Modeling and Rigging

Once the story is finalised and planned out exactly with storyboards, the next stage is to take the concept art and model all of the assets.   The best thing about 3D animation is also the worst - that is that you have control over everything, from the tiniest grain of dirt to your main character –  if you want it there, it has to be modelled, textured and put into the scene.  Characters also have the added complication of rigging, where once modelled, they require a skeleton and muscle structure added allowing the animators to animate.

“Living creatively is really important to maintain throughout your life.
And living creatively doesn’t mean only artistic creativity, although that’s part of it.  It means being yourself, not just complying with the wishes of other people.”
Matt Groening

Like Sculpting Clay

Most models are formed by sculpting them within the computer in 3D.  No matter if it is a building or a character, all are formed from polygons and manipulated into the appropriate shape ready for the texture artists to then take the base models and add the colour and texture to bring the models to life.  As with all animations, the level of detail on the models is subject to the quality required, timescale and budget.