Alice In Wonderland: 3D Modeling & Animations

Description
Description
Description

I 3D modeled and animated the Alice and Cheshire Cat 3D characters for USC Libraries' AI chatbot. I created these fully rigged characters to serve as interactive guides for the Cassady Lewis Carroll Collection, upgrading the project from 2D artwork to a lifelike 3D experience.

Technical Info
Technical Info
Technical Info

Client: University of Southern California (USC) Libraries
Role: 3D Modeler, Rigging & Animation Renders
Scope:haracter Sculpting, Rigging, & Animation videos for AI integration
Year: 2020

Tools

Brief & Scope
of the Project

Brief & Scope
of the Project

Brief & Scope
of the Project

Brief & Scope
of the Project

The Brief

USC Libraries provided unique 2D character artwork to be translated into animated 3D models for their AI chatbot. My goal was to faithfully adapt these specific artistic interpretations into functional 3D characters while establishing a scalable pipeline for the project's massive animation

USC Libraries provided unique 2D character artwork to be translated into animated 3D models for their AI chatbot. My goal was to faithfully adapt these specific artistic interpretations into functional 3D characters while establishing a scalable pipeline for the project's massive animation

USC Libraries provided unique 2D character artwork to be translated into animated 3D models for their AI chatbot. My goal was to faithfully adapt these specific artistic interpretations into functional 3D characters while establishing a scalable pipeline for the project's massive animation

Contribution

I engineered a custom pipeline iterating between Character Creator and ZBrush to sculpt specific anatomy and clothing details. The workflow concluded in C4d + iClone for rigging and animation, where I processed thousands of audio files to generate lip-syncs for every AI response.

I engineered a custom pipeline iterating between Character Creator and ZBrush to sculpt specific anatomy and clothing details. The workflow concluded in C4d + iClone for rigging and animation, where I processed thousands of audio files to generate lip-syncs for every AI response.

I engineered a custom pipeline iterating between Character Creator and ZBrush to sculpt specific anatomy and clothing details. The workflow concluded in C4d + iClone for rigging and animation, where I processed thousands of audio files to generate lip-syncs for every AI response.

Outcome

I delivered accurate 3D adaptations of Alice and two distinct Cheshire Cat variants, plus a specialized faded render. The final output included thousands of synchronized video files, creating a seamless and responsive visual interface for the collection.

I delivered accurate 3D adaptations of Alice and two distinct Cheshire Cat variants, plus a specialized faded render. The final output included thousands of synchronized video files, creating a seamless and responsive visual interface for the collection.

I delivered accurate 3D adaptations of Alice and two distinct Cheshire Cat variants, plus a specialized faded render. The final output included thousands of synchronized video files, creating a seamless and responsive visual interface for the collection.

Reference Artwork provided by USC

Reference Artwork provided by USC

Reference Artwork provided by USC

Reference Artwork provided by USC

Artistic Requirements

The client provided distinct 2D artistic interpretations for Alice and the Cheshire Cat rather than standard character sheets. My primary goal was to translate these unique painterly styles into functional 3D geometry while preserving their specific aesthetic qualities.

The client provided distinct 2D artistic interpretations for Alice and the Cheshire Cat rather than standard character sheets. My primary goal was to translate these unique painterly styles into functional 3D geometry while preserving their specific aesthetic qualities.

The client provided distinct 2D artistic interpretations for Alice and the Cheshire Cat rather than standard character sheets. My primary goal was to translate these unique painterly styles into functional 3D geometry while preserving their specific aesthetic qualities.

Adaptation Strategy

I focused on capturing the whimsical essence of the original illustrations during the 3D transition. By using organic sculpting in ZBrush, I ensured the final animated characters felt like the original artwork coming to life rather than generic 3D models

I focused on capturing the whimsical essence of the original illustrations during the 3D transition. By using organic sculpting in ZBrush, I ensured the final animated characters felt like the original artwork coming to life rather than generic 3D models

I focused on capturing the whimsical essence of the original illustrations during the 3D transition. By using organic sculpting in ZBrush, I ensured the final animated characters felt like the original artwork coming to life rather than generic 3D models

Planing & 3D Pipeline

Planing & 3D Pipeline

Planing & 3D Pipeline

Planing & 3D Pipeline

Strategic Workflow

I began with pencil-on-paper sketches to map out a custom production pipeline, ensuring every technical constraint was solved before 3D production began. This planning phase defined the seamless interoperability between Character Creator, ZBrush, and iClone required for such a complex animation project.

I began with pencil-on-paper sketches to map out a custom production pipeline, ensuring every technical constraint was solved before 3D production began. This planning phase defined the seamless interoperability between Character Creator, ZBrush, and iClone required for such a complex animation project.

I began with pencil-on-paper sketches to map out a custom production pipeline, ensuring every technical constraint was solved before 3D production began. This planning phase defined the seamless interoperability between Character Creator, ZBrush, and iClone required for such a complex animation project.

Iterative Execution

The pipeline allowed for fluid iteration. Base meshes were generated in Character Creator, detailed and sculpted in ZBrush for artistic fidelity, and then rigged and clothed back in the main pipeline. Final assets were exported to iClone for high-volume animation rendering, ensuring consistent quality across thousands of deliverables.

The pipeline allowed for fluid iteration. Base meshes were generated in Character Creator, detailed and sculpted in ZBrush for artistic fidelity, and then rigged and clothed back in the main pipeline. Final assets were exported to iClone for high-volume animation rendering, ensuring consistent quality across thousands of deliverables.

The pipeline allowed for fluid iteration. Base meshes were generated in Character Creator, detailed and sculpted in ZBrush for artistic fidelity, and then rigged and clothed back in the main pipeline. Final assets were exported to iClone for high-volume animation rendering, ensuring consistent quality across thousands of deliverables.

Final Assets for their Repository AI

Final Assets for their Repository AI

Final Assets for their Repository AI

Final Assets for their Repository AI

Asset Delivery

I provided high-resolution .mp4 render deliverables for all four character variations: Alice, Red Cheshire, Yellow Cheshire, and the floating Faded Head. These master files served as the visual foundation for the client's web-based interface and marketing materials.

I provided high-resolution .mp4 render deliverables for all four character variations: Alice, Red Cheshire, Yellow Cheshire, and the floating Faded Head. These master files served as the visual foundation for the client's web-based interface and marketing materials.

I provided high-resolution .mp4 render deliverables for all four character variations: Alice, Red Cheshire, Yellow Cheshire, and the floating Faded Head. These master files served as the visual foundation for the client's web-based interface and marketing materials.

File Formats

Assets were supplied in .mp4 formats to ensure seamless cross-platform integration + the original iClone files. This approach guaranteed broad application compatibility and ease of use for the development team integrating these assets into the final AI chatbot interface.

Assets were supplied in .mp4 formats to ensure seamless cross-platform integration + the original iClone files. This approach guaranteed broad application compatibility and ease of use for the development team integrating these assets into the final AI chatbot interface.

Assets were supplied in .mp4 formats to ensure seamless cross-platform integration + the original iClone files. This approach guaranteed broad application compatibility and ease of use for the development team integrating these assets into the final AI chatbot interface.

Quality Assurance

Every delivered asset underwent rigorous quality checks to ensure perfect looping and visual fidelity. This attention to detail ensured that the characters maintained their lifelike presence even when idle, enhancing the overall user immersion of the final product.

Every delivered asset underwent rigorous quality checks to ensure perfect looping and visual fidelity. This attention to detail ensured that the characters maintained their lifelike presence even when idle, enhancing the overall user immersion of the final product.

Every delivered asset underwent rigorous quality checks to ensure perfect looping and visual fidelity. This attention to detail ensured that the characters maintained their lifelike presence even when idle, enhancing the overall user immersion of the final product.

iClone Animation Production

iClone Animation Production

iClone Animation Production

iClone Animation Production

Mass Animation Batching

The final phase involved a massive batch-rendering operation in iClone. I synchronized the 3D avatars with thousands of individual audio files provided by USC, generating thousands of unique, 1920x1080 high-quality video files to cover every possible response in the AI's database. ​

The final phase involved a massive batch-rendering operation in iClone. I synchronized the 3D avatars with thousands of individual audio files provided by USC, generating thousands of unique, 1920x1080 high-quality video files to cover every possible response in the AI's database. ​

The final phase involved a massive batch-rendering operation in iClone. I synchronized the 3D avatars with thousands of individual audio files provided by USC, generating thousands of unique, 1920x1080 high-quality video files to cover every possible response in the AI's database. ​

Automated Lip-Syncing

To handle the sheer volume of dialogue, I utilized automated lip-syncing tools within iClone, fine-tuning the results for natural movement. This allowed for the rapid production of thousands of synchronized animation files without sacrificing the expressive quality of the character performances.

To handle the sheer volume of dialogue, I utilized automated lip-syncing tools within iClone, fine-tuning the results for natural movement. This allowed for the rapid production of thousands of synchronized animation files without sacrificing the expressive quality of the character performances.

To handle the sheer volume of dialogue, I utilized automated lip-syncing tools within iClone, fine-tuning the results for natural movement. This allowed for the rapid production of thousands of synchronized animation files without sacrificing the expressive quality of the character performances.

Interactive AI Chatbot with Alice in Wonderland

The project culminated in a fully interactive educational experience. My 3D characters now serve as the "living" face of the USC Cassady Lewis Carroll Collection, seamlessly blending thousands of synchronized animations with real-time AI to answer visitor questions.

The project culminated in a fully interactive educational experience. My 3D characters now serve as the "living" face of the USC Cassady Lewis Carroll Collection, seamlessly blending thousands of synchronized animations with real-time AI to answer visitor questions.

The project culminated in a fully interactive educational experience. My 3D characters now serve as the "living" face of the USC Cassady Lewis Carroll Collection, seamlessly blending thousands of synchronized animations with real-time AI to answer visitor questions.

Visit the Live Project: https://interviews.usc.edu/chat/alice