Scientific Animation in 3 Dimension for Communication

Mhairi Towler, John McGheeMasters in Animation and Visualisation

m.c.towler@dundee.ac.uk

Concept Art, Storyboard & 3D AnimationIntroduction

• Create a series of short (30 Sec) animations illustrating research areas of some of the Group Leaders from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression

• Design a hologram to make a visualisation of a dividing cell

The aim of this Masters project is to use 3D computer graphics to communicate science. Gael McGill, founder of Molecular Movies, states, ”Scientists are finding that the entertainment industry’s 3D software development efforts aimed at creating special effects and animated feature films provide powerful platforms for data visualisation” (McGill, 2008). Having worked as a scientific researcher, one challenge has been to explain my research to the layperson, because cell components can’t be seen by the naked eye. I therefore plan to create 3D visuals as a tool to help scientists explain cellular processes. Once people can visualise what is going on at a molecular level, they should understand. Inspired by work from Harvard BioVisions, I will create a series of short animations for scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression at the University of Dundee. Secondly, I will design a Hologram to be shown as an installation at the Masters Degree Show, a visualisation of a dividing cell. The research question I will explore is how to introduce colours and landscapes from the natural world to portray the inside of a cell. Previously the cell has been portrayed as a lunar landscape, almost like science fiction. I would like to challenge this view, as cells are real. In order to come up with my own personal interpretation for the landscape of a cell, I will look for inspiration from artists of the natural world e.g. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, as this may result in a novel portrayal of the cell interior.

Process

• Pre-production – Research and Development Production schedule agreed Script written Storyboarding/Style Boards Animatic Creation • Production – Modelling, Texturing and Lighting Animation • Post-Production – Sound effects and Music

Final edit and delivery

Aims

Examples

Concept Art – After the production of a script, visual research is carried out and concept art created to plan the visual element of the piece.

Storyboard – The animation is planned out in a series of drawn panels which are put together in a sequence called a 2D animatic. The animatic is The basis for the timing and layout of the final film.

3D Animation – Components are modeled using Autodesk Maya software. Lighting and textures are added and scenes are animated and rendered.

Comments from Dean of Learning and Teaching – “Students paid attention very well while the animation was playing”

Oral feedback from student – “It consolidated all the points covered during the lecture and put them into context”

Acknowledgements – Work done for the Eukaryotic Cell Project was done in collaboration with Janice Aitken from DJCAD. Thanks to the Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences for their

support with this project.

Eukaryotic Cell Learning Tool

PDB files of Propranolol and AMPK imported and rendered in Maya software.