CGI Workflow

Written by Andrew Buxton Thursday, 13 August 2009 13:17

TVPD's CGI Team are Volunteer CGI Artists, Riggers and Animators who are working together globally to take The Venus Projects Media to new heights of virtual realism and demonstrate the beauty and functionality of the designs of Jacque Fresco in a visually awe inspiring way to assist in raising the awareness of the general public to the possibilities available to mankind as we enter into a new era of technological and social revolution.

Since beginning the project in Late June 2009, I have spent modelling the first of the Circular City designs, whilst the volunteers have concentrated on reproducing the housing designs and some of the transportation, and work is continuing daily across the globe. We have some wonderfully talented people taking Jacques concepts and producing from them beautiful 3D Models for use in future TVP related productions including "And the world will be won" - The Future TVP Feature Movie, and possibly other exciting media projects for both The Venus Project and Peter Joseph of The Zeitgeist Movement.

All work submitted is concidered a donation to The Venus Project.

We use 3D Studio Max 2009 all CGI Content, so artists using this package or earlier versions are preferred due to import/export compatibility issues.

Stage 1 - Initial Modelling Phase:

Receipt of Sketches and Photo references from TVP, and production of External 3D models for the following camera type shots / animations. Long Distance Ground Level Long Distance Hover (Heli-cam) Long Distance - Aerial View / Satellite View Medium / Close Range - Motion Blurred Camera Animations Important note: As some of these cities range from 3-4km diameter to 10km dia. with hundreds/thousands of low/medium detail models in them you can image scene size is Huge, and we are currently using a Dual Quad core 3.2Ghz Workstation with 16gb RAM for this, and handles the job well running 3DS Max with VRAY as our renderer to utilize VRAY Proxy Objects allowing trillions of polys in our scenes.

All models to be supplied to us in standard grey material (no textures), no environment, Lights, cameras etc and in the following formats (in order of preference)

MAX, 3DS, FBX, DWG

If you can’t supply in any of these formats please let us know what file types you can export/save as and we will try to accommodate.

2 Versions of the model are required:

1 x Detailed visualization model for use in TVP film media projects.
1 x Lo-poly version for use in future TVP game project (With normal maps for details)

Stage 2 - Team Structure

At this stage we will have a good idea of who can do what, who the best - most efficient modellers are etc and will begin making modelling teams for each category i.e Architecture / Transport etc based on performance in Stage1

Stage 3 - Detailed modelling

This stage will consist of taking the basic models, and using them as a reference for producing high poly, high detailed versions for use in close up animations / walkthroughs etc.

Stage 4 - Technical Modelling & Rigging

Modelling of Technical / Mechanical Assemblies and Rigging for various Animations, i.e construction etc.

Stage 5 - Texturing

All models in Stage 1 will be textured by myself using a standard template i have created for the distance models (low detail VRAY maps etc)

All models in Stage 3 will be handed to our Texture artists for UV Unwrapping, and Photoshop work etc

Stage 6 - Story Boarding

We have yet to source the required human resources for this, and much of this stage will have to be coordinated with TVP via Skype meetings etc.

Stage 7 - Animation & Visual Effects

Will be looking for Specialists in the following Plugins/Stand alone software

CEBAS Thinking Particles
CEBAS Final Render
CEBAS PyroCluster
AFTERBURN
NEXTLIMIT Realflow 4 (Fluid Dynamics)
WORLDBUILDER
VUE 7.5

and more...

Note: If you are experienced in any of these programs to a production level pleae let us know, preferably with some samples of completed works.

Also experienced camera animators, possible crowd systems and biped systems, character animation etc

Stage 8 - Rendering

Will be looking for people with 3D Studio Max / Vray Setups with a minimum spec of..

3DS MAX 2009 or Later, VRAY SP2, Dual/Quad Core PC, 4GB RAM to assist in the rendering of scenes into separate elements for Post Production

Stage 9 - Post Production and Visual Effects

Render Sequences will be sent to Post Production (I will need assistance on this process closer to the time as I have not had much to do with Post Production Techniques and workflow.

CGI Volunteer Selection Process

1) Registration of volunteer at http://www.thevenusprojectdesign.com and go to the "The venus Project Design" drop down menu, and select "Volunteers".

2) Once registered, Volunteers should then Send us examples of their modelling/texturing etc to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or links to their show-reel etc.

3) Within 24 hrs of receipt of their samples they will receive an email notifying them if they have been accepted into the testing phase. If no email is received this will mean you have not been accepted at this stage.

4) If the Volunteer has been accepted into the Testing phase, they will be sent our Volunteer agreement, and once this has been replied to, and filed we will send over the "Test Model References" by email.

This model should be completed asap, and as detailed as possible. Details like windows and doors should be modelled and layered accordingly (i.e Window frame, Glazing etc), No textures should be used at this stage. Also models should be produced as per the reference material or as close as possible with the reference material supplied. Variations of the designs are not required and any such variations will unfortunately be rejected.
Details should be added to the texture maps preferably with normal maps for added realism on all lo-poly models.

Reference Material tends to come in ft/inches (imperial) therefore Models should be at 1/1 Scale in either imperial units or in metric (Converting as required), and should be setup correctly in their preferred modelling software. Submittal of the test model should be a screenshot in one of the following formats PNG, TIF, JPG, showing the top/front/left and perspective views of the model and this will be checked by myself and then Jacque & Roxanne at TVP.

5) Within 24 hrs of receiving the test model an email notifying whether or not they have been accepted into the modelling team will be sent.

6) If the volunteer has been accepted into the modelling team, they will be assigned to a model, and reference materials will be sent to them via email. If further information is required they should email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a mark-up of what dimensions are required or indicate areas that need clarification.

CGI Modelling Team

Once accepted into the modelling team the following will apply:

1) Models should be produced in either of the following formats (In order of preference):
MAX, FBX, 3DS, DWG, DXF, without textures, lighting, environments etc as these will be added at a later date

2) Upon completion of the model, the volunteer should submit a render (Without materials - Just standard light grey) showing the top/front/left and perspective views of the model and this will be checked by myself and then Jacque & Roxanne at TVP. (As per Step 4 of the selection process)

3) If Revisions are required we will send the volunteer marked up drawings indicating the modifications etc.

4) Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the model is approved.

5) Once approved, the volunteer will be assigned to a new model, and reference materials will be sent to them via email and the whole process repeats. If further information is required they should email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a mark-up of what dimensions are required or indicate areas that need clarification.