Character Study: Background
The program I’ve been using to evolve “Walker” animations is an open source evolutionary simulator called Breve. It was developed by Jon Klein and is based on evolved virtual creature studies done by Karl Simms. I don’t remember where I first ran across simulations of creatures “learning” to move, but I was immediately struck by the expressive quality of the generated motions. Some examples:
The expressive potential of the simulations along with the conceptual potential of incorporating computationally devised solutions into my creative process was irresistible. So, for the past 18 months, with research support from the University of Michigan, I’ve been playing with the possibilities of evolved, simulated movement and trying to piece things together into a sustainable project. Below is a summary and a few videos that document what I’ve accomplished so far. More to come.
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Character Study: WalkerOne
Like the rabbit hole that Alice falls through into Wonderland, three dimensional computer simulators are a portal to virtual worlds where the parameters of physical reality can be mimicked and altered. As the first subject of inquiry in a series of character movement studies, WalkerOne was placed in such an environment and challenged to scramble as far from its starting point as possible in twenty seconds (see video #1). Another fourteen members of WalkerOne’s generation also endeavored to roll, twitch, twist, flop, and lunge as far and as quickly as they could with their given physical capacities. The two who were most successful were selected to be moved ahead to the next generation—along with thirteen new walkers whose capabilities were assigned by random mutation of the previous generation’s traits. The cycle was repeated thousands of times.
For the purposes of Character Study, where each creature ends up and which one goes the farthest is of little significance; what matters is how they get there. Rather than computationally employing the principles of evolutionary biology to optimize efficiency, Character Study animates digital creatures in simulated environments to procure sequences of serendipitously poignant and expressive body movements. From this construct, which is both scientific experiment and improvisational comedy, emerge bodies and behaviors that are odd and unreal, but also alluringly familiar and right. The simulations are metaphorical trial runs that test ways of being in a difficult and indifferent world; vignettes of individual potential contending with corporeal realities and opportunities for adaptation. In other words, typical stories of daily life within a body.
Character Study: WalkerOne (simulation), video of 3D simulation, 2009. The first movie below documents the beginning of WalkerOne’s evolution. The view is looking into the simulator as the camera follows the creature’s movement. Each time a new creature appears at “Start,” a new “Driver” (set of physical capabilities) is initiating its test run. This cycle is repeated thousands of times.
Character Study: WalkerOne (level), video of 3D animation, 2009. In the simulator, the position and orientation of WalkerOne’s joints are recorded at precise intervals and exported to a 3D modeling and animation program. After review, sections of the recorded movements are selected and applied to a more refined model of WalkerOne’s morphology to animate its movement. Surface textures are assigned to the model to further develop its’ character and finally it is rendered as a looping animation. The point of view in WalkerOne (level) is near the ground at nearly the same level as the creature.
Character Study: WalkerOne (down), video of 3D animation, 2009. The third video is a slightly longer animation and puts the viewer in a position of looking down from above the creature. All background information is removed and the video is prepared so that what appears white on a computer screen (as it is here) is transparent when projected making WalkerOne appear to be walking directly on the projection surface (floor or ground).
