Lego Shark Automaton

Software: Houdini | Responsible for all aspects

Based on the designs and resulting automaton created by Jason Allemann, this project recreates the automaton model and animation as accurately as possible in Houdini. The modeling of the shark and mechanisms that drive the animation was done through HScript expressions, and a little vex code. The model utilized a plethora of different procedural modeling techniques, especially the use of bbox function to position elements

The Shark automaton was created using Hscript expressions, some VEX code, and procedural modeling.

After testing a model method versus building the set out of individual Lego bricks, it was determined that the individual bricks gave the more appealing results. The individual blocks were beveled to give the Legos a more natural appearance.

Based on code and instruction from Deborahrfowler.com, the main mechanics of the animation utilize the Acos equation to calculate the angle to rotate the arms and for the shark body parts.

The center body section of the shark was animated by placing terminal points in the center of the spheres that connect the body parts together. A line then was drawn between the points on the tail and the head using an add node and the point HScript expression. The center body was then animated using a path deformer.

Reference