How Pixar Achieved Realistic Animation in "Show"

The Evolution of Animation Technology

• The realism in Pixar's animation, particularly in "Show," is highlighted by the intricate details of character movements, such as fingers floating across keys and tendon movement.

• Pixar's journey to achieving realistic animations began with "Toy Story" 26 years ago, requiring significant technological advancements and a dedicated team of animators and technicians.

Character Rigging and Control Systems

• Character movement starts in the rigging department at Pixar, where internal skeletons are created for characters.

• An example from "Toy Story" shows Woody's initial model had 596 controls; however, by 2019, this number increased to over 7,000 for more nuanced movements.

• The introduction of reusable rigs like Gepetto and Presto allowed animators to adapt character models efficiently while enhancing control over movements and facial expressions.

Advancements in Facial Expressions

• Enhanced control systems led to more expressive facial animations; for instance, sea lions in "Finding Dory" were modeled using dog rigs adapted for their flippers.

• Animators incorporated human-like features into non-human characters (e.g., adding eyebrow-like protrusions on fish), allowing them to convey emotions effectively.

Challenges with Human Characters

• Human characters presented unique challenges; Mr. Incredible had a complex rig with 426 primary controls plus additional secondary ones for subtle movements.

• Reference materials were crucial; animators studied real-life body mechanics (e.g., lifting exercises) to create believable human actions.

Innovations in Movement Dynamics

• A new system called BOOM was developed to simulate how skin and muscles react during movement, providing greater flexibility and realism.

• This technology improved the depiction of challenging body parts like shoulders compared to earlier films.

Technological Breakthroughs in Future Projects

• For characters like those in "Cars," Pixar introduced ground-locking technology that maintained vehicle trajectories without frame-by-frame adjustments.

• By 2007, animators utilized up to 150 facial controls for richer emotional expression—essential for films set largely within human environments like "Ratatouille."

Balancing Old Techniques with New Innovations

Animation Challenges in Pixar Films

Simplifying Complex Characters

• The design choice for voice controls in characters was to keep it simple, opting for three controls instead of 25, despite the complexity of movements like flamenco.

• Animating the octopus character named Stretch presented significant challenges due to its eight tentacles, which required innovative techniques to achieve realistic movement.

Technical Innovations in Animation

• Hank, another octopus character from "Finding Dory," had over 350 suction cups on his tentacles that needed automated simulation for unpredictable movement.

• In "Coco," animators faced the challenge of making Miguel play the guitar accurately by placing cameras directly above the instrument to capture precise finger movements.

Advanced Techniques for Realism

• Pixar reused technology from "Coco" for other instruments, enhancing realism in scenes where characters played music.

• For piano scenes, Pixar filmed a musician playing from multiple angles and created a digital rig that allowed automatic playback synchronized with audio.

Character Control Complexity

• Joe's character required intricate hand movements while playing piano; he had 292 controls per hand to capture detailed gestures during performances.

• The development of contact rigs helped simulate finger movements effectively, similar to techniques used previously in "Coco."

Balancing Movement and Expression

• Joe's character had a total of 1,266 controls across his body and face to manage expressive animations while maintaining physical limitations like height and posture.

• Simpler characters often posed greater animation challenges; Terry’s design included around 300 controls allowing fluid transitions between forms.

Historical Context and Software Evolution

• The software innovations that enabled complex animations were built upon past experiences at Pixar, showcasing an evolution in their animation capabilities.