Procedural Animation Algorithm For Sasandu Playing Performance in 3D Animated Film 'Bako'

Abstract

Many techniques can be implemented to create a 3D animation; one of them is procedural animation. Procedural animation is a type of animation in which all movements are created using programming languages or scripting. This technique is very effective to animate repetitive movements. Therefore, the motion created using procedural algorithms in "Bako" 3D animation short film is playing musical instruments. Phyton is used as the scripting language, with Sasandu as the musical instrument. Sasandu is a unique musical instrument of the island of Rote that is starting to go extinct. Playing the Sasandu is rela-tively difficult to animate manual-ly, as we have to keep synchronizing it with the melody and tempo of the music. In the attempt of creating a fluid and believable animation of the finger striking, the rig should also be adjusted to mimics the structure of the hand and the human joints. Also, the logic of the algorithm cre-ated should be able to create a proper strum-ming movement with the tone and timing. This is to make sure that the resulting animated movements are correct according to the song's notations.

 Keywords: Procedural animation, scripting, rigging, music, Sasandu