3D Animation Show Reel for Science Stories
In Spring 2024, I took MEJO 538 with Dr. Spencer Ryan Barnes, which is UNC’s 3D Design Studio Course. We learned how to model and animate using Autodesk Maya & Mudbox, Adobe After Effects & Premiere Pro, and VFX techniques like green screen. I chose to complete my assignments in theme with my current research, as I am passionate about science communicaion.
We had two major 3D design animation projects:
One was to animate a natural phenomenon, which uses special modeling tools in Maya that can simulate movement of liquid, gas, and solid particles. I chose to model action potential, or the electric impulse that occurs along the neuronal axis, and neurotransmission, or the process of exporting neurotransmitter molecules out of one neuron via small bubbles and the neurotransmitters being imported by the receiving neuron.
The other was to model, rig, and animate an animal of our choosing. Because I worked with mice at work and had plenty of reference material, I models a C57Bl6/J mouse. I also storyboarded a mouse sequence for a colleague who wanted to animate sleep behaviors for communicating her research.