DevLog #4, Workflow (Patreon)

This DevLog is going to be a bit different.  Progress continues on scene 2 and I'm very much excited for it.  Rather than go into how many renders or re-renders were completed I'm going to talk about workflow.

When I set out on this journey to write and produce this story I did many test sequences to try and gauge the scope and timeline I could produce content.  My dual 980s and Threadripper 2 just took too long.  I couldn't produce quality images fast enough.  So I learned a bunch of tricks to speed things up, reduce download size, and overall improve my workflow.  It was still too long though.  I added a 2080 Super to the render group and that finally unlocked the ability to produce mass images quickly.

1) Outline the Scene

Here is where I outline the scene and events I would like to capture.  All the general elements that will go into the scene are captured here.  The workflow image is attached.  This is the general outline.

2) Script the Scene Draft

At this point, I know the elements and interactions planned so I begin writing the first draft of the script.  The initial feel of what will be rendered.  Typically steps 1 and 2 are being performed while the previous scene is being rendered.

3) Build the Environments

With the script draft done, I begin building the environments and setting up the lights.  A lot of test renders go in at this stage to ensure the scene feels as real as it can be.  This can be tedious since test renders for every area which characters will appear must be properly and consistently lit.  I've included the background image of the living room entry from the very first scene.

4) Pump Out the Images

All is great but without content, the novel isn't visual without pictures.  Here I begin rendering the sequences to the script.  This is a very active day for me since each background takes about 3-4hrs to render and each image in the sequence takes about 10min to render + 5min between to pose/simulate.  In an hour I can usual pump out 5 final nice images.  Since I work full time at my normal job, I can usually spend about 3 hours in the evenings pumping these out per day.  Animations and big renders that will take 5+ hours get queued up for overnight.

5) Post Work

Now with the image sequence rendered, I play it back and forth in Renpy to see if the script matches the images, post work in photoshop if needed, etc.  This is where I spend a large amount of time.  Typically I'm doing this while rendering the next sequence.  This is the main quality check for the sequence.  Most of the time I make minor corrections here and there and do minor re-render corrections.

6) Replay and Corrections/Additions

This is the time which I play through the entire game into the sequences added.  I want to ensure the feel is consistent with the previous scenes/events.  It shouldn't go light to dark etc.  It should feel natural and believable.  I also sometimes find that there could be something more or less.  A choice potential that should be explored.  When this happens, which did happen in scene 2, I start back at step 1.  Add in the new outline and begin the process all over again.  This is where I want to ensure the feel is really immersive and believable based on the choice paths the player decides.

Well that's all for this post.  Scene 2 Romance/Slutty path and animations are nearly done.  I'm super excited about it changes and updates.  Next week I should be starting Scene 2's darker/submissive renders and I'm stoked about it.  This path is going to be a ton of fun so stay tuned!