Design
To quickly sketch characters, use gesture drawing to capture movement, focus on basic shapes and primitives like the centre mass, and simplify by refining details. Using a simple proportional guide, such as "guild lines" for the body, helps maintain accuracy. Finally, simplify tools, use a limited colour palette, we find this an efficient way to test and adjust ideas.
3D Models
We begin by using our sketched reference images to block out the basic shapes, we can either 3D sculpt the character's form or use a polygonal modelling approach, gradually adding more detail to create our models.
3D box modelling is primarily use to created hard surface objects, however 3D sculpting is used on organic object, but the same multi-subdivision detail method is present in both techniques, however higher sub-div levels are used to create details for normal maps.
3D Rigging
Digital rigs control/articulate the virtual bone/joints, which deform 3D models. It’s like our bone surrounded by muscles. A good rig has just the right amount of flexibility, when mesh is weighted to bones properly, articulation of limbs will look natural.
We start with a 3D model, analyse where the bone joints articulation pivots are, and firstly create a bone skeleton. We attach these bones to a rig with many control points, ready for animation.
3D Animation
Our animation process exists to bring 3D models to life by creating a structured method for producing thoughtful movements that visually tell a story, educate, or entertain. It involves meticulous planning, concept development, creating visual elements, and timing these elements to create an illusion of motion, all while ensuring the final product effectively communicates its intended message to the audience. Following a defined pipeline is crucial for a smooth production, costs and delivering a high-quality result, that aligns with the project's goals.