 Cicada
Design produces architectural design visualizations for
large projects and urban design. They use Fusion for image
compositing in the animation workflows of their
projects.
We spoke with Michael Starr about his
firm's decision to use Fusion and how this software helps
their team to visualize the future.
Q. Tell me about Cicada Design.
Cicada Design began as a partnership between Dalibor
Cizek and Michael Starr 10 years ago. At the time, we were
both working on playback animations and 3D set extensions for
various film and television productions in Toronto.
Both of us came from long-standing architectural
backgrounds but the design visualization was only beginning to
be appreciated for what it could do in terms of giving people
a good idea of their project, and work was slow. It seemed
like a good idea to bundle our three computers and
enthusiasm into a company.
The film work was a great
resource to draw on as we started to do more architectural
visualization. There were many approaches to story telling and
post production that helped us with the increasingly complex
projects we were handling. There have been a number of
substantial urban design projects in the Middle East that we
were able to participate in through producing short video
pieces that summarized their design principles. Currently, we
are applying that expertise to domestic projects. The company
has grown to 12 people, handling a diverse array of
visualization projects utilizing multiple types of software.
Primarily, we produce architectural
design visualizations for large architectural projects and
urban design. Frequently, we are at the front end of the
project and work in parallel with the design team as the
scheme develops. For our animation work, the design
visualizations serve to communicate a scheme's intent and
other qualities related to the type of presentation, design
review, fund-raising, approvals, etc. We have always strived
for accuracy in creating the models and lighting along with
creating an engaging narrative that condenses the many issues
a project encompasses into a succinct and accessible
presentation.
Q. What made you decide to use Fusion? How long
has your team been working with Fusion?
We
started using Fusion with Release 2. We picked it up because
we also needed the DPS Video Card and Fusion was part of the
deal. We felt the combination was essential for the early film
set extension work. We were privileged to have a detailed look
at the software by traveling up to the eyeon office, in
Markham at the time, and got a detailed tour of Fusion by the
owner, Steve Roberts. He really helped in directly addressing
our questions (amazingly simple by today's standards). How can
you beat that! However Fusion quickly proved its worth and we
went to the full version.
As the product has
developed, we have grown in the way we use it for compositing
our shots. It has offered both ease of use for basic tasks and
allowed us to learn many techniques of compositing being used
by the bigger production houses, some of which are applicable
to what we do. Its ease of use has allowed a number of people
in the office to pick it up in a relatively short period of
time.
Frankly there is also pride in the fact that the
product is developed here in Toronto and that it is now so
successful worldwide.
Q. How does your team use
Fusion to complete your part of a given project?
We use Fusion primarily for image compositing in the
animation workflows. These days, we are using rendered
elements and image channels to better control the output,
insert shadows, etc. We are learning to integrate the new 3D
features of the program into things for motion graphics, etc.
Typically, we use it for image compositing. We are
also continually pushing our limits for motion graphics in the
videos we produce. Fusion plays a key role in this.
Q. What types of projects have you been involved
with recently?
Recently, we have been involved in
large scale design competitions, fundraising, and urban
developments.
Q. What are some of your favorite
tools in Fusion?
The masking tools, Depth Blur,
Fog, the Channel Booleans, and matte control tools.
More recently, the 3D tools are becoming integrated
into our flows. We were joking here in the office about the
pipe router being our favorite tool. One of our biggest
challenges is to stay organized. That hidden feature is great.
Q. What trends do you see emerging in your area of
the 3D design world?
Stereoscopic and real-time
visualizations may poke their heads more into our area of the
design world. I think, also, the reliance of video
presentations either for competitions, fundraising, or urban
developments will become a necessity rather than an extra
because of the capacity to condense and consolidate design
information into a visual debate, something that is useful for
decision makers and the public alike.
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