Dissertation Idea Overhaul

Due to a huge lack of interest and direction in the current dissertation, I have decided to make a big change to the dissertation project. Below I have outlined the four stages of development I plan to do, and a rough estimate of how long I will spend on each. The estimated times are done with a 2-month timeline, but that is just to leave wiggle room at the end.

I will keep the blog updated with developments on the project as usual.

Step 1: Designing the character (1 week)

Using Flash, I will design the basic character that I want to model. I plan to keep it fairly simple with a cartoony style, so that I don't spend all my time modelling it. I plan to have extreme proportions on the character, such as a big head and large phalanges.

Step 2: Modelling the character (2.5 weeks)

In 3DS Max, I will model a 3D version of my drawings. For this I will use a Digital-Tutors series for help, as well as any other useful online sources. Although I am not worried too much about the poly count on the model, I do want to try and keep it simple considering my short time period to do it.

Step 3 : Rigging the character (1.5 weeks)

Still in 3DS Max, I will use a pre-build biped for adding bones to my character, and then skin it myself. Although I have a little bit of experience with rigging and skinning from my second year, I still plan to use a Digital-Tutors series for help.

Step 4: Animating the character (3 weeks)

This step is similar to the old project, though instead of animating a whole continuous animation, it will be split up into different cycles. The animation of the character is still my primary focus, so I want to make these detailed and believable (note that I don't use the word 'realistic' here, as it's cartoony). Right now I plan to make an idle standing animation, a walk, a run and a jump; I also still want my dissertation focus to be making the animations expressive and interesting