Animated Environments

Animation in 3D space

When using a 3D modeling program, learning how to model and light that model are the first steps towards the animation of the object(s). In our case, using Blender, we learned how to model some balloons, how to texture and light them, and finally how to render them using the node editor for compositing an image. Once the model is complete animation is often the next step. To that end we are going to learn how to keyframe inside the blender environment.

Assignment #10 - Animating your Balloons

Using what you know about the animation process of objects, reopen your balloons file that you created in Assignment #9. You are to animate your balloons as though a wind-gust had blown the balloons about. Make sure the resultant render includes a slow tracking shot of the balloons (i.e. movement from left to right or vice-versa). Make the animation between 8 to 10 seconds long (remember, at 24 fps this will yield animation between 192 to 240 frames long). Be warned, the render times may be long, so make sure you don't hit CTRL-F12 too often or you'll find much of your time wasted (that said, you can cancel a render at any time by hitting ESC). You are to submit the blender file as well as the rendered H.264 result.