Category: Research

The main aim of this project is for it to eventually be part of a showreel that will be used to attract the attention of people seeking CG generalists for their line of work. The project will show how quickly and willingly I can learn to work within a software, as well as broadcast the range of skills I have within the engine I decide to work with.

When looking into the job description of a CG generalist, the requirements not only included software knowledge, but he ability to work with supervisors and problem solve within VFX tasks. They also expect generalists to work well and even thrive under tight deadlines.

My media project for semester 1 will help to fulfil these requirements by presenting the following:

1. Working under guidance. Throughout this project I will be consulting tutors and online tutorials in order to problem solve and move across an efficient timeline.
2. Deliver work within expected timelines. As this project has a short time period 3 months between initial ideas and a final output, the quality of my work will prove to potential employers my ability to do so.
3. Problem solving. As part of my development process I will be discussing and addressing any problems that I have found during the creation of my project. These will be backed up by research and reasoning behind how and why I chose to solve a specific problem a specific way.
4. The ability and willingness to learn new pipelines. My development process will document learning processes I encounter, and comparisons between softwares will prove I have learnt basic functions within other softwares to come to the best conclusion possible.
5. Strong sense of composition, lighting and colour. The final output will showcase my ability to consider these elements within a project, and show the intended my ability.
6. The ability to work in a variety of areas such as 3D modeling, texturing, animation, lighting and rendering. Again, my final output will prove my ability to work in each of these areas.

Sources:

Prime Focus World. (2017). VANCOUVER – 3D Generalist. [online] Available at: http://www.primefocusworld.com/vancouver-3d-generalist/ [Accessed 16 Nov. 2017].

JobScore. (2017). CG 3D Generalist job at ITEC Entertainment in Orlando, FL. [online] Available at: https://careers.jobscore.com/careers/itecentertainment/jobs/cg-3d-generalist-bukk8gUN8r56hZeMg-44q7?jpid=d36IKCUN8r57yOeMg-44q7&name=Indeed&sid=69 [Accessed 16 Nov. 2017].

Following my first modelling sessions, I wanted to learn more about the sculpting tool in Blender, and move past just using edit mode to design my character, so I dedicated some research into the tool.

What is Sculpt Mode?

‘Sculpt mode is similar to Edit mode in that it is used to alter the shape of a model, but Sculpt mode uses a very different workflow: instead of dealing with individual elements (vertices, edges, and faces), an area of the model is altered using a brush. In other words, instead of selecting a group of vertices, Sculpt mode automatically selects vertices based on where the brush is, and modifies them accordingly, as if you were sculpting clay.’

Brushes:

Blenders sculpting feature provides users with a set list of brushes, each causing a different effect when used, all indicated by the thumbnail and the name they have been given. Some have the same basic principle, but differ in the settings they offer. The settings can be altered to achieve the outcome desired. Those with two names have an option to perform the same effect but in reverse.

• Blob ~ Pushes the mesh in a spherical shape.
• Clay ~ Moves vertices inward or outward.
• Clay Strips ~ As above, but uses a cube test to define the brush area of influence.
• Crease ~ Creates sharp indents or ridges by pushing or pulling the mesh.
• Fill/Deepen ~ Brings vertices below the brush plane upwards.
• Flatten/Contrast ~ Pulls the vertices towards the Sculpt plane.
• Grab ~ Selects a group of vertices and pulls them to follow the mouse.
• Inflate/Deflate ~ Moves vertices inward or outward.
• Layer ~ Moves vertices inward or outward, but the height of the displacement layer is capped.
• Mask ~ Lets you select mesh parts to be unaffected by other brushes by painting vertex colors.
• Nudge ~ Moves vertices in the direction of the brush stroke.
• Pinch/Magnify ~ Pulls vertices towards the center of the brush.
• Rotate ~ Rotates vertices within the brush in the direction the cursor is moved.
• Scrape Peaks ~ Pulls the vertices towards the Sculpt plane., but only brings vertices above the plane downwards.
• SculptDraw ~ Moves vertices inward or outward, based the average normal of the vertices contained within the drawn brush stroke.
• Smooth ~ Eliminates irregularities in the area of the mesh within the brush area.
• Snake Hook ~ Pulls vertices along with the movement of the brush to create long, snake-like forms.
• Thumb ~ Flattens the mesh in the brush area.

Relevant Tutorials:

Too complex, need background on edit mode. Interesting brushes to download.

Puts the brushes many forms into practice.

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Sources:

– Wiki.blender.org. (2017). Doc:2.4/Manual/Modeling/Meshes/Editing/Sculpt Mode – BlenderWiki. [online] Available at: https://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.4/Manual/Modeling/Meshes/Editing/Sculpt_Mode [Accessed 15 Dec. 2017].

On doing research into refreshing my memory within Blender, I found a playlist created and uploaded by YouTube user ‘Blender Guru’, in which I was taught everything from how to use the programs interface, to creating visually realistic materials. I decided to follow the first few steps to this tutorial, and recorded my results below.

These tutorials helped to improve my basic skills in the software, and taught me techniques I could use in my final project. I have used Blender before and therefor have a basic understanding of the topics Blender Guru covers in his tutorials, however as time has passed I have become less comfortable with using tools and shortcuts.

Blender Guru Tutorial Playlist

Timelapses:

In the first tutorial, I was getting to grips with the interface of blender and refreshing my knowledge on basic functions such as viewing the mesh I am working on. The majority of this tutorial was focused on a simple fire simulation, which showed me what blender was capable of. This tutorial will make it a lot easier to know what my model looks like from all angles with the simple click of a button. As I will predominantly using my laptop to create my designs, I will need to change the input user settings to emulate the number pad, this isn’t a large problem as the shortcuts tied to the number keys elsewhere on the keyboard will not be used my be.

The second tutorial went into further detail about the functions within blender, experimenting with scaling, moving and rotating the mesh. It also introduced the idea of using the modifier ‘Subdivision surface’ as opposed to altering the mesh permanently at the beginning of your session. There was also a small introduction to the modifier ‘Wave’ that animates your mesh as described.

The third tutorial was almost predominantly about alerting your object in ‘Edit Mode’. This taught me many useful techniques on how to change and deform any object to look like you want it to. As every tutorial has, this one was filled with shortcuts and information about what edit mode can do, making me feel more confident within this software.

I ended my tutorial on the fourth available on Blender Guru’s playlist. The forth tutorial was dedicated to working with material nodes, and how to make an object appear to be more realistic, with tips and tricks on using the nodes appropriately.

I have recently discovered a concept artist who has created images that slightly resembles elements of my project proposal. Whilst browsing the internet, I came across Tomislav Jagnjic, a concept artist & illustrator from Montenegro. On his portfolio, he has created a series of quirky creatures that resemble the environment they live in somewhat, and interact with other characters and people. These quirky characters have equally quirky and comical names to go with the composition.

‘Cover me’ [below left] & ‘Dude is this yours, I think you’ve dropped it back over there’ [below right]

  ‘Nope, wrong way. turn around’

 

‘Hey psst, wanna buy some cubes’

‘Yo bro is it safe down there in the woods? yeah man it’s cool’

‘How do you mean you don’t wanna go outside?’

While some of these designs are solely illustrations, the above piece “How do you mean you don’t wanna go outside?” included the following workflow, which briefly shows how the artist went from initial sketch to final project.

 

Click here to look at his portfolio

Before dedicating to my project and beginning the modelling process, I needed to find the right software for the task. In order to do so, I needed to consider what elements I would need to create my final project, and then experiment within appropriate software to see what they have to offer, as well as which one I felt more comfortable working in.

What do I need?:

• 3D modelling
• 3D Animation
• 3D Rendering

Maya

‘Maya® 3D animation, modelling, simulation and rendering software provides an integrated, powerful toolset. Use it for animation, environments, motion graphics, virtual reality and character creation.’

Pros:

1. Versatile. Maya developers are and have been constantly developing and improving the software since it was acquired by Autodesk back in 2006.
2. Industry standard. Framestore and Moving Picture Company collaborated on two key characters from this summer’s blockbuster hit Guardians of the Galaxy. The software has also been used in films including Transformers, Pacific Rim, Wreck It Ralph, The Hobbit, and the first 3D version of the classic Charles Shulz’ comic Peanuts.
3. Skills can be used in other software. When you learn a complex software like Maya, you are building the skill of learning how to use a new type of tool. In this case, you’re learning how to use 3D animation software. [REFERENCE http://blog.animationmentor.com/5-reasons-why-3d-animators-should-know-autodesk-maya/]

Cons:

1. Unorganised. The interface of Maya is rather complicated compared to Blender.
2. Expensive. Although I have a student licence that allows me access to the software for free, using this software after my university degree would come to a pricey total, costing almost £1,700 a year!
3. Complicated to learn. Compared to other software, Maya is very difficult to navigate and use.

Blender

‘Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.’

Pros:

1. Free. Blender is licensed under the GPL.
2. Powerful. Runs on many Platforms. You don’t have to worry about what computer you are working on.
3. Python Extensibility. Blender embeds Python 3, which can be used to write add-ons, tools, extend the interface, rig characters and automate tasks.
4. Sculpting. Although blenders 3d painting and sculpting tools are not specialised like Substance painter, it is more than capable of getting most jobs done with a lot of practice and time taken to understand it’s capabilities.
5. Rendering. Blender runs the Cycles path tracing engine under the hood. Cycles is a very powerful rendering engine capable of full path tracing.

Cons:

1. Mouse. Some of the short cut functions are made a lot easier with a middle mouse button or a mouse wheel, so you will need to buy one of these.
2. Viewport performance. Slow viewport performance with high-poly scenes.

 

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Sources:

– Animation Mentor Blog. (2017). 5 Reasons Why 3D Animators Should Know Autodesk Maya ®. [online] Available at: http://blog.animationmentor.com/5-reasons-why-3d-animators-should-know-autodesk-maya/ [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].

– Autodesk.co.uk. (2017). Maya | Computer Animation & Modelling Software | Autodesk. [online] Available at: https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/maya/overview [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].

– Foundation, B. (2017). blender.org – Home of the Blender project – Free and Open 3D Creation Software. [online] blender.org. Available at: https://www.blender.org [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].

– Pluralsight.com. (2017). Where Blender Functionality is Better Than Maya’s. [online] Available at: https://www.pluralsight.com/blog/film-games/where-blender-functionality-is-better-than-mayas [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].

– Quora. (2017). What are Blender 3D’s pros and cons?. [online] Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-are-Blender-3D’s-pros-and-cons [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].