During my 2023 summer internship at Qingdao Virtual Reality Institute, I was involved in several projects, one of which was a key segment in a virtual reality interactive popular science video. In this particular project, my main responsibilities were centered around the detailed rigging and animating of characters using Autodesk Maya. This included working on a diver model, which had been initially created by one of my colleagues.
The most intricate part of my role involved rigging, especially the skin weight painting for the diver's model. This task was challenging due to discrepancies between the software used by my colleague and myself, which led to differences in the model's performance. Furthermore, the model's construction with a triangular surface mesh added complexity to the weight painting process. Nevertheless, I successfully overcame these challenges by seeking solutions on the official Autodesk community forum, learning from YouTube tutorials, and drawing on the expertise of experienced colleagues.
For the animation aspect, I committed to ensuring a high degree of realism. I observed and recorded human movements, using these as a direct reference for the animations. This approach was vital in achieving lifelike and accurate movements for the characters, adding depth to the virtual reality experience.
This internship, particularly the work on this segment, not only showcased my technical skills in rigging and animation but also my problem-solving capabilities. It was an invaluable experience that enhanced my proficiency in these areas and prepared me for future endeavors in the field of virtual reality and animation.
