3D Design Styles
- As computers continue to improve, more animators and designers are attempting to create realistic animations and scenes. In addition, movie makers use three-dimensional computer graphics to add elements to scenes. Realism is an excellent style to show what can be or what once was. However, there is a phenomenon called "the uncanny valley" that occurs with realistic rendering. Because our brains know an object is rendered, because of spatial cues, and because the object is very realistically modeled and mapped, we may find some realistic models disturbing, especially rendered people and animals. Nevertheless, as computers become better and modeling becomes more advanced, realism will likely continue to be the most popular 3-D design style.
- Three-dimensional models rendered like comics or cartoons are very vibrant and convey a sense of comfort or fun. This style often exaggerates elements and colors of a three-dimensional scene, and the brain does not think of the rendering or animation as real. This 3D style is appropriate for speculative designs, children's books and media, and video games.
- Models rendered sparingly or with a limited palate follow a minimalist 3-D design style. Minimal renderings and animations may be monotone or simple line drawings, and this style is useful for architectural rendering, academic illustrations and edgy movies or video games. The limited use of color allows the eye to examine the model's form and structure, without misdirection from active colors or shading.
- As our computers become more powerful, many animators and designers are showing an interest in past rendering and illustration techniques. Not only are some using crosshatch methods, like those of Michelangelo or Durer, but many are using 8-bit styling, like video games from the eighties and nineties. There are many outmoded styles, and the use of these is appropriate when the animator or designer attempts to put the animation or scene in a specific era or desires to convey a sense of irony and humor.
