7-15-2024: 3D vector graphics (draft)

 

3D vector graphics: Why not designing in 3D full scenes, characters and environments?
This post is currently in work.

The Battle (BlenderKit FreePlan)

3D vector graphics

3D vector graphics, from an amateur point of view, is not always a first choice option for digital pictures

aking, even if 3D vector graphics editors have many capabilities.

Such computer applications have advantages and usual pros are, for this complete undisputable

approach, that they have, at least, similar functions and capabilities than 2D vector graphics editors.

The intention is not to come up with a full comparison, but, the amateur has to think to the time to

waste when choosing a tool.

I guess, an architect will not build a skyscraper if he wants a cabin. Nonetheless, the fact that a

skyscraper is not a cabin.

So, the time and effort to invest to get an appropriate result, and for instance, it is fair to think to 3D

approach to have light effects effortlessly, but, are these effects representative enough of what the

image maker wants to do?

light

Also, about light effects, fine artists work out a complex model that is probably not implemented in

computer applications.

For instance, quoting Pr. David Brody (from “How to Draw” The Great Courses Course Guidebook,

Professor David Brody, University of Washington), effects of light on a sphere may value about nine

zones. Thus, the fact that fine artists might use or value these interplay of effects to, in turn, create a

drawing or a painting.

Effects of light on a sphere: highlight, light, halftone, penumbra, umbra, reflected light, reflected shadow, cast shadow, reflected light into the shadow.

Thus, even 3D assisted drawing or painting softwares have compromises about the models used.

Depth illusion

In another post, artgraphic-db has been discussing the depth effect, an illusion carried by perspective construction rules.

3D design programs have perspective settings that are not accessible to users. As a consequence, the

mateur will not find straightforward to deviate from standard 3pts perspectives constructions with 3D

design programs.

Below, left, is a classical 3pts perspective representation of a building that the observer knows to be

rectangular prismatic without drawing effect. On the right, it is a perspective representation that is not

following perspective rules. But, the observer can still think that the building has a rectangular

prismatic shape.

How to use a 3D vector graphics drawing program?

Computer Aided Design -CAD- programs, used by engineers, are 3D vector graphics programs that

allow to build, or draw, objects in 3D by using conceptual mathematics. In these programs the use of

maths is maximized, because engineers like mathematics.

Thus, objects are represented in a 3D space with axes and units, parts are defined by mathematical

curves, points are located with coordinates, and many types of equations are used that designers want

to modify.

Typical usage is to create models of things to make, that can combine measurements of real parts

optically scanned, and new parts designed for their functions and manufacturing processes (example

of engineers' occupations on this video).

From an image rendering point of view, illustration, animations, it is not necessary to maximize the use

of maths and the programs minimize the use of mathematics, to allow more creativity.

Such programs with an “artistic” purpose can have typical functionalities like the followings:

• “Manual” 3D sculpting, a way to create objects governed by 3D space properties, without

            positioning or defining objects formally (without knowing equations of the surfaces or

            coordinates of nodes or vertices);

• Rendering and effects of a 3D source of light

• Texture with 3D aspect and their making

• 3D space representation and its illusion

• Multiple angles of views (front, top, bottom, rear, …)

• Motion of the objects, rotation, translation

Typical usage of these 3D “artistic” tools is to make illustrations using digital treatment like filters,

special effects, or to combine these digital visuals in an animation motion picture (as illustrated on this

webpage https://disneyanimation.com/technology/).

Nevertheless, creative drawing is the underlying pillar of these film making activities (“combining

masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology”, they say) as shown by this series

(snipped from the Dysney’s web page above).

Example of a 3D vector graphics drawing tool

For whom interested in taking a look, it is always possible to refer to the free resources (post) as a starting point.

The example used for this section is the 3D creation software blender (site, wikipedia).

Blender started as an in-house software -for the service to a company-, like, we can imagine Disney or

Dreamworks might have as well, has today the following features:

• Modeling;

• Sculpting;

• Story Artist;

• Rendering;

• Animation & rigging (skeletal animation);

• VFX (is a post-production toolbox for rework);

• Video Editing;

• Scripting (as said in another post is the core activity for automation and batch mode);

• User Interface customization features;

• Simulation;

• Pipeline (for naming import/export problematics from/to other platforms like Universal Scene Description

            for collaborative filmmaking).

Link to document