Sea Creature

The creature is finally done but definetly not to the standed I would of liked. Having gotten the weeks confused I was put in a position where I had to rush the creature. I Had major problems with the rigging/animating mostly because the custom rig I made was my first ever rig and also my lack of experience with them. I am however proud that I was able to make a rig although really poorly.

From doing this project I found new ways to model and animate. I also learnt for the first time rigging and retopologizing as well as texturing in Mudbox. I am eager to further explore textures but not sure about rigging just yet.

Creature Project

Ok so whilst boarding the plane back to Brisbane I found out that our creature project was due today at 12pm. Kind of weird having assessments due on a Sunday but regardless I have been up all night attempting to finish it. I quickly textured it and now I'm watching this tutorial on Rigging since I have no idea how to rig. Due to family matters I missed the lecture on rigging so now I'm down to the last minute rush to finish the rig and animations.

http://www.digitaltutors.com/tutorial/336-Introduction-to-Character-Rigging-in-3ds-Max#play-19113

Having problems with the rigging process because I have never done it before. I believe my creature needs a custom rig which is annoying but the movement for it is unique and their are no pre made rigs that have a similar movement in Max.

Independant project

Ok so I've started with making the assets for the Chernobyl like environment. I've spent a lot of time searching the net for information and watching tutorials on how to create buildings and trees. I've attached a few links below.

http://www.game-artist.net/forums/support-tech-discussion/11251-trees-beginners-3ds-max-tutorial.html

http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/16/ENU/3ds-Max-Help/files/GUID-7FD701DB-3009-4E1E-9ABE-5A322B613D23.htm

http://www.3dm3.com/tutorials/tree/

http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Creating-Forest-Scene-in-3DS-Max/81703

Update long awaited

The independent project has kicked off with only 2-3 weeks left. I've spent time and researched some techniques and processes to follow so that I can quickly model my environment.

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The creature has now been fully unwrapped and I am currently looking into some textures for it. I'm thinking along the lines of crocodile skin and the membrane of a fish fin for the tail.

A new week

http://www.hippydrome.com/Skeleton.html

This week I'm taking a crack at the topology of my model. It's current;y hovering at 11,173 polys and I would very much like to bring it down to around 5 or 6 thousand.

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I've looked at and practiced more concept art processes with the guidance of Azam. The first concept art and photo reference process I have ever done. I have started another more complex one where I will focus more on the color correctness etc.

Texture site

Azam showed me this site along with CG textures. 

http://www.mayang.com/textures/Metal/html/Flat%20Metal%20Textures/index.html

The site linked has pretty useful references that when altered in Photoshop for tiling can be used for a range of models.

Update on projects

We are about half way through the trimester. I have almost completed the sea creature. I started of with the concepts in Photoshop and then imported the concept/model sheet into 3ds max to begin the modelling process. I finished the low poly model in 3ds max and passed my model onto Alicia you has created a high poly model in mud box.

In regards to the Chernobyl project, I have realized that I don't really need any concept art because there are numerous pictures that I could work off. However I am interested in making concept art for personal use so I will be watching some tutorials and digitally painting in Photoshop to pull of some concepts.

No progress yet on the client logo however I have learnt some interesting techniques that will help me when I start drawing it.