From starting my first animation and model (of a simple ball) to my most recent one (a little black cat), I would say that I made decent progress in my development.
In 3Ds Max, I learned a variety of tools and techniques when it comes to building and creating. For example, I have learned how to create simple primatives and shapes and then make them more complex via surface modeling, specifically by using different modifiers and creating editable surfaces then building up from there. One of the most valuable tools that I learned was the array tool. This would allow me to create a lot of copies of a shape and lay them evenly in a row with the click of a button, which would be very helpful in detail work and creating a model such as a fence. My skills grew as I went through a series of trials and errors during many of my models. One that I can recall rather clearly was the chess model piece. For this model, I was tasked with creating a pawn using the lathe modifier and spline tool. It was the latter that gave me the most trouble—being like a more complex version of a mouse—especially when it came to creating curves. I had to redo this model so many times and nearly gave up on it. It was through perseverance that I was able to complete it and any of the more frustrating models to come. In this class, I have enjoyed many of the models I created, and I also enjoyed the freedom of what we could create. On the other hand, I would say that I struggled the more complicated the model and/or assignment was. This is due to the fact that I constantly strive for perfection in my art. As for improvement, I plan to invest myself more in my assignments outside of school and take advantage of tutoring time during lunch for more practice. As for general improvement, I plan to better familiarize myself with tools and focus more intently on assignments so as to not fall behind and produce the best product I can.
0 Comments
I decided on this model placement from two things: the dinner scene from Lady and the Tramp and the reference which is similar to one I saw on Instagram. I thought that it would be a funny idea of having two cats having a wine date one their human's desk. As for the placement of each model, I tried to make it look real in a sense, where the view can pick up on the cats and their actions easily.
For surface modeling techniques, I used a combination of simple shapes and connecting them. I also used specific modifiers, such as the edit poly modifier, so I could create a seamless blend hen it came to the cats' tails muzzles or ears. A few challenges the came were seamlessly blending parts of the models to the scene, as they seemed choppy. The struggles came with the cat specifically. I overcame these by simplifying the shapes and making the model easier on the eye so the techniques could work more smoothly. Overall, I believe that my scene achieved a decent level of cohesion. Personally, I think I could have developed a better scene with more to work with and a better time length to complete it in, so next time, I will try to work on my class assignments more quickly and efficiently to gain better knowledge, time, and structure for my personal projects. I started this project with optimism, very excited to make a whimsical fairy-like atmosphere of flowers and mushrooms. To create the mushrooms and rocks, I used the taper, noise, and the mesh smooth tool. I really enjoyed making the mushrooms and fiddling with the noise tool to get the perfect shape. For the rocks, I used the same set of tools, stretching proportions to make them flat or tall, and I for the rough rocks, I refrained from using the mesh smooth tool, and instead selected the fractal and roughness tool, fiddling with the amount on each to make the rock spiky or rough. The easiest part was the mushrooms because they had little complex components. The hardest part was the flowers, specifically the stem and leaves and using the bend tool because I just couldn't get them right and had to redo them multiple times over. I used my knowledge on modifiers, specifically with the modifiers listed above, and surface modeling to create the pieces. I extended my knowledge as I learned how to use new tools (the bend tool, the hemisphere shape, and more), and how to merge two files together. I don't think anything in this project could be improved. It was fun.
To preface this reflection, I would like to mention that I did not entirely enjoy this project as much as the other ones I've done. This is mainly due to the amount of times I had to restart the assignment, as well as technical difficulties in 3Ds Max that made the plane look off.
To begin the project, though, I created a box primative and made it into an editable poly. This was to be the base of the plane. The part I liked most in this project was probably the wings due to their complexity. On that note, the easiest part of the project was most likely the use of the extrude tool for the basic shapes of plane. The hardest part of the project was when I was getting ahead of myself with the complexity of the project and getting confused with what direction I wanted everything to face and how I wanted things to look. I could use the lesson in real life with future projects involving surface modeling. Along those lines, the skills I learned in this project were more advanced ways to use the extrude, bevel, connect, chamfer, and incent modifiers, as well an introduction to the symmetry modifier. After this project, I would say that I have a good understanding of these modifiers and how to use them when modeling. The main extension of my knowledge came with the symmetry tool, which I used to see how the half of the plane I was working on would alter the ending result. It also allowed me to create the ending result out of that one half of the plane. Overall, I don't think this lesson should be improved, as it clearly pushes students to advance their skills. |
Disclaimer StatementThe views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do no represent those of Chapel Hill HS or Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. CategoriesArchives
May 2024
|