Digital Matte Painting Task 3

 Yang Yang / 0363575

2025/12/12 - 1/2

Week 11 - Week 14

Digital Matte Painting  / Bacherlor of Design in Creative Media

Google Drive

---

2.5D:

Building on the photo bashing from the previous task, I first separated the composition into multiple layers in Photoshop and imported them into Blender to arrange the scene spatially. However, I realised that simply separating the image into layers still resulted in a composition that felt visually flat and lacking depth.

With guidance from Mr Kannan, I learned how to more effectively use tools such as the Knife tool in Blender to further divide individual layers. By adjusting the orientation and positioning of these segmented parts, I was able to create more subtle depth variations. This approach significantly improved the sense of spatial layering and helped me better understand the transition from 2D imagery to a more three-dimensional scene.

During the process of cutting the second rock layer, some issues still occurred. Due to a lack of precision in the initial cuts, certain areas of the image became distorted when adjusting and dragging different faces. To address this, I redistributed the cutting lines more carefully and refined the depth placement between layers. By being more cautious with the spatial relationships, I was able to reduce distortion while maintaining a clearer sense of depth.

Complete 2.5D image

When recording the preview video, I felt particularly confused, as the camera system in Blender proved to be a major challenge for me. After searching through multiple tutorial videos and seeking guidance from Mr Kannan, I was eventually able to set up and operate the camera correctly. However, after overcoming this issue, I encountered another significant problem: the rendered video appeared extremely dark, making it difficult to clearly see the details of the scene.

After discussing this issue with Mr Kannan, I learned that the main cause was the direction of my lighting setup. As the scene was primarily constructed from 2D imagery, lighting from a side angle meant that the light could not properly interact with the horizontal cross-sections of the image planes, resulting in ineffective illumination. By repositioning the light to face the scene directly, the overall brightness improved significantly and the rendered output became much clearer.

---

Compiled technical:

In terms of visual style, I drew inspiration from the art direction of Pirates of the Caribbean. My intention was to create a fog-covered seascape while still conveying the feeling of a rising sun. This contrast between mist and soft sunlight helps enhance the sense of mystery and adds a subtle narrative mood to the scene.

---

Vedio:

At the early stage of the workflow, I initially attempted to import the preview video recorded in Blender and use masking to remove visible errors. However, during the adjustment process, I realised that this approach did not produce a visually pleasing result and felt somewhat rigid. As a result, I decided to return to a more controlled method by re-importing the previously separated layers from Photoshop and recreating the motion paths for each element to achieve a more refined and natural animation.

Building on the existing composition, I began integrating video footage and further separated sections of the wave elements to create foreground and background occlusion. This helped enhance the sense of depth within the scene. Additionally, I adjusted the colour tone of the sky to achieve a more harmonious and cohesive visual atmosphere.

To further enhance the sunrise atmosphere, I simulated the rising light and the gradual fading of darkness by adding solid colour layers and adjusting their colour tones and blending modes. This approach allowed me to convey a sense of temporal transition and mood change without relying on complex lighting setups.

and use masks to determine their direction and extent.

In the final stage, I created two additional scenes to serve as the opening and transitional segments of the video, adding greater depth and rhythm to the overall narrative. I then edited and combined all three scenes into a single sequence, resulting in a more cohesive and layered final video.

---

Reflection:

This project was my first real experience with Blender, a software I had almost never used before. Throughout the production process, I gradually became familiar with its core functions and workflow. While I often felt confused or frustrated when facing challenges such as camera setup, lighting, and layer arrangement, every time I managed to solve a problem through repeated trials, researching tutorials, or asking Mr Kannan for guidance, I experienced a strong sense of accomplishment and grew more confident in tackling the next challenge.

Regarding After Effects, although I had used it before, this was my first time creating a project of this scale. To fix bugs caused by overlapping waves, I repeatedly adjusted layers and motion paths, and also learned techniques for simulating light and sunrise effects through online resources. This process of exploration and practice not only enhanced my technical skills but also helped me understand the thought process behind transforming static designs into dynamic final pieces.

Overall, this project allowed me to appreciate the value of trial, exploration, and problem-solving in creative work. I can see my growth both technically and conceptually. While there is still room for improvement in the final piece, this experience has given me a deeper understanding of detail, rhythm, and composition, and has left me feeling more confident and inspired for future projects.