3D PRODUCTION PIPELINE
THREE PHASES OF 3D PRODUCTION
• Pre Production
• Production
• Post Production
The pre-production phase will be where all of the planning for the project will happen.
This includes researching concepts, brainstorming, scriptwriting, and storyboarding. Once
the concept, script, and storyboard are approved, the project can then move on to the
production stage.
The production phase will translate the ideas from the script and storyboard and animate
these assets in a 3D space. These include creating the 3D layout, making assets and
characters, animating them, adding VFX, and more. After rendering these animated
assets, the project can then move on to the final stage of the pipeline.
The post-production phase adds the finishing touches to the 3D animation project. These
include merging all of the rendered animated assets into the frame, adding the final
VFX, color-correcting, and more. After these are done, the rendered 3D animation is
complete.
PRE PRODUCTION
• Pre-production is the phase of developing ideas and planning prior to the
process of production.
The major components of a pre-production process are as follows:
Story
Boarding
Layouts
ModelSheets
Animatics
A storyboard is a
planning
document. It is
created before the
final product is
developed and
used to illustrate a
story or show the
changes of scene.
Character design
involves developing
the appearance
and features of
characters in an
animation. Model
Sheets and
Expression Sheets
are produced to
help animators be
consistent with the
appearance of
characters.
Character Line-up
Sheets are also
produced to
compare the scale
of the characters
against one
another
Layout builds the
first 3D
representation of
that storyboard, in
a full cinematic
form, by using the
characters, sets
and props created
by the Modeling
department.
Model sheets are
precisely drawn
groups of pictures
that show all of the
possible
expressions that a
character can
make and all of
the many different
poses that they
could adopt.
An Animatic is the
initial rough draft
of your film. It's
made by playing
your storyboard
through, frame by
frame, and
adjusting the
timings - a process
known as 'timing
out'. The Animatic is
your first chance to
watch a skeleton
version of your
animation come to
life.
PRODUCTION
• The production phase will translate the ideas from the script and storyboard
and animate these assets in a 3D space.
LAYOUT
• A layout is a visual map.
• It instructs the various artists on a scene where the characters are to be
positioned and how they are to move.
• The timing of the scene and individual character movements will be indicated
on the “dopesheet”.
A dopesheet looks a little like a spreadsheet with rows and columns but its purpose
is to provide instructions concerning the time duration of individual character
movements, scenes, camera moves and audio details. It ensures that each and every
person working on a production is working to the same basic instructions.
Layout Artist
Layout artists determine the depth and perspective of what is displayed on screen.
They produce the 3D version what already have been drawn on paper during the
storyboarding.
Background Artist
A background artist or sometimes called a background stylist or background
painter is one who is involved in the process of animation who establishes the color,
style, and mood of a scene drawn by an animation layout artist.
Keyframe Animator
The role of the Keyframe Illustrator is to sketch out key scenes in a script. The
Keyframe Illustrator works closely with the director to illustrate their vision of key
scenes.
Inbetween Animator
Inbetweeners fill in the gaps in animation that the animators leave key movement scenes,
drawing in between the key scenes.
Digital Ink and Paint Artist
During old times, animators used traditional ink and paint to make animated films. In the
digital era, ink and paint are now less tedious. Digital ink and paint is the process of
scanning animation drawings and coloring them with some software tools. Digital ink
and paint came to perfect the work of animators by allowing them to be more creative.
CleanUp Artist
Cleanup artists refine sketches that are roughly drawn (roughs) at the concept stage to
a polished line drawing. They trace over the key drawings (keys) in solid lines, paying
close attention to retain the essence of the original sketch.
Scanner Operator
The Scanner Operator is responsible for scanning
drawings prepared by the Clean-up Artist.
Line Test
• A Line Test is a process used to check hand drawn frames prior
to them being used for final artwork.
• Frames are captured either via a video camera, frame by
frame or by scanning them into a computer.
• The resulting sequence allows the animator to assess how well
the sequence is flowing.
Onion
Skinning
• Onion skinning in animation is an editing technique used
to see several frames of an animation simultaneously.
• This means the animator can tell whether the lines of
each frame are correctly lined up — which is crucial to
create an animation with smooth motion.
Walk
Cycle/Loops
• A walk cycle is an animation technique using illustrated
frames stitched together to create a sense of movement.
• The series of frames contains consecutive drawings of a
walking figure.
• When combined together, the animation appears to walk.
Modelling
• Modeling is an initial step in producing an animation that is
done in an animation studio.
• This is because characters and settings need to be completed
before they can be rigged and animated.
• Also, settings need to be located in their places to specify the
very last layout and composition of shots.
Texturing
• Texturing is applying the color and surface properties to
the model.
• The main goal of 3D texturing is to show the viewer the
actual composition of the object through observation.
RIGGING
Rigging is an essential step in the 3D animation process, as it allows animators to manipulate the 3D model and
make it move in whatever way you want it to.
The process of 3D rigging involves creating a skeleton or "rig" for the 3D model, which is made up of
interconnected joints and bones. The rig is then used to control the movement of the 3D model, much like how a real
skeleton allows us to move our bodies.
RENDERING
3D rendering doesn’t exist without 3D modeling.
3D modeling is the process of creating 3D objects using specialized software. The 3D object is
made by manipulating simple shapes, complex models, and polygons using 3D modeling software.
The representation, called a 3D model, conveys an object’s shape, size, and texture.
Once the model is created, 3D rendering transforms the model into an intricate, high-quality, and
true-to-life image. When combined, 3D modeling and 3D rendering are two steps designers take to
make computer-generated imagery (CGI).
3D modeling always comes before 3D rendering in the 3D visualization process.
LIGHTING
• Lighting is especially important in a 3D animation because it must support the
story, convey the mood of a shot and also visually depict the location, time of
day, and even the weather convincingly.
• Lights expose dimensionality of anything that exists in a 3D scene.
Lighters
The job of lighters or lighting artists is to light the characters and sets in
animated films. They are similar to a director of photography in the film
industry. Lighters play a pivotal role in creating ambiance, depth and
realism in a scene.
Why is 3D lighting needed?
The play of shadow and light helps to:
•Elicit the right emotions
•Support storytelling
•Set the mood and tone of the scene
•Focus the viewer’s eye on the most important element of an image
•Depict the time of day, climate, and/or location of a shot
•Highlight specific characters or objects in a scene
•Create the illusion of depth and volume
•Maintain continuity
•Present a visual style
•Create lighting design
POST PRODUCTION
• The post-production process is what any video project goes through after it
stops shooting and before the project is released to the public. It includes the
raw video editing process, sound mixing, visual effects, color correction and
grading, and final soundtrack development and placement.
What Is Rendering?
Rendering is the finalization process of a digital image or a 3D model using
computer software. It lets users bring together the visuals, from the shadows
and lighting effects to the textures, and generate the final result. Rendering
is used for various digital projects, including video games, animated movies,
and architectural designs.
What Is Composting?
The compositor's job is to assemble the different characters and
backgrounds into single frames and sequences and so is often the first to
begin to see the animation as intended for the final audience.
What Is Editing?
Editing is a crucial step in making sure the video flows in a way which
achieves the initial goal. Video editing is the process of manipulating and
rearranging shots to create a seamless final product, and it is at this stage
that any unwanted footage and scenes are removed. Other tasks include
titling and adding any effects to the final video and text
Sound and Music Score The sound and music score or soundtrack, is an
important part of the animation production process. The use of audio, such as
music, sound effects and vocal dialogue all play a big part in telling the story.
Altering the type of sound used, particularly the choice of music or background
ambience will have an effect on the mood of an animation. The editing
department is responsible for selecting and assembling the sound recordings in
preparation for the final sound mix, ensuring lip sync and adding all of the
sound effects required for the final
film.
Titles and Credits
Titles and Credits are an important part of a finished
animation. It helps in people know who made it, when it was
made, who funded the project and so on. This may involve
adding text or subtitles at various points if appropriate.