1. Business and Computing Deanery 3D Modelling Tools Week 13 Animation

2. 3D Modelling Tools 2 This week Animation Timelines Keyframes Constraints Video 3DS Max 7 Bible Chapter 29 Tutorials Bouncing a Ball

3. 3D Modelling Tools 3 Learning Outcomes Demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of the principles of three- dimensional modelling. Apply the concepts and principles of three- dimensional modelling to the generation of digital objects, avatars and environments for use in game development. To evaluate and effectively communicate different methods and approaches to the generation of three-dimensional models used in a real game.

4. 3D Modelling Tools 4 Concepts What is animation? Modification of any kind of object Light Material Camera What can you change? Parameters Position Rotation Scale What parameters have been changed? 3ds max v7

5. 3D Modelling Tools 5 Frames A series of still images Frames Persistence of vision Illusion of fluid motion 3ds max v7

6. 3D Modelling Tools 6 Frame rates Frame rate Speed at which the images are displayed Frames per second Different systems have different rates Standard rate in UK for output to film is 24fps 3ds max v7

7. 3D Modelling Tools 7 Timeline controls VCR like section of the interface 9 Animation playback controls 10 Animation keying controls 14 Track bar 15 Time slider 3ds max v7

8. 3D Modelling Tools 8 Key framing Like traditional 2D animation techniques Specific frames Tweening Computer calculates the parameters of the object’s position for each intermediate frame

9. 3D Modelling Tools 9 Time controls Start or end Default scene starts with 100 If the output is set to 24 fps how long will this last? Can be changed with the Time Configuration button Auto Key Move to a frame, transform objects or change their parameters. All changes register as Keyframes

10. 3D Modelling Tools 10 Activity Create a scene with spheres, cones, cylinders Make a sphere “bounce”

11. 3D Modelling Tools 11 Bouncing a ball Is your ball realistic? Why not?

12. 3D Modelling Tools 12 Ghosting Ghosting is a method of displaying wireframe of an animated object at a number of frames Used to analyze and adjust your animation Views menu > Show Ghosting 3ds max v7

13. 3D Modelling Tools 13 Track view View and edit all the keys that you create Assign animation controllers to interpolate or control all the keys and parameters for the objects in your scene Two different modes Curve Editor Dope Sheet 3ds max v7

14. 3D Modelling Tools 14 Curve Editor Displays the animation as function curves Lets you visualize the interpolation of the motion 3ds max v7

15. 3D Modelling Tools 15 Dope Sheet (Edit Keys) Displays the animation as a spreadsheet of keys and ranges This provides tools for adjusting the timing of your animation 3ds max v7

16. 3D Modelling Tools 16 More realistic - Gravity 3ds max v7

17. 3D Modelling Tools 17 Curve editor Alters the ‘in- betweens’ 3ds max v7

18. 3D Modelling Tools 18 More realistic - Repeating Parameter Curve Out-Of-Range 3ds max v7

19. 3D Modelling Tools 19 Linking and dummies Used in creating complex motions and building complex hierarchies 3ds max v7

20. 3D Modelling Tools 20 More realistic – Moving and bouncing Control the ball’s bouncing and its traveling motion independently

21. 3D Modelling Tools 21 More realistic Anything else?

22. 3D Modelling Tools 22 Constraints Animation constraints are used to help automate the animation process. Used to control an object’s Position Rotation scale A binding relationship with another object Requires one object and at least one target object The target imposes specific limits on the constrained object

23. 3D Modelling Tools 23 Motion paths A path constraint restricts an object's movement along a spline The spline curve (target) defines a path of motion for the constrained object. 3ds max v7

24. 3D Modelling Tools 24 Path parameters Weight Assigns and animates weight values for each target Bank Amount Adjusts the amount of the banking to one side or the other, depending on whether the value is positive or negative. Axis Defines which axis of the object is aligned to the trajectory of the path. 3ds max v7

25. 3D Modelling Tools 25 Attachment The Attachment constraint is a position constraint that attaches an object's position to a face on another object By keying different attachments over time, you can animate the position of an object over the irregular surface of another object 3ds max v7

26. 3D Modelling Tools 26 Pivot points and axes An Orientation constraint causes an object’s orientation to follow the orientation of an object 3ds max v7

27. 3D Modelling Tools 27 Space warps Nonrenderable objects that affect the appearance of other objects. Space warps create force fields that deform other objects, creating the effect of ripples, waves, blowing wind, and so on. 3ds max v7

28. 3D Modelling Tools 28 Links and chains A Link constraint is used to animate an object linking from one target object to another The Link constraint causes an object to inherit the position, rotation, and scale of its target object 3ds max v7

29. 3D Modelling Tools 29 Types rendering Renders viewport view Quick render Render to file Still image, frame Animation Render to print Quicktime VR 3ds max v7

30. 3D Modelling Tools 30 File types The rendered output can be a still image or an animation A selection of file types AVI File (AVI) BMP Image file (BMP) Encapsulated PostScript format (EPS, PS) JPEG File (JPG) MOV QuickTime file (MOV) PNG Image File (PNG) TIF Image File (TIF) Which are used for still or animation?

31. 3D Modelling Tools 31 Render output - avi Compressor Set the codec (compressor/decompressor) Compression Quality The higher you set the quality, the larger the file size will be. Lossy technique Keyframe Rate Specify the interval between the delta keyframes used to compare one frame with another and generate in-between frames. 3ds max v7

32. 3D Modelling Tools 32 Render settings Resolution Height and width in pixels Consider aspect ratio Colour depth 8 bit allows 256 colours 24 bit allows 16 million More colours helps reduce banding and errors Anti-aliasing Active time segment Alpha channel Atmospherics Eg. fog Effects Eg. Blur Advanced lighting Use a radiosity solution or light tracing in the rendering Render output

33. 3D Modelling Tools 33 Activity – output as a video Create an animation and output as an AVI Set the following Active time segment 320 x 240 Files > Save as AVI Give it a name and note where you are saving it Click Setup Use Cinepak compression 15 fps 50% compression Click Render

34. 3D Modelling Tools 34 Portfolio 7 Create a scene with spheres, cones, cylinders Create a motion path between these shapes Add an object to the path A box to represent a vehicle Print a screen grab of your animation showing Ghosting

35. 3D Modelling Tools 35 Questions Describe the process of exporting video What are the parameters, who would you set them for display of the video over the web Describe the process of animating a moving object with wheels Discuss how to make an realistic animation of a bouncing ball

36. 3D Modelling Tools 36 Impendent study Directed reading 3DS Max 7 Bible Read Chapters 22 and 29 Portfolio 7 Tutorials Bouncing a Ball Flying a Space-fighter

37. 3D Modelling Tools 37 References 3ds max v7, (2005) User Reference and Tutorials Murdock K.L., (2005) 3DS Max 7 Bible, John Wiley & Sons Inc, ISBN: 0764579711