W4 Rigging
Rigging: Lessons Learned
To be honest, I attempted to rig the character on my own but faced repeated failures. Eventually, I reached out to a freelancer, Brahim Moussi, for help with the rigging.
From this experience, I learned a few important things about rigging:
- Mesh Influences Weight: The mesh structure of the model plays a crucial role in how weight is distributed and how the model moves.
- Facial Expressions Need More Mesh: For smooth facial expressions, especially around the mouth, the model requires a denser mesh. This prevents breaks or distortions when bending or animating expressions.
These insights have given me a better understanding of rigging and how to prepare models for animation in the future.
Mr. Clock
Rigging Assistance
For the rigging of my character, I collaborated with freelancer Brahim Moussi to ensure everything was set up perfectly. Before handing over my 3D model, I prepared a list of requirements to specify the functionalities and performance I needed for the clock character:
- Rotating Clock Hands: The minute and hour hands must be able to rotate smoothly.
- Button Controls: The button (nose as the center) should have controls for moving, rotating, and scaling.
- Eye Movements: The eyes should be able to blink, and the eyeballs should move.
- Character Movements: The character should be able to run, walk, and bend naturally.
This list helped clarify my expectations and ensured the rigging met the needs of my animation.
Scene building
Lighting WIP
- Began lighting tests with basic setups to establish the overall mood (V1, V2).
- Added subtle lighting on doors (V3) to create focal points and enhance realism.
- Introduced vibrant colors (V4) to add energy and visual interest to the scene.
- Used spotlights (V5) to emphasize key areas and guide the viewer’s focus.
- Enhanced spotlight intensity (V6) for a dramatic effect and better contrast.
- Experimented with graphical spotlight overlays and texture blending (V7).
- Incorporated a date/title element (V8) to tie the animation to a narrative theme.
- Increased color hue vibrancy (V9) to finalize the lively nighttime atmosphere.
Scene Building and Visualizing Time
For the main environment, I wanted to explore creative ways to visualize the concept of time. To gather inspiration, I used AI with MidJourney to generate ideas and identify objects that could symbolize time. This approach helped me brainstorm unique elements to incorporate into the scene, adding depth and meaning to the animation.
- Melting or bended clock
- Clock can walk
- Sand clock
- A tunnel
- A man walking in the air with clock flowing around him
