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.