P1

3 Elements of 3D Animation in different examples

Characters:

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 2014 - Live Action Movie

Money for Nothing 1985 - Music Video

Happy 2017 - TV Drama

Wreck it Ralph 2012 - Animated Movie



Crash Bandicoot: Warped 1998 - Video Game



Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2008 - Kids TV show



M&M 2018 - Advert

Environments:

British Gas 2010 - Advert

Zootopia / Zootropolis 2016 - Animated Movie

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012 - Kids TV Show

Gorillaz Feel Good Inc. 2005 - Music Video



Uncharted 4 2016 - Video Game



The Avengers 2012 - Live Action Movie

Altered Carbon 2018 - TV Drama

Objects:

Team Fortress 2 2007 - Video Game

Sonic Boom 2014 - Kids TV Show

Gravity 2013 - Live Action Movie

Kung Fu Panda 2008 - Animated Movie



Smart Energy GB 2016 - Advert



Crazy Frog Axel F 2009 - Music Video



Doctor Who 2012 - TV Drama


Analysed Maya Workspace

Understanding 3D Modelling Techniques:

i) Modelling Process



1. Polygon

Polygons are straight-sided shapes consisting of 3 or more sides, these are defined by the three dimensional points of faces, vertices and edges. Polygons are used for constructing and making 3D models which are used over many forms of media such as live action, vfx, animation and more. When using polygons in programmes such as Maya three sided polygons like triangles and four sided polygons such as quadrilaterals are usually used in the making of a 3D model. When it comes to a model, polygons are matched up as shared faces, vertices and edges to create a polygon mesh such as a human head.

2. Extrude

Extruding is a tool which allows you to add more polygons onto an already existing polygon mesh, whether it be through adding it onto faces, vertices or edges.

3. Faces, Vertices & Edges 

Faces, vertices and edges are the three dimensional points that make up a polygon for a 3D model. With the vertices being the point at the end of each edge, which the edges connect up the vertices to create a face. For when extruding faces and edges, you first select the faces, edges or both that you want to extrude. You then select edit mesh and click extrude. Then make the changes accordingly to what you want weather it be by controlling the distance, direction and size.

ii) Animation / Motion Generation

1. Key frame

Key frames are used to define points of movement in time. Simple 3D Maya animation can begin with adding a cube to the work space. Select both the cube and the first frame on the timeline and press the S key, the S key allows you to add key frames. Then click on the 24th frame on the timeline, changes the cube by its size, rotation or position and press the S key to add another key frame. And press the play button to view the animation.

                             

                                            

2. Lighting

Lights are environmental changers, allowing you to create different lights and where to place them. As default, Maya already has a light in each scene you create, but more can be added if you desire. To add a simple light select create, lights and then spotlight. In the light option menu check the cast shadows box and press create to add the light into the scene. Then press the T key to open up the lights manipulator, and use the move tool to position your light to where you want it. And if wanted you can select the light and open the attribute editor to make changes to the light and how it projects. Each light has their own unique qualities and can all be shown for there qualities in this image below and how they work.

3. Camera

Cameras are objects you can place in Maya which you can animate and or choose to look through a different angle wherever you want to place it. Cameras are used for showing different angles within you Maya work space, and of course for taking pictures and video for when rendering an image or animation. To add a basic camera select create, cameras, camera and aim. Create the focal lengths to which you desire and then select create. Select the move tool to position your camera to where you want. To view through it, select panels, perspective and choose your new camera which you created. You can also create camera paths, which moves your camera in a set path for animation. To do this select create, CV Curve Tool and draw a path for your camera to follow. Then chose create, cameras and then camera. Select both the camera and the path and then select animate, motion path and then attach to motion path.

iii) Intended Application

1. Live Action

Live action movies tend to use 3D models, most notably named CGI. Movies that tend to use large amounts of CGI are huge action Holly Wood movies such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, where within these films contain superhuman powers which can’t be truly emphasised without the use of CGI. Models such as Iron Man’s suit or the Hulk are done through 3D modelling software, but as years continue CGI manages to keep getting better by each year. So when films come out today, previous films from just a year ago can have bad CGI by comparison.

                                           

2. Animated Film

In animated 3D films there are differences to be made from video games. While video games focus more in immersion of playing a character, animated films are to be watched rather than interact within them. 3D animated films create their own worlds much like video games, but are limited on how the movie shows them, you yourself are unable to explore these worlds and rather the movie does it for you. Examples can be with more recent Disney animated films such as ‘Wreck it Ralph’ or ‘Zootopia’ where they take ideas and make them extreme on their characters and environments to create an enjoyable visual experience.

3. Video Games

In Video Games 3D models and environments are used all the time, companies such as Naughty Dog have large standards for making their games look the most realistic and clean. But extremely realistic environments are not the only factor into making the immersion into a game, as if adding a 2D object into this hyper realistic environment would break the absorption of the games realism, but then again that could be a stylistic choice and the makers intent might not be for complete immersion as if the game was real life. Much like games like ‘FEZ’ a game consisting of a 3D environment, but played from a 2D perspective, not creating this immersion on realism of how accurate it is to real life, but instead absorbs you into it’s world. But within video games environments aren’t everything 3D can do, anything can be made that is in real life and more like real life weapons to futuristic space guns, or normal cars into flying machines.