5D.Morpheus

Girl 1 Frame 1	Girl 1 Frame 12	Girl 2 Frame 1	Girl 2 Frame 12

This is a 12 frame example of a moving morph. The whole procedure is identical to a still frame morph, but you have to repeat the curve alignment for key frames in the movement. This means the curves will track the motion. Currently there are no automatic tracking tools in this version 5D morphing. One Day!

• make sure work frame is set to 6. Start work in the middle because this is the critical zone; where the mix will be 50:50.
• select s-lines.
  Note: here the two clips are very similar in content. Which to start with is a matter of personal choice and experience.
• draw in the key s-lines.
  • Select distinct features; the silhouette, hairline, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, chin etc.
  • keep each line segment short. Stopping and starting where there is:
    • a strong change of direction.
    • change of texture e.g. the skin becomes hair
    • you know something odd happens e.g in this example she sticks her finger up.

    Note: to stop one line and start another just click on the new curve button.

  • put only a few points per line. You can use the handles to follow the curves. This will keep it simpler to see and work with.

    Basic s-lines	Basic s-lines	Basic s-lines

    Note: the line colour has been changed using the colour wheel so you can see it!

• switch to the d-lines

  d-lines - the same as the s-lines

• use the move line tool bar control to pick up and move a complete line.
• drag each line to roughly match the D position.

  Moved d-lines

• Confusing? Switch on hide other

  Only d-lines Displayed

• Save your design file! Do this regularly. Remember the standard Save will NOT save your curves.
  • click in the save button on the PI.
  • the file browser pops up
  • select the file you want to overwrite or enter a new name.
  • click on OK. This will actually save the curve information to disk in the chosen directory.
• go back to your s-lines.
• select the edit mode if necessary
  Note: most actions will automatically switch on the edit mode for you. This is to stop you inadvertently deleting more than you really wanted to.
• fine tune the curves to match the image.
• go back to your d-lines.
• fine tune the curves to match the image.

  Tuned s-lines	Tuned d-lines

• set up the warp animation and mix.
  • for frame 0 set Warp G0 and Mix G0 to 0.0.
  • for frame 11 set Warp G0 and Mix G0 to 1.0.
  • switch on arrows.
  • scrub up and down the timeline and you will see the green arrow line reflect the proportion of the shape change.
• back to frame 6, your first key frame, and try out a S->D, D->S and a morph.
  • switch on S->D or D->S or Morph.
  • click on preview to process the frame.

  S->D	D->S	Morph

• now you can see where it may need a bit of work. Use the clear to remove the curves from the display.
• spend a little time perfecting this central frame. It will help in the long run.
• when ready go to frame 0 and reposition the curves for both S and D images.
• remeber to save key after editing the curves.
• then go to the end, frame 11 and set to work again!
• there will now be 3 key frames, at 0, 6 and 11. Moving to any other frame will give you the interpolated curves taken from the bounding keys.
• adjust any curves you need to but each time you alter curves at any frame a new key frame will be made when you save key. If you decide you do not really want the key frame use the delete key button.
• save your design file. The PI save button.
• save your environment file. The standard Save option.
• render the sequence.

Job Done!

Index