When CGI Surpasses Hollywood Magic
Luis Morillo has achieved what many considered impossible: recreating the iconic Davy Jones independently in 3D with a level of detail that rivals visual effects studios. 🦑 His work not only captures the essence of the character but also generously shares the technical process behind this masterpiece.
Technical Breakdown of a Legendary Animation
Organic Modeling in ZBrush
- High-resolution digital sculpting with 15+ million polygons
- Epidermal detail with marine skin and crustacean textures
- Mesh optimization for animation without losing quality
Nightmare Rigging (in the best way)
- Facial system with 78 blend shapes for microexpressions
- Hierarchical controllers for eyebrows and jaw
- Set up of 63 facial bones for dynamic wrinkles
"I animated each tentacle as if it were an independent character, with its own personality" - Luis Morillo
Tentacle Choreography
- Base animation with traditional FK for main movements
- Secondary detail with dynamic splines
- Final physics simulation for natural oscillations
Rendering That Soaks the Screen
The final finish in Arnold includes:
- SSS (Subsurface Scattering) for wet skin
- Custom mucus shader on tentacles
- Cinematic lighting with atmospheric volume
Revealing fact: The final render took 17 hours per frame in 4K, proving that patience is the best plugin of all. ⏳
This project is not only a homage to the character but a masterclass in advanced animation. Morillo proves that with talent and dedication, independent digital art can compete with the big studios. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch the making-of for the fourth time... just to "study". 😉
Bonus: The facial rig includes a special control for the lobster eye that automatically follows objects, because even the smallest details matter.