3D Animation / 3D Design
3D animations / 3D graphic designs play an important role in our activities to create 3-dimensional imagery for computer games, films, medical, CAD, visual effects and teaching applications.
These graphics utilize a 3D representation of geometric information stored in a computer to perform calculations and generate images. Currently, there is a very-large assortment of software specifically designed to accomplish the graphic design and graphic animations designers need.
What steps are taken to create 3D animations / 3D graphic design?
There are three primary steps taken in the process that creates 3D animations and 3D graphic designs. These are 3D modeling, layout and animation, and 3D rendering. Modeling is a mathematical process which forms the basic shape of an object; layout and animation describes the motion the object will take along with it’s placement; and rendering is the production of an image of the object.
An engineer or artist on a computer generally does 3D models by utilizing one of many available tools for the purpose. They can also be ‘scanned’ into the computer from real objects produced procedurally or through some form of physical stimulation.
Layout and animation define basic parameters for 3D animations and 3D graphic design
Layout and animation is frequently referred to as computer animation. Layout is necessary to place the modeled object into some scene or background. The process defines the spatial relationships including size and location within the scene itself. Animation is the temporal description that defines how the object moves or changes shape with time. The familiar methods now used to achieve animation include motion capture, keyframing and inverse kinematics. These are applied individually or on conjunction with one another. Physical stimulation is still another method to specify motion as it does in modeling.
Rendering converts the model into a 3-dimensional image
In 3D animations / 3D graphic design, rendering converts the model into an image by either stimulating light transport to produce photorealistic images or through the use of some form of styling for non-photorealistic rendering. Realistic rendering determines just how much light transports from one location to another and scattering determines how different surface interact with the light in a scene. Rendering is almost always performed with 3-dimensional computer graphics software or with a 3-dimensional graphics API. The scene is then altered into a suitable format for rendering through 3-dimensional projection that permits the 3D image to be viewed in 2-dimensions.
It takes the right hardware and software to develop 3D images
Performing 3D animation / 3D graphic design processes requires a bit more hardware and software capability than the average home PC or Mac can deliver. This is true because these processes require a great deal of number crunching and also because the software necessary eats up a large amount of memory. You will also need plenty of RAM to keep the machine moving along. In addition, the technical training is somewhat complicated and generally calls for a minimum of some time in an appropriate training program with hands-on lab work. Once mastered, however, the technology necessary to enable 3D animation / 3D graphic design can open exciting and profitable career opportunities.
