Removing Highlights and Shadows from Images for 3D Texturing (Part 1) Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-05-20 | When creating 3D textures from photographs, it is necessary to remove highlight and shadow details so they do not become "baked into" the finished texture. I recorded this tutorial for some of my interns for a research project, but I feel it could be useful for others. Unfortunately, I am not able to share the PSD file I mention in the tutorial here on YouTube, but hopefully you are able to see the result well enough to understand the process. Part 1 of 2. Link to Part 2: youtu.be/u7_gtrVd-Wc0:00 - Intro0:45 - Shadow Removal4:46 - Highlight Removal8:11 - B&W Adjustment Layer10:02 - Finished Result
3D Generalist / Animation Demo Reel - Jason Kennedy (2023) Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-10-25 | Updated animation and visual effects show reel / demo reel for 2023. My experience is primarily as a 3D generalist with specialist skills in character animation and motion capture performance.
Region Render Sequence in Arnold Using Filtermaps Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-09-29 | This tutorial outlines a process for rendering a specific pixel region in your Arnold renders, rather than having to render the entire image (also known as "batch render region"). This is great time-saving strategy when trying to fix a localised render issue where render layers or AOVs are not an optimal solution.
Introductory Stop Motion Assignment - Blobby Animations Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-06-23 | A selection of our favourite student submissions for the "Blobby Animation" assignment, taught within the Animation, Visual Effects & Game Design (AVG) major at Auckland University of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand. This is a first-year, first-semester paper that serves as AVG students' introduction to animation process, principles, and production. Students selected from a variety of story prompts to create an original narrative based on interactions between two blobs.
Dr Jason Kennedy - Animation & Motion Capture Student Work - 2012-2022 Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-06-10 | A compilation of excellent student work completed as part of the animation and motion capture papers I teach at Auckland University of Technology. This work ranges from 2012-2022. Many of these graduates are now well-established in the field at leading animation/VFX companies. Several of these films won multiple international awards.Students whose work is featured in this video include: Oli Bixley, Jaimee Burk, Joy Cao, Kathy Chan, Lynn Choi, Eugenie Chylek-Peters, Camille Cruz, Raphael David, Dana Franklin, Jamie Gits, Bree Greally, Jeeyeon Han, Darlene Hassencamp, Enid Hu, Sarah Johnston, Jolene Lopez, Lily Martin-Babin, Pae Nuanmangsor, Jake Oh, Roger Pang, Hasmita Patel, Jackson Rowe, Jannisa Seck, Varvara Solovyeva, Jason Spicer, Marco Staines, William Tan, Hansika Tiyyagura, Naomi Tjandra , Ply Torthienchai, Brett Whiting
Removing Highlights and Shadows from Images for 3D Texturing (Part 2) Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-05-20 | After we've made adjustments to the highlights and shadows with the Camera Raw filter, we can get even more control by combining this with a version of our image with a high pass applied. Part 2 of 2. Link to Part 1: youtu.be/uzoy-oqXxZo
Efficiently Painting Skin Weights in Maya - Creating a Skin Weights Dance Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-04-26 | Skin weights are a painful part of the rigging process, but there are strategies to paint them more efficiently. This tutorial introduces the idea of a "skin weights dance" - a range of movement (ROM) exercise that moves each part of the body in a meaningful way for the purpose of editing skin weights. The setup in this video is based on the rigging conventions in Rapid Rig: Modular. A copy of document I discuss is available at the link below:dropbox.com/s/mkzvcf9ic72w37i/SkinWeightsDance.zip?dl=0
Stop Motion Setup Overview Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-04-20 | This is an introductory tutorial I created for my animation students about how to set up for their first stop motion assignment. I have posted this to YouTube in case it may be of use to anyone else. It is important to note that there is no discussion of lighting in this video as the students are not asked to concern themselves with setting up lights in this first assignment.0:00 - Required Materials2:16 - Mounting the Camera11:04 - Composing the Frame18:47 - Prepping Your Models22:41 - Aligning the Scene in Dragonframe46:45 - Animating in Dragonframe
ZBrush Creature Feedback Example - Early WIP Guidance Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-04-07 | Some example feedback on a work-in-progress creature model made by a group of students in an introductory modelling project. The advice here primarily pertains to fixing a blocky sculpt where the overall shape of the character may look okay in a front view or side view, but looks too square when seen in perspective. Additionally, there are concerns around the size, shape, and location of key body features, including bones and muscles. Finally, there is some advice on fixing up fingers that become enmeshed (webbed) together.0:00 - Modifying Dynamesh resolution 2:08 - Fixing blocky shapes 4:30 - Accounting for muscles/bones11:30 - Placement issues in the chest/arms13:30 - Accounting for muscles/bones in leg/foot17:05 - Finger webbing issues
Recovering Symmetry in a Dynamesh Sculpt - Using ZBrush and Maya Dr Jason Kennedy 2023-03-28 | When sculpting with Dynamesh in ZBrush, you may at some point forget to enable symmetry for your sculpting. How do you make an asymmetrical model symmetrical in ZBrush? There are various techniques for standard sculpting, but not all of these work with Dynamesh. This video demonstrates a workflow between ZBrush and Maya for recovering symmetry in a Dynamesh sculpt.
Jason Kennedy - 3D Generalist Demo Reel (2022) Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-12-17 | A collection of recent animation and visual effects projects I've worked on.In order:0:03 - The Seagull (2020)0:23 - Holding South (2021)0:37 - Meek the Meerkat (in production)0:52 - Basic Object Exercise (2020)0:57 - Heathens (2022)1:40 - Untitled Pleistocene Project (in production)
Back to Life Scene - Crowley Interrogates Miri Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-07-03 | A short scene from the British dark comedy "Back to Life". Officer Crowley is a woman in the show, but I played the role for this exercise and added my own twist. Also, my first go at a Cockney accent.Rehearsed and filmed at the Kacie Stetson Studio in Auckland, New Zealand.
Transferring Textures to Multiple UV Tiles (UDIMs) in ZBrush Using Polypaint and Polygroups Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-07-02 | If you have a third-party model with a nice texture but you want to update the UV layout, this tutorial shows you how you can use Polypaint in ZBrush to preserve the textural detail across a new layout, and even update the layout to support multiple UV tiles (UDIMs).0:00 - Overview0:43 - Assigning Textures2:10 - Polypainting from Texture5:41 - Exporting to Maya7:30 - Updated UV Layout in Maya8:23 - Importing Updated UVs to ZBrush10:05 - Textures from Polygroups13:50 - Saving UDIM Textures14:50 - Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Rigging a Backpack in Maya 04 - Setting up Control Relationships Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-04-14 | Part 5: youtu.be/ZEeIj5hR6oo
Rigging a Backpack in Maya 03 - Creating Animation Controls Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-04-14 | Part 4: youtu.be/vOTwfPvd4H0
Rigging a Backpack in Maya 02 - Creating IK Spline Straps Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-04-14 | Part 3: youtu.be/-UUeAORdTco
Rigging a Backpack in Maya 01 - Joints Setup Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-04-14 | A quick overview of how to create a very basic rig for a backpack for my animation students. This isn't meant to be a super functional rig, but rather something fast for animators to put together to include in a scene. Part 2: youtu.be/oC6aMwOIIbc
3D Animation Blocking Cleanup Considerations Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-04-11 | This video is an overview of common issues students encounter when animating a full-body character for the first time. It is critical to attend to these issues during the blocking stage, before any interpolation is applied through either linear or spline stages. Each of these are important, especially animating the clavicles, staging, rhythmic reversals, weight balance, and taking every step.Link to the TweenMachine script: github.com/boredstiff/tweenMachine0:00 - Intro0:18 - Hide Unnecessary Objects1:15 - Keep Your Keyframes Sequential1:46 - Use Parent Constraints3:20 - Use Torso FK Controls6:53 - Clavicle Controls9:00 - Staging14:00 - Rhythmic Reversals and Line of Action22:54 - Weight Balance25:03 - Duplicate Poses25:58 - Avoid Unnecessary Keys26:44 - Twinning30:04 - Take Every Step
Taking The One Leg Jump Out Of Blocking Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-03-07 | This is a video created for my animation students at Auckland University of Technology. After blocking your one leg jump, here is a quick overview of how to take the animation through the linear, spline, and polishing steps.The arc tracker script is available here: highend3d.com/maya/script/arc-tracker-for-maya0:00 - Introduction0:03 - The Arc Tracker Script0:54 - Path of Action1:45 - Retiming the Jump4:05 - Cleaning Up Non-Integer Keys5:46 - Tracking the Foot6:15 - Managing Leg Bends8:07 - Evaluating Spacing8:32 - Transitioning to Spline10:03 - Adjusting the Foot Roll11:18 - Squash & Stretch
AUT Digital Design 2022 Orientation Dr Jason Kennedy 2022-02-21 | Link to the PowerPoint presentation featured in this video: dropbox.com/s/302xv507xmqg3lz/Digital%20Design%20Orientation%202022.pptx?dl=00:00 - Welcome and Introduction3:14 - Enrolment and Your Timetable5:18 - Semester 1 Delivery7:28 - Student ID Cards8:28 - Access Cards11:19 - Keeping in Touch14:16 - IT Services18:29 - Data Security20:20 - Photocopying21:37 - Digital Design Social Media22:09 - Student Services25:10 - Computers32:44 - Graphics Tablets34:14 - Software36:50 - Labs/Facilities38:45 - Peer Mentor43:57 - Labs/Facilities, cont44:42 - Semester 1 Overview46:39 - Digital Design Lecturers Contacts
Acting scene from Modern Love - The Night Girl Finds a Day Boy Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-11-08 | Side-by-side self-tapes for an acting exercise in Dawn Glover's class at the Kacie Stetson Studio (Auckland, New Zealand) - November 2021. Actors are Jason Kennedy and Ivy Alvarez.
DEVS Scene - Lily Asks for Jamies Help Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-10-11 | A scene I recently completed as part of my acting classes with Dawn Glover, who teaches at the Kacie Stetson Studio in Auckland, New Zealand. This one is from the first episode of the FX series "DEVS". I play the role of Jamie.
Jason Kennedy - Self-Tape Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-09-21 | Scene from "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, And Vile"
Performing Robert Downey Jrs Interview with Howard Stern Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-09-21 | This is a biopic exercise from my acting class at the Kacie Stetson Studio where we had to select a famous person and recreate an interview as them. I chose Howard Stern's interview of Robert Downey Jr. The original interview "Robert Downey Jr. Discusses His Iron Man Legacy" is here for comparison: youtube.com/watch?v=Sdj-zpcaqeE
SOLVED - Animation Controls for Metahumans in Maya Stop Working Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-09-03 | What happens when the animation controls stop affecting your Metahuman rig in Maya? This tutorial takes you through a simple, although non-obvious, solution.
Relinking Metahuman Textures Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-08-25 | A short tutorial created for my students about how to relink the Metahuman textures when the source file is moved outside of its standard directory.
Jason Kennedy Acting Showreel - August 2021 Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-08-17 | 0:05 - Holding South (2021) - Joe1:49 - Taking Stock (2020) - Arthur Devine2:38 - Pandemic (2020) - Marsden
Better Labels for Unreal MetaHumans in Maya Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-07-08 | The facial GUI for MetaHumans in Maya can be a bit overwhelming. I created an easy to install label image for all of the facial GUI controls. Download it here: dropbox.com/s/k1tbexqwcco0v39/MetaHuman_Label_Plane.zip?dl=0UPDATE 9 July 2021: I've now added a colour-coded version that corresponds to the face groups used for Faceware Analyzer/Retargeter.
ZBrush to Unreal Engine Displacement and Normal Map Workflow Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-06-09 | An explanation of how to create displacement and normal maps from ZBrush and correctly link them inside of Unreal Engine. This overview is specific to the Dinorama class project.
In Bruges Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-06-05 | A scene I recently completed as part of my acting classes with Dawn Glover, who teaches at the Kacie Stetson Studio in Auckland, New Zealand. This one is from the 2008 movie "In Bruges". I play the role of Ray.
Flour Sack Jump 2D Animations Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-05-26 | Examples of the 2D flour sack jump project in Introduction to 3D Animation during Autumn 2021. This is a first-year paper at Auckland University of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand. This is the first major animation assignment for these students.
Adding Claws to the Dinosaur Dr Jason Kennedy 2021-04-05 | For the dinorama project, separating the claws from the rest of the dinosaur body geometry will make it easier to sculpt and texture them. This video is a basic overview of how to create and add the claws as subtools in ZBrush.
Performance Capture with Faceware Showreel 2020 Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-11-27 | These projects are from a facial and body performance capture assignment given in the third paper of the motion capture minor (Year 2) at Auckland University of Technology in Semester 2 of 2020. Students worked in groups to produce original performances, and worked individually to clean up and retarget the PeCap data using Faceware and Maya. Actors from the Kacie Stetson Studio in Auckland created the source performances for these animations.
Taking Stock (Short Film) Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-11-05 | A short film written by and starring Jason Kennedy and Mateusz Dawidowski for our acting class with the Kacie Stetson Studio in Auckland, New Zealand. Dawn Glover served as our acting coach for this project. Music by Aaron Louks.
Fixing Broken Facial MoCap Performances by Switching Evaluation Modes in Maya Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-20 | Maya's default "parallel" evaluation mode can lead to issues when retargeting motion capture data onto custom rigs. This short tutorial discusses a quick solution.
Attaching a Ukulele to a Motion-Captured Hand Using a Point on Poly Constraint Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-16 | ...
Constraining the Facial Cameras to a Retargeted Head Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-16 | This quick tutorial discusses how to maintain the original positions of the facial cameras relative to the character's head even when the body moves after MoCap data is applied.
MoCap 3 - Week 10 Lecture - Setting Up Animation Layers for MoCap Retargeting Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-09 | ...
Rendering AOVs with Redshift in Maya for Compositing in After Effects Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-03 | ...
MoCap 3 - Week 9 Lecture - Part 2 - Retargeting MoCap Data Onto a Proxy Rig Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-02 | ...
MoCap 3 - Week 9 Lecture - Part 3 - Mapping MoCap Data to Custom Rig Controls Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-02 | ...
MoCap 3 - Week 9 Lecture - Part 1 - Cleaning MoCap Data in MotionAnalysis Cortex Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-10-01 | ...
MoCap 3 - Syncing Multiple Viewports in Maya Dr Jason Kennedy 2020-09-22 | This quick video demonstrates how to get multiple viewports to simultaneously update when scrubbing the timeline in Maya. This is especially helpful when retargeting MoCap data using Faceware.
