Project presentation _Fashion show

The fashion show was finished, the audience also feedback to me what I have not observed detial of the show. Although this show has been a good response, I have not finish yet the researching, however, Is animation suitable for live performances or fashion show ? At least, this show let me know its possible. In fact, this is a very experimental for this show, but also contains my project research,  such as interaction or real people performing combination with the 3D animation. In fact, the digital combine with performance is a modern trend, but how to combine the two, there are many methods that need to be thought.

survey

 When the show finished, I had to use a questionnaire to understand the audience's mind, so I thought about some problems.

1. When you watch this show, would you think this is a fashion show ?

2. This the performers, do you think is helpful for the garments display?

3. For fashion shows, Which form would you prefer to watch performances of different ways or general fashion show.

4. Do you think the animation help you understand the concept of fashion designer?

5. Combining animation with clothing, have you seen similar performances? If you have seen, do you think this may be a trend?

6. Have you any suggestions for the show today?

Expo film

Although this project is the fashion show, I still prepare the film for exhibition. Using fashion designers logo make the title of film. After all, the film mainly present the fashion garment, then I use music that the show will play the music. Due to I have not complete whole the film and picture, therefore I only use some pictures for two garment. When I finish the picture, I will put whole the picture into the film.

part of animation_last

The last animation, conception is cloth, line and the mirror. Cause the show will use 4 screens, that is basic idea for this show. Therefor, why I use effect of mirror to make this animation. In addition, I still accord original conception - line. To make this animation.

part of animation

I still develop the animation from the line and muscle, according to the body profile, the line follow body profile to present this animation.

MA exhibition plan

I consider the limit of equipment therefore I plan several condition of equipment.

 

 

 

part of animation

Action and lines II

Action and lines

Change colour

In order to follow the cloth colour be changed by fashion designer, so I also change the colour in the film.

Rendering effect_animation 004

Small screen animation test

I will test the effect of the stage screen on Wednesday, which is needed animation in the small-screen, and will consider four or two-screen

Adjustment

Maya Hair Test

Hair, It is important part for the real model. Hair flowing can make more lively by the dance, so I use Maya hair to complete this section, and that the effect is quite nice for me.

Previous animation making

Previously, I have not finished this animation. Try to change the type of fabric to represent different feelings. Using 3D effects let the structure have more possibilities in visual.

Animation making_ 004

In this show, the total of five main animation. I try to use idea of fashion designer. Sometimes I must add my idea to the animation because I also present 3D animation's advantages. However, I must consider the idea of fashion designer. Therefore, how to present the conception that using animation combine with fashion designer's idea, this is important.

In this step, I still follow the music's tempo to do animation and I overdraw the real cloth from the fashion designer's cloth. That can strengthen image of cloth to the audience. In addition, I try to adjust different gravity and quality of cloth, that also can add the visual effects.

Animation_003

Animation making _002

Rendering still spend a lot of time, especially, adding motion blur. In this part the subjects are not too complex, so the computer is directly rendered motion blur. In addition, I need to think whether the visual transfer of auidence is smooth on the theater. Then, to consider how to link the next part of the show.

Animation making

I try to develop the idea of fashion deaigner by animation.  I have completed some animation, I also do many rendering test, although the file have not render yet. Rendering could be spend a lot of time, therefore I must quickly make the animation, after all there are many equIpment of technology problems should be solved.

rendering test

conception developing

From fashion designer' idea, she use the muscles to develop her clothes, therefore, I also develop  my conception of  animation by muscles. I try to draw the muscles and  think the contour of muscles.

Influence, Line, Moving

Three ideas are developed from the muscle, I will use this to expand my animation.

To replan the stage process.

In order to finding the suitable music of fashion designer, we spent time to search. Finally , we chose Amon Tobin' s music - Toys. We think that is suitable their design. Therefore, I must change my stage proccess before. In addition, I still develop my animation of conception, so I have not putting in this film.

The 3D cloth

When I make the cloth, the real cloth have a lot of detail that is not easily for 3D software. And when fashion designer saw my 3D cloth, she think that is very different from their image. After she take the picture of real cloth for me. The 3D software have some limit for simulation. Maybe, fabric of simulation is not important part in my project. However, I still try to find the best method of present although most time express cloth conception.

To replan my schedule

I spent a lot of time looking for fashion designer led to my schedule delay. In addition, fashion designer hopes I can change the music, so need to adjust the original plan.

Co-designer of the concept

I have decided the fashion designer of collaboration and asked her idea of creation. The following article is her idea.

Her aim is the creation of new voluminous silhouettes combining draping as 3-Dimensional shapes through manipulated designs using a combination of knitted and woven fabrics.
Recently demand for knitwear has increased and various new styles have developed knitwear using new technology. Her central focus on knitwear for my project is to create contrastive new silhouettes. She would like to make distinctive pieces of contemporary knitwear by mixing knit with different materials. When knitwear is combined with another material it can result in a greater variety of silhouettes and styles. 
She have chosen the muscle movement of human body as her inspiration. She have been developing her texture through the muscle movement. Mixing wide range of texture from the muscle movement can show brilliant knit garments with new silhouettes.

She has mentioned the muscle movement, I think that is very suitable dance within my project. Therefor, her conception also effect my development of animation, I must consider her idea to reflect her conception. After I will spend more time to discuss with her. 

Digital dancing

I still think how to ehance the fashion show in my project. Dance can perfectly show the human body and increase the flowing of fabric. However, in animation side, I constantly search suitable method that can clearly express the idea of fashion designer. Especially, using dance apply to animation.

Dancer- Merce Cunningham collaborated with Riverbed in 1997. They using motion capture presented digital dancing. 

From http://openendedgroup.com/index.php/artworks/biped/essay/

This example give me a lot of idea, although the performance is not fashion show. They using line and different colour show the dancer movement. Also we can see that human profile is not clear but the movement is very lively.


http://openendedgroup.com/index.php/artworks/hand-drawn-spaces-1998/

From http://openendedgroup.com/index.php/artworks/biped/essay/

When Andy tell me must start to render segment of the animation, I ponder afresh the method of presentation of animation. Before I watch Nick Knight's produce, he also apply line to shoot this film, the main express the cloth movement. Indeed, he use light and shadow to create the dynamic line. Probably, creating the active line is excellent method in my project.

Learning MotionBuilder

 

First use MotionBuilder to control the file of motion capture. Before I have some broken suface problem, Andy give me advice to try MotionBuilder software. Indeed, MotionBuilder can easily fill up the model error. However, the 3D model still part problem, the skeleton still have odd motion so I still need some adjust in MAYA. MotionBuilder have helped me to solve some problem  although I have not proficient MotionBuilder.

Meeting with fashion designer

I have talked to four fashion designer. I expressed my idea for them, they have felt interested and would like to collaboration with me. However, their design could be finished in June, I am worried that not enough time because I could need shot the film using their clothes. Besides, their design are not all suitable for dance therefore I could discuss with the dancer, maybe the dance is necessarily changed.

First using motion capture

I never use motion capture and apply to MAYA before. First, I found two models helping me to do mocap. One is the dancer, the other is a model.

 



















  

  

In the process of using mocap, the 3D model have appeared broken surface because the model oversteped area of camera or do some complex motion. Therefore, when I import the mocap file to the maya, the 3D model also appear same problem.

How to solve this problem, I only can adjust every key frame in MAYA. However, adjusting every key frame is very carking. In order to avoid such this problem, we must try more motion when we use the mocap and pick the best time.

I also try to use nCloth, if the 3D model have broken surface, the cloth also appear same error. All in all, mocap still have some problem, I must solve, especially, the broken problem of 3D model 

Finding fashion designer of collaboration

23th/Feb/2011, I went to MA Studio to look for suitable fashion designer of collaboration. Before the fashion design tutor-Katherine who thought I can select suitable designer from their image of research, although they have not yet completed their collection. Therefore, I had picked four designer that they are able to collaborate with me. After, I will discuss with them about how to enhance their conception on fashion show. 

  

Change the Draft

Before my draft has some problem, especially, about audience's focus. I consider that the rhythm of the animation and real people. So I adjust the tempo. In addition, I also consider the stage whether the technolog can easily achievable, therefore, I change the facade of stage.

Fabric visual effect test

Using the fabric to do some visual effect. Previously, I ever mentioned about the fashion conception, the flowing fabric can produce rhythm, then to utilize the 3D animation produce satisfied effect.

Conception

How to use 3D animation to improve the fashion show, I still consider this thing. I saw Nick Knight's production who sometime use technology in his works that the fashion have more conception. I think this direction of thought can help me to develop my project.

'Sister Honey', Dazed & Confused, 1999
Photography Nick Knight

Magazine: British Vogue, February 2010 Editorial: ‘Under Her Spell’ Style: Lucinda Chambers Model: Natalia Vodianova Photography: Nick Knight -

dynamic 3D fabric test

This time, I let the model turn and try to change the soft of fabric. There are some problems, such as the surface broken if the fabric too soft, that still attempt to find approach solvability. However, sometimes the surface broken bring surprising results.

Digital cloth

When I read "New Visions in Preformance" this book, in which the contents of a section mentioned: reactive digital forms of body and cloth in performance. A designer named Jane Harris. She made a lot of practice on several performance, especially in terms of showing clothes. She also experiment many digital garment and use choreographic body movement in her performance. "The works speak not only to the histories of fabric depicition but also to the contemporary context of new technologt, contemporary dance, absence and presence" (Harris n.d) therefore, in my project have a lot of similar idea although I want to present the fashion. Anyway, her conception certainly give me huge inspire how to develop my project.

pic frome http://www.janeharris.org/index.htm

reference

Beardon, C and Carver, G. 2004. New Visions in Preformance

The Digital Double

According to Dixon (2007: 1) during the last decade of the twentieth century, computer technologies played a dynamic and increasingly important role in live theater, dance, and performance. Therefore, we know the digital performance have been regarded trend. When I want combine animation with the fashion show, I thought how to increase the show and rise the perform of idea of fashion designer. Fashion show actually could be presented variety. Not only models walk in the fashion show, but the fashion also use different elements of performance. Such as the Alexander McQueen has presented checkerboard stage and models look like some chessman in 2005. Consequently, the fashion show have been changed by current designer. The fashion show have closed some kind of performance that idea is not only express the clothes.

 In order to increaseing the traditional performance, some designer start to use computer technologies. Some performance use robots, digital dancing, such as Chico MacMurtrie, The Ancestral Path Through The Amorphic Landscape 2000 or Riverbed, Hand-drawn Spaces, 1997

The digital double among in many digital performance . The digital double resemble mirror that audiences will see the performer and digital character both on stage. Rokeby ( 1999, cited in Dixon 2007: 245) states in many works the idea of the mirror is explicitly invoked. the clearest example are interactive video installations where the spectator's image or silhouette become an active force in a computer- generated context. Therefore, the effect of mirror certainly can give some spirits or power to the performance. Dixon (2007: 241) researches the notion of the double has been a particularly potent concept in performance since the publication of Antonin Artaud's The Theater and Its Double in 1938,  the metaphor has become concrete and actuated in the theroy and practice of digital performance. In addition, due to computer technology dramatically increase, digital performance have developed quite variety. Actually, the digital double has frequently seen in the current performance.

pic from http://stylecrave.com/2009-02-20/digital-dance-echo-chambered-in-italy/



In my project, I have using the conception of mirror, but most fashion show have not used this idea. There is a problem how to make audience to balance between fashion show and preformance. After all, showing the clothes is purpose of the fashion show, I quit persist in this opinion.

reference

Dixon,S., 2007. Digital performance  a history of new media in theater, dance, performance art, and installation

visual effects test

Using cloth to do some simple visual test. In my project, would like to use a mirror effect, try this way of visual effects.

Model and nCloth test

This time, I will use one 3D character to test nCloth. I make 3D character jump and turn her body. Mainly, big activity maybe cause nCloth produce broken surface. In below some experiments have being adjusted many times. In test  process, nCloth indeed produce many problem. Eactually, nCloth follow the 3D character must test more attribute value and tests, finally, we can get result of satisfaction.

 

 

How to present my project - draft

This time, I will  foregone draft present on the stage. You must try to imagine the model always dance and feel this show present the atomsphere.  This film have expressed how to present my project, although there are not provide too many details. About this project I must find different designer of profession. Therefore, I have to connect more designer that is first works.

To see Nottingham Contemporary exhibition

Recently, In Nottingham Contemporary have exhibition by Anne Collier & Jack Goldstein. I saw one film is very interesting. The film apply lights to express motion of human.

Comtemporary Nottingham exhibition notes(22 Jan - 27 March)

That film let me to remember one book - "Fashioning the future". This book discuss many idea about imagine of cloth. People fantasy the the clothing can change colour, the garment will become transparent or the dresse is shineing etc. The garment certainly is imaged any possibility by people. Indeed, some people have experimented that they dont use the fabric or apply technological way to put in the cloth. For example, some people thought the MP3 player can combine with a sport jacket. However, many ideas have not be practiced that the concept is not easily operation in reality.

Picture from  Fashioning the future by Suzanne Lee

Therefore, I think using 3D animation is quite nice approach. 3D animation can create virtual field and produce many impossible objects in real life. I need to consider how apply 3D animation to availably express the fashion show or clothes. This exhibition have given me some concept, I get very huge gains in my idea. Perhaps, I will consider relationship between clothes and element to develop notional garment and increase fashion designer idea of vision.

reference
Lee,S., 2005. Fashioning the Future.

nCloth experiment- the fabric collision

This time I will test collision of two fabrics. In maya nCloth the fabric collision have already set up, actually, I don’t need to control too many value. However, we still need careful observation that the fabric appear whether wrong.

First, I will two fabrics overlap in Y axes and use wind to confirm collision two fabrics.

this test we can see two fabrics collision is very natural and have not any broken surface. Significantly, I have not adjust any attribute.


Then, I try to closely observe the suface whether have broken.

we can see two fabric have not broken.


This time I will add object to test the collision.

This time I still have not  weird condition, therefore, the maya nCloth present very well in collision of the fabric.

I try to increase the fabric power of collision. So I quickly move the fabric.

When I  apace move the red fabric and collide the yellow fabric, the yellow fabric still have not borken. this test can prove maya nCloth can easily express collision of two fabric.
I have complete my draft, I will  aim at my project to do experiment.

Draft

So far I have not found any fashion designer can collaborate with me, but I still keep going my project. Last week I have selected the music and have initial idea. I have talked to Sean about my idea, my project still prefer to use real person combine with 3D animation. This draft only show the idea, but how to use in the runway show, I still need to change the technique of expression. However, this draft can fully show my notion. After the idea will be developed  into the real fashion show.

nCloth experiment 2

Actually, Maya nCloth has been providing a variety of cloth simulation parameters, such as T-shirts, silk and cotton, etc. even pre-set parameters can be mixed these parameters. Therefore, helping us simulate the cloth texture, and even non-fabric characteristics.

So, this time I just use Maya providing parameter and addition one collisional subject. First, creating simple fabric and one cube let can collision each other. I still no change any value.

The fabric seems not too close the cube. I attempt delete half fabric to check this, the fabric certainly have some distance with the cube. Trying to adjust it!

Open Attribute Editor have one item is Thickness, the value beginning is 0.17, decrease to 0.01, we can clearly see the fabric has approach the cube.

Now, I attempt use Maya some providing parameter.

First, to try use “chiffon”

We can feel the fabric is very light, when the fabric collides with the cube, the fabric have not create too much goffer.

Then, to try use “burlap”

The burlap creates less goffer than the chiffon and we can feel the fabric become weight.

We change to “heavyDenim”

The fabric transforms like chiffon but it is more heavy than chiffon

To try use “silk”

Looking like chiffon even has a bit difference. The silk feel softer than the silk.

Using above examples already produce different kind of fabrics. Maya nCloth except above some example, it still has a lot of character, I chose to experiment with common fabric. We still can change value that nCloth offer basic parameter to achieve we want effect.