Learn about this technique and how it is used in 3D animation projects
When it comes to working on a 3D animation project, not only do you need a strong concept, you also need to work out scale, volumes, and proportions in order to best position the characters and props within a scene.
In this context, blocking is essential: it saves time and prevents mistakes. But what exactly is it?
Blocking is a 3D sketch showing the poses and positioning of elements and characters in a particular scene. It is an animation technique that enables you to adjust the sizes and proportions quickly and efficiently, without your device having to process too much information. It is a crucial part of the development of any animated scene.
To put it simply, it is the most basic structure of your animation to which you will lately apply colors and details, such as textures, expressions, lighting, etc.
Large-scale projects require blocking to be fully approved in order for the next steps to be carried out efficiently. This draft version gives the animator, supervisor, and director a clearly defined idea of the direction and focus of the animated film or project.
Why is it important?
Given that animation is such a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, blocking enables changes to occur before a project gets to a late stage of production. Of course, changes can occur at any point when working on digital animation, but if blocking is done well, it will result in a much smoother production process.
This technique, also known as stepped animation, is carried out in low resolution for efficiency. This is where the first stages of a scene and key concepts are defined. At the end of the project, everything is converted into high resolution.
Blocking is also a technique used in theater to define the positioning and movements of the actors and objects on stage. It serves as a script or guide of what will be presented.
Did you enjoy this explanation? You can learn how to use blocking with 3D artist Albert Valls Punsich in his course, Creation of 3D Scenes from Scratch in Maya.
English version by @eloiseedgington.
You may also like:
–Psychedelic Animation with Photoshop and After Effects, a course by Klarens Malluta
–Abstract 3D Art, a course by Ali Sahba
–7 Free Tutorials to Improve Your Animation Skills
–12 Basic Principles of Animation
Designer Roberto Puig talks about the importance of using a storyboard artist and animatics in animation projects
Storyboarding is an integral process in the development of animation. It includes all the planned details of the piece, and it is a clear and detailed document of the ultimate result. Despite its importance, many professionals and animation studios jump this step of the process. Roberto Puig (@rpuig)—graphic designer and director of Don Porfirio studio—highlights how this step is fundamental and gives us some tips on how to execute it best.
Why is storyboarding important?
The main reason all animation projects must need a storyboard artist is to help us achieve exceptional outcomes. It also ensures that everyone involved in the production has a vision of the product from the start, including the client.
It is also useful for organizing all the individuals’ jobs and tasks within the animation project pipeline. These tasks can be assigned from the beginning, even before the project is in development.
Furthermore, during the storyboard stage, our client can suggest any changes that can be easily applied. This would be more complex at a later stage.
What does a storyboard artist show?
The storyboard must show a generic idea of the animation project in just a few static frames. We can show the story we will tell concisely with it and, undoubtedly, it serves to visually emphasize the central focus of the story.
The Storyboard artist must also depict the types of planes we will use and the actions that will take place in each scene.
The importance of animatics
Although the storyboard shows the scenes as they will appear in the completed animation, it does not include each scene’s timing. This type of information is shown through the animatic, the panel that defines the animation’s pace and will show the animation’s real personality.
In his course Motion Graphics for Audiovisual Projects, Roberto Puig teaches you advanced digital composition techniques for 3D animation in After Effects.
English version by @acesarato.
