Initial Thesis Porposal

Abstract

My goal for this thesis is to explore tools and techniques in order to create a different style in the way animation is created and viewed. Through the use of the MEL Scripting language, within Autodesk Maya, various plugins will be created in order to render images for a rig, which will also be built, that will produce holographic video.

Introduction

Imagine, if you will, watching an animation or any movie. You see what the director or creator of said film wants you to see, because it is the main focus. What you sometimes don't see, is the details that are painstakingly put into a film that only appear for a brief second, never to be seen again. With my project I would like to change that. Imagine watching something and then having the ability to control the viewpoint as to what you are watching. The film still has it's main focus, but you are given the ability to see things that you would not normally see. I've seen a few examples of holograms, but very few implement such an idea and because of that I would like to see why they don't give this form a try by showing it first hand.

Thesis Statement and Goals

• To research and utilize MEL Scripting, a scripting language that allows the user to create new tools for the Autodesk Maya application.

• To learn how to not only create my own camera rig tool within the application, but a different style of rendering as well.
• To explore different ways to show user content that may increase the vision of ones animation.

Approach

With the use of Autodesk Maya and other software, I plan on creating a series of scripts, that work together in aiding in the production of holographic films. I will also create a rig out of plexiglass that will be the main catalyst for showing my 3D Holograms along with the creation of either short demonstration animations and/or a animated short.

Preliminary Results

After conducting some tests over the summer, I was able to create an animation and rig that showed off a very basic idea of my thesis project. From that, I was able to see what I needed to do in order to make a version that was more readily available to other animators. I also learned what to do and what not to do when making the physical rig.

Work Plan

(Based Off of Independent Study Schedule)

Week 1	August 27 - 31	Update to the latest version of Autodesk Maya Research holograms and introduction to MEL Scripting
Week 2	September 3 - 7	Write a few example scripts to create a camera with the parameters I need Plan out basic prototype rig
Week 3	September 10 - 14	Buy materials and start building prototype rig Research scripting to create cameras in Maya
Week 4	September 17 - 21	Complete prototype rig Research controlling multiple cameras at the same time
Week 5	September 24 - 28	Write a few example scripts to create a camera with the parameters I need.
Week 6	October 1 - 5	Research on how to create a Maya plugin
Week 7	October 8 - 12	Create a simple plugin combining the previous research
Week 8	October 15 - 19	Continue to work on the plugin
Week 9	October 22 - 26	Finish the plugin Run multiple test renders Execute test renders on prototype rig
Week 10	October 29 - November 2	Start research on rendering images with different parameters Potentially start scripting new render parameter code
Week 11	November 5 - 9	Continue research and scripting for new render parameters
Week 12	November 12 - 16	Complete plugin for render parameters
Week 13	November 19 - 23	Test render using both finished plugins
Week 14	November 26 - 30	Purchase materials for new rig and start construction
Week 15	December 3 - 7	Complete rig construction and render tests
Week 16	December 10 - 14	Present project, showing a working model

Relevant Prior Coursework

• TST 161: Creative Design

• IMM 210: Animtaion I
• IMM 310: Animation II
• CSC 365: Games I: Design & Architecture
• CSC 465: Games II: Implementation

Implications of Research

What I plan to achieve from this is to show a new way of viewing animations and film that hasn't been done before and to make the tools created for it available for all who wish to use it.