Using this tutorial on Lynda.com http://www.lynda.com/Maya-tutorials/Mirroring/83095/89989-4.html I started to learn more about extruding, mirroring and efficient modelling.
I also used image reference directly in Maya this time using image panes.
By creating a side and front view to work to it will make the modelling much easier, I won't have to guess where the nose/eyes etc should be I can match them directly to the image. It did make modelling much easier and quicker doing things this way.
These are some screenshots of renders using mental ray in maya and placing simple lighting.
I then revisited the model and added in eyes and hair and revisited the horns.
I added a basic material and colour close to what I envisaged the tone of the characters skin and exported the images into photoshop so that I could try painting over the details onto the model. I did this to try and see what it would look like before attempted UV mapping and texturing.
This is the first time I have used something I have modelled in 3D to paint over in photoshop, although this time it took quite a while for me to model so it's probably not the most efficient way to work for characters, I can see this technique being useful for me when drawing environments. Being able to block out 3D shapes quickly and know that the perspective is all correct, then painting over the detail could potentially save a lot of time and make my workflow more efficient.
This is the point where my project changes dramatically!
This week I had a tutorial with Mark to discuss what I intended for the project and what I had planned for the masters project. I decided it would be my aim to try and produce something interactive and I had planned to do this in 3D. However after the discussion we both agreed that this would be a lot of skills for me to learn before embarking on the MA project and if I wanted to make something interactive then it would be better to focus on learning skills for making an interactive game for ASU2 which I could then use in my MA project.
So I have decided to learn a new skill in Blueprint in UE4. Blueprint is a visual scripting language used in Unreal Engine 4. I know little about programming but because Blueprint uses a series of visual, almost like flow charts, I think it will be a lot easier to get my head around.
To make things as easy as possible, I'm going to carry on using the character and world designs I worked on last term. For submission I'm going to design and build a very small section of the game to demonstrate what I have learnt about Blueprint and UE4.
Although I didn't end up taking the idea of 3D modelling further I'm really glad that I took the time to brush up on my modelling skills and refresh my memory. I now feel much more confident in 3D modelling and feel that I have a firm basic knowledge of Maya. I plan to use 3D modelling more in my concept art, especially when designing environments.
No comments:
Post a Comment