Sketchup - Experiments in Storyboarding

Hiya. New guy here. After reading Stu's piece in the Guide on using Sketchup as a storyboard tool I thought I might share some experiments I did a while ago. As a 3D modeler by hobby and profession, I use what ever tools I can lay my hands on to previz for both gaming and filming. The SU files are on the page for anybody who wants to see how easy a variety of shots can be made using the one basic scene. I used the pages feature to create the shots. Link for those interested: Uses Google Sketchup 5 and above. http://www.metalplateproductions.com/metalplatefilms/index.html

One scene from the courtroom file.

Last edited by Colonel_Klink on Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:28 am; edited 1 time in total

Hey Klink. Stellar first post as far as I am concerned.

I have been reading for a couple years in the forums that SketchUp did great storyboards and people always ask for samples and none are ever given. You have given the samples. Looks great.

I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do storyboards with and a friend was showing me FrameForge. Which looked good. I'm retardedly detail oriented, and I like to make things 300x harder than they should be, so I was leaning towards custom actor models in Poser then either placed on 2D backgrounds of digital stills of the actual locations, or 3D models of the actual locations with stills as maps.

I really want the option to go from storyboard to full pre-viz.

SketchUp looks like a 350% less involved way of doing what I want. Man I'm anal about things though.

Anyway, thanks again for sharing/posting.

-GageFX

I'm a big fan of Sketchup in general. It's ultra-quick and easy to use.

But for storyboarding, I just can't get past the fact that the human models are not poseable. Sometimes you really need a pose to communicate what's in the shot.

	Quote:
	But for storyboarding, I just can't get past the fact that the human models are not poseable.

This is my biggest hold-up also, which is my biggest reason to go with Poser. But, FrameForge does seem to have some decent character posing ability as well as easily building 3d sets. It's a bit more expensive than SketchUp, though.

-GageFX

I have to agree with the poseable figures limitation. I've looked at Poser to do that, but for all intents and even to the extent of trying to pose the Sketchup models. I'm looking at making one of the Sketchup people to stand in the classic arms-out Poser 3DS Max poses and applying bones to it to pose it. The down side to this I guess is Sketchup is fairly quirky in regards to animating anything, and posing within the program would take a fair amount of work.
I have looked at Frameforge and nearly shelled out some bucks for it, but thought that the cost and time spent learning a new app could be better spent elsewhere.. such as a shotgun mike or a wideangle adaptor.
I have access to a fairly good animation/modeling app and a whole range of poses so I may see if I can adapt the Sketchup people model to that. Once the bone set up is done the poses should be relatively easy to do.. or not Smile

Sorry if this appears like a bump, It wasn't intended that way.
Instead of making a new thread I just wanted to give an update on how things are going down in kiwi land.

Scripting is now finished for a 30 minute short "The Last Mission". Storyboarding is underway.
Lead casting is done. Locations are semi finalized. Extras (local territorial soldiers) have yet to be cajoled with free beer Smile

,
and the do-your-self steadi cam has a bit of work to do. Other than that things are pretty much on schedule Smile

The major film is still in early development. Tts set in the 1940s and have some old vehicles lined up for that.

Also I've shifted the web page to its own site: http://www.metalplateproductions.com/metalplatefilms/index.html.

_________________
"Don't do anything that you don't really want to do. Keep yourself in a place of feeling good. Reach for the thought that feels better -- and watch what happens." - Abraham-Hicks

http:\\www.metalplatefilms.metalplateproductions.com

The idea of another program to learn makes me shudder.

I looked at Frame Forge too, but it seemed there was a level of clunkiness to the example images.

The problem with detailed storyboards at the fast pace of location shooting that indie production entails, is that they are at best a rough guide to what is possible. If the storyboard shows a shot from 8' high and some obstruction prevents the camera from being elevated more than 6' -- If the beautiful exterior suddenly looks just astounding at the magic hour, but not the compass direction originally planned -- etc. etc.

For me, planning shots assures that the damned thing will be editable. Action sequences require the most planning but flexibility is still necessary.

Pencil and paper (stick figures and diagrams) make it fast and easy -- and as a bonus, don't require a computer.

-- Paul

To be honest I have to agree with you there, Paul. The idea of using programs such as Frameforge, Sketchup, or even Antics, while appealing for their aesthetic look, is far outstripped by the speed of using pencil and paper to be sure.
What I have found with Sketchup in the examples I have used is that several storyboard frames can be set up relatively easy. However if one has the time, which most of us probably don't, the use of such software has its bonuses. We can sometimes get caught up in the minor things rather than get on with the bigger job, which learning new software can do.

I've been around Sketchup for sometime now so I really don't have much an issue with it. i have a huge library of 3D models so adding elements to a scene isn't that bad. It doesn't take me long to convert a photo of a building that will be used in a set to create a 3D model of it. They don't have to be 100% accurate for storyboarding. Besides I cant draw for nuts Smile

_________________
"Don't do anything that you don't really want to do. Keep yourself in a place of feeling good. Reach for the thought that feels better -- and watch what happens." - Abraham-Hicks

http:\\www.metalplatefilms.metalplateproductions.com

I prefer the software solution precisely because I have an art background. If I gesture sketch or stick figure it, I am not satisfied due to the lack of detail, so I then kick the perfectionism into overdrive and go overboard with them.

I like the ability to set the scene on the computer screen, then choose the lenses I'll use and the precise angle I'll use. Less work to change your mind about a shot - at least for me.

CK -- are you using Sketchup Pro, or the freebie version?

-- Paul

Old Pro version 5.0. I found that version 6 was slow on my computer. Unless you want or need to export the models to 3DS (to load into 3D Studio Max) the freebie version is fine. If you really need to export the models to 3DS the way to do is it is to install the pro version. You get 8 hours of use so if it is only needed for a 2-3 minute conversion to export to 3DS it will last a while Wink

_________________
"Don't do anything that you don't really want to do. Keep yourself in a place of feeling good. Reach for the thought that feels better -- and watch what happens." - Abraham-Hicks

http:\\www.metalplatefilms.metalplateproductions.com

Hi to all.

I'm also VERY INTERESTED in doing storyboards and animatics for my projects. A few weeks ago, my brother (who does animation) gave me this link:
http://www.antics3d.com/

I've seen all the tutorials, and it looks INCREDIBLE. I'm in the process of saving some money to buy it in a few weeks. It has a library of 3D models, everything from people, sets, cars, buildings, houses, planes, you name it! And you can animate the people, even do lipsync! There are some cool movies in the website where you can see what other people have done.

And, it lets you place cameras ANYWHERE your mind takes you to. So you can set a scene, and previz it from any angle you like, and make all the decisions right there.

Juan

_________________
"The best idea wins"
"Nothing is written, it's rewritten"
Final cut Pro
Panasonic AG-HMC150

Hi kabokuti
I too have looked long and lovingly at Antics3D. I've seen some pretty amazing stuff done with it. I will probably step up to that at a later date. I also looked at iclone, but decided that i'd spend too much time 'playing' with the program rather than getting on with the live action version of my film. That's not to say that at some stage I'll definitely consider Antics as I can see the possibility of combining some of the 3D scenery and camera movements with live action, but meh, that's me day dreaming at the moment.

_________________
"Don't do anything that you don't really want to do. Keep yourself in a place of feeling good. Reach for the thought that feels better -- and watch what happens." - Abraham-Hicks

http:\\www.metalplatefilms.metalplateproductions.com

Guys, maybe you're not aware of this, but the latest version of Antics is FREE.

Only the premium content packs cost money, but there's more than enough content available with the free one to do most jobs.

A while back I downloaded Antics and started to play with it, but there were alot of issues I had with it. I can remember exactly what right now..... oh.... actors walking through objects and having to make them do unnatural things to get around it.

I dont know. I'm sure I just need to dive into it more, but I just wasnt impressed at first sight.