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3D Models, Video Games, and Animation

Part 1 - 3D Models

3D modelling has become an essential tool in various media production contexts, including film, television, advertising, and of course gaming. Below I'll explain the uses of 3D models in three different media production contexts, providing examples of how 3D models are used and their advantages over alternatives.

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Film
In film production, 3D models are extensively employed for visual effects (VFX) and computer-generated imagery (CGI). They allow filmmakers to create realistic elements that may be challenging or impossible to capture practically. For instance, in a superhero film, 3D models can be used to create the hero's costume, their superpowers, or the environments they interact with. An example of this is the movie "Avatar," 3D models were used to create the alien characters and their world of Pandora. 3D models were also used to create the massive battle scenes in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

These models enable filmmakers to bring their imaginative visions to life while maintaining control over every aspect of the scene. For instance, in a superhero film, 3D models can be used to create the hero's costume, their superpowers, or the environments they interact with. These models enable filmmakers to bring their imaginative visions to life while maintaining control over every aspect of the scene.

The advantages of using 3D models in film production are that they allow for greater control over the final product, as well as the ability to create detailed scenes that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods (such as physical props, sets, and costumes). 3D models can be extremely detailed and accurately rendered, providing a level of real life that may not be achievable with practical effects.

Using 3D models can often be more cost-effective and time-efficient compared to building physical sets or props. They can save on production costs and streamline the post-production process.

Advertising

In advertising, 3D modelling is often used to create product visualizations and animations. For example, a car manufacturer might use 3D models to create a virtual tour of a new car model, allowing potential customers to see the car from all angles and even customize certain features. 3D models can also be used to create animated commercials, such as the famous Coca-Cola polar bear commercials.

The advantages of using 3D models in advertising are that they allow for greater flexibility and creativity in the final product, as well as the ability to create photorealistic images and real-life animations.

Creating 3D models for advertising campaigns can be more cost-effective than producing physical prototypes or conducting elaborate photo shoots.

3D models can be easily modified and adjusted, allowing advertisers to experiment with various design elements and make changes quickly to match the campaign's requirements.

Television

In television, 3D modelling is often used to create objects or human artefacts that are not possible to see because of their age. For example, in the television show "The Crown," 3D models were used to create Buckingham Palace and other historical locations. Objects or human artefacts can also be created in a 3D model of the object to show what they are talking about.

3D modelling is also used in television to make special effects, plus the use of 3D models allows for greater accuracy and attention to detail, as well as the ability to create realistic and detailed environments that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with practical methods.

Overall, the advantages of using 3D modelling in television over more traditional methods are accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to create realistic, futuristic and detailed environments that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with practical effects.
 

In conclusion, 3D modelling software has undergone significant developments in recent years, leading to its increased use in various media sectors. The impact of these developments has been felt in different media sectors, including film, television, advertising, architecture, and gaming.

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3D models allow for greater control, flexibility, and creativity in the final product, as well as the ability to create complex and detailed scenes, photorealistic images, and immersive game environments. As technology continues to advance, I'd expect to see even more innovative uses of 3D modelling in media production.

Part 2 - Video Games

The video game industry has changed significantly over the years, with video games becoming more complex and immersive than ever. One key theory or practice used in the development of video games is user-centred game design which involves designing games with the user in mind, ensuring that the game is accessible, enjoyable, and engaging for the player. This is particularly important in serious games, which promote the acquisition of information and skills that are valued in both the virtual world and the real world. For example, "The Last of Us Part II" was designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a range of options that allow players with disabilities to customize the game to their needs. This approach to game design ensures that the game is accessible to a wider range of players, making it more engaging and successful.

 

Another key theory or practice used in the development of video games is gameplay and game mechanics design. This approach to game design involves designing the rules, mechanics, and systems that govern the game, ensuring that the game is challenging, rewarding, and fun to play. This is particularly important in games that require the player to experiment with different strategies and approaches in order to progress. For example, "Deathloop" features a time loop mechanic, where the player must repeat the same day over and over again until they can successfully complete their objectives. This mechanic is challenging and rewarding, as it requires the player to experiment with different strategies and approaches in order to progress. This approach to game design ensures that the game is engaging and fun to play, keeping players coming back for more.

 

When evaluating a game design document, it is important to consider how game design theories and practices inform the proposition. The game design document created for the game Silent Hill is well-designed and clearly outlines the game's mechanics, systems, and rules, ensuring that the game is challenging, rewarding, and fun to play. The document structure is easy to follow and sets up well talking about the game concept, then moving into key features and gradually builds the story with the game mechanics, concept art, core gameplay and flow. Additionally, the document considers the needs of the player, ensuring that the game is accessible, enjoyable, and engaging for a wide range of players. By incorporating these key theories and practices into the game design document, developers can create games that are both successful and engaging. I have also looked at the game design document for Fallout Brotherhood of Steel II and although there are some differences in layout, the core structure is somewhat similar so I can take positives from each.

 

In conclusion, the video game industry is constantly evolving, with video games becoming more complex and immersive than ever before. User-centred game design and gameplay and game mechanics design are two key theories or practices used in the development of video games. These approaches to game design ensure that the game is accessible, enjoyable, and engaging for the player, while also ensuring that the game is challenging, rewarding, and fun to play. When evaluating a game design document, it is important to consider how game design theories and practices inform the proposition, ensuring that the game is both successful and engaging.

 

The Last of Us II has high-contrast mode makes the game more accessible to visually impaired gamers.

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Part 3 - Animation

Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas first outlined the 12 principles of animation in their 1981 book The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. These ideas are still valid today and serve as the foundation for skilled animators. These principles can be applied to various forms of creative media production, including movies, web design, UI animation, and CSS animation for interfaces or websites. 

 

These are the guiding principles:

  • Squash and stretch

  • Anticipation

  • Staging

  • Straight ahead action and pose to pose

  • Follow through and overlapping action

  • Slow in and slow out

  • Arcs

  • Secondary action

  • Timing

  • Exaggeration

  • Solid drawing

  • Appeal

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Animation is important in filmmaking because it allows directors to bring their stories to life and create worlds that would otherwise be impossible. The principles of animation, such as timing, anticipation and squash and stretch are essential in creating believable and expressive animations. 

During my research, I've found that the use of animation in films has been used a lot with American animated cartoons, and has also been used to create high-end effects in movies such as Avatar.

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Timing

Timing is one of the animation principles I'll go over. The creation of animation timing can be done using a variety of software. For example, these include Autodesk Maya, Adobe Animate, Blender, and TVPaint Animation. 

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Timing is a crucial aspect of animation, and it has been used effectively in many popular animated films and television shows. One recent film that used the animation principle of timing really well is "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." The film uses a combination of different animation styles and techniques to create an amazing visual experience. The timing of the characters' movements was adjusted and by slowing down the movements it added weight and gravity to the characters while speeding up movements added a sense of speed and lightness.

The timing of the frames was adjusted to create a fast and snappy action with fewer frames between poses, which added to the dynamic and energetic feel of the film. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2019, and its innovative use of animation principles like timing was a major factor in its success.

 

You can see below that speeding up and slowing down the object it creates a different animated experience.

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Secondary Action

Secondary action is any action that results from the primary action and adds more life to the scene by supporting small details in the main action. It emphasizes, rather than takes attention away from, the main action. For example, a person walking is the primary action, and adding secondary action like him holding a phone and bobbing his head, it adds more interest to this plain simple walk making it more realistic.

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Another example is the changing facial expressions of a moving character. These secondary actions should help emphasize the main action and must never take attention away from it.

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Animators use various techniques to create secondary motion, including coupling simulations of individual objects to interact together to produce secondary motion. The coupling can be divided into three categories: two-way coupled, one-way coupled, and hybrid.

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The 2009 film "Avatar" is a good example of the use of secondary animation. In the movie, secondary motion is used to create more realistic and believable animations, for example in the scene where the Na'vi characters are running through the forest, their hair and clothing move in response to the wind and their movements, adding energy and depth to the characters.

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Software used in the production of different types of animation

The choice of software depends on the animator's skill level, hardware, and the type of animation they want to create. Adobe Animate is a 2D animation software for creating traditional cartoons, whilst Blender is an open-source 3D animation tool that supports modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering and motion tracking. The animation package I am more familiar with is Autodesk Maya.

Research Sources and Bibliography

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https://www.selfcad.com/blog/how-3d-modeling-is-used-in-the-film-industry

https://wedesignvirtual.com/3d-models-for-every-industry-what-theyre-used-for/

https://conceptartempire.com/what-is-3d-modeling/

https://c-istudios.com/how-3d-modeling-is-useful-in-advertising/

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https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/582921

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/053115/how-video-game-industry-changing.asp

https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/39414829.pdf

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-a0034857.pdf

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/game-design---theory-and-practice-the-elements-of-gameplay

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https://www.creativebloq.com/advice/understand-the-12-principles-of-animation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_basic_principles_of_animation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDqjIdI4bF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etv-L2JKCWk

https://www.skillshare.com/en/blog/animation-software-platforms-for-beginners/

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https://www.nuclino.com/articles/game-design-document-template#gdd-examples

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