Introduction to Modeling

Kathryn P. Acosta
3D
 DEFINITION: MODEL
• A model is a program which has been developed to copy the way a system works
in real life.

• It uses mathematical formulas and calculations to predict what is likely to

happen based on data recorded about what actually did happen in the past.
 BAGUIO
CATHEDRAL
MALL OF ASIA
 3D MODELS
• 3D models are used to portray real-world and conceptual visuals for art, entertainment,
simulation and drafting and are integral to many different industries, including virtual
reality, video games, 3D printing, marketing, TV and motion pictures, scientific and medical
imaging and computer-aided design and manufacturing CAD/CAM.
• Some 3D models are constructed from NURBS (non-uniform rational b-spline), smooth
shapes defined by bezel curves, which are relatively computationally complex. The typical
base of a the model is a 3D mesh; the structural build consists of polygons.
 3D MODELS
• There are two principle reasons for building 3D models on the computer: image-making and
simulation.
 SIMULATION
• It requires models that are accurate. Some simulations test two models mathematically to see
if they t together within some tolerance;
*the result is simply a yes or no answer, rather than an image.
• Consider a simulation that tests the strength of the roof of a new stadium under conditions of
heavy rain: it's critical that the simulated roof have exactly the intended shape in order to
determine how much rain will roll o
the sides.
• An airplane wing also must be modelled with high accuracy if we expect to learn anything
meaningful about its lift characteristics when actually built.
• Some 3D models define surfaces through shaders, programs that mathematically define
color, light play and other surface characteristics. Other models define color, specularity,
surface texture, and light emission through a series of 2D image files called maps, especially
those used in games where raster graphics are needed to deliver real-time frame rates.
 IMAGE-MAKING
• It requires models that look good.
• They need to be sufficiently complex that they aren't boring to the eye, and sufficiently
realistic (when that's the goal) to pass convincingly as a good description of the real shape.
• The ultimate arbiter of the model's quality is the person who looks at the picture
 DEFINITION: SIMULATION
Computer simulations use computer models to also
predict how a system will behave given a set of
conditions. Again, they are created through
mathematical formulas.

The difference between a model and a simulation is

that a simulation often uses something physical to
mimic the system.

A very good example of a simulation is a flight

simulator.
Another example of a simulation is a thrill ride
simulator somewhere like Disneyland.
Another form of simulation is Virtual Reality.
 WHY ARE MODELS USED?
• To test a system without having to create the system for real
(Building real-life systems can be expensive, and take a long
time)
• To predict what might happen to a system in the future (An
accurate model allows us to go forward in virtual time to see
what the system will be doing in the future)
• To train people to use a system without putting them at risk
(Learning to fly an airplane is very difficult and mistake will be
made. In a real plane mistakes could be fatal!)
• To investigate a system in great detail (A model of a system can
be zoomed in/out or rotated. Time can be stopped, rewound,
etc.)
 3D MODELING
• It is a visualization and analytical tool with many purposes and benefits.
• Modeling enables ideas to be communicated, structural feasibility of designs to be tested via
simulations, and parts and assemblies to be iteratively improved prior to fabrication.
• Modeling saves companies valuable time, money, and resources and is an integrated part of
automotive, defense, engineering, fashion, architecture, energy, game design, entertainment,
and medical industries, among others.
 DISADVANTAGES
• The results depend on how good the model is and how much data was used to
create it in the first place.

• Models and simulations can't ever completely re-create real-life situations.

• Not every possible situation may have been included in the model.

• The equipment and software are expensive to purchase.

• Staff need to be trained how to use the software and equipment.

EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER
MODELLING
 DESIGNING SAFER CARS
A computer model of a car can be used to test
how safe the design of the car is in a crash.

The virtual car can be crashed over and over

again, the effects investigated and the design
easily changed until it is as safe as possible.

This is much quicker and cheaper than

building and crashing real cars!
 WEATHER FORECASTING
A computer model of a weather system can be used to
predict storms.

The wind patterns, temperatures, etc. for the whole

planet are simulated using very powerful computers. If
the computer model is accurate (it is very difficult to
make an accurate model since our planet is rather big)
then weather forecasters can use it to ‘fast-forward’ into
the future to see a prediction of what the weather will
be tomorrow, next week, next month.

(Since weather is so complex, and the models are not

(yet) accurate enough, often the weather forecast is
wrong!)
 BRIDGE DESIGN
A computer model of a bridge can be used to test the design.

Bridges have to be able to survive extreme weather conditions. It is

obvious not practical to build a real bridge and then wait to see if it
falls down in a storm. Instead, a computer model of the bridge is created
and tested in virtual storms.

If the model breaks, it can be quickly and cheaply re-designed and re-
tested. If it doesn’t break, the real bridge can be built, confident that it
will survive real storms.

Bridges can also be tested to see if they can cope with heavy traffic.
The virtual bridge can be loaded with a traffic jam of virtual trucks to
check that it won’t collapse.

A similar system is used by building designers, especially for very large

or tall buildings, such as skyscrapers.
 RUNNING A BUSINESS
A computer model of a business can be used to help
predict future profits.

If the workings of a business can be modelled

accurately, in particular the financial systems, then
these models can be used to make predictions. The
models are used to help answer ‘what if …?’ type
questions, e.g. “What if we decrease the workforce
by 15%? Will our profits increase or decrease?”

Based on the answers that the model gives, the Spreadsheets are often used to
managers of the business can make decisions. model the financial systems of a
business.
 TRAINING PILOTS
Trainee pilots have many hours of lessons in flight simulators before being
allowed to fly a real airplane.

Flight simulators behave almost exactly like real airplanes since they are controlled
by a computer with a very accurate and realistic model of the airplane. The main
difference is that the simulator can’t actually crash!

Pilots can make mistakes without putting anyone’s life at risk.

Flight simulators can provide a pilot with any number of highly realistic flying
situations: storms, engine failures, low cloud hiding the runway, etc.

The experience that pilots gain whilst using the simulator means that when they
eventually start flying real airplanes, they already have many of the required skills.
 WILLIAM FETTER
• 3D animation often attributed to him
• Worked for Boeing in 1960s using computers to animate and design
certain models
• “The Boeing Man” – 3D representation of human
• American graphic designer William A. Fetter, introduced the term
computer graphics for the new computer based designing technique that
he employed as supervisor with the Boeing Company in Wichita
(Kansas, USA), and from which Computer Aided Design (CAD) was
soon to be developed. CAD stands for the three dimensional shaping of
architectural or physical forms with the assistance of the computer. The
software of the drawing programmes was developed at the beginning of
the 1960s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in
Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA) and is used in construction
development. (…)
Numerous drawings and films were produced with three-dimensional
wire frame models of pilots, cockpits and aircraft. Although Fetter’s
works could be classified as commercially applied art, they were on a
high aesthetic standard and were awarded numerous art prizes.”
(Herzogenrath et al., 2007)
 3D MODELS
• Frederic Parke created 3D human face model in 1972
• Edwin Catmull created digitized hand in 1973. He found inspiration in Disney
movies such as Peter Pan and Pinocchio and dreamed of becoming a feature film
animator.
 FUTUREWORLD
• Edwin Catmull and Frederic Parke worked on movie called Futureworld
in 1976
• First major feature film to use computer generated images (CGI)
• Featured 3D human face and hand
 EDWIN CATMULL
• Computer scientist – contributed to many important developments in computer graphics
• 2001 - became president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios
• One of the founders of Pixar
 • 1977, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
• George Lucas used 3D graphics to enhance film
STAR WARS • Success of film helped heighten 3D animation in
cinema
• Star Wars, space opera film series (created by 
George Lucas) that became one of the most
successful and influential franchises in motion
picture history. Begun in the 1970s and ’80s and
resuscitated at the turn of the 21st century, the
Star Wars films continually advanced the field of
motion picture special effects and developed into
an enormously lucrative merchandising industry.
 TRON

•Development began in 1976

•Released in 1982, contained live action and computer animation
•Tron one of first movies made extensive use of computer animation
•A computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in
gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic
security program.
•Director:
• Steven Lisberger
 JURASSIC PARK (1993)
• Realistic 3D dinosaurs
• George Lucas inspired to work on Star Wars again
 TOY STORY
• First feature-length 3D animated movie in 1995
• Considered to be first animated feature generated completely on computers
 LORD OF THE RINGS: TWO
TOWERS
• First photorealistic motion captured for film
 TOY STORY

• From storyboard to final render, the

many steps in creation of digital
imagery
 STAR WARS
• Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom of the Menace in 1999
• Almost every shot enhanced with 3D animation
• Feature's realistic aliens and backgrounds
 FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS
WITHIN
• First animated feature to attempt photorealistic CGI (Computer–Generated Imagery) humans.
 3D TODAY
• 3D animation can be seen everywhere
• Big in movie industry, video games, ads
• Anyone can make it with available software
 REFERENCES
• https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/3D-model
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/computer-generated-imagery
 THE END
• Thanks!