This post is the third in a series on applying the physics concept of center of gravity to character design. In the previous post in this series, we looked at using action poses to help find a center of gravity that would prevent the character from tipping over. For a quadruped (four-legged creature), the base […]
This post is the second in a series on applying the physics concept of center of gravity to character design. In the previous post in this series, we looked at finding a character’s center of gravity, which is usually just below its belly button. When creating a model sheet, you probably have an idea of […]
This post is the first in a series on physics concepts for character design, concepts that greatly impact how well the character can execute motion in animation. When working out how to balance a character or object, your first order of business is to figure out the center of gravity. The center of gravity, also […]
Representing mirror reflections is a tricky business in all visual arts. Nowadays, we can use 3D software to calculate reflections. But before CG was available, any mirror reflections in animation, drawings, and paintings had to be figured out by the artist, and matching the subject with its reflection was solely the artist’s responsibility. We see […]
One way to give the effect of a moving object is to use sound. A moving object making a particular sound, such as an ambulance with a blaring siren, can seem to be making sounds with two different pitches. This is because of the way sound waves work. As a moving object approaches making sounds, […]
Centrifugal motion and forces aren’t really a thing in physics, but you can use them in animation to enrich your scenes.
Is it flammable or inflammable? Why are these terms confused?
The term gas explosion could be used to describe several different kinds of explosions. In order to understand this, let’s take a look at different definitions of the word gas. Gas – Short for gasoline, a flammable liquid commonly used to fuel vehicles, called petrol outside North America. Gas – Short for propane gas, a flammable vapor […]
When you were studying animation, you probably thought you had no need for math. But one thing you definitely need to know about is the value known as pi, and how you can use pi in animation. Why pi? For centuries, mathematicians were obsessed with the relationship between the diameter of a circle and its […]
If a character or environment object in your scene is struck by lightning, you’ll need some reference for the jagged burn pattern that will visibly emerge after the strike. The burns from a lightning strike aren’t just random lines—they follow a specific type of pattern. Lichtenburg figures, besides providing a great lightning burn reference, are […]