'HAKO' Short Film Animation

Technical Process

The animation was created using the 3D software Blender, employing various methods for character modeling, texturing, and rigging. A visual style was used that allowed working with objects without UV maps, as it utilized world coordinates instead of object coordinates (left figure). For the cel-shading (right figure), a simple node was used to transform the light into one color and the shadow into another, thus maintaining a constant visual distinction between reality and the dream.

Animation Process

In the animation process, two different methods were followed: Keyframe Animation and Motion Capture. Depending on the animation and its demands, these two methods were extensively used, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Keyframe Animation: On one hand, it allows for greater control over the animation and its timing; however, it was a more time-consuming process and could result in movements that were less human-like and smooth.

Motion Capture: While it saves time, it requires many corrections and adjustments, which can often be difficult to fix (e.g., walking) and can sometimes result in awkward movements.

Shader

The shader process began with the creation of normal maps and hand-painted textures in Krita, which were then applied to the models to enhance detail and color. These maps combined technical extraction with artistic intervention to achieve a more expressive and stylized look.

Example of shader process applied

Afterwards, the maps were integrated into Blender through a custom shader. Several tests were carried out on different objects, ranging from characters to simple props, in order to refine the interaction between textures and lighting until the desired effect was achieved.

Finally, a cel-shading material was developed to unify the project’s aesthetic. This approach reinforced the 2D-like visual identity while ensuring consistency between characters and environments, maintaining a coherent style throughout the animation.