Task 8 - Review

Task 8 - Review

Write an illustrated evaluation of your project following feedback. Reflect on the finished product against your original intentions and your production skills from start to finish. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has met the brief’s requirements. Your production log will be very useful in reviewing the product.

This is your opportunity to not only show that you have fully understood the process of working to the brief, but also that you can look forward to how you can use what you have learnt in the future.

Remember that you are trying to create 3D animation to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Technical quality of final product

I believe that my final product looks really good. There are 7 main animations in total with the majority being combat related. For most of these animations, I like how well I have been able to control the human form so that attacks actually look like attacks and not just Batman lifting his leg up. Punches for example are pulled back and the body moves with the punch as this happens and when the punch is thrown forward at a fast speed. I like how this detail has been added. However, animations such as the walking animation are a bit blocky and wobbly. The walking animation doesn't look very realistic, but it was quite a difficult animation to pull off as it required the entire skeletal figure to be doing so much at one time. Due to time constraints on the schedule, I had to get the walking animation completed quickly, so I believe this was the problem.

Production skills you have newly acquired and existing skills you have further developed

I have learnt many valuable things from this animation course:

Models and Animation
Before the course, I was not sure how to animate models, but now that I have had a go of the software, I am confident I can now create nice looking animations, but will need to practice more to make them look professional. I also now understand how to create or update models, as I updated the Batman models polygons so that they were the right way around. Also, I know how to add skelegons to these models, which is useful so that I can carry out animation procedures in layout.

Techniques 
New techniques to animate have also been learnt. I studied other peoples animations on YouTube involving combat, and have learnt how to move the human body to get more realistic movement. This will help in the future if I decide to animate for a company.

Rendering and Light-wave Layout
I also now know how to set up a rendering studio so that my models can be seen correctly and that there is enough lighting. My layout skills are also much more improved. I can now animate well in this software, as well as add effects such as swarms or destructive objects that fracture. I also know how to convert skelegons into bones, so that I can animate an object, as well as parent them to the model.

How closely your final product matches your original intentions

My final product matches most of my initial intentions. This is because Batman has quite a few combat animations, which is what I wanted, and he also has a walking and jump animation. I planned it to have these, but I also planned it to have a sprinting animation. Due to time constraints, I could not implement this. Also, from my research, I found out that Batman can be quite an acrobatic fighter. I wanted the final animations to, of course, have a more acrobatic move-set, but I do not think I would have been able to add these in time. I do quite like the final animation though, as it contains the majority of what I wanted, and I think the overall quality is good.

Time management and problem solving (scheduling, practical constraints and strategies you used to overcome constraints)

Overall, I have managed my time very well. I have been able to stick to the initial schedule and have finished in the final week, as planned. I believe however, that I planned too much in the storyboard, since I was not able to complete the running animation for Batman. Also, the walking animation has suffered in quality due to these time constraints. To improve next time, I will plan less animations, so I can make the ones that I have planned in the best quality possible.

Responses to feedback( Feedback forms can be seen at the bottom)

To get my feedback, I constructed a form with three questions that can be seen below. I then asked 3 people, Harry J., Terry B., and Anthony B. if they could answer the questions after watching my final render of the Batman animation. The results and analysis are as followed:

Good points
-Movements were smooth and very human. bone movement realistic
- Looks professional
-See that a lot of hard work has been put into the animation

As you can see, the respondents have stated that my animation looks 'professional' and that its movements were 'realistic'. This is good to know as looking at other peoples animations on YouTube seems to have helped me develop a skill for animation and realistic movements. They also stated that it is clear a lot of hard work has gone into the animation which I believe is true. 



Points for improvement
-Walking animation could be improved
-Longer animation
-Improve walking animation as leg movement is very low.

The improvement points however seemed to pick up strongly on the strange walking animation. As previously stated, this seen was rushed a little due to time constraints and I had planned too much. Also, somebody believes that I should have made the animation even longer. I would like to do this but will not be able to unfortunately. To improve next time, I will make sure that I plan my time more carefully and not plan too much work to do. 

Scores

7/10
9/10
9/10
Total = 25/30

I am very happy with these scores as a lot of work went into this project. They are quite high which shows that my hard work has paid off.

Summary conclusion and how you would respond to your project brief if you were to do it again

Overall, I believe I have done well on this project. I have a nice set of animations for a model, everything was done on time and I have thought and found a lot for ideas and research. I have made sure to meet the requirements of the brief by creating these animations. The planning side was not as good as the rest since I had planned too much, but this was only slightly too much and I was still able to complete the work on time and I still have created a decent amount animations with good quality.

If I were to do this project again, planning would of course be improved slightly. I would also plan to add more time to the production so that I could create higher quality animations that are better than the ones I have now.



Feedback Forms

Task 7 – Post-production

Task 7 – Post-production

Render out your completed sequence, upload it to your YouTube account and publish it to your blog.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.






Finalized Render with a dynamic camera position


Finalized Render with a fixed camera position

  Once tested, I rendered out the entire animation fully and the the final result can be seen above. I quite like my animations and the combat animations are all really good in my opinion. There are two versions, one with a dynamic camera and one with a fixed camera.





Adding information to render Video
I needed to make it more clearer to the viewers that my animations were split into different sections. Yo do this, instead of splitting the video up, I have added captions on the Youtube video which helpfully indicate when a new animation section is taking place and what the animation is.

Task 6 – Production

Task 6 – Production

Build your 3D gameplay animation by following your plans carefully using NewTek Modeler and Layout. You will need to review which assets are available to you and which you want to create for yourself or adapt. This is usually the most challenging part of the project management life cycle, because unexpected things crop up, new problems arise and perhaps even new goals become necessary. Remember to chart your progress carefully within your production log and monitor your time via the schedule. Use screenshots to explain your use of the software – animation techniques, camera, lighting, texturing and rendering.

Week Beginning 04/05/15

To begin with production, I took the Batman model into modeler and gave it some skelegons. I made sure that they were in the correct position to allow movement. There are 3 bones in his arms, 3 in his chest, two in his leg, 2 in his head and neck and 2 in his feet.

However, whilst doing this, I noticed a problem. Quite a lot of the polygons on the model were inverted and not displaying on the right side. I tried to select them all and give each polygon detail on both sides, but that would not work, so I had to go through each object of Batman's apparel and flip the polygons around. Whilst doing this, I also began to texture the model. This was not a necessary part to the production, but I wanted various parts of the model to stand out and make the model look better instead of being a dull grey.


Week Beginning 11/05/15

I have taken the batman model and have created a full, specific skeletal structure, tailored to the models shape. To create these bones, I took the model to layout and converted the skelegons: 
- I have ensured to use three main bones in the arms for full arm movement, including shoulders, back arm and fore arm
- I have created two main bones for the thighs and calves of the leg. These are connected to the pelvis which allows proper movement.
- Both feet have two bones, one for the ankle movements and one for the toes to add move detail when jumping, landing and running. 

I then went on to create bones for the hands as well as adding two additional backbones:

Above, you can see that there is one main bone for the wrist, and two for each finger. It would have been more accurate using 3 bones for each finger, but two will suffice as he is planned to keep his hands in a fist shape throughout the animation. The backbone placements look a bit strange, but they worked as they allowed the back to not stretch out of place too much.


Week Beginning 18/05/15 - 1/06/15

Once the model was complete, I could then begin to work on its first punch animation:

I quite like this first animation. It flows quite well and looks nice. I had to change the strength of some of the bones as some were too powerful and causing distortion on others. I then proceeded to continue this animation to create a two-punch combo, 2 kicks, jump, jump-kick, idle animation and a walk using the same techniques as-seen above.




Week Beginning 08/06/15


Once this animation set was complete, I could then move off to set up the rendering procedures. I began by creating a ground plane that would fit around the Batman model so he could stand on a surface. The setting for this surface can be seen below. I then also had to change the background colour and lighting effects for the render by opening backdrop options.

After the render was set up, I could then take a frame and render that one specific frame for testing purposes:

I am happy with the test render, so I could then move onto rendering the full product.

Task 5 – Ethical/H&S Sign-off

Task 5 – Ethical/H&S Sign-off

Ensure that your planned sequence has been checked for decency, representation of race, gender religion and sexuality and has met an appropriate standard. Devise, sign and date a checklist.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Task 4 – Storyboard

Task 4 – Storyboard

Choose your strongest idea and develop it into a storyboard treatment. Work quickly and simply, but make sure that you are clear and concise. Annotate and use symbols to describe action. It is really important that you indicate the timing of each section in both seconds and frames. Thinking the timing through carefully will not only help you to keep within the timeframe given to you, but will also help you to give your sequence rhythm. If you need to adapt it or refine it, then produce another. The test is whether you could give your storyboard to someone else within a team to guide them in producing the sequence. Update your production log.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

For my storyboard, I wanted to create a range of moves inspired from the batman video games. These include various punches and kicks as well as versions in the air. I used Youtube to investigate this further and found this video:

He uses quite a lot of moves, but considering the time-frame provided for this task, I have chosen to make some of his basic moves. When Batman is in combat, he flows quite well with his fighting skills, so I should try to replicate this in my production.

Task 3 – Ideas Generation

Task 3 – Ideas Generation

Taking into consideration the research and the software experiments you have made, generate a wide range of ideas for your sequence. Remember that this is about generating many ideas quickly and not about producing great artwork. This task can be carried out using specific mind-mapping or design software, or by hand and then scanned or photographed, BUT cite any sources you have used in your ideas generation, both written and visual. Update your production log.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.



Mind Map

Batman images

 This images display various moves that I could animate. I Have chosen to animate the Batman model, so will be looking for a number of combat moves from the films and games. I am thinking of using punches, kicks, runs and jumps, which can be seen in the mind map above.

http://www.gamechup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/batman-arkham-city-2.jpg

http://www.newgamernation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/batman-arhkam-origins-combat.jpg

http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/21500000/Batman-fights-with-clowns-batman-arkham-city-21500076-2000-1125.jpg




Animation Ideas


This similar animation also contains a Batman model. I could use ideas found in here, such as fighting styles and camera shots, for my own animation. This should be really useful.

Task 2 – Research

Task 2 – Research

Having completed the rigging and dynamics tutorials, carry out visual and written research into examples of 3D gameplay animation and 3D assets for inspiration. Remember that you are not required to create the assets you are going to use within your sequence. Cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual.

Set up a production log for the assignment. This will be used to chart the design process you follow as you work through the assignment. You will need to update this at least once per week and include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software you are using.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.



Weapon pack:


For this first video, I have found out that I am able to create an animation set for weapon reloads. This video contains a lot of example animations for various guns. I could animate pistols, rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers and more.

Bow animation set:


This video shows a bowman who uses an animation set to move, shoot, jump, aim and fall over. This is quite interesting as I could use a model of a medieval knight and create a similar animation set for him using his bow or crossbow. 

Dota 2 Swordman:



This video conveys a knight that is using his sword and shield. Similar to the bow man, I could make an animation set for a knight with a sword and shield that can move, run, roll, jump, attack, block and crouch. I could even create a collision animation of two knights fighting which would be quite an interesting task.

Full third person movement set:


This video is very good for research as it contains an extensive, giant animation set for a character. It contains many of well-produced animations which have given me ideas as to how my final animation set can play out.




Real-Life movie scenes
 

  Aside from watching other animations, I could look to the Batman in the movies for ideas. This is good as I can see how Batman would attack more realistically and can study how the human figure moves and flows when fighting. 



Motion capture studying

Motion capture is useful to study too. I can't actually perform any motion capture due to lack of equipment, but the actor in the video used motion capture to create the animations for Batman in Arkham Asylum, so there moves could be useful to study and gather ideas from.