'Objectives- Jim's Advice'

1. Study the scientific modelling of bio-mechanical and skeletal structures and identify any rules/establish important steps involved in the progression of rigging a 3D character with focus on non-humanoid characters.

1.1.  Investigate the scientific techniques used in palaeontology; to discover how an extinct animal’s behaviour is determined by its structure.

1.2.   Look at the process by which scientists work through available evidence base of extinct animals and determine how their environment affects their behaviour and movement.

1.3.  Look at how the information gathered in activities 1.1 & 1.2 can be translated into credible animations.

1.4.  Look at how existing designers approach 3D creature creation.

1.5.  Find existing good examples of animated creatures and examine/deconstruct their methods for rigging and animation.

2. Write a ‘process manual’ outlining the best approach to 3D creature creation.

2.1.  Explore how the scientific techniques in Objective 1 can be applied to the process of 3D creature development.

2.2.  Structure a document which stages the techniques and theories discovered in Objectives 1 & 2, in a clear easy to follow manner.

3. Use process manual created in objective 3 to produce a Showreel of 3D creatures.

3.1.  Design/find a series of creatures to be worked with.

3.2.  Model/outsource creature models.

3.3.  Build, Rig and Skin creature models.

3.4.  Create a series of character poses to test final rigs.

 

3.5.  Set up cameras, suitable lighting and animate a walk cycle for each creature.

3.6.  Render each animation to an appropriate video file, record videos displaying rig mechanics and combine videos to create a suitable showreel.

 

4. Produce a dissertation that evaluates the product and process of Objectives 1-5.

4.1.   Assess the relevance of the scientific methods of predicting the movement and behaviour of extinct animals in informing 3D fantasy creature development.

4.2. Discuss how a study into a creature’s structure and environment is required to construct a credible animation.

4.3.  Consider the efficiency of the process manual in creating 3D creatures.

4.4.  Amend the process manual as seen fit by evaluation.