Final Sets and Backgrounds - Animating with Blender: How to Create Short Animations from Start to Finish - page 240

● Credit. Make absolutely sure that you credit anyone who helped in the fi nal production. Before the
fi nal edit, send the credit list around to everyone who helped so that they can check the spelling of their
own name.
Here is a sample message you could send to someone who you have identifi ed as a potential helper on your
production.
Hi DarkStarr02 -
I noticed some of your great artwork in the blenderartists forum gallery and
thought you might like to take a look at my current project. I've been working
on a short animation for the last 4 months. Most of the animation is finished,
and I'm starting to create the details of the sets. I was wondering if you would
be interested in modeling and texturing a few objects that would appear in the
finished production? I really think your style fits well with my animation and
hope you can help.
You can see some of the already finished artwork and animation here:
http://www.super_awesome_animation.com/secret/
Thanks!
super_awesome_animation_dude
Also, be sure to include your real name and main email address, so you feel less like someone who they just
met on the Internet, even though you are.
Summary
Like many other aspects of the short animation process, fi nal set and prop creation is a continuation of the
balancing act between resources and results. The sets themselves are created from a combination of local
geometry and linked assets. When adding materials to your objects, care should be taken to avoid features
that can cause render times to drastically increase. Sets should be lit independently of the characters. Outdoor
scenes can be effectively lit for animation with Approximate Ambient Occlusion, a Sun Lamp, and shadow
only Spot Lamps. Interior scenes can also benefi t from AAO, but they may require more complex setups to
mimic the subtle refl ected light we are used to seeing inside. Sets and lighting are broken into layers to facili-
tate both rendering and background blending during compositing.
Outbox
Leaving this chapter, you should have:
● Finished set and prop fi les, fully lit, with materials for all objects
● The set elements broken into layers for exclusion from shots