Introduction

For this unit, we focused on learning 3D animation. We learned how to create 3D weapons, 3D character models, and how to rig them in Maya for animating.

3D Character

Mr. Mouse comes from a world in which he protects a queen with his loyalty, valor, and style. He will stand guard to protect his queen at all costs. I used different fabrics to give him a nice outfit and even golden boots. He has a stoic expression but the flower on his head reveals his gentleness.

Next we learned how to animate by making our 3D character walk, run, and jump. In order to make the motion look natural, I had to modify various points of motion at the right points in time. Arms, legs, shoulders, head positions are all involved in these movements.

3D Lip Sync Animation

Giving a nice, deep voice to Mr. Mouse made the character an unexpected twist. I enjoyed choosing a quote for him. Matching the lips and also using his eyebrows made the character more realistic.

Narrative Animation

For this project we were put into groups to create a short animated film. In this film, Mr. Mouse is the owner of the Macabre Motel. He lures people into his motel where they get to see creepy but interesting characters. Little does the main character (the audience) know that all of these characters are actually past victims of Mr. Mouse who have all died and become motel attractions. The next victim is the audience themselves as they get locked in one of the motel rooms to die and become another character in Mr. Mouse’s Macabre Motel. Of course, in real life, Mr. Mouse is not evil and would never do something this cruel to anyone.

Reflection

While creating an animated character, I was able to add plenty of my own quirky characteristics through details in the clothing, facial movements, body mass, speed of the movements, etc. I appreciate how much details and considerations are actually required to make the simple movements look natural. But with an accumulation of these movements, even an animated feature film is possible.