Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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FX LAND — As you read this article, you will soon get sick of reading the phrase “not real” and variations thereof.
This is partly because many of you won’t believe that what you see in this video is not real life, and partly because I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that the creature seen in this video is not a real, live breathing thing.
So watch the featured video from Vimeo user Thomas Marqué and then let’s talk. I’ll wait.
Done? How many times did you watch it? Did I tell you that it’s not a real octopus? Or real sand? Or even a real ball? Because none of it is real life. All of it is CGI.
More specifically, Marqué made the video using a 3D animation rendering software called Houdini, which was “designed for artists working in 3D animation and VFX for film, TV, video games and virtual reality,” according to Concept Art Empire.
Now that the unrealness has possibly sunk in a little bit, it’s time to start appreciating the time and skill it must take to render a scene so realistic that it truly boggles the mind. The most impressive part may be that this was made by one person. In an animation studio, there are whole teams that specialize in each element: light, texture, 3D modeling and more. Whole teams!
However,when all is said and done, I actually prefer not to think about the hard work. The video itself is mesmerizing, and it would be so even if it was a real octopus. So I’m going to go ahead and watch this video on loop for awhile. Consider doing likewise.
Done? How many times did you watch it? Did I tell you that it’s not a real octopus? Or real sand? Or even a real ball? Because none of it is real life. All of it is CGI.
More specifically, Marqué made the video using a 3D animation rendering software called Houdini, which was “designed for artists working in 3D animation and VFX for film, TV, video games and virtual reality,” according to Concept Art Empire.
Now that the unrealness has possibly sunk in a little bit, it’s time to start appreciating the time and skill it must take to render a scene so realistic that it truly boggles the mind. The most impressive part may be that this was made by one person. In an animation studio, there are whole teams that specialize in each element: light, texture, 3D modeling and more. Whole teams!
However,when all is said and done, I actually prefer not to think about the hard work. The video itself is mesmerizing, and it would be so even if it was a real octopus. So I’m going to go ahead and watch this video on loop for awhile. Consider doing likewise.
