High Tech Ping Pong Balls
Anyone that does 3D, or has opened a software package before knows that making a perfect sphere is a very quick procedure. They’re built in to almost all 3D applications these days.
The trick with this project is that the spheres need to be ping pong balls. One thing about a ping pong ball that makes it stand out from other spheres is the way that it reacts to light. If you look at a ping pong ball, you can see a phenomena called “subsurface scattering”.
What does that mean? Light enters the ball and bounces around inside the material, exiting at a different point than it would if the ball were clear. If you look at the equator of the sphere, you can see a line. This line is where they seal the two halves of the ball in it’s manufacture. The material is a bit thicker there, and that’s why you can see the line.
We plan on documenting as much of the creative process as we can to show you just how much work goes into a “simple” 30 second animated logo.
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On July 17th, 2006 at 12:00 am
the more research you’re doing with the simple ping pong ball, will make the animation come out even better!
On July 17th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Very cool Floyd! So glad that you are animating with the “personality” of ping pong balls in mind. Great attention to detail and I can’t wait to check back to see how it progresses.
On July 17th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I cant wait to see it either!
On July 17th, 2006 at 12:00 am
very informative science lesson on ping pongs floyd. can’t wait to see the development of the opening.
cool!
-jx