Categories
3D Computer Animation Fundamentals

Week:9 Body Mechanics

9 Tips for Shooting Body Mechanics Reference

  1. Keep the same angle of the refrence
  2. Capture different views and perspectives of the same action
  3. No orthographic view, only the front and side view
  4. Locked the camera, or only shifted little.
  5. Morrors
  6. Continuity
  7. Intention and acting, make the character live and let them focus what they are doing.
  8. Keep remember all the behavior that the character do have the purpose
  9. Put post-it notes on your body

Categories
3D Computer Animation Fundamentals

Week 8:Walk cycle(final)

This week I continued to modify my walking animation, it is now smoother

Categories
Unreal engine

Week 5:Shattering Effect

This week we mainly learned about the shattering effect.

First, when creating the shattering effect, we can use remesh to increase the polygon count of the model.

Next, we use the shatter command, followed by the Generate Polygroup command, and then we use the Select Tris command.

Finally, we separate the shattered faces and convert them into a mesh.

Categories
Unreal engine

Week 4:Material

Today we learned how to add texture maps to the material sphere

We can drag the material textures from the fab, which include three maps: the color map, the ORDP map, and the normal map.

The TexCoord node can modify the UV scaling.

By adding a parameter node, we can convert it into a smart parameter for easier modification.

Using the blend material node can help me mix materials.

Categories
Unreal engine

Week 3:Virtual Production Sequencer

The Virtual Production Sequencer in Unreal Engine is a powerful tool designed for creating, editing, and managing animation sequences in real-time environments, particularly for film, television, and virtual production projects.

It features an intuitive timeline interface that allows users to synchronize and manage multiple elements, such as character animations, camera movements, and effects, with precision.

Categories
Unreal engine

Week 2:WorldBuilding

To build a world in Unreal Engine 5, I first create a new level, and then go to Window > Environment Light Mixer to add all the sky light and atmosphere into the scene.

The Directional Light is used to adjust the lighting for different times of day by changing its rotation and intensity.

To create an emissive material, I create a new material, multiply a color with a parameter, and set the parameter’s Default Value to 1.

Using FABis a great way to quickly populate a world. There are two methods to add objects to the scene: downloading and dragging them directly. Additionally, I can use Tools > Merge Actors to combine multiple objects and save the new one into a folder.

To manage the landscape, I can open Window > Layers / World Settings / World Partition > World Partition Editor / Levels for easier access to my landscape settings.

I can also create a new landscape by entering Landscape Mode and sculpting the terrain as needed.

Categories
Unreal engine

Week 1:Introduction of game engines

The introduction focuses on Unreal Engine 5.4, highlighting its key features and enhancements.

The Marketplace is an excellent resource for discovering free and paid assets such as environments, materials, plugins, and characters available for use in projects.

The FAB Library (Foliage Asset Builder Library) in Unreal Engine 5.4 is an important feature focused on the management and creation of foliage assets. Here are some key features of the FAB Library.

The FAB Library offers a visual preview feature that allows developers to view the appearance and characteristics of different plants before using them, aiding in better design decisions.

Users can easily drag and drop foliage assets from the FAB Library into their levels, allowing for seamless integration with other features in Unreal Engine, such as the Lumen global illumination system and Nanite technology, enhancing the overall visual quality of scenes.

Categories
Design for Animation,Narrative Structures&Film Language

Week 8:Research proposal

Visual Attraction and Psychological Response: How Color Guides Audience Emotional Reactions(An In-Depth Study of Color Function in Disco Elysium and The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Purpose

I wish to research the role of color in shaping character identities, expressing emotions, and conveying cultural symbolism in visual media, specifically focusing on the video game Disco Elysium and the film The Grand Budapest Hotel. This topic interests me due to the profound impact that color can have on audience perception and emotional response. Both works utilize vibrant and high-saturation color palettes that not only enhance their unique aesthetic styles but also serve as critical narrative devices that influence how viewers and players interpret character motivations and emotional landscapes.

The research is worth while as it offers insights into the intersection of visual art and psychology, particularly how color contributes to storytelling in contemporary media. The central question I aim to address is: How does the use of high-saturation color influence viewer emotions and perceptions of character in Disco Elysium and The Grand Budapest Hotel? My hypothesis is that the strategic use of color in these works significantly shapes audience emotional engagement and understanding of narrative themes, ultimately revealing deeper cultural and psychological nuances.

(In The Grand Budapest Hotel, bright colors show us how characters feel. Pink and red might mean romance or danger. The colors aren’t just pretty; they’re part of the story’s emotions.)

(In Disco Elysium, bright colors are more mysterious. They might show what the main character is thinking or feeling, especially if he’s stressed or on drugs. Or, the colors might just show how messed up and confusing the world is.)

Key words

Color, Character Development, Emotional Expression, Cultural Symbolism

Disco Elysium, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Color Psychology, Audience Perception, Emotional Response

Bibliography

Itten, J. (1970). The Art of Color: The Subjective Experience and Objective Rationale of Color. New York: Wiley.

Dewitt, A. (2012). Color and the Narrative in Cinema. New York: Routledge.

Ware, C. (2008). Information Visualization: Perception for Design. Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann.

Köhler, S. and Wyschkon, A. (2011). “The influence of color on psychological functioning: a review of the evidence.” Color Research and Application

Categories
3D Computer Animation Fundamentals

Week 7:Polishing walk cycle

When I was working on the walking cycle animation in week seven, the biggest issue was how to ensure the character didn’t slide.

After watching tutorials online, I tried adding the values of the left and right feet, which allowed me to get the correct number of steps on the Z-axis.

Categories
Design for Animation,Narrative Structures&Film Language

Week 7:Narrative structure and Character Role

Narrative structure is the framework of a story in films and literature, influencing how audiences understand and engage with it. The design and development of characters are crucial as they create emotional experiences for the audience.

Key Elements of Narrative Structure

Narrative structure typically includes exposition, conflict, climax, and resolution. The exposition introduces the characters, settings, and background information, providing context for the story. Conflict drives the plot, often involving opposition between characters or inner struggles, adding tension and revealing character personalities and values. The climax is the peak moment when the conflict reaches its highest point, requiring the protagonist to make key choices. Finally, the resolution concludes the story, resolving conflicts and revealing the characters’ fates, allowing the audience to reflect on the emotions and themes.

The Role of Characters in the Narrative

Characters are essential in driving the plot and connecting with the audience. The protagonist is central to the story, creating emotional ties, while the antagonist opposes the protagonist, forming the conflict. Supporting characters enrich the storyline, providing contrast and support for the protagonist’s growth. The growth and change of characters enhance the narrative, allowing audiences to feel deeper emotional connections.

Narrative structure and characters are closely linked, forming the foundation of engaging stories. Understanding how these elements work together helps creators shape complex and impactful narratives, enhancing audience involvement and emotional resonance. Effective narrative structure and character development create unforgettable storytelling experiences.