Exploring 3D Animation: From Basics to Future Trends

The first 3D animation dates back to the 1970s, with the movie 'Futureworld' featuring the first 3D computer-generated hand and face.

Keyframe animation, pivotal in 3D, involves defining start and end points for motion. In-between frames are automatically generated, streamlining the animation process.

Textures give surfaces detail, while materials affect light interaction. Surprisingly, realistic skin textures often use subsurface scattering to replicate light penetration.

Rigging is like digital puppetry. Artists create a skeleton that animators manipulate to move the model. Without it, models can't be animated realistically.

Motion capture has evolved from reflective marker suits to sophisticated markerless systems, capturing even subtle facial expressions for lifelike animations.

Rendering transforms 3D models into 2D images or animations. Ray tracing, a rendering technique, simulates realistic lighting by mimicking light physics.

Future trends include real-time rendering and AI-driven animation, promising to significantly reduce production times while enhancing realism and detail.