine-tune the setup quickly and efficiently.
This workflow is not just fast but also ensures we deliver high-quality visuals that resonate with our audience. Stay tuned for Scam Alert, where these assets will play a central role in bringing the story to life! Watch the video to see the magic in progress.
Case Study: Crafting a Singlet for Character Creator with Marvelous Designer
At Kencrafts, efficiency is key in our garment creation workflow. For this project, I designed a simple yet realistic singlet for my Character Creator avatar using Marvelous Designer.
The process began with cutting and shaping the fabric patterns, ensuring proper proportions and realistic folds. Next, I stitched and simulated the garment to achieve a natural drape before fine-tuning the fit on my character.
Once satisfied, I exported the garment as an FBX, preserving the material and physics data for Character Creator. Inside CC, I adjusted weights and skin fitting, ensuring seamless movement and deformation on the avatar.
This streamlined approach allows for quick iterations and high-quality results, making the workflow ideal for realistic character dressing in animation.
Case Study: Cloth Texturing Workflow – Character Creator, Maya, ZBrush & Adobe Illustrator
This project focused on texturing a garment for a Character Creator (CC) avatar, utilizing Maya, ZBrush, and Adobe Illustrator. The workflow started in CC, where the garment was imported and UV-mapped before being sent to Maya for adjustments. Ensuring a clean UV layout was crucial for precise texture application.
For added realism, the garment was taken into ZBrush, where finer details like fabric folds and stitching were sculpted. These details were then baked into normal maps for better depth and realism. In Adobe Illustrator, custom fabric patterns and color variations were designed and exported as high-resolution textures, which were applied in Maya’s Hypershade along with roughness and specularity maps.
The final textured garment was brought back into Character Creator, where it seamlessly integrated with the avatar, resulting in a high-quality, animation-ready outfit with intricate detailing and realistic fabric textures.