Final Push

Forgive my pause in posts. I have almost completed my 3D model and am in the middle of finishing an up to date turn around animation for my final 2D design.

In the last moments of my modelling I had some troubles with the rigging first with my attempts of IK and FK handle methods for the arms. In the end it was suggested as my model wasn't going to be used for animation I should stick to simple rotation handles to pose the character.

After fixing problems and binding my character I had to shift the knee controllers, as Sean said some of the deformations I was getting after the bind, was because the knee controllers were effecting the mesh by being too close. 

Then came time to pose, weight paint and prepare the model for render. Again some problems came up that were mostly caused by my lack of forethought. I will have to keep note to arrange the modelling process more logically so not to have the same problems in the future. I had attempted to use blender shapes for the face, but after breaking my skeleton I was unable to use blend shapes with the weight painted model I had just posed. (I should have blended the face first). So I decided to shift the eyes and eyebrows on the model itself, then render the scene. 

Based on the simple textures I decided to go for a simple image render and compile the 3D elements on a painted background, to better imitate the style of my earlier concept pieces.

(Original)

(Redraw)

So now it's just to paint the matte for behind the model and add snow effects, then the model and her scene will be finished. All in all this is the most complicated thing I have done within Maya, so I know each of the processes enough to apply to a new model. I just need to review how to complete an animatable rig which I plan to do during the winter break. 

Changes?

The future of the project.

Tomorrow the three of us that might have worked on this project in the future, are going to have a discussion with Phil, (Tutor) to see if the project will have to be discontinued. Not saying that I will stop development, as this project could be achievable at a later date but it seems it would probably be best for us to join other ventures. Though I won't bury this just yet, we have to discuss this with Phil first but I have a feeling that it may be for the best. 

On a lighter note I have almost completed the UV texturing for my model. I have UV mapped the items that I wished to paint so now I just need to finished the texturing. Though if I can figure out mudbox I may texture a few other pieces of the model in that software. I have found it hard to get the right tones in the maya engine. 

I used a mixture of Sean's PDF notes, recordings from the lessons and digital tutors lessons to get this far. So close to being complete!

I also completed the final designs for my girl main character and a more refined version of the reindeer god. Though if this were to be completed I would develop this design a lot more, but based off my earlier sketches in my sketch book. I prefer it to look more ethereal like this. 

This variation of colour is to represent the girl slowly fading away as she gets colder.

Hopefully I will have enough time once I finish my 3D work to completed a reviewed turn around animation or even a walk cycle. 

Troubles and Successes

I've been focused a lot on my 3D model and have hit a little bit of a brick wall. I've been looking at tutorials and forums to figure out why when I try to texture pieces of the model in mudbox, it just refuses to zoom in and the tools just mangle the model at a single tap. It may be a problem with the mesh, which is my own fault but I am unsure how to solve the problem and the solutions online do not seem to be working.

I will have to discuss it with Sean tomorrow and hopefully he may be able to help, and we might come up with a better solution for the fur than I have been using.

Other than that I have some more concept drawings and have been continuing idea sketches, working towards more finalised designs that will little to no development next semester.

Still plugging away

After a lesson with Sean Yu about rigging I knuckled down to try and get the most of my model done as possible, though I am having trouble with some of the extra details, such as the hood and the furred cuffs.

I am going to send a email to Sean though, as I have a few 'starring' problems especially around the face and by then I hope I have figured out how to model the extra things.

I also have been figuring out which elements from the designs I have come up with would be more suitable to animate in 2D with. Once I have completed the 3D model and background I want to put her in, I will do a few simple line tests with this design.

Keep on Trucking

So a little update with what I've gotten done so far.

I completed my first rough draft of the animatic, which I plan to update and refine with edits decided along with my group.

I then completed a model sheet of the main character of the film, prepped it and started to model my 3D rendering of her/him. Though I am continuing to explore the character, as i would like to have a more final and 2D animation friendly version ready for the second semester.

I've been having some trouble with the character's design age wise, trying to simplify the details and still have her/him appear young. So I've been adding facial and proportion studies as I sketch in the evenings, just to try and figure it all out. 

I also did another mood painting, wasn't happy with the character but I was focusing more on how to make them appear as if the colour/warmth was bleeding out of them. 

And another with the attack of the weather/wolf vision.

And finally for this blog out of my sketch book a conceptual drawing of the cold/wolf pack, tracking down our small protagonist. 

Mudbox and The Book of Life

Last Wednesday we had our first Mudbox tutorial with Phil and it is so much fun, I got it for my own computer so I could use it to experiment with landscapes for my main project. I will also probably use it to produce models to print physical versions of characters in the future.

My first attempts at remoulding a 3D scan of my head, a little bizarre but very fun to do.

Then on Thursday I went to watch the film The Book of Life in the Contemporary Art Centre. 

It was amazing and I will have to purchase the concept art book. The visuals and story were both amazing, but the promise of a film that reflected and was just as visually beautiful as the concept art was fully realised. Absolutely astounding in the design and a film that I can't wait to watch again. Once I have the chance!

Comics Day

On the 29th of October I was very pleased to be able to attend the comics day and literary festival that was held at the university.

I spent some money on some beautiful original artwork as well as some smaller publish comics, which the creators signed! 

Then there was the talks by some very fascinating people

Mr Phoenix and Mr Mill's talks were very inspirational to me and Mr Phoenix's book was just amazing, a sight that was like a once in a life time opportunity. I have made note also to start buying Grandeville, as the art in it is so good and the subject matter that Mr Talbot addresses in a lot of his works just interests me so much.

Turn around now

So a quick update with a line test 3/4 turn. I will have to redo another one once I have decided on a final design for main character, but I just needed to get some animation done, even if it was just semi turn


And here are the designs I did some turn around for a couple of the earlier drawings I did.

I also did another mood painting of what the scenery could be like.

Have a good one, 

Ciao.

Beginning of ideas

Starting to develop main project ideas.

So it started with an older image of mine that is connected with a storyline I've been wanting to develop for a while. 

So I began with doing some research on Inuit peoples and just drawing out a story board to get the main scenes down.

And I have designed the main character's look along side the story line. Basing the colours on these concept drawings.

Some early sketches.

Then some more developed versions.

 Once I have come up with a good version for the film I will contemplate wether to choose a different one to model in 3D or not. 

More Modelling

So just came back after a maya lesson with Sean, very cool. I can understand the basics of modelling as long as it is a chair or mattress, the animate objects and creatures are coming up later and I'm pretty excited to have a go.

I'm working on ideas for my character, as well as a vague plot for a final film, which I'll update about more over the weekend, and possibly on Monday after the production meeting as well. 

From the first lesson with Phil. Learning the very basics and how to navigate the interface

And these are from today. Not textured and such, but this much more advanced than anything I have attempted before. 

48 Hour Film Complete

Yes yesterday after a little panic over rendering issues we finally showed our finished version of Taynosaur! It turned out better than I expected but there were some very talented people in my group and the class as a whole produced some very cool films, it seems we all have a good sense of humour. 

So now begins the research and development part of this semester. If the energy carries on from this project through out the whole year it's going to be a blast!

So down below you can watch the film and every thing that we did is credited. I enjoyed being camera/director person and even the editing was interesting, from messing with the volumes and mixing of the music along with the cheesy video transitions, to editing Slava out of the Taynosaur scenes *shake fists* 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auf_xaQvYm0

 

First post and last shots

Final moments of the 48 hour project

Yesterday our group shot the last scenes of our 48 hour film project. Which I was the script writer and predominate camera person/director of the live action scenes. I worked with our two talents actors, Giannis and Slava both of which doubled as our puppeteers and Slava the mother/creator of the beast. With Nicola now manning the helm as our chief editor.

It was very fun working with my group and filming was more of a blast than any thing. We just need to begin editing, so really the work has just begun.

We also messed around with the green screen that will hopefully bring one of our leading characters to life, in ultra realistic panoramic ultra colour! (whilst being black and white)

So enjoy some of these photos from the last shooting day and I'll update you with the editing process and final film.

So I'll report back with more info and clips of the edited footage.

Ciao