Lesson 4: Modeling and Animating an Astronaut

---

Overview

In this lesson you will create the main and only character of our reel — the astronaut — using the bones system (Bones) and direct and inverse kinematics to teach him to walk and jump. Using a new tool — character assembly — you will learn how record and load the animation reels within a short period of time, creating real animation sequences.

To create the character, we propose using polygon modeling with further smoothing. Paradoxical as it may seem, this is the main method for modeling organic objects — not only for games and interactive 3D presentations, where each "triangle" is worth its weight in gold, but also for projects within the film industry. The tedious modeling labor is repaid with interest by the ability to control each vertex and polygon of a model, especially when compared, for example, with modeling using NURBS.

The cover character is an example of polygon modeling. It was made by Dmitry Morozov, the chief artist of the Ariorh studio in Moscow. This model is absolutely polygonal.

We will create a simpler character but employ the same principles of modeling, texturing, and animation.

---