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4 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer Graphics and 3D
image editors. The CG workflow is based on building, arrangements, and relationships.
But it’s an easy workflow to pick up and master in time. It can be learned by anyone with
the desire and the patience to give it a try.
Animation
Animation is change over time. In other words, animation is the simulation of an object
changing over a period of time, whether it’s that object’s position or size, or even color
or shape. In addition to working in the three dimensions of space, Maya animators work
with a fourth dimension: time.
All animation, from paper flipbooks to film to Maya, is based on the principle that
when we see a series of rapidly changing images, we perceive the changing of the image
to be in continuous motion. If you have a chance to pause and step through an animated
film, frame by frame, on your DVD player or DVR, you’ll see how animation comes
together, literally step by step.
To create CG animation yourself, you have to create scene files with objects that exhibit
some sort of change, whether through movement, color shift, growth, or other behavior.
But just as with flipbooks and film animation, the change you’re animating occurs
between static images, called frames, a term carried over from film. You define the
object’s animation using a timeline measured in these single frames.
You’ll learn more in the section “Basic Animation Concepts” later in this chapter. For
now, let’s move on to the stages of CG production.
The Stages of Production
The CG animation industry inherited a workflow from the film industry that consists of
three broad stages: preproduction, production, and postproduction. In film, preproduc-
tion is the process in which the script and storyboards are written, costumes and sets are
designed and built, actors are cast and rehearse, the crew is hired, and the equipment is
rented and set up. In the production phase, scenes are taped or filmed in the most effi-
cient order. Postproduction (often simply called post) describes everything that happens
afterward: The scenes are edited into a story; a musical score, sound effects, and addi-
tional dialogue are added; and visual effects may also be added. (In a film that has special
effects or animation, the actual CG creation is usually completed in postproduction.
However, it may start in the preproduction phases of the film or project.)
Although the work performed at each stage is radically different, this framework is
useful for understanding the process of creating CG as well.
Preproduction
Preproduction for a CG animation means gathering reference materials, motion tests,
layout drawings, model sketches, and such together to make the actual CG production
as straightforward as possible. Whether you’re working on a small job or a complex film,
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