As human culture has made progress, its esthetics have also found new and ingenious means to express itself. Nowadays, art’s path to evolution has taken it into the dimension of modern technology, as animation has emerged as a new art form. This has been a radical change from the simple beginnings which can be traced back to the early cave paintings, but nonetheless, it has presented us with exciting opportunities.
Computer 3D Animation is a method which makes it possible to create and show digital moving objects with a 3D touch on a 2D screen. 2D animation has been around for a long time, but 3D animation has overtaken it as the results of the later are amazingly realistic. 3D Animation is not restricted to films, but is also used in architecture, 3d real time games, web designing and developing various scientific models.
The process of executing 3 Dimensional Animation involves 3D modeling, texturing, Three Dimensional animation and rendering. 3D Modeling is the creation of an object into digital Three Dimensional space through professional 3d modeling software. Texturing is the next step and it gives meaning to the 3D models produced during the first stage by setting physical shading parameters of 3D models. Texturing can be compared to an artist painting on a sculpture to portray more details. Texturing gives the shape to the scenario as it would appear in the finished version.
3 Dimensional Animation may not look like the movies when characters like Mickey Mouse were first introduced, yet the fundamental concept of animation remains the same as in traditional animation. These principles have taken the shape of Motion Capture and Key-framing with the development of computers. Key-framing, descendent of techniques like flip book and stop motion, involves setting up of two or more key object positions in different time frames , these frames were then called key frames. 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 illusion of motion where called in-betweens. Today the computer fills the 3D Animation by automatically calculating the frames in between.
Motion Capture is a way of recording of movements of real characters for a near-reality imitation in an animation. The method is expensive, but can bring exciting reality to the animation production if carried out in a proper fashion. The actor who is to be imitated is worn a motion capture suit which conveys his movements through special sensors to the 3D actor. Three Dimensional Animation, in order to hold its realistic outlook, needs greater frame rates than 2d animation, or even television broadcasts, which are about 24 frames per second.
Computer Animation is a stimulating and interesting profession. Before you start some serious professional work, it is always helpful to study in specialized institutes that offer animation courses. You should focus on schools like Redhouse College of Animation and Sheridan, to really have a substantial foundation to your career. However, attending superficial courses will do you no good as this way you will only learn to work with different software, which is not enough to become an efficient 3 Dimensional Animator.
To become an efficient 3 Dimensional animator, you must have a good idea of computer design on a basic level, such as Photoshop and Flash. You should have an understanding of Avars, or Animation Variables, which constitute the basic bone structure to Three Dimensional skeletal models, which will aid you in creating life-like characters.
You should have strong basics of art and must have a thorough grasp of how colors work. You will be continually playing with them for the rest of your lives. You must have a good sense of light and shade, which actually sum up the basics of all visual arts. Besides the technical knowledge, it is your sense of story-telling and filmmaking which will help create a compelling animation.
Of course, experienced animators are the masters of the trade, but how can 3D Animation be of use to web site designer? Web site designers can easily create professional 3D animations through a number of 3d packages. Motion Builder, SideFX Houdini, Messiah Studio, Softimage XSI and Cinema 4D are popular software mostly used by experienced animators. But website designer may even go for much simpler software like 3D GIF Designer, Xara 3D and Poser can help them carry out their tasks much easier. The selection of package depends primarily on the requirements, but programs with simple interface and covering maximum features in one package would be more appropriate for web site designer.
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 method of our century and can be a source of traffic enhancement 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.
