The Technology:

The central technological tool I will be using for this project is the animation software Blender. Many versions of this software have come out, adding new and innovative features however I am choosing to use an older version (3.6) as this is the version of Blender I am most comfortable with. Blender is known by many as the best and most accommodating entry-level animation software with most if not all features any other animation software would have. 

Features:

In terms of specific skills within Blender that are important to master to produce professional-level work, there are a few I have in mind, however, the only real advantage of mastering these concepts is the speed at which one can work. This idea of speed and efficiency is what classifies someone as having a professional workflow. The first of these concepts that is important to master is 3d modeling. Within Blender, many tools aid in one’s efforts to model a specific element within their scene. Over years of animating things for the pure joy of it, I have come to get a pretty good grasp on most of the tools Blender has to offer. The next of these concepts is shading, a bit more complex than modeling, but after plenty of practice is a skill that will come naturally. The final skill that is crucial to producing professional work is post-processing/ color grading. Without the different aspects of post-processing, the final result will often appear bland and flat. With the addition of various post-processing practices, the final product will pop and more importantly have an added stylistic flare. 

Sociablilty:

In terms of the sociability of Blender, this software has done worlds of good. Firstly, being that the software is completely free to use, anyone with a computer and a passion for creating art in a three-dimensional landscape can do just that. This has allowed the average person to experiment with a new art form without having to invest anything to start. Another way in which Blender is a social program is how it has allowed 3D artists to capitalize on the ease of use that comes with Blender to simplify their workflow and create both photo-realistic and stylized art that speaks to most if not all demographics. 

Afordances:

  • Centralized workflow: having most features of creating a 3D short film in one program will help me keep my workflow directed. 
  • Simplicity: With Blender being a simpler program to use, navigating through the software will be simple. 
  • Large library of textures: there are many websites and add-ons that provide countless free and paid textures for my work. 

Constraints:

  • Roadblocks: there are countless ways to become stuck along the 3D process. 
  • Slow render times: with my computer not being specifically built for 3D animation, the render times can be incredibly lengthy. This means the work I produce will have to have limited mistakes to avoid multiple renders.