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, “to find a form that would be like a remembered motion, the product of time but permanent in space.” However, Futurist Sculpting extends Boccioni’s 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.