3D Animation Basics For Beginners

Hot Tools For Learning 3D Animation Basics

2009-11-24T03:16:00.000-08:00

Read how the Kindle can aid you in your 3D Animation Career

Learning 3D Animation Basics On The Go

While sitting in front of your 22" LCD Screen day upon day may seem alluring to some, others might find the prospect of learning basic skills in 3D Animation 18 out of 24 hours a day, somewhat daunting. The secret to working around that when you find yourself stuck with a 200 page PDF document is none other than the Kindle.

Having the Kindle at your disposal(although somewhat of a luxury) is certainly worth its weight in gold to any beginner 3D Animator who sees themselves commuting into the city for work via public transportation, or simply aims to read under the tree on a quiet afternoon. Clearly, the alternative of an Animator carrying either a laptop or thick text book around would have the exact opposite effect of keeping everything as basic as possible when all solutions can be found with the Kindle.

Just check out the specifications I've listed below.

Advanced Design

Sleek & Light

At 10.2 ounces, Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback and as thin as most magazines. Barely a third of an inch in profile, you'll find Kindle fits perfectly in your hands.

Simple to Use, No Computer Required

Unlike most electronic devices, we wanted to keep Kindle simple. Kindle is wireless and ready to use right out of the box–no setup, no cables, no software to install, no computer required.

Ergonomic Design

Kindle is easy to hold and read. We designed it with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages comfortably with one hand from any position.

Precise 5-Way Controller

Kindle has an easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words.

Summing it up

Considering that Amazon have made impressive headway from basic beginnings to this latest release, it's good to know they still have the Kindle in stock based on what I saw last week.

Given the chance for them to be an excellent gift for that tech-savy student, aspiring animator or just avid reader, it'd be wise to check out your future Wireless Kindle in person.

3D Animation Basics Part Two

2009-02-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

3D Animation Under The Hood.

Seems forever since I wrote anything on 3D animation, and looking at the date of my last blog entry, believe me when I say I have more than a few basic tips for 3D animation beginners tucked up my sleeve. Also, in my defense, I have to admit that although I wasn't writing about 3D animation or the basics of, my actual time was spent doing the exact thing you all come here to read about: 3D animation-ing OR animating, or, well you get the point..

My last entry in May titled, "Inside The Basics of 3D Animation Software", was written as a brief summary explaining the fundamental function of all 3D animation software. At the end of that article, I mentioned that the preceding articles will cover the fields of modeling, texturing, animation, lighting and rendering. Before I do so however, I would like to add somewhat to my last article.

Now, take note, this article will be aimed at the aspiring 3D animator, who seeks to better understand the architecture and structure of 3D applications,

specifically Autodesk Maya. Reason being, of course, I myself am a Maya user from its first launch with Alias Wavefront, to its current state as an Autodesk juggernaut (which, after some initial hesitation, I have come to appreciate more and more each day). For those users who may be using other software, such as 3DSMax, Modo or XSI, I will endeavor to keep the article as software unspecific as possible. With that in mind, let's get started!

Considering that many of you reading this article will one day become proficient enough that you push your given 3D animation software beyond its means, it's important to understand how each action or operation is interpreted by your application and may, at times, have a detrimental lagging effect on it. For instance, if we look at the function of any 3D animation application, it is simply to automate a series of operations, which ordinarily change one type of data into another. The most basic example is when you input data via a keyboard and your computer reads and outputs text via a text word editor like Notepad or Microsoft Word.

When we apply that to 3D animation software, there is little difference. For example, you may create a polygonal object within your 3D scene. You may then choose to manipulate your object within your scene, changing its shape and transforming it over time to suit your needs. These three simple operations have seen you input data via your keyboard, calling up an operation to create a polygonal object. This polygonal object has then gone through two more processes of, firstly, having its shape edited via simple commands from your keyboard or mouse, then also having its translation edited in such a way to have it animate over time. The final step might be for this animated object to be printed to screen (3D animation rocks doesn't it?!).

The reality of the situation is most 3D packages will have these three functions split into two if not three modules that combine to make up the data flow of this particular example, the first being a modeling module to house all the commands that might encompass any type of modeling operation before it is passed on to the animation module to house all the animation commands. The third module, undoubtedly, would be a rendering module setup to handle all the

requirements of the final render.

Ordered into a logical process, this defines the data flow model of many 3D animation applications. Although this may seem the best way to structure any type of 3D animation program (especially when you consider that other fields, such as texturing, lighting, rendering, and even programming may very well require their own individual modules) the problem arises when you as an artist find yourself in the position where you require more functionality than is readily available by your given 3D animation application. An example of this may be when you come to the situation where you would like to use an animation deformer for modeling. A problem arises when you reflect on the data flow model I mentioned earlier. Because you 3-D animation application is split into several different modules, and data can only flow from one module to another (as well as in only one direction), you would be unable to jump into the animation module until you'd finished all the functions you wanted to perform in the modeling module. Bearing in mind as well, you then could not simply jump back into the modeling module to continue modeling your object once you were finished completing an operation in the animation module. Such a data flow model would become cumbersome to artists, and prove detrimental in any production pipeline.

This is where other methods, such as the push-pull method utilized in Maya, prove their worth.

To summarize the theory behind Autodesk Maya's push-pull method, it works in a nonlinear fashion, allowing 3D animators and programmers alike to create complex networks from basic data types. The push-pull method gives users the flexibility to jump from one operation to another regardless of which module the operation may be a part of. Using the above example, the push-pull method would take the object to your modeling with and connect a deformer node to that

object. The transform data would be sent through the deformer node, which would then update the original object accordingly. Because of the use of such a model, a 3D animator is given greater flexibility to jump from one operation to another, disregarding any type of one-way data flow requirement. If this explanation doesn't satiate the hunger of many of you, feel free to check back regularly for a special article I will write on Maya’s Architecture specifically. I simply felt it necessary to explain some fundamental differences between Autodesk Maya and other 3D animation software packages available in the market.

With all this information about data flow models, certain nodes updating other nodes and the architecture of 3-D animation applications, the important thing to understand is that every operation you execute within your preferred 3D animation application will affect the way that application functions. Anyone who

has ever performed a multitude of operations on objects within Maya and failed to delete history will understand what I'm talking about. Intimately.

So with that in mind, endeavor to learn more about the 3-D animation application you're choosing to or currently use and pay close attention to the way in which you use it, how your 3D animation software processes information and what you can do to prevent unwanted responses within your application or the all too common “...not responding” error message.

As with all my articles, if you have any queries regarding 3D animation or any other beginner questions you would like to ask, feel free to either post it below or drop me an e-mail at the address listed at the bottom of this page. As for myself, I is out!

Inside The Basics Of 3D Animation Software

2008-05-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

The 3D Animation Software Insider

Being normally right-brained in the way I look at most things, I had tossed around the idea of scraping any posts addressing 3D Animation Software. I had thought it more beneficial to dive into the details of modeling or fundamentals of animation but figured, hey, fresh blood is always dying to be drowned with more information when they start learning something new, why should 3D Animation be any different?!

As for the rest of you out there, stay with me as contrary to your own opinions of what could possibly bore you more, learning a little more about what makes these dream machines tick will only broaden your knowledge in the field of 3D Animation. And we all want that!

To sum up what 3D Animation Software is it’s basically an application that calculates the geometric value of data as it exists in a 3D Environment. The information is manipulated through a process of functions and computations, until it is ready to be rendered. The rendered 2D images are then edited for use in still or animations. Let me explain further.

When 3D Animation slowly stepped out onto the stage, it stood as a culmination of multiple mediums and methods that had been used in animation before. It was the computers’ answer to stop motion animation and did away with the infuriating (yes, I once did stop motion animation too) need to tirelessly animate at what is now considered unnervingly slow speed. 3D Animation also took advantage of vector graphics in the way assets were displayed in the 3D Animation Software’s viewport. And finally, raster graphics were used in order to capture the data as 2D rendered displays.

Then, of course, it was simply a matter of editing the3D rendered images in a compositing program for animations, or 2D editing software if it was for a still.

Now, I know I may have laid it on ya a little thick but if you approach it from the angle that no matter what 3D Animation Software you choose to use, you are always simply dealing with data at the end of the day, allowing distinctions to become clearer (and this is where the know-it-all-geek in all of us rears its pimply head). Remember, although we may view a 3D model in software’s viewport, it is simply a vector graphic representation of the stored data. The catch is, the same 3D model isn’t technically considered a graphic until it is rendered. It’s all data till the fat lady renders it!

Another thing to note is that the method in which 3D Animation packages receive data is not limited to manual entry by a3D Animator. Motion Capture data is one example. Another is 3D Scanning via a 3D Scan capable camera. Also, with advances in textile software programs, you are now able to export your models into applications which can produce 3D prints. Could it be the extinction of Marquette’s, I hear you say?

Well, whatever the case, realizing what the engine looks like under the hood of any 3D Animation Software will only help you in understanding its capabilities and limitations. Thankfully as technology continues to improve, we will undoubtedly see less limitations and a lot more capabilities developed for 3D Animation Software.

Now, as this was a brief lead-in to how 3D Animation Software processes data into the final project, future posts will cover the fields of modeling, texturing, animation, lighting and rendering. If you didn’t fall asleep in this post, then stick around for more info on 3D Animation Basics!

-Morph

3D Animation in a nutshell

2008-04-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

The Nit and Grit of 3D Animation

If you have stumbled onto this post, you probably have a general understanding of what 3D Animation already is. It’s hard not to see a movie that hasn’t used 3D Animation in some way or another to create incredible visual effects and immensely engaging characters. You need only look at movies like King Kong and Transformers: The Movie to see how far 3D Animation has come over the years. With that in mind, the purpose of this post is to either reinforce what you already know or have you rethinking what you thought you knew about 3D Animation and its’ ever growing industry.

Obviously, 3D Animation is simply animation within a 3D environment. The extent to which 3D Animation is used within that environment varies based on what is required. As a relative new comer to the 3D Animation industry, I have learnt more than my fair share of home-truths about what I thought I knew about 3D Animation. First off, the term “3D Animation” covers a broad range of fields, the main ones being modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, dynamic simulation, scripting and rendering. Each field in itself is deep and expansive so I will keep this post on the topic of “3D Animation in a Nutshell” and will explain these fields in greater detail in future posts.

Because 3D Animation is so large a box and ever growing as technology makes it easier for artists to realize their work, it’s easy to allow yourself to become overwhelmed in the many smaller boxes within itself. Thankfully, the majority of 3D Animation enthusiasts will lack the ability to master all fields. For example, a person who is competent at modeling and texturing, may be weak at scripting and rigging. Likewise, a person who is strong at animation may be very weak at lighting and rendering. Does this mean 3D Animation is too difficult a field to forge a career out of? The opposite could not be truer regarding 3D Animation. Because it is ever-growing, 3D Animation has the benefit of growing appeal to more and more people ever before. With modelers becoming lighting TD’s and animators excelling in the field of dynamics simulation and rigging, there is a world of opportunities to learn and grow in the 3D Animation industry.

And that, my friends, is the challenge of the 3D Animation industry. With so many roads to walk down and so many places to stop and learn new tools and skill sets, we are given the awesome opportunity to become whatever we want. In reality, this is how MMORPG should be played. A kid spends 40+ hours on his computer playing an online game that allows him to level-up his character a few levels on a bad week, logging off at the end with nothing more to show for it than a few game props and typers cramp. I on the other hand, can spend 40+ hours modeling a character that can put your online avatar to shame. 3D Animation provides the tools and skill sets for me to create a character as realistic as technologically possible. Because of 3D Animation, I might also choose to create props, be they weapons or vehicles which will have you whincing in pain or whining in jealousy. If I so choose, 3D Animation enables me to create an environment for my character that rivals that of the Crysis or Unreal in-game environments. I could also create a short animation for my character within this environment, all credit to the 3D Animation industry.

Now sure, a kid may still be able to enjoy playing a game that contains all of these things and more, but hell, why would I waste my time in a game created by someone else, based on their own rules and controlled by their own standards when I have the power to create my own. Need I say it again..? I hope not but just in case, it is all possible, and so much more because of 3D Animation.

-Till Next Time

The Basics of 3D Animation

2008-04-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to 3D Animation Basics for Beginners. This site provides information on what 3d Animation is and advice on starting out in the Animation Industry. If you have questions that are not answered in 3D Animation Basics, please contact me at 3daniminfo@gmail.com