The "Pressure. Release. Animate." (PRA) Tools are a collection of Python scripts and UI enhancements designed for Autodesk Maya to create a workflow for animators that allows for more productivity, intuitivity and efficiency by improving direct control, speed and simplicity helping to gain flow.
The provided tools are based on results from the research for my similarly titled thesis paper created as part of the curriculum my master degree at the Utrecht School of Arts & Technology. The thesis revolves around the center question: How to hold a better creative flow, so improving productivity and intuitivity, by using a customized toolset for 3D character animation? The thesis presents a rule set for creating tools to enhance flow and creativity in the act of animating in 3D software. Even more, it also provides a generous amount of concepts and designs that are interesting for near-future development towards an easier 3D work environment.
In conjunction with the creation of an animated short, called Mac 'n' Cheese (2011), a proof of concept has initially been created to test out ideas and help define guidelines for enhancing flow even better combined with the findings of the field research done for the thesis.
For information on how to install the tools, see setup.
For more information on my research, see thesis.
For more on Mac 'n' Cheese (2011), see Mac 'n' Cheese.
For more on our studio Colorbleed, see colorbleed.nl.