Evaluation

I have thoroughly enjoyed this module. Although at times it was quite difficult to get the animation exactly how I wanted it, through the use of tutorials and great patience I managed to tweak it to my liking.

I have learnt a lot about the time line in this module and also how small mistakes can drastically affect the animation later on. I find the best way is to get the entire animation done to a good standard, then go back and add extra bits for realism if you have time. As a rushed animation just doesn't look right.

If I could do the module again I would create my own character and attach the Biped to it, rather than using the pre-made model. I would also have a try at creating bones from scratch. I have a very primitive knowledge of bones, and would like to add to my knowledge and see what I can create.

Overall I am happy with how my animation has turned out, and feel that it is believable enough to be used in my portfolio!

Adding new scenes

My lifting animation is now finished, I am happy as how it has turned out. I think my character really looks like he is struggling with the weight.

The animation however, is only 10 seconds long, so I had to add a couple of different scenes. The first is my character stretching and warming up, which can be seen on the latest video upload. The 2nd is a graveyard scene. Although the only use of the time line in this scene is the camera movement, I feel it ends the whole animation quite well.

Lifting the Weight

At first I was puzzled at how to get my character to pick up the weight from the floor.
After spending a few minutes deep in thought, and other few minutes playin around in Max, I realised how - Dummies!!


This was the first time I had used dummies, so I followed a simple online tutorial and soon enough, the weight was off the ground and into my characters hands.


Here is a brief rundown of what I did;


Make 2 dummys, 1 for the object and 1 for the characters hand,
Select the object, go to - Animation>Constraints>Link Constraints,
Select 1 dummy on Frame 0,
Repeat last 2 steps at Frame 37 (frame where lift occurs).

Character Update

Here are two clips of my character. The reason I added another short animation, was because the walk cycle was only 10 seconds long, so I made a new animation showing the character stretching and psyching himself up, ready for the lift.

Progress So Far

Here is an uploaded video of my character's animation so far. I am quite pleased with his movements so far, but feel his walk cycle seems a bit too easy for the amount of weight he is supposed to be lifting. I will tweak the timeline and upload an update once it is done.

Character Persona

Name: Dave Jones
Age: 19
Occupation: Trainee Builder
Marital Status: Single

Dave is currently on an apprenticeship at a builders yard in Chelmsford, it is a very hot day and he has been given the task of moving steel girders from one side of the yard to another.
He is wearing his steel toe-cap safety boots, but considers it too hot for a t-shirt or hard hat.
Despite Dave being very malnourished, he is a very competant brick layer and a hard worker, although his ego sometimes gets in the way of his work. He feels he doesn't need safety gear as he is not working near the forklift truck.

The foreman has not yet noticed his blatent dis-regard for safety. If he did, it would no doubt cost Dave his job. His terrible lifting technique also shows he was not paying attention during the manual handling and satey techique videos. This could turn out to be one painful day on the job for Mr Jones!

Example of a Fall

I uploaded this video to show how a humans body folds under heavy weight. Although the man fails to lift the weight past his shoulders, he holds onto the weight all the way whilst falling.

Note, how from 14 seconds in, his body collapses downward and his legs bend, followed by the fall backwards and a turn of the head.