Reflection: Discuss and Evaluate Creative Decisions
During this project, every moment we are making decisions, and those decisions reflect on project production. I believe it is efficient to evaluate all possibilities of decision. I have ever chosen one methodology of production without thinking deeper. When I did it awhile, I found something was hard to get over. I totally waste time on this poor decision. So, I prefer to do a small test, before I have to make a decision to secure no issues with the results.
I didn't have many vital decisions on production. I literally follow the standard animation workflow and keep work and familiar with this procedure. Knowing the accurate workflow can help me complete the first step to near the animation industry. I think making good use of Reference function in MAYA is the most accurate decision in this project. Take details in Maya file management, I model and rig 3D characters and scenarios separately. When I start doing animate stuff, I create a new and empty Maya file, then using Reference function to import rigs and scenarios. In other words, I set these rigs and scenarios as reference files. Reference make original file linking within a new Maya scene file. It's an efficient way to manage files and I am able to freely animate rigs in new scene files without messing up original reference files. If I want to edit rigs or models again, I don’t need to modify them in every scene file where I put them in. I only need to modify the original reference files, then other scene files will renew the adjustment immediately. Therefore, this decision helps me saving time and well-arranging files.
In terms of the creative decision aspect, I mostly focus on Renderers and Rendering techniques. Although the lighting is not the focus on this project, it still has impacts on the way to present artefact. The reason why I take it seriously is that It's hard to calculate the exact total rendering workloads and time. It relies on the rendering environment and the number and quality of computers. Due to the expectations from the planning folder and lockdown circumstance, I have to make a detailed plan on rendering.
The Thoughts Process of Decision is label below.
V-ray
Arnold
Asking Renderfarm assistance (reply slowly)
time restriction on rendering
Playblast (without lighting)
Taking to unlockdown condition, I might say it is a nice situation for rendering and the well visual presentation of the project. So, I consider choosing an appropriate renderer. Arnold and V-ray are the most popular renderer options in the industry. When I struggled with the best option, I set a situation where render low poly as a smooth mesh model. Then, I carried out a small experiment for both renderers' ability. It's interesting that they can both achieve the result I want. That means no problems will occur on future rendering and I can free to select renderers. Finally, I think I can use Arnold due to my preference and an early lighting suggestion from Professor Neil. Next, after I ensure the renderer choice, I consider the time restriction in this project and render equipment. The consideration goes back to lockdown circumstance.
During lockdown conditions, there are no physical render computers to assist. Render is long progress. It's rarely accomplished by one render equipment. The time restriction really impacts rendering choice a lot. I have heard from Ian that Uni might reopen 1B09 for us. I was excited about that news. Unfortunately, Technical Officer Jack told us that we only could work remotely and use remote access to control the Uni computer. Because I saw a render farm discussion on Discord chat group and renderfarm is provided by University, I asked to renderfarm assistance. However, a few days passed, the reply is that university systems being updated for the upcoming academic year and it is no longer provide Arnold as a renderer. In order to complete the project on time. I quit the high-quality rendering. Thus, In this case, I need an alternative Renderer which can render quicker. Then, I got Playblast. Playblast is a preview render in MAYA. Although Playblast only provides low-quality render and can’t present lighting effects it helps to achieve results I want in the short term. After detailed consideration under several factors, I finally use Playblast to render.
During the period of creative decisions, I believe it is an appropriate approach to consider both sides, then make the best decision. I think in the thought process of decisions I seem to use the most proportion on considering the unlockdown condition rather than under lockdown. My thought order is unlocked the first, then the lockdown; However, we still stay under lockdown. It is weird that I did not put the worst on the priority. So, it is a bit reflect on my plan due to the order. I knew if choosing a good render quality, one computer cannot afford to finish all on time. I spent the time waiting for the technical team to reply to render farm assistance. When I look back at this moment, I should start using Playblast to render clips. in case, there is no assistance for rendering.
