http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j91piMN8XJA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUJvuoGGovk

I am attracted by the effect in these clips( about masked rider kabuto). And I try to make this effect. Here is my idea: Film the real actor first with real background. Then I film a 12" rider figure in front of greenscreen. Then composite it. But the problem is how i can make the honeycomb coming out gradually and cover the actor totally at last? I have tried to draw a honeycomb using pentool......but it's time consuming...also the honeycomb is lighting...how can it be done? thanks.

haha....is it quite difficult to cope with? sorry...maybe my question is not clear enough. What I want to know is how to create many hexagon mask which appear gradually (it is better if mask can with glowing light). Hope someone can teach me. Thanks a lot.

I'm pretty certain that the transforming effects are done using a 3D modelling package. Using scale models would produce a totally different effect.

Also, I'm not quite sure what the word 'honeycomb' refers to in your post. Could you mention the timecode from one of the clips that shows what you're talking about?

The honeycomb was during the transformation ... that part that's a split second from transforming. Kinda like the Halo 3 Bubble sheild, if that helps

http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=23432vv4.png

This photo may be useful....ha, here is some honeycomb ( hexagon) cover the actor which are actually a part of the rider. So, the point is how I can make the clip (only a rider in this clip) cover the actor (which is another clip)in this way. Maybe it is made by 3D package,but is it possible to be made by simple technique, e.g. pen tool in After effects or any other methods?

Now I see. They have used a compositing effect to assemble the clip of the 3D graphics on top of the actor.

You want to split the layer (I work in After Effects--each clip is assigned to a layer) into honeycomb-shaped parts and fly them into an assembled state.

That should be easy, I've seen it discussed around here before.
;-p

here's the thread I'm thinking of:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=106803&highlight=shatter

and another:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=100556&highlight=shatter


Create one layer with a single hexagon-shaped mask then duplicate that layer, and slide the new layer's hex-mask over so it exposes an adjoining space. Then repeatedly dup the layers and move the masks until you have enough hex-layers to cover the whole picture.



later edited by me:

I've just tried the effect->simulation->shatter tool in AE. I'd almost bet "they" used this in your inspirational clips. Forget drawing hex-shaped masks: there is a shape->hexagon option in this effect. You may need to time reverse the layer after you apply this, but you'll be pleased with the outcome.

oh! THANKS Andrew. The shatter really works and it's efficient.