Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 4.9
Screen grab from OpenSim showing a virtual representation of dominance in 3D composition. Notice
how the small dark cube moves the eye toward the middle of the composition and holds it there like the center of a
target. The avatar's eyeline also creates a subtle directional indicator, moving your eye in the direction of the center of
the composition.
that a dominant object could be a very small object and yet have the gravitational force of a collapsing star
on your attention. The object can achieve this focus by being the brightest object in an arrangement or the
shiniest or perhaps by being positioned at the center of your eye line.
4.3.8
m
oVemenT
The involuntary movement of your eyes as they gaze at a new 3D form will inform you of its internal com-
positional movement. How the design directs your eye to look around and through its arrangement of forms,
shapes, symbols, colors, and lines in the composition is also compositional movement. If your 3D design is
kinetic and has moving parts, orbiting or changing their positions in space, you have the challenge of blend-
ing spatial movement with an ever-changing compositional movement, as shown in Figure 4.10. The observer
may pause in one position to view this composition, so he or she has a static frame of reference from which
to judge the sequence of movement. If you desire that the observer walk all around your sculptural composi-
tion or through it if it were designed to be immersive, you should design your moving parts to encourage that.
When you add moving parts to a static composition, it is best to design your animations to complement the
innate visual movement you initially created.
4.4
USING SIMILARITY AND CONTRAST IN 3D DESIGN
Similarity, also deined as likeness, is an element that can help underscore the message you wish to convey
with your design. Similar colors, shapes, forms, and textures help to unify the visual impact of your design.
However, too much similarity can lead to visual fatigue, boredom, and loss of focus on the composition, so
it should be used judiciously.
