Warping in 3D animation is primarily used for which purpose?

Warping in 3D animation is primarily used for deforming a mesh. This technique allows animators to manipulate the geometry of a 3D object, altering its shape and structure in a flexible way. By warping the mesh, artists can create dynamic movements and transformations, enabling characters or objects to express emotions, perform actions, or transition fluidly between different states.

This process is crucial in character animation, where the mesh might need to stretch or squash to portray more natural movements or to follow a particular motion path. It can also be applied in special effects to achieve realistic deformations, like the bending of a surface upon impact or the morphing of one object into another. Understanding how to effectively use warping techniques allows for greater creativity and realism in 3D animations.

The other options, such as creating background scenes, adding sound effects, or rendering final frames, focus on different aspects of the animation process that do not directly involve altering the geometry of 3D models, which is the primary function of warping.