Futurist sculpting: modeling movement in 3D
Abstract
Futurist Sculpting is a collection of techniques for representing dynamic motion in a
static three-dimensional model. These techniques allow digital artists to use animation
as a new modeling tool. The idea of Futurist Sculpting is inspired by the works of
the Italian Futurist artists and it aims to achieve the same goal as the one described
by Umberto Boccioni, âÂÂto find a form that would be like a remembered motion,
the product of time but permanent in space.â However, Futurist Sculpting extends
BoccioniâÂÂs idea to the new medium of 3D animation and modeling, introducing the
techniques of Motion Snapshot, Surface Differentiation, and Motion Elasticity. Motion
Snapshot has evolved from the idea that multiple key poses captured at different
stages of motion can successfully portray the idea of movement. Surface Differentiation
was developed to remove redundancy of overlaping geometry introduced by
snapshots occuring with high spatial frequency. Exploded Snapshot creates a geometric
blur effect and extends application of Motion Snapshots to motion of deforming
objects. The Motion Elasticity technique stretches the object to represent a partial
volume through which it is moving. As a proof of concept all of the Futurist Sculpting
techniques were implemented in Maya. The techniques should be viewed as a set of
tools for the artists. The user can choose any one of them to apply to any animation,
but he needs to understand their applications and limitations too.
Citation
Krawczyk, Piotr (2006). Futurist sculpting: modeling movement in 3D. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /5014.