Post Four - Workflow/File Management

Task: You will need to explain how asset management and file management are applied in the development of digital media outcomes.

Assets

What is an Asset?
An asset is an element that can only be managed whilst using a certain programme.


Assets Used in Blender

• Lamp
• Camera
• Armature
• Cube

How Did I Manage Them in The Development of my Animation?

During the development of my animation, the key assets  I used in the Blender application were the cube, lamp, armature and camera.


Using the Cube was a key element in the creating of my animation as I was able to turn it into a human looking figure. This was achieved by at first, sub-dividing the cube into four, and then deleting half of the cube so I could use the mirror modifier. Adding the mirror modifier basically meant when I moved something on one half of the cube, the opposite of the cube would do exactly the same. This allowed me to create a symmetrical figure meaning all my limbs on both sides were exactly the same(length/width-wise).

Another key element I used was the lamp asset which allows light into the scene of your rendered object. The lamp can either reflect light onto a certain part of your object, mainly a feature you want emphasized or it can add light into the scene of your object.


The camera element was a key object I used during the creation of my animated object as the camera allowed me to view my rendered object from different point of views.

A key element in making my animation do the walk cycle was Armature. Armature is a type of object that is used for rigging. The armature works the same as all other assets in Blender as it has a center, position, can be rotated and also scaled to be bigger or smaller. I used Armature and was able to create my rig which is very similar to a human skeleton as the armature bones work/resemble(not in shape) real-life bones. The rig I created then acted as the skeleton for my model once parented with my mesh.


Files

What is a File?

A file is a document of some sort that is saved outside of the application it was created in usually either in a folder stored on a computer, cloud or external device.

File management is very important in the creation of digital media as the more organised your files are, the more easier it is not only for yourself to access what you need and when you need it, but also for others who may be working on your project as well.



How did I use file management effectively? 

I made sure to maintain a clear, simple structure in my INM folder that separated the completely different categories from each other as shown in the screenshot below. What this shows is that I had my models which were blender files in their own folder, my rendered out images for my animation in its own folder, and screenshots for my blog in its own folder.  This ensured that I was able to find any files I needed efficiently when they were needed.

This is a screenshot of my files for INM. I keep my models separate from my screenshots, and my different models separate as well so there is no confusion such as opening the wrong file due to a mix up.

Task Two

For this you will need to discuss the importance of effective and appropriate asset management and file management in the development of digital media outcome

The importance of effective and appropriate asset management in the development of a digital media outcome is that assets are easy to find and navigate through not only for yourself, but for others who may also work on your project. This also goes for file management as not keeping a logical structure is just asking for a mix up in files and will make it almost impossible to locate what you are looking for.