Common : Dealer's Choice

For this week's assignment we really weren't given much of a structure for the assignment aside from takg into consideration the concepts and values we learned in the previous week.

As as result, I took it upon myself to create something I've been wanting to do for awhile now: My own personal lofi hip hop radio.

While I didn't complete the project to my satisfaction due to time constraints (thanks industry review!), I will definitely revisit it as it's something I really enjoyed making.

Inspiration.

Final (for now) result.

Animation : Walk Cycle

We were tasked with creating a basic walk cycle, working with either a basic boney or basic beefy rig.

Basic walk cycle poses.

First pass.

Second pass.

Third pass.

Final pass.

3D Art : Basic Real-Time Prop

In this multi-week module, we are creating a basic real-time prop for a game - in this case a crate. We will be taking this crate through the proxy, game and high resolution modeling phases.

Proxy crate in Maya with mannequin for scale.

Proxy crates imported to UE4.

WIP building a wall of boards to make a higher-resolution crate.

High-res crate ready for export.

Crate in Zbrush ready for sculpting,

Finished sculpt.

Decimated crate for export.

Test for resurfaced lid in Maya.

High res and low res crates in Maya.

Low res UV maps.

Lo res model in Substance Painter.

Crate with base color in Substance Painter.

Finished wine crate, ready for export.

Normal map in Photoshop.

Crates in UE4.

Final result.

Common Art: Perspective

 This week we were tasked to do the following:

• Generate at least four buildings in Maya with which to populate a city.
• Populate a Maya Scene File with the buildings created - additional kit bashing was permitted.
• Build shots for one-, two- and three-point perspectives.
• Choose our favorite shot, then render it with Arnold and composite it in Photoshop.

Examples of the different perspectives.

Instead of a traditional cityscape, I wanted a more Disney inspired village.

Buildings created in Maya.

One-point perspective.

Two-point perspective.

Three-point perspective.

Final result.

Common Art : Composition

This week's assignment focused on creating a composition that draws the eye and follows a set layout. We were giving the same basic kit bashing file with models created by Nick Zuccarello, and then given free reign to assemble them and render them how we wanted in Maya. It was also possible to add additional resources from Sketchfab (or to create your own additional assets).

1) choose composition type

2) kit bashing with the models that nick gave us - can change size, etc. use every element in maya file

can also photo bash and incorporate other photos, etc.

change shape of mannequin (not t-shape)

3) render (and paint out) -- already set to render toon lines (contour filter and ai tune shader)

aiRaySwitch in Environment (render settings) to make background white?

4) can find other models/add stuff to scene (sketchfab?)

5) think about fore- mid- background (and lighting scenarios)

6) find image and artist for reference where you like color harmonies

**required resolution: 3840x2160**

Composition guidelines.

Layout reference image.

Based on the props, I decided to create a little "small village" meets Blade Runner vibe.

Scene with kit bashing assets (and additional assets from Sketchfab) set up in Maya.

Example of Toon and Occlusion renders in Photoshop.

WIP

Final scene in Photoshop.

Common Art : Lighting

This week, we were given three busts created by Nick Zuccarello and given the challenge to display them based with three-point lighting in Maya. Once the busts had been rendered, we also took the Lego models we made in 3D, imported them from UE4, and rendered them with the same lighting set up in Maya. 

   My Lego rocket built in UE4 and then rendered in Maya with my three-point lighting.

Common Art : Contrast and Value

 This week's assignment had us stress the importance of value and contrast. When used correctly, value and contrast can help create separation between items, define accessories on a character, guide the viewer's eye to a focal point, and so much more. We were all given the same asset to add to in Photoshop, and used the art of Eyvind Earle as inspiration.

Asset in Maya created by Nick Zuccarello.

Art created by Eyvind Earle.

WIP

Final draft.

3D Art : Lego Blocks

 For our first week in this module, we were tasked with creating Legos based on specific size constraints in Maya, and then importing them into UE4. We had to choose one of six space-themed images to replicate. For the initial week, we had to create proxy models of the Lego shapes, and then import them into UE4 to create a rough build.

Lego image I selected to build.

Proxy blocks in Maya.

     

Proxy blocks imported into UE4.

Blocks with color to help differentiate them.

My initial blocking in of the Legos was pretty rough.

Improved model, WIP towards final rendered image.

Final rendered image.

Final rendered video with sequencer.

Rapid Prototyping : Session 1

For the first Rapid Prototype game, my group created a prototype VR shooter/ride simulation set in an abandoned toy factory. Drawing inspiration from Tim Burton and Edward Gorey, I created these assets for enemies that will attack the shooter.

Toy enemy assets.

Common Art : Use of Silhouettes

This week's assignment focused on the importance of silhouettes for assets. We were given a model of a ship in Maya along with a reference board of images. Then we had to take a view of the silhouette of the original model and add to it within the constraints of the references given to us creating nine new images. The artist CreatureBox and the game Galaga were the main influences for this assignment.

Original silhouette of ship.

 
Reference board.

Robots by CreatureBox.

Final draft of various silhouettes with original design for comparison.