3D Animation

Animation is seen pretty much everywhere these days. Almost everything from advertisements to film involves at least some level of animation or digital retouching. But how is it done? Read more to find out.

Animation is used in a wide variety of situations. Most media, from movies, to tv shows, to even advertisements, use some level of 3d animation. For example, a commercial for a car likely uses animation or simulation to show all the details or the manufacturing process, or maybe even just a highly stylized demonstration.

How is all of this animation and modelling done? Professionals often use modelling programs, or 3d scanners, to first create the objects that will be simulated. 3D scanners are actually fairly simple. One type consists of one or more cameras (or ultra sonic sensors) that rotate around an object, capturing a view of all sides of the object. Modelling software on the other hand, requires a lot more work. The object must be sculpted in programs like Autodesk Inventor, Maya, or any number of CAD (computer assisted design) programs.

The object is then imported into an animation or simulation program, such as Blender. The joints and more complex properties are then added once it is imported, and physics are applied. At this point, the animation is made and rendering begins. The rendering process is the most time consuming part of the job. The animation is generated in every frame and the physics is applied to it during the rendering phase. After this is completed, the individual frames are compiled into a lossless video format and sound is added.

So that is how animation is usually done. Have you ever had any experience with doing animations? Tell me in the comments below and don't forget to follow to stay up to date on the latest science and technology news.