Class Workshop Task
Our classwork for this week was to create a model of a milkshake, along with a straw in Blender. After watching the tutorial videos in Blackboard, I learned a new modifier called “solidify”, which causes flat objects to become 3D models, which I then applied and converted the object into a mesh so that the modifier can be edited in edit mode. Next, I learned how to change the transparency levels of a mesh so I’ll be able to see inside the cup. Lastly, I learned how to use a line mesh, add more lines, rotate it to create a curved line, and convert it into a 3D mesh.
(The development of the milkshake model)
One of the issues I had during the making of the mesh was that I couldn’t figure out how to rotate the points of the line mesh once it was set to vector because once it’s set it refuses to rotate. Even after re-watching the tutorial videos I couldn’t figure it out because I heard a button command which allowed the line points to rotate but he never explained it; it was only when I watched the tutorial videos for the Zubat assignment he explained it better. Even though the video never explained it and I already made the straw model the best I could, I should have asked my tutors to better explain how to do it and I’ll do this next time if I ever face an issue like this in the future again.
Overall, I quite enjoyed making the milkshake.
Homework Task
Our homework this week was to create a model of a Zubat from Pokémon.
Using the skills I learned from the tutorial videos I was able to make the Zubat with minimal issues. I also learned a few new techniques such as being able to drag and drop images from my desktop into Blender which made it easier to model the Zubat as accurately as I can, and the “knife” tool which would be used to create designs such as the mouth.
(Image used for reference)
The only issue I encountered was with the colour. When I finished making the model and was about to add colour in it I discovered that there is an “eye-dropper tool” in the base colour. I decided to use that tool on Zubat ref as a shortcut for its light-blue skin. However, when I opened my Zubat Blender file at my University class I saw my model’s light blue colour is gone. I wondered what went wrong and tried to fix it and found the problem. The Zubat ref had a magenta colour all over it, which usually means that it’s missing textures. It was there I realized that due to the Zubat ref being at home, rather and on my USB stick, the Blender file couldn’t find the image, which in turn caused the light blue colouring to disappear. To fix this issue I had to reapply a new blueish colour of the skin of the Zubat model. With this knowledge in mind, I now know that if I use the eyedropper tool on an image imported from my desktop I must save it somewhere for the Blender file to find it.
Overall, I feel satisfied with the Zubat.