3D Practice - SciFi Object

This was the final chapter of Michael McKinley's 'Game Environments and Props'. It combined everything that had been learnt so far plus a few extra things here and there in order to create a sci fi object.

By now, these chapters are relatively straight forward which shows how I have progressed well. There are however some issues that did appear, which as per usual, cost me time and with some cases, time wasted as I could not fix them. However I am really pleased with how my skills have developed through using this book and how it as helped me with my project. I have learnt many new features which I can definitely apply to my project in order to make it much more professional.

Project: SciFi Object

The Steps

1. Create Hi Poly model
2. Create Low Poly version
3. UV map Low poly model
4. Using transfer maps to create initial textures
5. Edit textures in Photoshop
6. Apply these textures to model
7. Animate

Learning Outcomes

It was nice to apply all the techniques I have learnt from this book to one final model. So for this piece, nothing new was really taught however I did come across some problems which I could not fix. Trying to achieve a glow effect using a cone mesh sadly did not even nearly work. I tried messign about with the settings but nothing seemed to work. The other issue was when I rendered my final image, it came out with a really obvious glow which looked terrible and again, I could not sort it.

These issues are always a nightmare to try and fix as I sometimes have no clue on where to start. In some cases (Like I did here) I will just have to try leaving the part out. 

Project: SciFi Object - Problems

Personal Notes

I have found this book to be so useful in developing my 3D and Photoshop skills. It has been very enjoyable and thorough in its projects. I'd hope for more books like this but I am not sure if there are (in date) however now I have completed every chapter except one. I left this one to complete just before I come back to semester 2 as a kind of warm up exercise. It's a project on making a car, which is not linked to my final project however it can be used as the perfect warm up piece to keep me on form ready for semester 2. I would highly recommend this book to anyone carrying out 3D practices - especially for those at intermediate level who need a little more confidence and guidance in Maya.