Pre-production, Production, Post-Production animation pipeline outlined.

1. Object-Oriented 3D Animation Project Pipeline
Pre-production, Production, Post-Production
Prepared by M. Fuchsman

2. Preproduction Pipeline Steps
Step 1: Concept development – the first step in our pipeline is the conceptualization of ideas. This will likely be
conveyed as a written summary of the main storyline or concept. It may also contain variations of the storyline that may
or may not end up in the final project.
Step 2A: Storyboards (inclusive of VFX, SFX, S3D directions) – the storyboard finalizes storyline development and is
essential for client approval and the 3D animation process. It is made up of comprehensive drawings that visualize the
animation and clearly communicate the story from start to finish. It’s also accompanied by text notes describing things
occurring within each scene such as camera movements, visual effects, sound effects, voiceover, audio styling, etc.
Step 3: Model Sheets – during this stage all “significant” visual elements to the storyline are illustrated by hand or CG,
and then are sent to the client for approval. This stage ensures that the client has a good understanding of the design
style and look of each critical element and gives the modeler a clear guide as to what he or she must design once
approved.
Step 4: Board-O-Matic – once the storyboard has been approved, the Board-O-Matic is produced. It displays general
motion and timing of each scene using only the visual elements within the storyboards. Once the client signs off on the
Board-o-matic, production begins.
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3. Production Pipeline Steps
Step 5A: Previz – this animation step reveals lo-rez models or blocks in place of the final set to compose shots and is
essential in the client approval process of the story. It also serves as a guide to the animators for working through
camera moves, depth of field, set design, and scene composition.
Step 5B: Style Guide – this step runs in parallel with the previz. Art & VFX Director produces detailed visual still
frames for the client to review showing planned colors, textures, lighting, saturation levels, and environmental elements.
This ensures that the client has a firm understanding of what treated elements will likely look like when the final, high
resolution frames are rendered.
Step 6A: Music and SFX – music options, a scratch voice over track, and sound effects are introduced at this stage. A
composed rough audio track should be added to the next client approval to ensure that sound design is heading in the
right direction.
Step 6B: Modeling – the modeler turns the illustrated concept art signed off on by the client from the model sheets into
high detail, topological 3D models for use in the animated spot.
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4. Production Pipeline Steps
Step 7: Texturing – this is where our animator or modeler adds the surface texture, condiment details, and color to the
3D models. Render times must be carefully considered when establishing texture materials to ensure durations don’t
bloat beyond pre-established maximum targets.
Step 8: Rigging and Skinning – rigging is where the animator sets up a skeletal structure to be added to the 3D
model allowing the object to move in a believable manner. Skinning is where the animator attaches the 3D model to the
rigged skeleton.
Step 9: Animation – pretty straightforward. This is where the animator(s) follows the approved storyboard and moves
all the modeled objects into their proper places.
Step 10: Lighting – this is where light qualities and properties (how light interacts with different materials) are defined.
It’s here that we determine the placement, position and intensity of the lights and how they affect the mood and
believability of the established scenes. Render times must be carefully considered when establishing lighting
characteristics to ensure durations don’t bloat beyond pre-established maximum targets. The lighting stage is where
everything starts to come to life.
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5. Production Pipeline Steps
Step 11: Finalizing camera angles – this is where we can go beyond the laws of physics to create exaggerated
drama.
Step 12: Rendering – the last step in the production pipeline is where the final animation is output as individual frames
in high resolution. It is essential that the client approves all work before this step begins. This step can take minutes,
hours, days, or weeks depending upon the quality of our graphics, camera placement, lighting, shading, reflective
property characteristics, special effects, and environmental elements. If changes are requested after rendering is
completed, project deadlines will likely change.
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6. Post-Production Pipeline Steps
Step 13: Compositing/VFX/Finishing – this stage is where all of the rendered 3D elements or “plates” are brought
together in an editing or compositing program and special effects, live-action footage, etc. are arranged in place so that
we can render out our final, uncompressed MOV file.
Step 14: Final Music and SFX – final voice over and audio enhancements are completed.
Step 15: Final Output – the final composited visuals and audio are rendered into one uncompressed MOV file for
encoding to multiple playback formats.
Step 16: Project Post-Mortem – once project is out the door, the entire production team meets to discuss project
cleanup before it is archived to tape, as well as discusses project missteps or successes in detail.
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7. Pipeline Flowchart
Storyboards
Board-o-Matic
Model Sheets
Concept
Development
Previz
Style Guide
Music & SFX
Modeling
Texturing
Rigging
Animation
Lighting
Finalizing
Camera Angles
Compositing/VFX
FinishingRendering Final Music & SFX Final Output Post-Mortum
Pre-Production Production
Post-Production
approval
approval On-
screen
approval approval approval approval
approval
approval
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