Character Project: Presentation

Narrative: Textures For Factory Floor Idea

In response to Gemma's progress on environment post, I think that having the walls and floor all the same colour is a bit too much and doesn't feel as dynamic and interesting as it could be. Here some examples of textures that I personally, think would look better on the floor - like rough concrete or an old rusting metallic surface. Then we could just have the walls, lighting getting gradually a more romantic tone.

 

 Also Will and I thought the machinery could be a bit more reflective but rusty as everything looks like it has a similar texture at the minute. Like the examples shown below:

 

Narrative: Basic Environment Blocking & Pre-Viz Start

Justin's Character Class: Environments

This is the character I was given and the environment that I made for him by using shapes and outlines from his body and figure.

Narrative: Inspiration, Logorama

 
In our tutorial Alan showed us this animation 'Logorama' which is about a world made from well known logos. I couldn't find the English one but it's more about the visuals anyway. He suggested that maybe we could make our factory environment from the shapes of icons that are found on cardboard boxes. This would mean that it would have a really unique style and that Will's cardboard box characters would fit in really well with that environment.

Here's some icons that I've found that may be helpful:

 

Narrative: Environment Design

My Rough Factory Design

With Will's Characters

Another One With Will's Character Designs

I made a rough idea for our environment but still needs a lot of refining such as having the paper shredder and 'rejections' lever / trap door etc..  but think we should stick with the straight-on fixed camera throughout. I think the conveyor belt design I have here will be 3D modelled, along with the characters and then maybe we will just have a painted 2D background to suggest the rest of the factory world and keep focus on what's happening in the foreground. I've added a couple of Will's character designs in here as these were my favourite ones and I wanted to see how they would fit in with the factory space. Although I can't quite decide which I prefer at the moment, it's all work in progress!

CG Tropes & Practices 5 - Ambient Occlusion

No Lighting

Ambient Occlusion Plugged Into Shaders

Ambient Occlusion Area Light

Ambient Occlusion Pass

Narrative: Environment Influence Map (Factory)

 

I like these three images in particular to inspire our environment. Images 1 and 2 have the straight-on view of the conveyor belt whereas the third one it at a slight angle. Although I like the fun and simplicity of the first one, I really think the colours of 2 and 3 would really work for our animation.

Narrative: Research + Investigation Into Environment Design

After Gemma had posted this on our group blog earlier, I thought I would share it further on here so the full development process of our animation is clear on both the group blog and individual blog. So after Scarlett spoke with Phil about our project we had a change of plan and have now decided that the animation will be set in a greetings card factory. Gemma had found this video on YouTube which takes you through the process of what would take place in a real world card printing factory and you can see how all the machines would work. Here's the video and I think It's going to be really helpful when it comes to modelling and animating our scene.

Figure 1:  Xerox iGen4

Figure 2:  UV Coater

Fantastic Voyage: Further Inspiration

EPIC (2013)

I find the environments in 'Epic' so refreshing and satisfying to the eye. The mostly green colour palette throughout exploits nature at it's finest. I also really like how from afar the scenes seem perfectly normal and fairly realistic but the close-ups take you into a whole new world of fantasy where the plants are personified and really come alive in the most fascinating way. 

                                           

THE CROODS (2013)

'The Croods' is a more exotic adventure and again, the environments really catch my eye. With unworldly vegetation, species and vibrant colours, the audience really engage with the exciting palette and magical space.

With these two films being my main source of inspiration / influence, I aim to keep areas in my animation with hints of uniqueness and vibrancy like in The Croods and also personify and give some characteristics where possible in the 'moss reproduction cycle' like in Epic. I want to make a 3D journey that shows science in a magical and elegant way. 

*Images screen-shotted from YouTube trailers (see below for reference).

Orthographic Views - Environment (Kitchen)