HA12 - Task 2

HA12 - Task 2 - Research:

I have been tasked with creating a small animation of my choice, for a start, I had to look around on many different models and animations that were done by others to get some inspiration to then decide what I actually want to do and what it will involve. I had a look at a wide range of models and animations so that my research can be as broad as possible so that I have a lot of ideas to draw from. 

Imagery:

First, I started looking at some different models for inspiration, in each model I also looked as what is required to properly build it (how many elements, if it's complicated or not) and if it looks effective or not, of course I also had to consider how animation on that specific model would work, if i had a lot of options to animate it around or not so much. From the start, I wanted to do an animation on a vehicle, so I started researching a lot of different vehicles, but not only them, I also looked around at some smaller models, oil rigs, statues, housing etc. 

http://www.davidmoles.co.uk/portfolio/maersk-line-3d-assets/

I picked this model of the two trucks because it was very detailed and I liked how it look even when it was presenting such a simple concept, it was still interesting. 

http://forum.unity3d.com/threads/wip-wicked-cat-3d-assets.257087/

I also had a look at some models that are science-fiction as well, since I wanted that broad range of ideas to pick from, I liked this model specifically since I think it would be very interesting to animate it and see how it works, it is also very detailed. 

http://forum.unity3d.com/threads/marine-and-offshore-3d-assets.274544/

Then I had a look at some naval ships, I liked the detail that has to be done on such ships and yet it is hardly visible in many times, yet still noticeable if missing. The concept of animating a naval ship is very interesting to me albeit it creates some drawbacks such as the fact that you can't really create a very insane movement with it, possible environmental animation would be required to work with a naval ship and make the animation more interesting overall. 

http://forum.unity3d.com/threads/marine-and-offshore-3d-assets.274544/

Then I briefly looked at some oil rigs and just general structures on water, the models looked very pleasing however I quickly realised that creating an interesting animation with one of these would require other models to cooperate with it during the animation, such as a tanker taking oil from the platform and then bringing it back. 

http://eat3d.com/taxonomy/term/1000023/0?page=10

I also looked into some tools that could perhaps be used along with some other objects in my animation, such objects are usually too small to be used on their own but can be used alongside other things that altogether create a very good animation. The small details are usually the most appreciated ones. 

http://lbg44.deviantart.com/art/Atomic-V8-Opening-Scene-Asset-3D-Model-287979440

I also looked at ground vehicles, things like cars, how they move, how they operate and how they look while moving, this was all extremely useful for my cause since I could carefully plan out how I want the animation to work and how I want different elements to cooperate with each other.

http://digital-art-gallery.com/picture/6366

I also looked at things that are military, things like the tanks, how they fire, move etc. or simply how they look for model purposes. I had a lot of ideas that involved things like tanks since I feel like they are far more versatile when it comes to creating an interesting animation from something like a car. 

http://3docean.net/item/low-poly-old-cottage-3d-model/3017811

I looked at buildings, how they look and also tried to look into different animation options, perhaps adding a fracture to the roof and then having it be hit with a sphere. Different scenarios and how I can use them to benefit my animation. 

http://cvbtruong.deviantart.com/art/New-3D-Asset-Stone-Lion-7-317066347

I also looked at statues and different characters to see how they could be animated and how they can be used in cooperation with other animation elements in order to make something interesting. 

http://www.moddb.com/games/turbulence

http://gameswallpaperhd.com/call-of-duty-call-of-duty-ghosts-next-gen-weapon-3d-model.html

http://www.moddb.com/games/turbulence

I looked at weapon models from different games, this relates back to the wrench, something like a gun is quite a small object in comparison to other things however it can be a vital part of an animation even for it's relative size, a lot of animation elements can be tied within such a model, a gun shooting, a gun being swung, a gun being thrown, and camera can close in on it making it an even more important element within the animation. 

http://michaelchanmds.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/ga1a03-prop-modelling.html

http://www.interferencepattern.com/index.php/Portfolio/call-of-duty-exo-zombies-chopper-asset-build/

This is another look into some more vehicles, both ground and flying ones, this time I tried to research into some vehicles that are not the usual type and therefore could possibly present some interesting animation ideas that something like a normal tank or a normal plane could not provide. 

Videos:

After research into images I moved onto videos to see how different animations are made in motion, how different elements are animated and how different objects are used in order to create a certain effect, this research was very important since I could implement parts of it into my own animation. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uneL4Pocue4

First off I looked at basic animations for some human characters, this animation was particularly advanced, not only did it feature a very complex and advanced movement of the character himself but it also featured a physics system that affected his clothing. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SgjU2hY6JY

This animation, similar to the previous one I looked at because of how combat works, I wanted to see different animations for combat and how it can be implemented, how does the character move and how does it react to hits as well as different situations. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl9W9UBryKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ctcAWYRyWs

These two animations were included for quite a few reasons, first off, it showcased a lot of interaction between different characters, their facial and body language, which has proven to be quite useful when trying to practice different character animations myself, it also showcased complex interactions of characters and objects being used, which again was very useful, lastly, it showcased fluid movement and a great art style that fits the animation very well. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogQZE4yXBcY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDL8KWCnPpE

Then I researched into some vehicular animation, how lighting and different movement on cars is performed, how camera work can be a crucial part in making an interesting animation with objects that have less animation opportunities available to them than something like a human character. Overall this was very useful in learning how to animate something specific like a car. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW5skHMKXnU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBkclTpheVs

Similar to cars I then looked into some animation of spacecraft, how they are portrayed, how the camera is used to create certain effects, and how different parts of the spacecraft be used for different interesting animation purposes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zsGJfStcYs

Lastly, I came back to character animation, combat and interaction with other characters as I felt like that could teach me the most when it came to animating, I researched into how a character reacts to different characters being on screen, with both their facial and body language and how complex character combat is done.