May 24, 2012

Domino Effect.

The domino effect is a chain reaction that occurs when a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then will cause another similar change, and so on inlinear sequence. The term is best known as a mechanical affect, and is used as analogy to a falling row of dominoes. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively small. (wikipedia)

This is the beginnig of the 6 week 3D animation project. Quite challenging, trying to learn a complete new software from zero, plus animating the whole thing. :D As the title of this project goes we need to bring the domino effect to life. Since there are practically no limitations regarding the environment and objects it's hard to get ahold of particular idea. So off to the internet to seek for inspiration!!!




Couple of inspiring examples. I mostly refered to the second vieo that goes by the name "Amazing Japan Domino" or "Pitagoria Switch" they have quite a lot of these videos. All of them are rather imaginative and clever. As expected from Japan .

First week I spent thinking and making a list of the objects that could be involved in the domino effect. Eventually I crossed out those that would be an ass to model and animate. And decided that  i really want to break a piggy bank :DD 

I made a quick collage of items that will be used in this animation.



Some photos of the process:


Table in process. As much as I tried to stick to original design I went a bit different direction.


Pipe modeling. Had a few issues with it regarding texture.


Cube with a slide.


Tried to put couple of objects together to see if any required resizing. 






For the background I've decided to use my room as a reference.
As a result, I took photos within this room for textures.


View through the window


Floor 


Board


Texture for the shelves


Purple wall


Cream wall

Table

Book Textures:





Testing textures:


When I rendered a single frame it appeared that the pig was too shiny.





Shininess - reduced.



Until the very end I tried to add a shatter effect to the pig. Whether it was too much for computer to handle whether I messed up everything (as usually) the shatter effect did not take place in this animation. As a result, I'm not satisfied with this animation. At all...

Final Animation: