3D Modeling Basics

3D Modeling

Modeling can be defined as the process of taking a shape and molding it into a complete 3D mesh. The most common means of creating a 3D model is to take a simple object- a primitive, and extend it into a shape that can be detailed and refined. Primitives can be anything from a vertex, an edge, a spline, to polygons.

Using the specific features of the 3D software that you are using, each one of these primitives can be used to produce an object. When you create a model in 3D, you'll usually learn one method to create your model, and go back to it and then again when you need to create new models. There are three methods you can use to create a 3D model these are:

1. Spline or patch modeling: A spline in 3D space is a curve defined by at least two control points. The most common splines used in 3D art are bezier curves and NURBS Non-uniform rational basis spline). NURBS is a mathematical model used commonly in computer graphics to generate and represent curves and surfaces . Splines is the most oldest,most traditional form of 3D modeling available. To make a 3D model firstly a cage of splines is created to form a "skeleton" of the object that you want to create. The software that is used can create a patch of polygons that extends between two splines and forming a 3D skin around the shape. Spline modeling is not used very often these days for character creation because it takes a lot of time to create good models. The models that are produced through this type of modeling usually aren't useful for animation without a lot of modification.

Spline modeling is used mainly for the creation of hard objects, like cars, buildings, and furniture. To create these objects splines are extremely useful, which may be a combination of angular and curved shapes. When you are creating a 3D scene that requires curved shapes, spline modeling should be your first choice.

2. Box modeling: Box modeling bears a lot of resemblance to traditional sculpting and is probably the most popular technique. In box modeling, one starts with a primitive (mostly a cube) and then begins by adding detail. "Slicing" the cube into pieces and then extending the faces of the cube to gradually create the form that you want. To create the basic shape of the model people use box modeling. Once practiced, the technique is very quick to get acceptable results. The downside of box modeling is that the technique requires a lot of twisting of the model along the way.

Box modeling is useful to create organic models, like characters. Box modelers can also create hard objects like buildings, however precisely curved shapes may be difficult to create using this technique.

3. Poly modeling / edge extrusion: Poly modeling is the most effective and precise technique. In this type of modeling, a 3D mesh is created point-by-point and face-by-face. We start with a single quad (a 3D object consisting of 4 points) and expel an edge of the quad, creating a second quad attached to the first. A 3D model is created in this way. Poly modeling is not as fast as box modeling. It requires less twisting of the mesh and you can plan the topology for animation ahead of time.

This technique is used by poly modelers to create hard objects or organic objects, but poly modeling is best suited for organic models.

A Workflow that Works

To create a model the workflow you choose will depend entirely on how comfortable you are with a given technique, what object you're creating, and what goals you have for the final product.

If someone who is creating an architectural scene, for example, may create basic models with cubes and other simple shapes to create an outline of the finished project. Meshes can then be replaced with more detailed objects as you progress through the project. This is an organized, well-planned way to create a scene; it is a strategy which is used by professionals that makes scene creation straightforward. Beginners, tend to dive in headfirst and work on the most detailed objects first. Remember, sketch first, then refine.

When creating an organic model, beginners tend to start with the most detailed areas first, and flesh out the remaining parts later which is a haphazard way to create a character. This may be one reason why box modeling has grown to be so widely popular. A modeler can easily create the complete figure before refining the details, like eyes, lips, and ears.

The best strategy is to use a hybrid workflow when creating organic models. A well planned organic model is created using a combination of box modeling and poly modeling. The arms, legs, and torso can be sketched out with box modeling, while the fine details of the head, hands, and feet are poly modeled. This is a compromise that professional modelers seek which prevents them from getting sinked down in details. It can make the difference between a completed character, and one that is never fleshed out beyond the head.

Mesh Topology

Another aspect of proper workflow is creating a model with an ideal 3D mesh topology. Topology optimization is usually associated with creating models that is used in animation. Models created without topology that flows in a smooth, circular pattern, may not animate correctly, which is why it is important to plan ahead when creating any 3D object that will be used for animation.

The most frequently topology discussed is about the proper creation or placement of edgeloops. An edgeloop can be defined as a ring of polygons placed in an area where the model may deform, as in the case of animation. Edgeloops are mostly placed around areas where muscles might be, such as shoulder or elbow. The placement of edgeloops is critical when creating faces. When edgeloops are ignored, models will exhibit "tearing" when animated, and the model will need to be reworked or scrapped altogether in favor of a properly-planned model.

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Story-Boarding

When you make a video for your business, whether it is a demo video, a sales video, a training video, or any short online business video, the most important thing is planning & one of the most important stages of planning out a video is creating a storyboard. Storyboard is a graphic representation of how shot by shot your video will unfold. It’s made up of a number of squares with illustrations or pictures representing each shot, with notes about what’s going on in the scene and what’s being said in the script during that shot.

The storyboard was developed by Walt Disney Productions during the early 1930’s. Storyboards can be defined as hand-drawn version which serves as the blueprint for the action and dialogue movie. A script page or a “beat outline” is given to each storyboard artist- a map of the characters' emotional changes that need to be seen through actions. The artists envision their assigned sequences, using these guidelines. The artist draws them out, and then “pitch” the work to the director. There are different approaches to storyboarding -some use colors, some only draw the outlines, some color in grayscale and some go really deep into the details. For the action-dialog of a feature-length Pixar animated film,more than four-thousand storyboard drawings are created as the blueprint. The films are revised many times during the creative development process. 

A biggest role of storyboards’ is to convey the story effectively, as close as possible to what the movie would look like at the end, which means that after someone goes through your storyboard they should understand the story well. 

A few things to help convey the story:

• Mention captions under the drawings.
• Use arrows to show camera movements.
• Color the object to differentiate it from the background.

How to Make a Storyboard?

1) Create blank slides.
2) Add your script.
3) Sketch your story.

Rules in Storyboarding:

1. Every scene must serve a purpose.
2. Do not move the camera unnecessarily.
3. Watch for “jump cuts”.
4. Watch your composition.
5. Watch your axis.
6. Avoid complicated angles.
7. Make sure that the animation and camera instructions in the action columns are extremely clear.
8. Watch your continuity.

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Introduction

The Animation course  in Chandigarh is provided by CBitss Technologies.
The animation industry in India is growing. Every year the animation industry requires more than 30,000 professionals. The field offers many exciting careers, that you can choose to specialize and work with. Animation can be defined as a field of art or science that has the capability to impart life and zeal to non living characters. It basically is based on the phenomenon of persistence of vision that allows the visual illusion of the objects.

At CBitss Technologies we will teach you how to use various computer technologies to capture the still images and then to animate these in desired sequence. The students who will join CBitss Technologies will learn all these concepts in an valuable and skillful way with Animation Course in Chandigarh.

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