Exploring the Gears of the 3D Animation

3D Modeling is nothing but the creation of a character or a model having three dimensions (as in real world) using the techniques and tools provided by a computer software. The software we use for the purpose will be a 3D Modeling and animation tool like 3DS Max, Maya, SoftImage etc. The tool will provide a set of tools that a 3D artist can use to sculpt or model, an object in his imagination, into a 3d computer representation. This 3D model can be altered, animated or rendered into a movie in accordance to the artists need. This is what 3D modeling is, if we look it from a broad top view.

There are a number of modeling techniques that are widely used. Some of them are as below:

Primitive Modeling: This is a very basic modeling technique and hence has several draw backs too. The software tool like 3DS Max, Maya etc provides a set of 3D primitives like spheres, boxes etc. The artist alters these shapes to suit his/her character modeling needs, using lattices, deformers etc. For example, a human head can be modeled using an altered sphere, a neck using an altered cylinder etc. This modeling technique is more suitable for building objects like houses, furniture etc rather than, for live organic modeling, since the shapes appear distinct and the blend of various body parts will not be seamless.

NURBS Modeling: NURBS stands for Non Uniform Rational Bspline. Dont get scared by the name. In the nutshell, it is nothing but a mathematical curve, represented using a set of equations. If we see this modeling technique from an outer view, all we see is a set of simple curves that we call NURBS. How the 3d tool implemented it we dont need to care much (too much mathematics). These curves are very flexible and have control points on them which we can use to change its shape.

Surface Modeling: This is a widely adopted modeling technique used primarily for organic modeling. In this modeling technique, the 3D artist creates a spline cage profile for the 3D character. The splines intersect between each other, creating a completely closed profile of the character. Once the spline cage is complete, the 3D artist can apply a surface modifier on this spline cage, which creates a 3D filling surface out of the 2D splines. This method has the advantage that it can be extended to adapt to varied requirements, during any stage of the modeling process. This offers a lot of flexibility to the artist. This technique is used widely in 3D animation softwares like 3DS Max.

Polygonal Modeling: This is one of the very few modeling techniques that can be used for various modeling scenarios. This modeling technique is used both in organic and inorganic modeling. The basic principle behind this modeling technique is as follows. The 3D artist draws the shape of the model he wants to create using the polygon tool. Then the polygon will get subdivided and extruded, so that the model gets the 3D form. This process of subdividing and extruding continues until the whole model is completed. In this modeling technique the artist in fact creates a polygonal mesh himself. But this polygonal model will have the minimal number of polygons only, and it will be far from a smooth and perfect figure. After this stage, the artist would apply a smoothing modifier on this polygon model, which converts the model into a realistic and smooth looking character.

Advantages of 3D models over 2d models:

1) 3D models are flexible and can be changed or animated quickly, with quicker rendering time. Rendering time refers to the amount of time that it takes to give a model life, or animate it.

2) The accuracy is discussed. 3D models create an accuracy that cannot be created with 2D models.

3) Ease of rendering allows to physically create the model, rather than having to imagine the effects

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