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A real-time computer character has its beginnings similar to any animated personality, as in a series of design sketches on paper and in models sculpted in clay. These beginnings include key expressions that define the personality and movement of the character. Once approved, the character is modeled in 3D computer graphics using a combination of scanning, digitizing and constructing with commercial 3D modeling packages. The character's different key expressions are also modeled and will be used in the real-time performance animation. Digital paint artists add textures for skin, eye, hair, makeup and clothing, and the elements are all assembled in a specific manner for the in-house real-time system.Once constructed, the character can be animated with an appropriate set of data acquisition devices, including magnetic trackers, gloves, joysticks, and pedals connected to a Silicon Graphics® workstation. MEDIALAB's real-time animation system uses puppeteers, actors and specially trained system operators to control the computer-generated entity. Movements, manipulations, camera angle changes, and complex character animations are instantly visualized on screen.
Economies of scale occur when a character is used repeatedly in a series of productions such as a TV series, live shows, or for corporate mascots. Once developed, a character can be reused as a often as desired without further development costs. In addition, a character can have many incarnations in which simple color and clothing changes (texture changes) prepare it for other applications.