Introduction
This blog summarizes what I learned in Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation. I will show these contents from my research and gains, discussions and exchanges, regrets, and prospects.
Research and gains
1. 3DEqualizer4-Body tracking: With the knowledge of face tracking last semester, I can add cool equipment to the characters in the videos I shot. Similarly, I can also track other creatures, or objects that are in motion. If I want to try to make short films that combine live action shooting and 3D animation in the future, I will use this software.
2. Houdini: This is the most powerful FX software! Through Mehdi’s course, I have a preliminary understanding of how to use node to create special effects. I have to say that I used its modeling function to improve my logic ability, and also made several very cool special effects, such as the broken house, which becomes the character of particles.
3. Mocap Animation: This is what I want to study most! Because motion capture technology will become more and more popular, whether it is in the game, animation or film industry. I have practiced how to import motion capture data into the model more than a dozen times, and use the animation layer to adjust it. I believe this will be helpful to my future work.
4. Zoetrope: If I want to make Previs, or some simple animation, it will be a good way to save time and money. Among them, Luke taught how to render sequences and also helped me render my collaborative project.
5. Render layer: If I want to render complex scenes (such as my next summer plan), this will help me.
6. Performance animation (solo project): I modified the animation four times through Luke, and I have a new understanding of the movement rules of the characters, such as the movement of the arms. And I already use the graph editor to check and adjust my animations. In addition, in the process of adjusting the animation, I also learned how I should perform. For example, how should my gestures be changed to match the changes in my pose.
7. Creature animation (solo project): When I did a creature animation for the first time, I really didn’t know how to proceed, nor how to adjust my animation by reference. Therefore, Luke explained to me in detail how he adjusted and summarized the law of creature movement for me, which is the same as the law of human movement. Hips is the most important. So, now I am confident to make more creature animations.
8. Collaborative project:
Output
Because of my broken mobile hard drive, I lost my date such as Houdini files. If you wanna watch other output video, plz go to those blogs.
Discussions and communications
In this semester, I discussed with Yann, Yu, Sean, Zhu (game design), Yann (Graphic media)
Career development direction (Technical Art, Animator), motion graph production, the whole process of modeling, etc.
This is what I discussed and researched with Yann (Graphic media):
Regrets
1. Houdini: I don’t have time to continue studying Houdini, I only updated it to week4, but I took detailed notes on the courses I learned.
2. Lighting: I don’t have time to study KK courses, because my project does not need to render such a complex scene for the time being.
3. Mocap equipment: Because of COVID-19, I cannot experience the school’s mocap equipment. I really look forward to using it!
4. Mobile hard drive: It is broken. My animation files, photos and data are all in it, so I have lost a lot of files now. I hope I can fix it in China.
Prospects
1. Learn UE4 and UE5: I only need to learn how to use them and import my own assets. Of course I will also learn about the animated blueprint inside, and Zhu will help me.
2. Metahuman creator: It is not difficult to create my own models, but it is what I want to learn by importing them into Maya and UE4, and I discovered that I can use the lens to capture my own expressions and import them to my character. Want to try it!
3. Houdini: Although I don’t plan to be a special effects artist, I think it’s really cool to be able to make simple special effects by myself.
4. Lighting: I will finish watching the KK course first, and then render a cool scene.
5. Creature animation: I also want to make more creature animations, such as dog animations and dragon animations.
Conclusion
This semester I feel that I have made great progress! This is not a lie or something that was said after getting drunk. I think I am really great! I am really hard to study and research what I want to learn, I believe my tutors and friends can find it. Although my postgraduate life is busy, I have learned knowledge, made friends, and broadened my horizons. All the busyness is worth it.