Generic Crowd Character Models

Long title...

So first came the generic feel of the characters models. Sketches. The idea of the characters is that they were designed to be textured in multiple fashions as to create the illusion that they are many different people, while in truth they are all two models, a male and a female.







When working with the woman model it came to my attention that a shawl and a scarf would look odd together. After searching diligently for something a woman can wear on her neck that isn't a necklace or a scarf I decided to work with both ideas, replacing a sweater for the shawl on the right model.




In the end we have decided to not use the shawl model, unanimously favoring the scarfed model.

Character Rigs

I have done three rigs for three of the characters. The other characters will be completed soon.

I rigged these characters using the same method I have learned since Animation 2. I first selected the character and switch the model to view only the lines that make it up. I then selected vertices at distinct locations and placed a cluster at each. These cluster are the way-points for which I placed the skeletal joints. By hiding the model and then pressing down "V" I am able to place the joints exactly at the place I had the clusters. I then added the constraint handles (the circles around the character) that allow users to move the character. Depending on where the handles were placed, I used either a Point, Orient, or Parent constraint.

• Point constraints are used with joints moving with the move control.
  
• Orient constraints are used with joints moving with the rotate control.
  
• Parent constraints are used with joints moving with both the move and rotate controls.

The next step is to bind the skin to the body. Finally, I had to weight the skin to the skeleton so that certain points on the body won't move when they are not suppose to.

Lil Girl:

Lady Red:

Squirrel Side:

Squirrel Front:

Project Proposal

The ultimate goal of 'team rags' is to create a portfolio piece worthy short animation. The animation will last sometime between 2-3 minutes and is planned to include music and sound.

Rough Schedule:

10/3: all characters rigged and textures ready

10/10: all characters painted and textured, and setting completed

10/17: X

10/24: short animated up to the second petals descent

10/31: lighting finished and set completed (including textured)

11/7: short animated up to falling into the fountain

11/14: short fully animated and camera's in place

11/21-12/6: rendering

Following this schedule we, team rags, plan to have our portfolio short ready and finished. The music will be composed parallel to our schedule by members of the music department. Further details on their evolvement will be posted on the blog as they transgress.

Prop Checklist:

champaign glasses

tin can

garbage can

flower

car

cardboard boxes

fountain

benches

light poles

telephone booth? (optional)

string lights

fire hydrants

stop light

Early Story-board Sketches

Meant to post these earlier... early drafts of the story-board... for finished product see below

Setting Starting

Beginning sketches and layouts of the setting...

Lady in Red

Our lady in red, without a face... vague sketches...

Note no face... ... and that's why. So the 3D model...