Inspired 3D: Planning for Character Setup

Michael Ford and Alan Lehman take us through the step by step process of planning the setup of a 3D character. While these steps may sound time consuming the authors assure us it will pay off in the end! The first of several excerpts from the book, Inspired 3D Character Setup.

By Mike Ford and Mike Ford | Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at 12:00 am

Posted In | Magazines: VFXWorld

All images from Inspired 3D Character Setup by Michael Ford and Alan Lehman, series edited by Kyle Clark and Michael Ford. Reprinted with permission.

This is the first in a number of adaptations from the new Inspired series published by Premier Press. Comprised of four titles and edited by Kyle Clark and Michael Ford, these books are designed to provide animators and curious moviegoers with tips and tricks from Hollywood veterans.

The following excerpt focuses on analyzing the geometry, which is the first step in planning for character setup.

Planning Ahead
You must consider many issues when beginning to rig a character. Decisions you make regarding the character may be just a matter of personal style or opinion, while others can greatly affect the process of implementing the character into the production pipeline.

A pipeline is a production process implemented to complete a given task from start to finish. The character pipeline encompasses the step-by-step process from the initial design concept to the fully rigged animatable character.

Planning ahead for creating the characters in this scene will take some time, but in the long run this planning will save you time, energy, and — most importantly — money. Image courtesy of Backyard Entertainment.

Analyzing the Geometry
The geometry that you’ll be using for your character is one of the most important factors to your success. Taking a closer look at the concept designs and/or the finished geometry with which you’ll be working will help you make decisions concerning the job in front of you.

The geometry of a character is often referred to as the model. Aspects of the model to consider before beginning work include the type of surfaces being used, resolution and distribution of points across the surface, the pose of the model, and the symmetrical construction of the final geometry.

Surface Type
When you first sit down to create a rig for a character, one of the first questions you should ask is: What type of surface am I dealing with? Your character’s geometry is one of the most important elements in the creation of your character, so pay attention to the type of surface you’ll be using for your geometry. In this section, we’ll discuss two types of surfaces: NURBS and polygons. These are two of the most popular types of surfaces used in film, game and commercial productions.