//subdivision

The simple example deconstructed in class to learn about primary animation tools in Cinema 4D.
The animation consists of:
X+Z motion
Car body roll
Wheel rotation
Wheel steering
Camera motion and focal length (zoom)
Using the following tools to animate:
Keyframes
F-curve adjustment
Animation on a spline (Align to spline tag)
Targets (Target tag)
The car is not mine, it is a very nice low polygon model [...]

Another busy week, and very much centered around animation.
On Wednesday we took the previous weeks' simple head model and set it up for animation (rigging):
Eye setup using target constraints (target tag)
Face expressions setup using posemixer (blend shapes)
We also took a tour of the main tools, windows and managers used in CG animation in C4D [...]

Well, after a delayed start we've got moving on Module 2 and covered quite a lot.
On Wednesday we looked at the current main methods of modelling in 3D -
1. Parametric / primitive modelling.
2. Polygonal modelling
3. Spline / NURBS
(4.) Subdivision  surfaces / HyperNurbs
We then took a look at some of the options we have in Cinema [...]

The Animator's Survival Kit
An animation classic
This book is an animator’s classic, no matter what medium the artist may be using. Richard Williams is a true animation guru, with masses of indispensable knowledge to share with his students. Almost the entire book is hand-written and drawn, reinforcing the core ethos of a good animator. It really [...]

Cracking Animation
Animation from the perspective of Aardman Studios
What a wonderfully inspiring book! Nick Park is an old favourite of mine since he animated some adverts in my youth for the Yorkshire Electricity Board - a company my father worked for. His style is wonderfully simplistic, cute and massively expressive.
The book is full colour, and looks [...]

The Complete Animation Course
The Principles, Practice and Techniques of Successful Animation
Another excellent and reasonably focused book from Thames and Hudson. OK, it's hardly a ‘complete animation course’, but it’s certainly a superb primer on most of the main areas and techniques associated with animation, old and new. Everything from character development, through stop frame, cel [...]