The Power Tree - Modelling and Rigging by Carys Lewis

Modelling and Rigging by Carys Lewis

I used the software Autodesk Maya to model the tree, and some basic aspects of the environment, like the clouds and the moon for the night time scene. I followed my drawing fairly closely, but definitely wanted to do something special for the leaves as they're the most important animation in the video. I decided to model and rig a leaf that would uncurl itself when the sun comes up, so it can open up to collect the solar energy! I did this by making the leaf shape, and then rigging it with some joints that allowed it to bend in certain places. I kept it quite geometric to give it a more mechanical look.