WEEK 2 – MODELLING AND ANIMATION ANALYSIS
3D Digital Literacy:
During Week 2 in our 3D Literacy lecture, we were given a lecture by Alec about Modelling. He talked us through modelling concepts and constraints, looking at the modelling pipeline, modelling against references, and object history. He continued by taking us through an overview of the grids, pivots and snapping tools in Maya, as well as how to reset and freeze transforms. He talked about how to conceptualise our assets by using references, then how to break down an object into its simplest forms and then how to model it in phases starting with basic model shapes and adding on details. We were introduced to basic UV mapping, texturing and rendering in Maya and game engines you can import assets to and then we were given a final lecture on topology.
After the lecture, we were assigned to create a model of a table over the weekend based off of a reference image given to us.
I found this task much more difficult than the vase from last week as it had multiple parts to model separately, unlike the vase that was made from just one cylinder. The task took me at least 4 hours to complete with my program buffering and closing frequently. This was very challenging to me as I had no idea how to combine separate 3D models into one so it was very much a self-taught process.
I found a YouTube video explaining how to make a basic table as well as how to UV unwrap and render it:
- How to Model, UV Unwrap and Texture a Simple Table in Maya | Autodesk Maya 2019 Tutorial:
I found the legs of the table to be the most challenging parts of the table due to having a lot of curves and various ridges, but I figured that these could be created like the vase only taller, slightly more complicated and duplicated three times. I used the multi-cutter tool heavily but got the result I wanted. The top of the table was very simple to figure out after I had completed the legs as it was essentially two elongated cubes, one of which was extruded.
When I finished the entire table and moved each part to where I wanted them, like in the reference, I smoothed the models and then combined them. I then uploaded the completed model to the 3D modelling site Sketchfab and was able to view my completed model a lot more easily.
My Table on Sketchfab:
I think did my best to recreate the reference photo and had help from my classmates who found a slightly better side profile of the table, as well as giving suggestions on how to recreate the trickier parts. Overall, I am happy with how my table turned out and believe I did a good job recreating the photo. If I could change parts of it, I would make the legs gradually get thinner towards the base, as well as get the legs even more accurate, however these are not big problems to me and I will learn from them to be better with other models.
Animated Narratives:
This week for our Animated Narratives lecture, we were shown 4 different presentations to help us analyse our animated short films, as well as how to analyse animation and story in general. Henry went over the use of colour within film, as well as styles of background used and how it can give certain effects. He also went over the Hero’s Journey and how it can be used in films such as Sleeping Beauty and Spider Man: Into the Spider Verse, where the heroes do not have to be just the main character, and the stages can be followed in a different order.
After, Aodhan gave us a lecture looking into character designs, story and colour. We were shown examples of character design and told what elements makes each one stands out or how these and colour make the viewer feel about the character e.g., a character with skull motifs is associated with death or a character who is red with spikes are usually to do with danger.
We focused on analysing the Adult Swim show ‘Primal’ and studied the examples of character design and colour being used to make the audience think and feel a certain way about the characters and the world they inhabit — as well as the use of different camera shots to evoke a certain reaction.
After Lunch we got a lecture from Yuan about film, film analysis, and narrative. We studied into various films and shorts, analysing how they use camera angles and specific kinds of shots. We looked into the order of shots and scenes, as well as how the edits and transition are used in a way to make the audience think or feel a certain way.
The final presentation was by Aodhan again where he focused on sound in animation and how it reflected the mood of the animation and how it contributes to the feel and theme of a story. We looked at animated short COLZA from Gobelins to whose plot, the music is a key factor contrasting traditionality and freedom with automation and production. Another animation we looked at was Double King – By Felix Colgrave in which the music coincides with the introduction of certain characters and lining up with footsteps. It also misdirects the viewer, as we expect a certain outcome and then the music and story go in the complete opposite direction.
ASSIGNMENT 1:
I had begun the research for this assignment by looking at the 3D staffs made by other 3D modellers on Sketchfab and seeing how they designed their staffs. I was looking for inspiration in order figure out what kind of staff I wanted to create as well as how to go about designing each part.
I created an Inspiration List on Sketchfab with my favourite or the most unique designs that I found: https://sketchfab.com/unamaciver/collections/staff-inspo
I was most inspired by Meltem Ozceliks Star Staff design here: https://skfb.ly/6UxDR
as well as Marlena Bayer’s Staff of Eternity design: https://skfb.ly/6XUoo
I then decided to start brainstorming and do some really rough concept sketches of potential staff designs and elements to include for my assignment model:
