Gina Moore, Stefan Greuter and Chris Barker

Abstract:
3D modelling and animation software presents artists with unique creative opportunities and limitations that are dependent on design decisions implicit in the software’s architecture, interface and workflow. This paper presents preliminary outcomes of a research project which explores these opportunities and limitations in order to develop new ways of working with the software that result in new visual styles of 3D animation. Strategies of production commonly used by 3D animators are significantly different to the strategies used by figurative painters. Painters often refer to their creative process as a type of collaboration or a “conversation” between themselves and the medium (paint). In contrast to this approach, for 3D animators the making process is often regarded as a necessary set of steps that lead to a predefined outcome. This research project examines the process of painting and uses a practice based research methodology to develop approaches to 3D animation that engage the animator in qualities of practice equivalent to those commonly experienced by a painter. The paper highlights some fundamental philosophical and strategic limitations encountered by 3D animators and discusses a series of short experimental 3D animations that aim to overcome these limitations.