Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Computer 3d animation The High Tech Illusion Of Life

By Jasque Brisk

As mankind has made progress, its esthetics have also found new and innovative means to display itself. In the present, art's path to evolution has taken it into the domain of modern technology, as animation has emerged as a new form of art. This has been a revolutionary change from the modest beginnings which can be traced back to the paleolithic cave paintings, but still, it has presented us with exciting opportunities.

3D Animation can be simply explained as the art of creating moving objects which are seen from a three dimensional perspective by the viewer. The fact that 3 dimensional animation can show objects in a more realistic way makes it a superior technology in comparison with 2D Animation. This wonderful technique is not only exploited in movies, but also in architecture, simulations, computer models, computer games, special FX and in anyway a 3D presentation or communication tool is developed.

These amazing works are brought into reality through a process of 3D Modelling, Texturing, Animation and 3 Dimensional Rendering. Three Dimensional Modeling is a process of bringing objects and scenes into the world of 3D Graphics and Animation. Once a 3D model is created, it goes through a texturing process which add the detail that makes the objects and characters so realistic and related to our lives. It determines how things look and is just like an artist painting into a sketch outline.

Three Dimensional Animation may not look like the cartoons when characters like Mickey Mouse were first displayed, yet the core principle of animation remains the same as in traditional animation. These concepts have taken the form of Motion Capture and Key-framing with the development of information technologies. Key-framing, descendent of traditional animation method, involves setting up of two or more key object positions in different time frames of a unit of animation. After this the animator assistant was drawing all the frames in between the key frames by hand, these gradual changes in repetitive illustrations that made up the animations where called in-betweens. Today the computer fills the 3D Animation by automatically rendering the frames in between.

Motion Capture is another one of the advanced animation techniques, the use of which is mostly seen in the film special effects. It brings life to characters in animations by translating the recorded movements of real actors or models into the 3D Animation. 3D Animations also require a much higher frame rate to support its photorealism and effectiveness, which exceeds 12 frames per second, which is used for old two dimensional animation and television broadcast.

Many people are inspired to follow an animation career, but often end up only with a superficial course which only helps them learn how to work with different software which does not ensure proficiency in 3 Dimensional Animation. Schools like Redhouse College of Animation and Sheridan can provide the appropriate formal education and technical facilities that are fitting to a professional animator. It is always best to enroll with an Animation school which focuses on quality.

You can only excel as a 3 Dimensional computer animator, if you are capable of original and creative work. You should be mastering basic design programs like Flash and Photoshop. You should have a good knowledge of 3D Modeling and should be able to master the function of Avars, or Animation Variables,, the fundamental structures that make up life-like characters in an animation.

You should be able to work with colors effectively and have and idea of the color theory. Maybe an arts degree will even help you in such cause. You should also have an comprehension of lighting, creating materials and rendering, which are quintessential to the realism of your animation. You should have a taste for story-telling, an eye for detail and the creativity of an artist.

But what if you are not a professional animator? That still does not stop you from benefiting from it. A number of Three Dimensional Animation packages exist to help you out. Cinema 4D, XSI and Motion Builder are very popular but complex software, and top choices of experienced animators. Although some of them are accommodating to novices, you could find yourself more at ease with simpler software like Anim8or, Xara 3D and Effect 3D. You should research carefully before buying one of them, as you would want all the value and utility you need from a single package as per your needs.

If you desire to use 3D animation as the content for your web page, you could settle for software with simple features and an easy and accessible user interface. 3D Animations have become an effective communication tool of our century and can be a source of good traffic for web developers as computer software have brought this possibility into their access. This technology allows you to explore new horizons on whatever front it can be utilized. It is up to you to make the most of it.

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