Project 1: 3D modelling.
Games Design 3D modelling project.
For this project, I will be required to create an exterior scene or environment to a building using 3D modelling techniques, such as: Using Maya, UV and texturing in Photoshop,
What's Maya?
Maya is one of the most commonly used pieces of software for 3D modelling.
This is a 3D modelled suit of sci-fi armour I found on Google Images.
What's a UV?
A UV is the 3D modelling term for a 3D shape's net or what it would look like if you unfolded a 3D shape. This is a sci-fi helmet that I found on Google Images. Note the wireframe to the left of the model, that is the UV.
How would I texture?
Texturing for a 3D model (from what I know) is easiest to do in Photoshop. You would need the model's UV for this first though. When you have the UV in Photoshop, you would just then need to paint it or apply a photo to required areas. This is a rocking chair I found online. Take note of the UV to the right of the model and how the wooden texture has been applied, likely through Photoshop but it could have been done using other programs.
What is 0-1?
0-1 is the size of the work space the UV is in. If part of the texture were to go outside of the 0-1, then it would wrap around the area of the model the texture was in.
What is a texture?
The texture of a 3D model is what the exterior or interior looks like. The best way to picture it is to think as if you are painting a wall or ceiling. This picture of a bear is un-textured, so it hasn't been painted yet. The gramophone below it, however, has been textured.
UV software
This is s program that allows you to generate, view and texture the UV of a model.
Using a UV with Maya
There is a different process to using a UV in Maya that doesn't require special software to be installed.
You need to select the faces that you want to UV. Select UV, then Planar. A Planar Mapping window should open. Then you click Project and use the Manipulator to adjust how Maya distributes the faces on the UV. Finally, use the editor to edit the UVs.
Texture Maps
Texture Maps are maps that are created in Photoshop that give the illusion of detail and similar aspects onto something known as a 'material ball'. There are a few different types of texture maps that can be applied.
Colour Map: This decides what colour the texture will be.
Normal Map: This creates the illusion of lumps or indents into the material.
Specular / Metalness Map: This decides how shiny the material is. Black means not shiny at all while white would be very shiny and metallic.
Transparency Map: This shows what areas of the material will be visible, but still present, like glass.
02/10/17
What modelling software is used for games?
Maya is one of the most commonly used pieces of software for models for games.
What is high/low poly modelling?
High/low poly modelling is making a 3D model with either a very high or very low polygon count. High poly models tend to look a lot more detailed and overall better, but some computers will struggle with them, while low polygon models look more angular and much less detailed but are much easier to render.
What are polygons?
Polygons are 2D shapes that make up a 3D model.
What are faces/edges/vertices?
Faces: The flat section of a polygon.
Edge: The section that connects 2 vertices, resulting in a longer 'corner'.
Vertices: A corner of a polygon.
What is extruding?
Extruding is practically exactly as it is shown, when a face of a model is pulled outwards.
What is bevelling?
Bevelling is the process of turning a flat, square edge into a sloping one.
What is bridging?
Bridging is when
What is ambient occlusion?
This is a method to help determine how much light should shine onto an area of a model.
The Maya user Interface
I am unable to include the video as I have no way to get it onto the blog successfully.
Initial Ideas of a 3D modelled building.
This first idea for a building to 3D model is my own house, mainly because it is a fairly simple shape that I can get several reference photos of easily.
This is a small church-like building near my house. This would also be fairly easy to get photos of, but it is a bit more complex in terms of shape.
This is a cafe' in the city centre called 'Geek Retreat'. The image shows what store it previously was as Google maps haven't updated their photos yet. This would be a little tricky to do as I can't get a side or back view of the shop but it is still feasible.
This was my old secondary school, now called Greenwood Academy. This location is the previous site of the school as it is now across the road on what was a horse field. This image is not accurate to its current appearance, however which would make things more complicated.
This is a museum I enjoyed going to when I was younger called Dinosaur Isle. The shape is interesting which might make it fun to model but it's accessibility is the problem as it is in the town of Sandown, on the Isle of Wight.
This final image is of the Museum of Natural History, in London. While it is an impressive building, there is no possible way I would be able to model something this complex at my current skill level so unfortunately, this is not a possibility for the foreseeable future.
THE 5 NEXT IDEAS
These are the five images I chose to narrow down.
3D modelling 'practice'
This is the start of a 3D modelled coke can in Maya. As you can see in the image, it isn't completed yet.
Further progress to the can. I ran into a couple of problems that I unfortunately forgot to screenshot.
For this project, I will be required to create an exterior scene or environment to a building using 3D modelling techniques, such as: Using Maya, UV and texturing in Photoshop,
What's Maya?
Maya is one of the most commonly used pieces of software for 3D modelling.
This is a 3D modelled suit of sci-fi armour I found on Google Images.
What's a UV?
A UV is the 3D modelling term for a 3D shape's net or what it would look like if you unfolded a 3D shape. This is a sci-fi helmet that I found on Google Images. Note the wireframe to the left of the model, that is the UV.
How would I texture?
Texturing for a 3D model (from what I know) is easiest to do in Photoshop. You would need the model's UV for this first though. When you have the UV in Photoshop, you would just then need to paint it or apply a photo to required areas. This is a rocking chair I found online. Take note of the UV to the right of the model and how the wooden texture has been applied, likely through Photoshop but it could have been done using other programs.
What is 0-1?
0-1 is the size of the work space the UV is in. If part of the texture were to go outside of the 0-1, then it would wrap around the area of the model the texture was in.
What is a texture?
The texture of a 3D model is what the exterior or interior looks like. The best way to picture it is to think as if you are painting a wall or ceiling. This picture of a bear is un-textured, so it hasn't been painted yet. The gramophone below it, however, has been textured.
UV software
This is s program that allows you to generate, view and texture the UV of a model.
Using a UV with Maya
There is a different process to using a UV in Maya that doesn't require special software to be installed.
You need to select the faces that you want to UV. Select UV, then Planar. A Planar Mapping window should open. Then you click Project and use the Manipulator to adjust how Maya distributes the faces on the UV. Finally, use the editor to edit the UVs.
Texture Maps
Texture Maps are maps that are created in Photoshop that give the illusion of detail and similar aspects onto something known as a 'material ball'. There are a few different types of texture maps that can be applied.
Colour Map: This decides what colour the texture will be.
Normal Map: This creates the illusion of lumps or indents into the material.
Specular / Metalness Map: This decides how shiny the material is. Black means not shiny at all while white would be very shiny and metallic.
Transparency Map: This shows what areas of the material will be visible, but still present, like glass.
02/10/17
What modelling software is used for games?
Maya is one of the most commonly used pieces of software for models for games.
What is high/low poly modelling?
High/low poly modelling is making a 3D model with either a very high or very low polygon count. High poly models tend to look a lot more detailed and overall better, but some computers will struggle with them, while low polygon models look more angular and much less detailed but are much easier to render.
What are polygons?
Polygons are 2D shapes that make up a 3D model.
What are faces/edges/vertices?
Faces: The flat section of a polygon.
Edge: The section that connects 2 vertices, resulting in a longer 'corner'.
Vertices: A corner of a polygon.
What is extruding?
Extruding is practically exactly as it is shown, when a face of a model is pulled outwards.
What is bevelling?
Bevelling is the process of turning a flat, square edge into a sloping one.
What is bridging?
Bridging is when
What is ambient occlusion?
This is a method to help determine how much light should shine onto an area of a model.
The Maya user Interface
I am unable to include the video as I have no way to get it onto the blog successfully.
Initial Ideas of a 3D modelled building.
This first idea for a building to 3D model is my own house, mainly because it is a fairly simple shape that I can get several reference photos of easily.
This is a small church-like building near my house. This would also be fairly easy to get photos of, but it is a bit more complex in terms of shape.
This is the main library close to where I live. I can get quite a few photos of it, but it's complexity and size means I likely won't attempt to model it just yet.
This is the college I go to. It seems to be fairly simple to model, being large, blocky shapes, but it is massive and would take time to texture and add other important details so I likely won't do this one either.
This is one of my favourite stores in the UK. The image shown is the sign to the art store as the Google maps photos don't go down Corporation Street far enough to see the storefront. Similar to Geek Retreat, it would be challenging due to the lack of angles but still very much possible.
This image is my best friends house. This is similar to mine and getting photos shouldn't be too difficult, but if they aren't comfortable with this then I will remove the image.
This was my old secondary school, now called Greenwood Academy. This location is the previous site of the school as it is now across the road on what was a horse field. This image is not accurate to its current appearance, however which would make things more complicated.
This is a museum I enjoyed going to when I was younger called Dinosaur Isle. The shape is interesting which might make it fun to model but it's accessibility is the problem as it is in the town of Sandown, on the Isle of Wight.
This final image is of the Museum of Natural History, in London. While it is an impressive building, there is no possible way I would be able to model something this complex at my current skill level so unfortunately, this is not a possibility for the foreseeable future.
THE 5 NEXT IDEAS
These are the five images I chose to narrow down.
3D modelling 'practice'
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