Ionizing Radiation-Induced Cataractogenesis Animation
Overview
Client: Animation III Course Instructor Rex Twedt
Software: 3DStudio Max, Visual Molecular Dynamics, Zbrush, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe AfterEffects
Primary Audience: Undergraduate level biology students
This animation describes the genetic mechanisms that can be altered by ionizing radiation and result in posterior subcapsular cataracts. Genetic mutations induced by ionizing radiation prevent proper lens epithelial cell differentiation and lead to opacification of the lens. The process is depicted at multiple scales, providing the viewer with anatomical context in addition to understanding of the process at molecular and cellular levels.
Research and Storyboard
The development of this animation began with an in depth review of relevant primary literature. I began to synthesize this complex yet fascinating topic into a concise story with an audience appropriate level of detail. In order to ensure scientific accuracy, I consulted Dr. Eleanor Blakely, a Senior Biophysicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a leader in this area of research.
Once the scientific story and animation script were solidified, I began to collect visual references and look-and-feel examples to compile into an organizational chart. I used this chart as reference as I began to explore possible shot compositions, transitions, and story telling approaches through sketching. I later transformed the sketches into a polished storyboard, complete with audio and animation direction.
Animatic
By creating an animatic, I conveyed three dimensional camera movement, motion, and audio for the full animation. This intermediary step enabled me to obtain feedback from my peers and professor on the storytelling element of the animation. I integrated this feedback into a revised animatic before beginning to incorporate final models, materials, and lighting as needed for the final animation.
IRIS Animation and compositing
I conducted a series of animation tests using TyFlow, a node-based particle simulation plugin, to find the ideal approach for the stylized iris depicted in this animation. The final result included multiple toruses which served as targets for TySplines spawning off one torus.
Next, I added second layer of TyMeshed TySplines and toruses on top of the first layer to depict the collarette of the iris. I directed these splines to find the nearest vertex of innermost toruses, which were structured in a way that encourage v-shaped branching of the splines. I added an additional torus to represent the pupillary ruff before animating it to contract along with the rest of the iris. Lastly, I applied noise and gradient ramps to the iris to give it organic color and texture.
Using Arnold, I rendered multiple render passes as EXR files in order to retain luminance data, enable color correction, and incorporate Z depth. Each layer of splines, the cornea, and the sclera were rendered separately to allow for flexible compositing in Adobe Aftereffects.
DNA animation and compositing
The DNA was constructed using a sequence of nucleotides downloaded from the Protein Data Bank. I isolated individual nucleotides and adjusted the molecular representation using Visual Molecular Dynamics. In 3DS Max, I created segments of DNA which contained two rotations and 21 base pairs. I duplicated these segments and constrained them to an animated spline, resulting in a complete and unwarpped DNA strand.
A simple TyFlow event was used to create ionizing radiation particles that collide with an unrenderable cylinder aligned to the same spline as the DNA. By using the low-poly cylinder rather than colliding particles into the DNA, I was able to better optimize the simulation. An object ID was applied to the TyFlow particles in order to enable flexible compositing.
Upon completion of the first draft of the animation, which featured revamped audio and sound design, I once again obtained feedback from peers and faculty before revising and finalizing the animation.
