Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.3
The Sun at the ori-
gin, Earth and other
planets orbiting the
World axis while
rotating on their
own axes, and the
Moon orbiting Earth
Basic Design Concepts
Composition is all about how you lay out your scene and design your colors. Creating a
dynamic frame that not only catches the eye but also informs and intrigues is itself an
art form.
Some background in basic design is definitely helpful, and you'll want to look at design
topics as you further your education in 3D. Understanding the fundamentals of layout
and design makes for better-looking scenes and easier setup. The concepts presented here
will get you started. Design theory may not seem specifically pertinent to CG right now,
but recognizing that there is a logical system behind every pretty picture will help you
progress, both as an artist and as an animator.
Form, Space, and Composition
Space is your canvas. Because your canvas ultimately will be a rendered image, your com-
position needs to fit within your rendered image frame. Whether that frame falls into
a tiny web window or a huge IMAX screen, the basics of design always apply: how you
arrange your forms and divide your space says a lot.
In the design lexicon,
form
means anything you can see; it has some sort of shape,
color, or texture that distinguishes it from its frame. How your scene's objects lie in the
frame defines your composition. The space behind and between what is rendered out is
the ground, or background plane. Objects become
positive space
, and the background
becomes
negative space
.
