ABSTRACT
THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING a compelling digital character that looks and behaves in anappealing manner is a tremendous undertaking. Digital characters share the same difficulties inherent in traditional (hand-drawn) animation, but the trend toward realism presents many additional challenges. In this section, we will examine the design decisions that must be acknowledged in the development of a digital character and the pitfalls that can arise along the way. Characters created for live action integration and those for fully animated productions share the same challenges, and some of the best lessons come from theworlds of illustration and robotics. Also, in this section, we will look at how digital characters are being used in important areas such as education and user surveys, where the delicate connection between the character and the user makes all the difference between a successful exchange and an off-putting experience.
