On VR and biting off more than you can chew.
Added 2019-03-03 21:00:01 +0000 UTCHello, everyone.
When I set up the goal rewards, I hadn't initially thought I'd get this far. I didn't think my Patreon would become this successful over the few years I've been doing this.
I set up the goals with this thought of "eh, this is a few years off to be honest. I'll cross that bridge when it comes to it". Little did I know how soon I would actually reach those goals.
After reaching the set goal of $2500, I admittedly panicked. That's why I didn't release the previous animation in VR. I'd reached that goal as I was finishing it up. I had my eyes set on the next animation to be have VR capabilities instead.
Little did I also know how complex and expensive it would be to make an animation for VR in Maya. There are all sorts of weird resolutions and work-arounds one needs to do when one renders out 360 degree views is V-Ray. I sought out tutorials on how to do it, but the only one I could find was in Spanish.
The resulting renders are also ridiculous resolutions. One frame is 6000x6000 pixels large. The trouble this brings up is the fact that if I render this out on my own PC, it'll take it at least a day to render one frame that large. If I use the cloud rendering service that I pay for, it's going to cost me a small fortune for one animation. Even with the monthly income Patreon gives me, I'd be making VR animations at a loss. I simply can't afford it.
I am deeply sorry that so many of you were looking forward to VR, and I've broken that promise due to my own hubris. I bit off more than I could chew and tried something too ambitious that I was unprepared for. I understand if some of you may be revoking your pledges because of this, and I won't fault you for it.
However, I won't simply dump the idea for something extra for Demonic patrons and up.
If you have an idea for something to replace VR animations as an extra piece of content for Demonic Patrons and up, I would like to see any suggestions you guys have in the comments below, and I'll make a poll for it in the near future.
Many apologies.
- Janner
Comments
This does a lot to explain the total lack of VR content in this space. Perhaps a solution will come along later.
Obviously False
2019-03-08 17:05:31 +0000 UTCDid you consider 180 degree/SBS renders instead of full 360? They cut down on render time significantly compared to 360. Especially when targeting Gear VR/Cardboard, resolutions are around the 3k mark, although I have seen some at 2k.
BV
2019-03-05 20:52:36 +0000 UTCey, fuggedaboutit
Catanus Constipatis
2019-03-04 20:03:30 +0000 UTCor just do like 1 VR animation a year? spreading the cost out over that time, and having it be something voted on? Of which would be the wanted VR one, knowing that it will take a long time to accomplish.
Tigersunstar
2019-03-04 09:01:43 +0000 UTCTbh i dont think vr is even a good idea, people with vr headseats are very few and if its too hard you can always change your reward tier.
Jorge
2019-03-04 04:26:18 +0000 UTCYou could try to do something similar to what evilbanana (another 3d animator on FA) does for their VR animations. While they are at a fixed angle, they do have proper simulation of depth and much less required resolution.
Gamer Juice
2019-03-04 02:39:58 +0000 UTCDon't worry Janner, we understand and still love you. :D You will make the right decision I'm sure!
DVD
2019-03-04 02:22:12 +0000 UTCWhat about just doing 3d renders and not 360 vr renders?
que
2019-03-03 21:29:18 +0000 UTCIn line with what DeltaByte suggested, also maybe something similar to what the artist Ashnar does? As in multiple POV loops and stages of progression into climax, with full control on the vid/user interface (flash animated, interactive etc). Thanks for your hard work and honesty; keep on keepin' on!
SK
2019-03-03 21:28:09 +0000 UTCMaybe do an X-ray of sorts? Whenever a character is inside of another you could do an X-Ray shot, keep the camera in one spot like a "noice" angle and render out what's happening on the inside. That way you wouldn't have to render out but maybe 3-4 smaller scenes along with the full animation.
2019-03-03 21:27:19 +0000 UTCHonestly I'd rather had you be able to focus more on making quality stuff rather than stretching yourself too thin by trying to add VR into the mix. I kind of miss having additional camera angles though
エリオット
2019-03-03 21:19:43 +0000 UTCPerhaps an extended cut? As in taking the rendered scenes you already have and editing them together into one longer video (e.g. Looping the same clip a couple of times).
DeltaByte
2019-03-03 21:06:29 +0000 UTC
