I know. Late again. Yes I have been that busy.
Group Activity #17 (Tue 07/02/06):
- The tutorial with our supervisors was very encouraging - "Good work so far!". We showcased: version 3 of the block test (which included most of the actual models in the shots), rig tests of Granny, texture work on Granny's head and the cat, and the first draft of scene lighting. We are on track to meet our project deadline. The next tutorial session will be in a fortnight since next week is slotted for mid-term presentation (where each group has to present their progress thus far to the rest of the cohorts). We were asked to highlight our colour swatches during the presentation as a positive approach to take in a production. In the next session we're expected to present 5 shots fully animated.
Group Activity #16 (Mon 06/02/06):
- Ines continued working on texturing Granny's head.
- Jenny continued working on texturing the interior furniture.
- Pablo created a couple of rig tests of Granny.
- I took over the task of setting up the lights in the scene to enable Ines and Jenny to get as much of the texturing done as possible for tomorrow's presentation.
Group Activity #15 (Fri 03/02/06):
- Ines and Jenny continued their texturing tasks.
- Pablo continued rigging Granny.
- I fiddled around with the cat rig and envelope weighting.
Group Activity #14 (Thu 02/02/06):
- Today's XSI's workshop covered unwrapping UVs and Ines and Jenny used that information to begin texturing the more complex models.
- Pablo worked on finishing up the hand rig for Granny.
- I continued work on improving the block test.
Group Activity #13 (Wed 01/02/06):
- Ines and Jenny continued work on texturing.
- I added a couple of bones to the cat rig to improve the deformations around the belly region.
- Pablo began rigging Granny's hands.
Group Activity #12 (Tue 31/01/06):
- We showed the second version of the block test and received quite a number of suggested improvements. Some feedback on the models and cat rig were offered as well. We were then advised to confirm the colour pallette and begin testing the lighting and researching the process needed to obtain the final look we are aiming for.
Group Activity #11 (Mon 30/01/06):
- I created a couple of rig tests for the cat - a slinky walk and a short jump.
- Ines and Jenny began research on textures and coming up with the final look of the animation. It proved to be a difficult challenge indeed.
- Pablo began work on the Granny model.
I'm starting to get behind in my updates. I'll try to remedy that situation.
Group Activity #10 (Fri 27/01/06):
- Jenny suggested a few more changes to the block test.
- Jenny completed all of the interior models. She needs to place them in their proper position in the room and then export the models separately.
- Pablo finished the cat model.
- Ines was away in London for the day.
- I finished up all the changes to the animation and compiled the second draft.
Personal Reflection:
It's coming together quite nicely now. There's still a few kinks to work out on the models and tons of research on texturing, rigging and rendering to be done. There's also the need to revise the Gantt Chart to better plan our production. I'll probably work on it during the weekend. And toy with the cat rig some if I can find the time. We need some rig tests for the supervisor meeting on Tuesday.
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Group Activity #9 (Thu 26/01/06):
- The rest continued working on the modelling while I began implementing the amendments to the block test.
- I completed the rest of the block test and edited it (all 17 shots in total), and after viewing it Ines, Pablo and myself drew up a list of improvements that could be made.
Personal Reflections:
I didn't have much time to do work at the lab today and the block test seemed to be taking ages to complete. Also had to leave uni around 9pm today.
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Group Activity #8 (Wed 25/01/06):
- Jen, Ines and Pablo worked on the 3d models of the interiors, exteriors and cat respectively.
- I continued working on the block test.
Personal Reflection:
I completed about 5 more shots after about 4hrs of work. We had a life drawing session from 6.30pm - 8.30pm and I carried on working on the block test after that. Eventually left the lab around 11.30pm.
Group Activity #7 (Tue 24/01/06):
- We met up earlier to prepare for the meeting with our supervisors. At this point, we have lots of character sketches, a set of model sheets, storyboards, an animatic and a Gantt Chart.
- The half hour session was quite enlightening, and highlighted some issues such as the scope of the story (addressing the possibility of reducing shots), distribution and difficulties of specific workload, pacing of the animatic, and challenges to be expected from the specific look we are trying to achieve as well as the skeletal rigs. A refined schedule (more detailed breakdown of tasks and inclusion of a few missing ones) that re-looks at the time allocated for each task is expected at the next session. Alongside that, block tests, some final 3d models and rig tests are to be presented. We were reminded that regular refinement of the project schedule is a natural activity throughout production.
- As a result of the meeting, Ines and Jenny discussed more in-depth about textures, the schedule will be revised, and Pablo began work on the cat model (and put granny on hold for the moment) so that I can tackle the cat rig (and create some rig tests hopefully) after completing the block test.
Personal Reflection:
I spent about 4.5hrs on the block test and completed 6 more shots today. Left the lab at 9.30pm. I'm worried the block test won't be completed sufficiently by mid-week.
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Group Activity #6 (Mon 23/01/06):
- We met up with Alex to discuss sound design for "Granny's Cat". He'll start doing some research from the materials we've compiled presently.
- As anticipated, the lab was pretty full of students working on their own projects. We did manage to find some systems to use after awhile and got started on our modelling tasks (Pablo - Granny, Jenny - interior deco, Ines - exterior objects).
- I began work on the block test.
Personal Reflection:
I spent about 5hrs on the block test and finished 4 shots (including the building of proxy sets and characters). Left the lab at 9pm.
Group Activity #5 (Fri 20/01/06):
- Ines bought some graph paper and we finished up the model sheets for the main characters and interior furniture. They'll ideally be used as modelling reference in XSI.
- Ines also brought a file so we can compile all the loose drawings and thumbnails better for when we meet up with our supervisor.
- Pablo spruced up the animatics under constant feedback from the rest of the group. It's looking pretty good.
- I drafted a basic Gantt Chart with a more detailed breakdown of tasks.
Aside from some minor details that need to be settled, we should be modeling next week. That calls for a bit of revision and practice over the weekend.
Personal Reflection:
I've noticed how a number of groups are already churning out models and testing rigs in XSI while we're still messing about with drawings and animatics. It does get a little stressful at times. I keep telling myself we're progressing along just fine, and that the more research we put into our story and characters, the better the end result. All the work we've done so far hopefully shows the effort we put into fleshing out the various elements of our project - from basic concept to pretty decent set of pre-production materials. It definitely shows how well we work together as a group at least (apparently a major assessment component).
Group Activity #4 (Thu 19/01/06):
- Pablo worked on the animatics from existing storyboards and subsequently some ammendments were suggested. His immediate task will be to fine-tune it further.
- Ines, Jenny and myself spent most of the time working on Granny's design. It's pretty difficult trying to get the right look for her. Ines will come up with more refined designs (and possibly even a character sheet) for discussion tomorrow.
- The design for the cat has been finalized. I'll be drawing up the character sheet to act as modelling reference. Also I'm going to create the Gant chart for our more detailed project schedule.
- Basic bird and interior designs were drawn up and discussed. Jenny will be handling the character sheet for the bird and look for more references for the interior deco (if she has time) to be presented tomorrow.
- I've created weblog accounts for the rest of the team. They should be able to post updates here as well from now on.
Personal reflection:
The overall look isn't as stylized as I initially thought it would be (not that there's anything wrong with the way the designs are going right now). I'm still very happy with our progress and it still looks like we're on track time-wise. It did get a little frustrating however when, after a few hours of sketching and brainstorming, we still couldn't tie down the final look for Granny. At times like these, it's good to temporarily turn your attention elsewhere to other aspects of the project or even just take a short break. It freshens up your mind and who knows, you might even gain a new perspective on the problem.
Hello there! Welcome to the production log of the 3d animated short entitled "Granny's Cat".
Right here is where I'll be posting up various bits and pieces (I can't show you every single thing now can I?) tracing the progress of our little group project. Most of the stuff will obviously be things I personally worked on during the course of the production, but I'll try my best to cover all the other aspects and subsequently present them as a whole as much as possible. I think tracing the development of a 3D animation production can be informative especially for those about to embark on their own personal projects. Maybe someone will glean some tips and tricks and learn something from (inevitable) mistakes made. If nothing else it'll serve as a chronicle of events that we can reflect upon and hopefully appreciate the amount of effort invested into it.
The whole thing was kickstarted on Monday 16th January 2006 following some minor discussions based on the original idea the week before. The group members were recruited relatively quickly, and presently comprises Ines (who came up with the story idea in the first place), Jenny, Pablo and myself. The story and possible stylized look of the piece were what personally appealed me. We have approximately 8 weeks to complete the entire production and deliver the finished short (deadline is on Friday 10th March 2006).
I won't give away the story, save to say it's basically about a granny who likes to knit, an impulsive cat and some tiny birds. The target is around 1 minute's worth of (hopefully) entertaining animation. I must say, it's begun on a high note. We're all showing incredible enthusiasm so far - we're meeting every day for a few hours each time. I believe it's good to try and get as much done as early as possible. We all know how momentum and energy levels tend to diminish further down the line. It's definitely encouraging to find that all of us share uncannily similar visions for the project. OK. Enough build-up.
Here's what we have so far:
Group Activity #1 (Mon 16/01/06)
- 1st group meeting.
- Discussed scope of project, timeline breakdown, main tasks to be done.
- Started gathering research on main character designs (reference books and looking at images off the web)
Group Activity #2 (Tue 17/01/06)
- Some character designs presented and critiqued upon.
- More books found to aid in designing characters and the set (interior deco).
- Story refined and details ironed out.
- Thumbnails and basic storyboards created.
We spent quite a number of hours discussing the story and determining what goes into the storyboards.
Group Activity #3 (Wed 18/01/06)
- Brought up the possibility of recruiting another 3d animator (to lighten the collective load) or programmer (to help with some tricky technical aspects of the project), but after due consideration we finally decided to leave the group as it is. Time will tell if this proves to be a costly mistake.
- Pablo worked on finalizing the storyboards.
- We identified a sound guy to help with the soundtrack and sound effects (basically Pablo's musician friend indicated an interest on contributing). Never look a gift horse in the mouth eh? We'll meet with him sometime next week possibly to discuss further.
- Character sheets (biodata) on the granny and her cat were drawn up. We wanted to flesh them out as best we can before we finalized their designs and started modelling. It was a long tiring process though.
- Cat design almost finalized. The concensus is to focus more on the designs for the granny, bird and interior/exterior sets.
I'll try to post up individual entries from now on, and as soon as I'm possibly able. With more visuals.
Won't you join the ride?
