Finding Nemo - The art of computer animation and water flow simulation

Last post discussed the snow simulation in Frozen, which is my favorite movie. 

As a Disney enthusiast, I will continue the discussion of computer graphics with the example of Finding Nemo(my second favorite movie) and explore the art of computer animation. John Lasseter, the executive producer of the film, said:“This movie absolutely raises the bar for Pixar and for the art of computer animation... The film is breathtakingly beautiful and filled with real drama, real emotion and depth, as well as great comedy."

Compared to the challenge of snow simulation Frozen, the biggest challenge in Finding Nemo was water flow simulation. First of all, the actions, textures and other details of water flow are hard to describe in English language and the staff at Disney had to invent new vocabularies in order to communicate. In addition, Disney invited scientists to present lectures on wave, swells and other motions. The team member even took a trip to Hawaii to study the water and sea life. 

Finally, water simulation was achieved by pioneering the new techniques in digital lighting, which were used to create realistic-looking water. Digital lighting is a technique that brightens evert scene in the same way as stage lighting. It further presents the emotion of each scene and better defines key, fill and bound lights. 

Key, fill, and bounce lights and room ambience are all defined and used to enhance the mood and emotion of each scene. Lighting takes its inspiration from the moody color scripts created by the art department. The underwater setting with lighting effect 

The water simulation technique was so realistic that the team decided to push back and de-emphasize to make the film more cartoony.

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Picture References:

1. https://www.google.com/search?q=Finding+Nemo&biw=1280&bih=583&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL0LmjtoLPAhUDZCYKHdl5CW0Q_AUIBygC&dpr=2#imgrc=4MsDpdUl--_MpM%3A
2. https://www.google.com/search?q=finding+nemo+animation+disney&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjLwarktoLPAhVLPCYKHUnjCnMQ_AUICSgC&biw=1280&bih=583#imgrc=dc-kQA_h1JgL9M%3A

Writing References:
1. Use of Technology - http://pixar-animation.weebly.com/use-of-technology.html

2. The Making of Finding Nemo - http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/

the_making_of_finding_nemo

3. Finding the Right CG Water and Fish in 'Nemo' - https://renderman.pixar.com/view/computer-graphics-at-walt-disney-animation

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If you like Finding Nemo as much as I do, you can actually realize the dream of living with Nemo at Finding Nemo Rooms at Disney Art Of Animation Resort in Walt Disney World.  See below for the picture of the room.