USING graphic design applications to learn the basics of modeling & animation
3D Modeling & Animation
Maya, Photoshop & ZBrush
To complete my Digital Media Minor in Game Design, I selected an animation elective to delve into 3D modeling and animation techniques. Through various applications, I acquired skills in creating blockouts, utilizing UV maps and textures, sculpting advanced models with ZBrush, and animating a bouncing ball in Maya.
MAYA
My First 3D Models:
The first assignment was to create a simple 3D Model in Maya: a tree stump.
The second assignment was to take the basic model and give it more shape. I created additional modeling at the top of the stump to make it more realistic and slightly curved the roots. We applied a basic texture using an Arnold material.
PHOTOSHOP
UV Texture Mapping:
For the third assignment, I transferred Maya's UV Maps to Adobe Photoshop, applied a chosen bark texture, and reintegrated the modified maps into Maya for the final render.
ZBRUSH
Advanced Modeling, UV Maps and Textures:
For the fourth assignment, I enhanced the advanced model in ZBrush by creating a realistic tree stump with textures such as bumps and crevices. Utilizing paint features, I added mossy and green elements. After exporting the modified model, I integrated it into Maya for comparison with the original stump. Additionally, I experimented with spotlight lighting techniques, introducing a green hue to the backdrop to observe its impact on various lighting aspects of the model.
ANIMATION
Using Maya To Animate
The fifth and final assignment involved animating a bouncing ball in Maya. Employing keyframes, we utilized object sizing and physics to achieve the desired bounce across 100 frames.
MASH Networks in Maya
THE FINAL PROJECT:
For the final project in the class, we were tasked with "taking any previous assignment to the next level." This required us to find something new: a technique, an effect, or anything outside the scope of what was taught in the class and incorporate it into a previous assignment. While doing so, we had to document and recreate the process in a video. I decided to entertain the idea of what Maya could do without ZBrush. I finalized my rendered blockout by modeling rocks and grass with the tree stump. I leveraged basic modeling techniques for the stones (textures and bump-out maps) and advanced modeling with MASH networks for the grass effect. To achieve the grass effect, I followed an online tutorial by the YouTube account "What Makes Art" (Jimmy Kuehnle) and recreated it for the class.