3D Animation Production Workflow

Diploma in 3D Interactive Media Technology

Research Assignment:
3D Animation Production Workflow

Submitted By:

Simran Kaur
1306797J

AY2015/16 OCT SEMESTER

3D Animation Production Workflow

To create any three dimensional (3D) animation, we must first follow a production plan. A production plan consists of three main parts that comes before the final movie and they are pre-production, production and post-production.

As seen from the diagram above, each part consists of many sub-parts. When combined, there are a total of seventeen sub-parts that need to be taken place before an animation can be complete. I will now explain each sub-part so it will be easier to understand.

1. Pre-Production

1.1. Production Planning

This is where the allocated Concept Artist will start work. They will start drawing the characters and scenes to see if they will work. Basically, they will work on the visual development. This is to ensure that the plan is solid before the next phases.
1.5. Storyboard

Storyboarding is when the team will draw out the scenes of the animation. This is because, by drawing pictures of the scenes and transitions of the animation, everyone will be able to have a clearer idea on what the sequence is and what has to be done. Here is an example of a storyboard:

1.6. 2D Animatic

Here, the artist will start drawing two dimentional (2D) drawings of the animation. The artist will add shadows and other lighting to make the 2D drawing look 3D. It would look like this:

1.7. 3D Previz

3D Previs, or Previsualisation, is when the team makes a ‘movie’ with all the drawings they have made so far. This will allow the team to see, have a feel, of what the movie would be like. They can adjust the scenery, the lighting, the speed, and all the necessary things before the movie is further invested. Music, sound effects, and even dialogues can be added to this previsualisation stage because if there is a problem with the plan, it can be changed at this stage without incurring the cost of the actual

Production

2.1. Modelling

In these next few stages, the team will have to use softwares like Maxon Cinema 4D, Autodesk 3ds Max, and Adobe After Effects to create the models in/of the animation. They will form the basic shapes of the characters and add the fine details like the hair and/or facial features. This is the stage where everything will be created, the drawings will become 3D.
2.2. Texturing

Here, the models will be textured. The mountains will have a bump texture applied to it so that it will look like it has trees. The characters will have colours. Their eyes, nose, lips, hair will all be coloured in so it will be one step closer to the final