Aerial Video with 3d Graphics

by TRIstyle | June 20, 2014 | (27) Posted in Just Fun

Before I got into FPV more than a year ago, I had a bit of experience with general video production and visual effects. Lightsaber fights, cool explosions, etc. But once I started capturing some nice aerial video with a GoPro, I wondered how I could use it to convey specific feelings or tell a story, if I altered it with visual effects.

I wanted to make a video that combined some cool visual effects, and video from some of my best FPV flights. Here's an image from a video I made, you can check it out below.


This is an intro to the process for adding the effects I wanted:  (which was often very time consuming!)

     - Each aerial shot needs to be '3D tracked'. There are programs that can analyze any video sequence with enough movement and figure out how the camera moved in 3d space and what points are part of stationary objects. The 3d tracking lets you overlay 'fake' computer generated objects on your original video so that they seem to move as if they were part of what you filmed. I used a program called Syntheyes. 

    (But these programs don't like the fish-eye distortion of GoPro video, so you have to correct that first.)

 

     - In the scene generated by the 3d tracking program, create any visuals you like using a 3d graphics program. I used Blender, which is free and open source!

 

   

     - A program like After Effects is like Photoshop for video. You can overlay the 3d visuals from Blender on top of the video you recorded using your FPV platform.  


 

At first I just wanted to make a cool music visualization that appeared on the tops of buildings. But that idea evolved into a surrealist short film that conveys a simple narrative through visual metaphor. To me, it's about some of the thoughts and experiences I have had during my first two years of college. You may find it weird, but hopefully it's at least interesting!

 

My Tricopter setup:

RCExplorer Design 2.6hv Tricopter

     - GoPro Hero 3 Black

     - Sunnysky 2216 800kv

     - 10" Graupner E-prop

     - 4S 3000mah Turnigy NanoTech

     - F-30A Simonk flashed ESCs

     - KK2.0

     - BMS-385DMAX servo

     - RMRC 300mw 1.3ghz Tx

     - Immersion RC ezUHF Lite Rx

COMMENTS

Crash_Expert on August 19, 2014
I'm thinking of getting Syntheyes.
I saw it on a Film Riot video a while ago.

Is it worth it?

C_E
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
Well it depends how much you'd use it. It does what it's designed for very well, and isn't very expensive compared to other big trackers. But it still may not be worth it if you only occasionally need a tracked shot.
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StereotypicalBrit on April 25, 2015
Hi, does anyone know of any alternatives to Syntheyes?
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JamesWhomsley on August 21, 2014
Wow. You sir, have created something amazing. I'm a fan!
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
Thanks, that means a lot to me!
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Tengushi on August 20, 2014
a real cool combination! I really like it!
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
thanks!
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CJGFX on August 20, 2014
Like a lot!
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ztoon on August 20, 2014
"very time consuming"...
I can imagine the amount of work for that minute and half! great and awesome result!

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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
thanks! yeah it got kinda ridiculous. When working my fastest I could make finish a single shot with effects in an hour...
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kenc3dan on August 23, 2014
Brilliant! Wonder if I can do that sort of camera matching in Syntheyes and Lightwave?
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Mich on August 20, 2014
That is just most AWESOME thing I've ever seen. I'm trying to learn blender but I find a bit hard... Do you have any suggestions?
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DDDGamer on August 20, 2014
Keep on trying mate, meanwhile see:
http://cgcookie.com/blender/cgc-courses/blender-basics-introduction-for-beginners/
http://www.blenderguru.com/
http://cgcookie.com/blender/
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Mich on August 21, 2014
Thanks mate! Checking it out ASAP!
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
yep those are all great links. Blender has a steep learning curve for sure, but its worth it!
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tpaulus on August 20, 2014
Very Cool!
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Sirglider on August 20, 2014
It's more a work of video editing, but I really love it! Combining our hobby with video edition brings a really + in the video quality! I would say you could propose your competences to some video major companies ;) Keep bringing some interesting work to the community!
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
Thanks! Yeah the computer stuff is something I know, but I still have the highest respect for good pilots and impressive flight footage.
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ShockThree on August 25, 2014
Awesome work! Very cool!
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grackle on August 20, 2014
Way cool!

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Jonaith on August 22, 2014
That was mind blowing, really awesome video !
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ghostrider03z on August 21, 2014
I dont know what to be more jealous of, the smoothness of the video, or the quality of the gopro footage
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
oh don't worry, I cheated a lot with computer stabilizing and color correction ;) My tricopter is nowhere near that smooth..
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ghostrider03z on August 24, 2014
What do you use to render the videos, or do you upload straight to youtube?
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arthur115 on August 25, 2014
AWESOME!!!!!
Just love it
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AndyPants on August 19, 2014
Wow, I love the video, amazing work!
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
thank you!
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JACKFIRE on August 20, 2014
AWESOME MAN
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apnewton on August 22, 2014
Yep, stunning. Need to see more.
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The Aero Scout on August 19, 2014
Sensational work I love it .... it's great to see some general interest being bought into the hobby.
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TRIstyle on August 21, 2014
thanks, yep fpv can have all sorts of cool applications!
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DVIRGIN24S on August 21, 2014
Amazing video.
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blarbdude on August 25, 2014
This was surprisingly awesome, great work!
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PilotJad on December 9, 2014
Oh Man thats awsome!!!
Very good work!!! Witch Program do you use?
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StereotypicalBrit on April 13, 2015
Absolute Genius!
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legobo on April 12, 2016
awesome!
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Aerial Video with 3d Graphics