Animation seniors painted textures for our original 3d models and finally started creating short animations using the Autodesk Maya interface. We learned how to rig characters, use lights and cameras, and how to make things ~move~ with both keyframe and motion data animation.
Texture work
3D Weapon Design
This is my axe model before and after adding textures with Substance Painter! I looked up crystal materials for the blade. (Note: resize your browser if the images aren’t loading)
For the character weapon, I wanted to create an axe with a fun shape, so I looked up online weapon designs I could use are reference. I decided to go with a jade, wood, and steel fantastical axe that caught my eye because of its mix of materials. Since my character is a vampire, I added some blood splatters onto the weapon’s edge. Modeling it was fun but time consuming, since I had to figure out how to achieve a sharp-looking look while still including curves and not messing up the polygons. The part I appreciated the most was adding details in ZBrush since I got to refine the design and give it some texture. For the crystal sections, I had to look up a custom free material since none of the existing ones suited the look.
Character Bio
Image transcript: Zek is an ancient vampire that has abandoned a long history of violence to now lead a casual life among humans. He runs his own little boutique-cafe hybrid and, since his eccentric appearance fits the shop’s aesthetics, he doesn’t get that many odd stares or questions. However, if one ever dares to come between him and his perfectly mundane life, they shall be met with the “decorative” axe that hangs on the cafe’s wall. Zek also likes cats :] NOTE: He may or may not be hiding from the cops. Please don’t call 911.
3d Animations
Walk, Run, Jump
We first learned how to rig our 3d model and use keyframes to manually animate walk cycles, run cycles and a character jump. I had the hardest time making the jump sequence so I’d like to try it again sometime!
Motion Capture
We then learned how to use motion capture data on our characters and created a short animation using them.
Lip Sync
We were taught how to use the blend shape feature to be able to move our characters mouth and lip sync it to a random audio. I chose a section of the infamous Sonic (2006) Real-Time Fandub.
Action Reaction
Finally, the culmination of all our Maya work so far: a short narrative animation showing our character interacting with the environment! Here is Zek enjoying some of his suspiciously red “tea”.
