Day: November 30, 2017

Intended Outcome:

• Create a pelvis for my creature.
• Create the torso for my creature.
• Use other techniques past the sculpt tool to define the torso.

Problems I encountered and how I overcame them:

• During this modelling session, I chose to try and use the Boolean modifier to create divots in the pelvis where the legs are going to go. Whilst the end result proves this was a good decision, I found it difficult to use the modifier, despite being comfortable with the way it worked. I was originally tempted to try making this part by creating loop cuts in the side of the initial cube, splitting the mesh in half, then extruding the top part as I saw fit, but thought this would create a more complicated mesh, something that can be avoided completely with the Boolean modifier. The difficulty i found with this modifier was choosing which operation to apply, as well as which object to apply that operation to. Once I overcame this confusion and became familiar with the tool, however, I was able to create the result I had hoped.

• When I began on the Torso, I realised I needed more practice in the basic functions Blender has to offer. I attempted to create the correct shape a few times, firstly trying the indent function, but I failed to make a mesh that was easy to work with, therefore I chose to leave this until I had experimented more with the functions I needed to use to make the process easier and more efficient. Once I had decided this, I experimented more with the boolean tool again, choosing to use the union option to create the shoulders and see what happened. Because I was not accurately scaling and sizing the objects, the result was very warped, however it did help me to understand the Boolean.

Where to go from here:

• Begin on the smaller and simpler components to my creature.
• Revise the basics of Blender again.

After finalising my 2D designs, It was time to begin modelling my character in Blender. My instinct was to begin with the head, here is my evidence and what I encountered during the modelling process.

Intended Outcome:

• Have a completed head for my creature.
• Become familiar with the ‘Sculpt’ mode in Blender.
• Use the ‘Boolean’ modifier to create eye sockets.
• Apply tools and tips I have learnt in previous experiments and tutorials.

First attempt:

I tried to begin modelling my character before I had done any detailed research and experimenting within Blender, and I was only familiar with basic tools. Because of this, my first attempt at modelling the head failed, as I could not gain the look I was hoping for. It was after this I decided to look into creating natural elements in Blender, and conducted the research shown in my ‘Creating Rocks in Blender’ research post. Here is a time-lapse of my first attempt, showing the struggles I faced.

Final Attempt:

After conducting research I became slightly more confident in when modelling. I was introduced to the sculpt tool which really helped me to create a natural looking form. Here is a time-lapse of my process.

Problems I encountered and how I overcame them:

• Shaping the head proved harder than I had anticipated. Although my character is made of natural elements such as rock and/or sand and therefore gave me an excuse not to be uniform, creating a surface on which the creatures face would look equal took a few different sculpting tools to perfect.
• I struggled to use the ‘Boolean’ tool to create natural looking eye sockets. To counteract this, I searched through the different sculpting tools and tested one called ‘Inflate/Deflate’. This left the effect I was struggling to get from a Boolean, allowing me to manipulate the sockets into similar yet non-identical eyes.

Where to go from here:

• Begin modelling the torso and pelvis of my creature.
• Seek further advice on using the sculpt tool to ease modelling.
• Experiment past the sculpt tool, so not to limit what I work with within Blender.