Animation Year 2 @thorpeeruby - Tumblr Blog

I updated my designs giving Mr Spoon a recycling/reuse sign and I updated the imagery on the rocket with some beans and a space sounding name. I think that this works well as it is using new technology, but it is still in keeping with the quirky feel of Button Moon.

I made a rocket and Mr Spoon in Maya. This created an updated character to appeal more to young people who are familiar with CGI and video games.

I experimented with different textures and applied them to my Maya models, resulting in Penny Moon and Pound Moon.

I scanned in some actual biscuits using my scanner and made my own textures to use in Maya. I did this using Photoshop. I designed Moons to look like biscuits.

I decided to look at adapting traditional techniques such as stop frame and puppetry with modern technologies such as CGI. I decided to look at adapting Button Moon using CGI. I made a button using Maya and put real star pictures behind it.

I gave my model his hat and walking staff. I made an environment based on my design and photographed the model within his environment. I like the simplicity of the environment and I think it works well against the roughness of the plasticine.

I warmed the plasticine up to make it easier to work with, but it was still fairly difficult. I used some modelling tools to create a texture on the surface of the plasticine to create a rough, fur like effect. I made a hat out of wool and painted it to look like an acorn.

I used a drawing as a base to make my wire armature. It was difficult working with the wire, but I managed to match it with my plan and got the size right with a height of 20cm.

I decided on a simple, woodland scene for the environment for my character.

I finalised my designs for my character and the environment and after drawing a scale drawing I began making the model.

Maya doesn’t allow me to render out an avi using Arnold. I have tried the other two options and Maya software just makes it black and Maya hardware 2.0 renders the model, but with a black background and the model is in shadow. I have tested lots of options and have has some unpredictable results. As a last option, I am rendering out separate images and will try to put them together as a test piece.

I have had to adjust my model as his suit was accidently moved so I’ve had to move it back into position. It ahs been really difficult trying to render my avi. I don’t think the laptop has enough processing power to do it properly.

I have tried some test renders, the light isn’t right, but the model is good and posed.

I like the was the driven keys make it easier to animate the hands.

In Maya for my model I set the driven keys.

I had some problems at first as I got a bit muddled, so I had to got back to my previous saved scene till I got more familiar and felt good with the result.