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RESEARCH
AREA
Title:
A review of character setup to animate a four legged robotic in
3D animation.
Abstract:
To animate a four legged robotic in 3D animation format it is
very challenging. It is important to make the movement as real
and life like as possible. Designing of the character and modeling
is utmost important. Other than having a great character design
and modeling, its character setup will play a very important role
in the animation stage. Without a good and flexible character
setup, it is hard to animate and key pose the character in its
proper way and the desired animation. Otherwise the robotic will
look stiff in the final animation.
The
anatomy and skeleton of both the two legged robotic and four legged
robotic are different, therefore different ways and method in
the setup of both the two legged and four legged robotics would
be applied. The research will first review the anatomy and skeleton
built up for the four legged robotics; from then on, will identify
the main joints and key factors to create an effective and flexible
character setup for four legged robotic. Hence with this review
we can make a smooth and life like animation.
Thesis
Issue:
Character setup for four legged robotic is seldom seen in the
market. With this research, it will provide a guideline and a
case study as to how to create a flexible and effective setup
for a four legged robotic. Proper and flexible character setup
will enhance the animation of the four legged robotic and will
facilitate the animation stage.
Keyword:
3D animation, character setup, believable and logical movement
for four legged robotic
Aim:
To create a flexible and effective character setup for the four
legged robotic to make believable movement and smooth animation
Objectives:
- To analyze the skeleton and anatomy of the four legged robotic
- To identify the key factors and main joints that may affect
a well and effective character setup for the four legged robotic
- To create a flexible character setup for the four legged robotic,
which will be used to animate the four legged robotic easily in
3D animation
Thesis
Development:
- Background study of the development of four legged character
setup
- Compile useful and helpful information from books or movies
which relates to four legged character setup
- Identify the main poses and joints that affect the setup of
four legged robotic
- Create a flexible character setup for 3D four legged robotic
Hypothesis:
With good research and study can create a flexible and effective
character setup for four legged robotic. The four legged robotic
can be easily animated and key posed with flexible character setup.
Research
relation to the Design Project Proposal:
The output of this research wills as a guideline to create a flexible
and effective character setup for a four legged robotic, which
will be very useful for my final animation to setup and to animate
a four legged robotic.
Literature
Review
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Abstract
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: Character setup tools in MAYA
- Chapter 2: Robotic
- Chapter 3: Character setup for four legged robotic in MAYA
- Chapter 4: Future Development & Recommendation
Chapter
2: Robotic
2.7
ROBOTIC FROM MOVIES AND ANIMATION
Other than using robotic in the heavy industry, robotic
are popular and widely use in movies, animations and
games. Robotic those are used in movies, animations
and games are portrayed as fantastic, intelligent,
even dangerous forms of artificial life. CG robotic
is more flexible and lighter than a real robotic.
The movement and design of the robotic are unlimited
in CG world. The act of the robotic can be animated
and key posed easily by using computer. Besides, it
will save the cost and time to build a real robotic.
Many
directors like to use robotic as the main character
or props in their movies or animation such as “Terminator”,
“Robocop”, “Artificial Intelligence”,
“Transformer” and “Neon of Evangelion”.
The output of the movie will look more futuristic
and heavy metal which is one of the favorite type
among the movie styles.
In
this topic, a few of robotic are chosen, from TV series
and movies, as examples. All the chosen robotic are
four legged robotic which are related to the review
title.
2.7.1
Robot Lions from TV series “Lion Voltron”
The show “Voltron” aired during 1984-1986.
It became one of the highest watched cartoon shows
during the entire 80's decade. “Voltron”
was a 2D cartoon show that everyone had seen and enjoyed.
It was created and designed in Japan.
The
five young space explorers, Keith, Pidge, Hunk, Lance,
and Sven prove equal to the challenge from King Zarkon,
going through a series of dangerous adventures before
recovering the five parts of Voltron - the Robot Lions
- and bringing them together to form the incredible
super-robot.
Vehicle mode - Robot Lions
Super robot mode - Voltron
2.7.3
Snarl from 3D TV series “Beast Machine”
After their victory in the Beast Wars, the heroic
Maximals return to their home world of Cybertron.
But Megatron - leader of the evil Predacons has enslaved
the planet with an army of vehicular Transformers
called Vehicons. Haunted by this new force, the Maximals
face their greatest challenge yet as they struggle
to free their planet!
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Deluxe
Snarl
Function:
Strategic Specialist
Motto:
"They won't even see it coming!"
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As a strategic genius, Snarl is a critical component
of the Maximal command. Has the uncanny ability
to sense his opponent's weaknesses and exploit
them to Maximal advantage. Considers Vehicons
a substandard challenge to his abilities-desires
a match of tactics and cunning against Megatron
where the victor wins the war over Cybertron.
Has an ambush style of attack that rarely leaves
his enemies the option of survival. |
2.7.2
AMEE from movie “Red Planet”
“Red Planet” is a movie that is directed
by Anthony Hoffman. It is an exciting science fiction
thriller based on scientific facts, including theoretical
notions on how to "terra form" Mars to become
inhabitable. The release date is on November 2000.
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AMEE
(Autonomous Mapping Evaluation and Evasion),
a four legged robot with attitude, is the computer
generated villain and star of this film. It
is on loan from the military to help the crew
to explore Mars. When the crew crash lands,
AMEE reverts back to military mode and becomes
their antagonist. It is created by Cinesite
Visual Effect. |
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Conclusion
After the review, understanding the basic knowledge and tools
are important for the beginner or user. Before applying setup
to the character, the knowledge of basic tools, which will enhance
the character setup, are necessary and is important to the animator.
Besides, knowing the correct flow will fasten the progress to
create a flexible character setup for the four legged robotic
or other character. Planning is the first step to achieve success.
Your skill will be good only if you are good in the basics. "Knowing
the basics provides the tools for expression."
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