1/ Modeling:
With an approved storyboard, the project enters the production phase. Our current workflow for 3d animation and modeling is based on Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max, the most powerful tools used in visual effects companies worldwide. During the modeling phase, assets for the animation are drawn or modeled in two or three dimensions. Some pre-built models may be purchased for a project, but most models are created from scratch. We can generate 3d models from existing 2d or 3d engineering CAD data, which can speed up the modeling process, but some CAD models may need rework if they are not detailed or
contain surfacing flaws. In the end, 3d models define the topology of the objects that will eventually be animated. The level of detail required for a given model is driven by the resolution of the final
image as well as how close the camera gets to a model in the final animation.
2/ Texture mapping:
3D models must have materials applied to define their surface appearance. Materials specify properties like shininess, transparency, translucency, reflectivity, texture, and of course, color. High quality texture maps add details to the surface and can deliver very high levels of realism in the final animation. These high quality maps may be created from digital photographs or created by hand, but will likely be manipulated using Adobe Photoshop.
3/ Lighting:
Lighting is important for creating realism and an appealing image. Lighting allows us to control the appearance of shadows and highlights. We place a number of lights around the scenes using proven Hollywood lighting techniques. Since correct color of real-life objects is often critical to our clients, we will ask for approval on lighting for key still frame shots. Also note that additional lighting adjustments will be done in POST, so this is an interim progress toward the final look of the animation; and we generally are asking for approval of object textures to ensure we are progressing in the right direction.
4/ Animation & Simulation:
At this point in the process we will ask the client to approve the shots and scenes with the completed animation, so that we can move in to the final phases of the project where the finished look will start to take effect.
5/ Rendering:
Rendering takes all of our work thus far and calculates the individual pixels for each frame, based on models, materials, lighting, and effects. Different rendering algorithms can create different results, ranging from photorealistic results to even a cartoon illustrated look. Rendering is very CPU intensive and complex animations can take days to render, even when spreading the work over multiple computers. Consider a 60 second DVD animation where each frame takes 15 seconds to render:A 60 second animation for DVD (at 30 frames per second) requires 1,800 frames, which will take over 7 hours to render! The rendering process can become a bottleneck and requires the use of the latest computer hardware, with fast dual-core processors and large amounts of memory..
The importance of the experience before making the animation:
Kelly is studying in Paris. She writes about animating from your experiences after talking with Pixar animator Bolhem Bouchiba:
"But it made me realize something about good animation. It dosen't come from studying other films. Or live action. Or acting. It comes, first and formost, from living life. From being hurt, being ecstatic, being bored, being in love, suffering, moments joyful and rich, things you can't describe. It comes from experiencing them, and shoving them onto the paper. I don't think you can animate something truthful if you've never felt it yourself." (the source link)
Professional 3D Production:
Here are a series of videos showing how Pixar go through their animation production
part1:
Part2:
Part3:
Sources:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Introduction-to-the-3D-Animation-Process&id=2586619
http://www.manton.org/2005/05/experience.html
http://www.anitime.nl/main.php?taal=UK&pagina=methode&subitem=methode_over3d
http://www.indianic.com/3d-animation-production-process.html
http://www.interactmedical.com/3d-animation-process.html
No comments:
Post a Comment