All images from All images from The Official Luxololgy modo Guide, Version 301 © Course Technology.

This month VFXWorld continues excerpting a series from the Thomson Course Technology book The Official Luxology modo 301 Guide, which will give VFXWorld readers a chance to build, layer, model, animate, texture and render with modo. Skills are taught using projects that take the reader from simple modeling to complex tasks, taking advantage of various tools and options along the way.

One of the most anticipated features of modo 301 is animation. And, as promised, the team at Luxology delivered in this first software release the ability to put items in motion. But modo's animation capabilities go far beyond just moving a camera and an object. This chapter will not only introduce you to the concepts of animating in modo, but also provide you with the understanding of what can be animated and how.

Animation Basics
The animation capabilities in modo are more powerful than they appear. That is to say, while this first iteration of animation in modo is basic keyframing, the flipside is that you can keyframe just about everything. This is something other programs that have been around for many years still lack. To begin your learning, you'll first take a quick peak at the animation tools, then go through a simple project to get your move on.

Interface and Controls
Opening up modo for either modeling or animation is a no-brainer. There are no secondary modules to install, nor are their different versions of the software to animate. You see, some 3D animation programs over the years have offered a basic version, where you can model and perhaps use limited animation. Others are offered to you in two different programs, while others serve up their wares a la carte. But modo is different. If you've used modo 101 or 201, running modo 301 doesn't look all that different, does it? You see, the programmers thought long and hard about how to integrate future elements and future tools. They didn't want to be like the others, and their core system is designed in such a way that they can add features with complete and full integration.

[Figure 1] To begin using the animation tools in modo 301/302, click the Animate tab at the top of the interface.

And by full integration, we're not talking about a plug-in that pops open a panel. Rather, integration that means a new set of tools and controls for your creative pleasure. With that said, figure up modo and click the Animate tab at the top of the interface. Figure 1 shows the view.