3D Modelling - Project 1 (Hard Surface)

3D MODELING - PROJECT 1 (Hard Surfaces)

30 March, 2018 - 27 April, 2018 (Week 1 - Week 5)

Jesslyn Fabryando (0332213)

3D Modeling

Lecture & Tutorial 1: Introduction to 3D Modeling

30 March, 2018 (Week 1)
On the first week of the class, our lecturer, Mr. Kannan, introduced us about 3D Modeling is all about. He briefly explained about the module and letting us know what project that we will be doing throughout the course. In the middle of the class discussion, Mr. Kannan showed us some examples about the work done by the seniors before.

In this module, we are going to use Maya as our software which is a powerful one said by our lecturer. We got a lot of information in this first week. We were taught the basics of 3D modelling which started by the basic 3D geometric shapes we usually encounter which is the cube, sphere, triangular prism, cone and cylinder. Aside from that we were taught some short cut keys so that it will make our lives easier to work on with some projects. We were being familiarized with all the tools in the Maya software by our teacher.

Mr. Kannan reminded us to keep on practicing and keep on drawing with pen especially in different angles. With that we were asked to draw anything and draw it from not only 1 point of view. During the class when he asked to draw from different perspective and asked us to break it apart of the shapes I find it hard because, I am never been taught how to draw a 3D object in a proper way. But as a design student, I will keep on trying and discover about the 3D world especially for drawing in a different perspective view.

Fig. 1. Drawn in class on the first week

Before the class ended we were asked to explore more about the Maya software; play around and get familiar with it. After familiarizing with the tools, we were asked to try to stack up shapes and form something, doesn't matter whether it is good or bad looking. The objective here is that we understand how the software works.

When I started using Maya, I was having difficulty with the shortcut keys and the features especially when I start to designing things. I find it hard to stack the shapes up because sometimes it looks like the 2 shapes were stick together already by when I look on a different angle, it 's haven't stick together yet. I find it stressful but I'm getting a hang of it while watching the tutorial provided by Mr. Kannan.

Fig. 1.1. Playing around with Maya software

Fig. 1.2. Playing around with Maya software from different point of view

Lecture & Tutorial 2:  3D Modelling
6 April, 2018 (Week 2)

During the second week of our meeting, we were asked to try out and model the given house provided by Mr. Kannan as our references. At first I was scared that I won't be able to do it because it looks so complicated. However, we were taught that don't look at the texture just look at the basic shapes then you will find it easier.

Fig. 2. House model reference

We were given 30 minutes to model the house and I came out with this, shown on fig. 2.1. I was having difficulty in making the roof because it's a triangle shape and there is a bend on it. During the stacking up of the shapes to make the house, I found it difficult because I need to see from different angle to make sure the shape is being stack up properly. Aside from that, during the rotation also a bit confusing because I still don't know how to do the proper way where we can input the number of angle that we wish. As we were busy modeling the house, one thing that is common from all of us is that, we don't draw it out all the parts of the house so, Mr. Kannan told us to figure out the shapes, draw it out, make it as a habit so that it will be easier to model it. I am not familiar with the features of it so I do it in a manual way just stacking up all the shapes without using any multi-cut tool or the extrude.

Fig. 2.1. Exercise on modeling a house

As the time was up for modeling the house, Mr. Kannan showed us how to model the house in an easier way with the tool of multi-cut and extrude. It was a lot more easier after he showed us how. It gives a clearer and better vision about the software Maya. As I go home, I tried to model the same house and came up with the outcome below on fig. 2.2.

Fig. 2.2. Practice modeling a house at home

On my second time modeling the house, it took me quite some time as well to model it but definitely it makes me more familiarize with the software and its tools. With a lot of practice, I will get the hang of it.

Fig. 2.3. Extruding and smoothing

In this figure 2.3. Mr. Kannan showed us the bevel tools as well as create smooth edges of a square. We were shown on how to create a hole in a box and when I tried it out I find it difficult adjusting the edges so that it will be round in shapes. However, I will keep on trying and figure it out so that it will look perfect. Our lecturer keeps on reminding us to do the smoothing at the end and never do at the beginning because we will go through difficulty adjusting it later on.

Lecture & Tutorial 3:  Texturing

13 April, 2018 (Week 3)

During the third week of class, Mr. Kannan introduced us to textures where he showed us steps by steps and asked us to download some texture he uploaded. The steps were a lot where, it needs me to take down notes for it.

Fig. 3. Texture that we were asked to download and follow his  steps

Lecture & Tutorial 4:  Little tricks in modeling

20 April, 2018 (Week 4)

During the forth week of class, Mr. Kannan showed some tricks in modeling that makes it easier and makes the model looks interesting. He showed us tricks using multi-cut tool, extrusion as well as making a wire.

Fig. 4. Little tricks in modeling

Fig. 4.1. Little tricks in modeling creating a wire

Link to this tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_F4Yl_IFqA&feature=youtu.be


Lecture & Tutorial 5:  Lighting and shadows and Arnold Renderer

27 April, 2018 (Week 5)

During the fifth week of class, Mr. Kannan explained about 'Lighting and shadows and Arnold Renderer'. We should play with the lighting and see when it renders, does the model appear or not. I followed his explanation but once he gets to further explanation I got lost already. So, I decided to search and study more what I didn't get to catch up with the lesson about the Arnold. We were given an assignment to play around and explore more as well as try out all the lightings and write a reflection what we observe.

Fig. 5. Different types of lights

Fig. 5.1. Different types of lights

Figure 5 and 5.1 is me trying to have a further research and information about lighting. As I go home, I open my Maya and I tried the different lighting and rendered using Arnold renderer.

Fig. 5.2. Rendered without lighting using Arnold Renderer

First I tried rendering without using any lighting (fig. 5.2.) and it came out that it is just a pitch black, the model cannot be seen.

Fig. 5.3. Using Directional lighting and rendered using Arnold Renderer

Second I tried using directional lighting, but when I move left or right, up and down, or even I make a close up to the model, the light intensity will still be the same it won't have any effect. Directional light is that the lights comes from all direction, the only thing you can see the difference is when you make a rotation.

Fig. 5.4. Rotating Using Directional lighting and rendered using Arnold Renderer

In fig. 5.4. I play around with the rotation that changes the light from different angle. No matter you move left or right, up and down the light that shines will be the same unless you make a rotation and you can see which part is lighted.

Fig. 5.5. Using Point Lighting and rendered using Arnold Renderer

Third, I tried using the point light. This light is similar to a light bulb. It projected the light in all directions. In this light, when you do a rotation or scaling, nothing will change because this lights is going all directions, it will only changes if you move left or right, up and down.

Fig. 5.6. Using Point Lighting and rendered using Arnold Renderer in different direction

 In figure 5.6., I move the light into different position and has an effect where when it is rendered it's pitch black. So, the placement of the lights makes an effect.

Fig. 5.7. Using Point Lighting and rendered using Arnold Renderer and Increase the exposure

Since in figure 5.6. when it is rendered it turns out black, I increase the exposure and it does make an effect and we can see the model. (results is in fig. 5.7)

Fig. 5.8. Using Point Lighting and rendered using Maya software Renderer

In figure 5.8. I wanted to try what makes it different if I use Maya software renderer, so as I rendered, the result is basically the same when you move around the light in the modeling area.

Fig. 5.9. Using Spot light and rendered using Arnold Renderer and increase the exposure

Forth, I tried using the spot light. Spot light has 1 direction and focus on an object just like what spot light means. Scaling won't have any effect unless you play around with the cone angle. When I rendered using Arnold renderer, it gives pitch black, so, I need to increase the exposure light.

Fig. 5.10. Using Area light and rendered using Arnold Renderer and increase the exposure

Fifth, I tried using the Area light. Area light will have an effect when you make a rotation or scaling it. It shines just right at the light we place in. In this case, if I don't increase the exposure, it can only be seen just a slight peek of the model.

Fig. 5.11. Using Volume light and rendered using Maya Software and increase the exposure

Sixth, I tried using the Volume light. It is a specific light which allow us to light objects inside the shapes. Here, I scale it up and do a bit of rotation as well as increase the exposure so that we can see the model we rendered. However, it can be seen using the Maya software renderer, as for Arnold, it gives you a pitch black.

Fig. 5.12. Using Ambient light and rendered using Maya Software Renderer

Lastly, I tried the ambient light. As I use Arnold as the renderer, you cannot see anything, it is just pitch black so, I tried rendering using Maya software renderer.

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WORK PROCESSES - PROJECT 1

13 April, 2018 (Week 3)

During the third week of class, Mr. Kannan wanted to see our progress by our sketches shown to him. At first I wanted to model a house however, when I told him the idea of modeling a house, he said it's better to avoid modeling a weapon or a house, those kind of model is good for exercises. So, Mr kana gave a suggestion to model a robot or a vehicle, however, I don't have the sense of making vehicle so instead I draw a submarine. Our lecturer helped us draw our idea so that we have an idea.

Fig. 1. Mr. Kannan's drawing modeling hybrid of submarine and an insect

Going back home, I redesign my submarine and come up with a hybrid of submarine, insect and a drone.

Fig. 3. Hybrid of drone, submarine and an insect

At first, it's really hard for me to come up with an idea especially what's in my mind is that it's really hard and I won't be able to do it, However, give it some time I manage to draw in perspective view as well. I face problems whenever I was asked to draw in perspective view because I don't have the basic knowledge of drawing in 3D/ perspective. Every week that passed by, little by little I learn how to draw. We were also asked to model it already in Maya just the basic shapes, no need to go further to the details yet. However, in this point, I really don't know where to start, I keep on thinking it's not possible and it is hard since I am not that familiar with the tools I still interchanging the use of the tools and I explore less.

Aside from seeing our progress, Mr. Kannan followed with showing us about texturing as well as coloring, He introduced us with the different tool, I kind of following him tutorials but I just need to do it again so that I can be more familiarized.


22 April, 2018 (Week 4)

On the forth week of class, we showed our progress in class and I can only come up with simple shapes that for me, I feel awful and frustrated.

Fig. 4. What I came up with so far

Here, it is so frustrating that I just want to throw my laptop, I feel like I cannot do more than this. It took me 4 hours just to do simple model like this. I keep on adjusting the extrusion and it didn't turn out well before, so I keep on repeating. This moment I give up already, for me it's too hard.  But after Mr. Kannan showed some tricks I decided to follow and understand what he is doing one by one. Even when I don't understand I still search in other video for further understanding.


27 April, 2018 (Week 5)

In this week 5, I showed him the most I can do with my model. It's a bit simple but I learnt a lot and it's way easier to use the tools now after I explore more and watch different videos in youtube to help me understand better.

Fig. 5. Model I explore more using the tools

Here I learned how to model using mapping, extrusion and the more you get the hang of it, I feel it's kind of exciting and interesting. When I showed him this, he suggest to add more legs so that it becomes like a spider and also add more details so that it will look like a mechanic model. Going back home I will try to add some more details and color it as well.

Fig. 5.3. 3D Model - before adding some details

For this project, the thing that I am struggling with is to come up with a complicated model with a good details. I watched some tutorials to help me understand better. From the tutorials I watched, it makes me understand more about the tool because I am following the tutorials, so I explore Maya software as well.

FINAL OUTCOME: 

Fig. 5.4. Final Outcome of 3D modeling (Hard surface)