E-Bike Showcase — Anthony Hoover

E-BIKE SHOWCASE - Personal Project

Hey there, folks! Get ready to jump into my creative playground. Today I want to share a little adventure I had with a bicycle. My creative toolbox needed a fresh addition. My portfolio was yearning for something new, recent, and something that would make it stand out in the digital crowd. And that's when the idea of a bike animation hit me.

Here it is:

Bike 3D model by Alexey_33.

Music: Sports and Adventure, by 37085326

TEXTURING RIGGING ANIMATION ENVIRONMENT DESIGN LIGHTING VIDEO EDITING

Why a bike? I wasn't just looking to make it roll on screen; I came across an artistic, well-produced video of a real bike being ridden, and I realized I haven’t seen much CG work that showed that realistic movement. I wanted to capture the vibe of a real ride, the wind in your digital hair, and that heart-pounding thrill. It posed quite a challenge, and I was ready for it.

The mission - Elevate my website with a jaw-dropping 3D bike animation.

THE PROCESS

Now, let's dive into the behind-the-scenes fun of creating this digital spectacle. I went on a virtual shopping spree for a killer 3D model of a bike. Once I had the bike in my shopping cart, it was time to give it a makeover.

Online shopping for a 3D model. This is the bike model I went with.

I upgraded the textures, added scratches and dirt – because who wants a showroom-shiny bike in a 3D adventure?

I started with a blank template. I removed all the original textures. Every part of the bike was custom textured with imperfections to add realism.

Next up, the tricky part – rigging. Imagine being a puppet master for bike parts, making them dance together seamlessly. The original chain was a solid block with all links frozen together. I had to remodel the chain so that the individual parts could move. I linked up pedals, chains, gears – you name it, they moved like a well-rehearsed dance troupe.

Hard work pays off - now it's a breeze to animate. Just click and drag to move the pedals. Everything else moves in sync.

Then came the stage – 3D environments, a studio, outdoorsy spots, and multiple bike colors. It was like planning a digital fiesta for my animated bike.

Time of day matters for outdoor lighting. A bright glowing evening sun works well here.

The graffiti on the wall was created with AI. This was then blended with a brick wall texture.

Bold exciting colours were selected for the studio lights, to create energy and provide contrast with the outdoor shots.

Now, channel your inner movie director. Time to explore camera angles and motions like a kid in a candy store. After days of testing, tweaking, and probably a bit of head-scratching, I had my shots ready.

But wait, we're not done yet! Post-production time – jumping from 3D land to video editing. It's like switching from building a Lego set to adding all the cool pieces that make it pop. And what's a video without good music? Being a music geek, I picked the perfect track to amp up the vibe.

Selecting the right audio tracks is critical in communicating the mood and feel of a video.

THE OUTCOME

After some final touch-ups and magic spells (not really, but it sounds cool), the video was ready to hit the virtual streets.

The grand finale, the result of my 3D escapade is a 40-second video that attempts to be a virtual fireworks display. The star is the e-bike, strutting its stuff in its own movie. The video kicks off with close-up shots, teasing you with glimpses. Then, bam! The whole bike unveils itself, showing off its moves. Shots alternate between the still and moving bike.

Picture this – high-energy rock music, bold studio lights, and moody outdoor vibes. I carefully timed each shot to match the beats of the music. Oh, and let's not forget the sound effects – the hum of the chain, the whoosh of the wind – all blended into the mix. The final touch? A sprinkle of color grading to make the video pop, and voila – the finished piece was ready for its digital debut.

Colour correction in After Effects.

Colour grading to enhance the mood.

THE IMPACT

Now, let's talk about the aftermath – the impact of this digital shindig. With this finished video I could tell a story that went beyond pixels and polygons. But here's the real magic – it wasn't just about the video; it was about the journey. I didn't just make something cool; I learned new tricks, mastered new tools, and added a shiny badge to my 3D artist cap. Rigging tools and color correction techniques became my trusty sidekicks.

The finished project on my website. It’s a laborious but fruitful journey to have a complete video added to my portfolio.