Modelling the fish:
Start by creating the 3D geometry of the fish. Use polygon modelling techniques to create the fish’s body, fins, tail and other features. Here I paid extra attention to the overall shape and proportions of the fish species to be recreated.
UV mapping and texturing:
Once the fish model is complete, continue with UV mapping to unwrap the geometry and prepare it for mapping. Create or apply appropriate textures and materials to achieve the desired look of the fish, such as scales, colours and patterns.
Assembly:
Assembly is the process of creating a skeleton and control for the fish model to facilitate animation. The following are the key steps in creating a fish:
Create a skeleton: Design a layered skeleton that matches the fish’s body structure, including the spine, fins and tail.
Joint placement: Place joints along the main curved points of the fish’s body, such as the joints of the spine and fins. Take into account the anatomy of the fish and how realistically it needs to move.
Skinning the model: Use masking or redrawing techniques to link the vertices of the fish model to the joints of the skeleton. This allows the geometry to be properly deformed as the joints are animated.
Controls: Create a set of controls that allow the animator to easily manipulate the movement of the fish. These controls can include a body controller, a fin controller and a tail controller.
Animation:
Once the fish was rigged, I started animating its movements. Here are some key considerations for animating the fish:
Swimming motion: animate the fish’s body, fins and tail to create a natural swimming motion. Observe reference footage of a real fish swimming to understand its movements and dynamics.
Movement: Note the movement of the body, undulating fins and tail to create a forward motion. Use overlapping movements and subsequent movements to enhance realism.
Secondary movement: Add secondary movement to the fish, such as the movement of fins, gills and eyes, to make the animation more convincing.
Behaviour and personality: Consider the specific fish species and its behavioural characteristics when creating the animation. Study the natural movements of the fish and incorporate its characteristic behaviour into the animation.
Timing and spacing: Pay attention to the timing and spacing of the fish’s movements to create a natural and engaging animation. Experiment with different timing options to achieve the desired effect.
Refinement and iteration:
Preview the animation in Maya’s playback and timeline tools and refine it as needed. Make adjustments to timing, movement arcs and overall performance to achieve believable and visually appealing fish animations.