Perceived Realism in Art Directed Fluid Animation

Møller, Matias Brandt

4. term

Medialogy, Master

2017

2017-06-02

65

Formålet med dette speciale er at give en FX TD (teknisk ansvarlig for effekter) og andre, der arbejder med art direction (kunstnerisk styring) af væskeanimationer, en bedre forståelse af, hvordan brugen af body forces påvirker den oplevede realisme. Her betyder body forces eksterne kræfter, der lægges ind i hele den simulerede væske for at styre dens bevægelse. Studiet undersøger også, hvordan publikum opfatter den kunstneriske styring, og om den tiltænkte mening bliver forstået. Vi forventede, at mere kunstnerisk styring via body forces ville sænke den oplevede realisme, men samtidig kunne hjælpe med at formidle en bestemt følelse eller besked. For at teste dette lavede vi tre animationer med stigende grad af art direction og body forces. Animationerne blev vist i et brugerstudie med 114 deltagere (56 kvinder og 58 mænd) i alderen 16–61 år. Efter hver animation besvarede deltagerne spørgsmål om realisme og om den oplevede hensigt med den kunstneriske styring. Resultaterne viste, at en øget brug af body forces førte til en markant lavere oplevet realisme. Det er sværere entydigt at afgøre, om den ønskede følelse og besked altid går klart igennem, men resultaterne viser, at det kan lade sig gøre. Specialet tilbyder et fælles sprog og praktiske værktøjer, der kan hjælpe dem, der arbejder med kunstnerisk styring af væskeanimationer, med at nå deres mål.

The aim of this thesis is to help FX TDs (effects technical directors) and others who guide the look and feel of fluid animation understand how using body forces changes perceived realism. Here, body forces are external forces applied throughout the simulated fluid to steer its motion. The study also examines how viewers perceive the art direction and whether they understand the intended message. We hypothesized that increasing art direction through body forces would lower perceived realism, but could still be useful for communicating a specific feeling or message. To test this, we created three animations with progressively more art direction and body forces. These were shown in a user study with 114 participants (56 women and 58 men) aged 16–61. After each animation, participants answered questions about realism and about the intended meaning of the art direction. Results showed that more body forces led to a notably lower level of perceived realism. It is harder to conclude definitively whether the intended feeling and message are always conveyed, but our results show that it is possible. The thesis offers a shared vocabulary and practical tools to support people who art direct fluid animations in achieving their goals.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

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