3d modelling, Animation and Rendering are all parts of a series of steps that are taken to create a 3d representation of a scene.
3d modelling is the process of creating an object using a series of shapes usually quads or triangles in a 3d environment using specialised software.
Animation is the process of manipulating a model so it can be moved in some way. This is done through changing the rotation, location, scale or deforming the 3d model in some way.
Rendering is the process of displaying and presenting the 3d model. The final render can come in many forms from pictures, films to games.
In order of these steps are taken commonly the 3d modelling is done first followed by animation and then Rendering.
If you are new to the 3d computer graphics the terminology can be quite confusing and coming to grasps with the differences is essential. Commonly people use these terms interchangeably however from a technical perspective they are very different. Many people focus purely on only one of these aspects for a career as they require a unique skill set. In this article I will explain why.
What is 3d Modelling
3d Modelling is the process of combining multiple 2d shapes together in a 3d space. These shapes are referred to as a Polygon. These come in 3 forms a Triangle, a Quad and an Ngon. The combination of these shapes together is what is referred to as the Mesh or Wire Frame and is the base of all 3d models.
If you want more information on quads & triangles I recommend this article that I wrote explaining the differences and their usage
There are two main kids methods used to create these wire frames and these are referred to as Box Modelling and Sculpting.
Box modelling in its most simplistic form is manually going in and placing each poly. The tools available make it much easier and less tedious than this sounds.
Sculpting can be described as working with Clay. You start with a base shape and you carve out the final model from this shape. Both methods are commonly used both separately and in conjunction with each other as they have their advantages and disadvantages.
Once the mesh is complete a process is undertaken referred to as Texturing. During this process the model is painted and the different materials are applied to the model. This can make it look like anything from glass, skin to metal. One of the most common ways to achieve this is through a method called Physically Based Rendering (PBR). If you are interested how this is done I highly recommend you read this article I wrote on the subject.
It’s important to note that sometimes in a 3d modelling pipeline the 3d modelling and texturing tasks are performed by different people in a large studio environment. This is because they both require extremely specialised skills to perform well.
What is Animation
Animation is the process by which a 3d model is taken and is made to move in some form. The most obvious example is getting a character to move. To animate something this is achieved by primarily by four means.
- Changing the location also known as its Transform.
- Changing the size of the 3d model also known as Scale.
- Changing the 3d models Rotation.
- Changing the shape of the 3d model also known as Deformation.
Most animation is achieved by slightly changing one or more of these properties of the model, then taking a snapshot and then repeating until you have a full animation.
Scale, transform and rotation are straightforward however deformation is a little more tricky. This usually requires what is referred to as a Rig. A rig is the means in which to control the deformation of the model.
For a character you could think of this as the characters bones. A common practice is to recreate a structure similar to a skeleton. For example to bend a leg you would have 2 bones in the rig so you could have it bend at the knee.
Once again like in a large studio environment the Rigging and Animation processes are separate as they require a different skill set.
What is Rendering
Rendering is the process of displaying the final 3d model or models in its desired medium whether this is a picture, video or interactive mediums such as games.
Probably the biggest aspect of rendering is simulating how light reacts with the model this gives it its realistic appearance. It is because of this it can be a very large computational task for a computer to simulate. It simulates how a single ray of light interacts with the model over and over again to get the final image.
While this seems like a fairly straightforward task the job of rendering is extremely technical. It requires an in depth knowledge of lighting, composition, and color. The various render software has multitudes of different options to choose from to control the final outcome.
Of all the processes in the 3d pipeline the render stage is highly visible as it is the final result presented to the audience.
What Software is Used for 3d Modelling
There are multitudes of different software available for 3d modelling, Animation and Rendering and probably the most well known are Blender, Maya & 3ds Max. All 3 of these are capable of doing any of these three tasks.
These three programs are great however as you get into 3d you will no doubt look for more specialised software, particularly for 3d modelling and texturing. Zbrush is great for 3d modelling as its ability to sculpt is unmatched. Programs such as Substance Painter is fantastic for texturing for what is referred to as a PBR workflow.
It’s important to remember these are only some of the programs used in 3d there are a lot of programs to choose from.
What Aspect of the 3d Pipeline Should you Focus On
If you are looking to become a 3d artist you may now be asking well what should I focus on. Id recommend trying all aspects so you have an understanding of the whole process and choose what appeals to you.
Many people do all the steps of the project and are referred to as generalist. It depends if you want to be master of one or ok at many.
Conclusion
Hopefully now you understand the difference between the 3d modelling, animation and rendering and you are dangerous enough to know some key terminology.
If you are just curious about the difference I hope this article has enlightened you. If you are looking at taking 3d up as a hobby or career and are looking to get started I encourage you to read my article 6 Steps to Learning 3d Modelling.