Flying Pixels were commissioned by JABOD Production Company in 2004 to create bespoke animations for Smiths Aerospace corporate pavillion at the Farnborough Air Show.
The sequence required representations depicting retraction and deployment of the new A380 landing gear, specifically the electromechanical actuation systems supplied by Smiths.
Steve Hill, Lead Animator for the project, used PolyTrans extensively to convert CAD models, supplied by the client, into polygon meshes for use in Maya. "Working to a tight deadline,
the landing gear sequence offered a number of challenges" says Hill, "Data flow was a key concern for the client as they wanted to show the whole systems
integration story".
As well as data flow, the project also required the actuator elements be shown driving the landing gear model in a kinematically correct manner. To achieve this, the kinematics were
modelled using Maya's IK chains, expressions and constraints. "At a tradeshow it is important that sequences are both engaging and technically accurate when viewed by layman and expert
alike." continues Hill, "By moving the camera into the fuselage we could show the animated landing gear, bringing prominance to the product. CG offers us the opportunity to show systems in operation from angles impossible in the real world."
As a further challenge, there were no CAD models of the A380's body landing gear or wing landing gear available, so the structures were built using photographic reference, isometric views,
and even a plastic model kit. "Adapting our methods for the reference material helps keep our sequences fresh, we like to look around to see how we can achieve that extra edge. We
built the 3D airport environment which frames the take-off sequence as part of this philosophy." concludes Hill.
The eye-catching finished piece included a sequence of the A380 during take-off. Flying Pixels were the first to show the A380 leaving the ground, a year before the actual first
flight.
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