In this episode, we are joined by Tim and Alex Porter from Mod Tech Labs. They discuss their transition to founding a company that specializes in content optimization. They explore the challenges of creating efficient tools for artists, the role of AI in their work, and their vision for the future of technical optimization. The Porters also dig into the use of AI models and their excitement for an upcoming collaboration with CG Pro to develop AI tools for Unreal Engine.
00:01:07 Tim and Alex discuss their diverse backgrounds in the entertainment industry and their transition to founding Mod Tech Labs.
00:01:55 Alex shares her background in interior design and construction management and her transition to working in VR and AR.
00:04:14 Tim discusses his early influences, including his parents' professions and his educational path, leading to his career in the entertainment industry.
00:12:26 Challenges of working in studios and the motivation behind starting their own company, Underminer, and later Mod Tech Labs.
00:15:22 The idea for Mod Tech Labs stemmed from solving their own content pipeline and automation challenges, which they realized could benefit others.
00:20:03 Challenges in optimizing content for VR and XR, and the interest of various studios in content optimization.
00:20:53 The interest of large and small studios in content optimization, and the potential for customizing solutions.
00:22:53 The development of tools for simplifying processes and enabling content optimization, emphasizing the need for tools that work for individual content creators.
00:24:35 The application of optimization in VR, film, and virtual production, and the focus on making content look better and play back well on different screens.
00:26:25 The goal of enabling artists to focus on their art and the importance of maintaining quality through perceptual optimization.
00:27:38 Detailing their project and the challenges faced in optimizing content for different stages and led wall resolutions.
00:33:32 The vision of a future with reduced manual optimization, the role of AI in content optimization, and the potential for tools to replace manual optimization.
00:36:29 The two suggest that technical artists adapt their skills to tool development and shading, acknowledging the continued need for optimization skills in some scenarios.
00:38:27 The importance of client fit and the discovery process in understanding the client's mindset and interest in innovative solutions.
00:39:09 The company's infrastructure and the importance of client engagement in exploring unconventional projects.
00:41:24 The company's data storage capacity and the need for custom solutions for clients. 00:41:32 The size and specialized training data requirements for AI, and the challenges of finding quality assets.
00:43:04 They give an analogy of AI as a room full of people taking a test, and the use of GANs for generating secondary maps.
00:44:41 Using AI models and automated systems for content optimization and analysis.
00:48:35 The role of AI in enabling artists and reducing repetitive tasks, with a focus on artist control.
00:51:12 The evolving role of previs and collaboration with AI tools for better communication and visualization.
00:54:22 Invitation for collaboration and discussion of upcoming projects, including AI tools for optimizing scenes in Unreal for Fortnite.
Connecting with the Guests:
Website: https://modtechlabs.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextporter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothymporter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomecgpro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomecgpro/
Website: https://www.becomecgpro.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BecomeCGPro
