Character Design CSIS 5838: Graphics and Animation for Gaming

Proportions Head size vs. body size can give characters appearance of being normal/”cartoony” – Normal: Body = 7 to 8 heads tall – “Heroic”: Body = 9 to 10 heads tall – “Stylized”: Body = 4 to 5 heads tall – “Cartoony”: Body and head same size

Facial Features Often “humanize” animal characters by giving them “human” facial features – Human eyes, mouth, etc. – Set at distances common to human faces

Designing for 3D Draw characters from front, size, and perhaps top – Easy to project along axes in graphics packages Best pose stands straight, spreads arms – Makes it much easier to add armature in future

Facial Features Make parts of face that express emotion more detailed – Eyes – Mouth Best if formed from concentric circles

Details at Joints Additional detail at places in mesh which will bend in future – Elbows, wrists, … – Knees, ankles, … Will make it easier to pose rigged character without too much “mesh deformation”

Characters as Groups of Objects Often build character from multiple meshes – Separated at clothing lines – Ultimately parented to a single armature