3D Animation

3D Animation is the act of creating moving images via the use of computers. It is often known as computer graphics and or computer animation. It is also referred to as CGI (Computer Generated Imaging), especially when used in films.
To create the illusion of movement, images are displayed on the computer screen overlapping but shifted slightly identical to the process of movement achieved in television and motion pictures.
In 3D animation, all of the frames must be rendered after modeling is complete.

Rendering Methods

Many different and specialized rendering methods have been produced from basic wireframe and polygon rendering to more advanced techniques such as scanline rendering, ray tracing and radiosity. Rendering may take from a few seconds to many days for a single image/frame depending on the complexity.

Types of Shading

Reflection/Scattering
Shading

Rendering Techniques

Flat shading
Gouraud shading
Texture mapping
Phong shading
Bump mapping
Cel shading

Types of CAD systems include:

-Wireframe geometry creation
-Parametric Solid Modelling
-Free Form Surface Modelling

3D Modelling

3D Modelling is referred to as Free Form Surface Modelling or Parametric Solid Modelling depending on the type of software being utilized to create the 3D Model.
Free Form Surface Modelling software is commonly used for designers in the field of movie animation and video game production.
Parametric Solid Modelling software is commonly used by engineers for creating 3D Models for the purpose of visual and functional testing such as finite element analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Motion Simulation.

Solid Vs. Surface Modelling

Solid Modelling is the representation of the solid parts of objects suitable for computer processing. Other modeling methods include Surface Modelling which is used extensively in automotive and consumer product design as well as entertainment animation, and wire frame models.
The primary use of solid modelling is for CAD, engineering analysis, rapid prototyping, computer graphics and animation, medical testing and product visualization.

Solid Modelling Processes

-Sweeping
-Boundary representation
-Parameterized primitive instancing
-Spatial occupancy enumeration
-Cellular decomposition
-Constructive solid geometry
-Function representation
-Feature based modeling
-Parametric modeling
-Facet modeling

More about Solid Modelling

Solid models consist of groups of features, added one at a time, until the model is complete. Engineering solid models are developed with sketcher-based features; 2-D sketches that are swept along a path to become 3-D such as cuts or extrusions.
Another type of modeling technique is Free Form Surface Modelling where surfaces are defined, trimmed and merged, and filled to make solids. Surfacing is more difficult, but better applicable to some manufacturing. Solid models for injection molds have both surfacing and sketcher based features

About computer animations

Computer Animations of computer generated characters is an example of parametric modeling. Character skins are modelled with Nurbs patches and stitched together to create polygon models. This skin is then connected to a skeleton within characters. The skeleton of the character is rotated into positions which drives the movement of the characters during each frame to create animation.

Parametric Solid Modelling

Alibre Design
Top Solid
Solidworks
SolidEdge
Pro E
Catia

Free Form Surface Modelling

3D Studio Max
NX
Alibre
Alias
Rhino
Pro E
Solidthinking

Related Topics

Concept Design
Invention Drawings
Package Design
Proof of Concept
Marketing Analysis
Invention Prototyping
Digital Presentation
Computer Aided Design
Computer Aided Engineering
Computer Aided Manufacturing
Finite Element Analysis
Motion Simulation
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Advertising
Technology Lifecyle