Quarter 1

This quarter, I learned alot about 3DSMax as it was my first time ever working with it, let alone hearing about it. I defeintely decloped lots of new skill such as how to scale, move, and rotate shapes. But also how to just create them and manipulate them to the shape I desired. I still faced some challenges as it was still easy how to forget how to do something or forgetting the steps I needed to take in order to make my shape. But within the first quarter and my first time ever using 3DSmax and hearing about I feel much more confident in where I am, like if you were to tell January me that I am making Bibble from Barbie I probably would not believe it.

One of the main tools that I learned how to use was scalling, rotating, and moving a shape. These were some of the most useful things I learned and I use them in every single one of my projects. My favorite one to use was scaleing because I liked that I could change the height, width, and length while still keeping the parameters the same. This was probably one of the most useful tools until I learned about editpoly; editpoly allows you to work with different boarders, vertexes, edges, and polys. It is super useful for me when I wanna just edit a certain part of my shape without changing the rest of it with not. Although lots of it is fun I defnitly still got stressed as time if a shape did not look perfect or as close as the reference image as possible. It might just be some OCD in me but that is something I really had to get past was that what I was making was not always going to look just like the reference image. Additionally when I was making certain shapes or objects I learned how I could group them and make them all under one category, this totally helped keep my objects organized and easy to find incase I need to move them or change there size up.

Overall I have really enjoyed 3D modeling, I can't lie. Partially cause I like having a desk in the corner away from everyone but also cause it enables me to use me artistic and creative abilities. I am feeling more and more confident every time I work because everything is slowly starting to mesh together and make more sense.  I think I have defenitly taken away a new set of skills, although I do not know when I may use them later on in life, maybe if I am making a model of a gut cause I care about gut health alot. But within the first quarter I thinking that being able to get really good at scalling and moving was an acomplishment, even if it seems like it is not, to me it is.

Quarter 2

In second quarter I was able to learn and advance my 3d modeling skills and became even more comfortable using the program and features. Throughout the quarter, I worked on projects that involved lighting and cameras, UVW mapping,  materials and textures, rigging, rendering, and even animation. These projects and modules helped me understand how different  parts of the 3D modeling process all tie into one another in the end to help create the finished project and also my PBM project.  As I practiced these tools, I became more confident in my ability to create detailed and realistic 3D objects. I was really satisfied how my work was turning out and felt like this quarter I became even more proficient using 3Ds max.

One of the most important skills I learned this quarter was how to apply material and UVW maps correctly. Prior to this unit I was wondering if I would ever be able to really customize my products like adding multiple colors to one object  or making them have different textures to make them look more realistic. But eventually I was able to learn how to use materials and apply them to objects to make them how I wanted them too look such as creating a glassy translucent look or making something look like a peice of wood. Also the use of UVW maps was super helpful because incase if I ever wanted to apply a certain pattern or map and it did not immidealt align with the shape I was applying it too and making it look wonky. This allowed me to open up an unwrap modifer and move the objects sides and angles on the map to get them where I needed them to go, without having to completly alter the objects sizing or having to scrap it all together.  However this was not always easy, when we learned how to use lights, it was struggle especially once I was done with Brain Buffet and had to do it on my own. I struggled with removing shadows and making sure my light was not to bright but also not too dim.  I realized that it was a process that was going to take a while and probably take multiple tries and renders to get it to how it should look. This quarter was really when the process to a sharp turn and got increasingly harder along the way.

In the end I enjoyed 3D modeling at times, I think a lot of that came from the fact that I had a desk in the corner away from people and it felt like my bubble other than when everyone decided to pop that bubble for no reason. I feel confidant in the skills I took away from this course, although I am not sure when I will use these skills later on in life and I don't think I'll be pursing a career in something that may use this. But I do think this is still a valuable class to take because of the teacher, I would never say in front of Mr. B but he was a great teacher and kind and funny. I can not believe that he put up with the kids in my class the way he did-I barley could, and some how he would still call me "sanin" sane satain, even though it was hard to maintain that. If I was considering going into a major that utilized these skills I would honestly have asked Mr. B because he is probably one of the best teachers I have in a long time. Overall the technical skills and problem solving abilities I took away from this course, I hope I will be able to apply when I go to college and become a nurse.

Module 4- Lights and Camera

In module 4 I learned about how to use lights and cameras and how it helped improve the overall look and pictures from the scene. I explored different lights such as omni and spotlight. I learned how each one would effect shadows and brightness, but also how turning shadows on and off would impact the scene and how such a simple change can make such difference. Another major thing I learned was using the cameras. Being able to position the cameras in diffrent spots and how target cameras differed from a free camera. It was interesting to see how the lights and camera worked with one another and how the lights would impact how the camera picked it up.

I can apply these in future projects as they allow my scenes to look more professional but also just more tidy. Such as the lamp scene, using lights in that scene made it much more realistic and nice looking. The camera placement will also help because it can pick up the light in differeny ways dependent on where it is. Such as if I wanted to make a darker scene and did not want to move change the lights I could position the camera to make it pick up less of the light.  Understanding how lights and camera play a part helps create diffrent perspectives or tell a story about the model.

Module 5- Rendering

In module 5, I learned about rendering and how it is one of the final and most important steps in the modeling process. It takes my completed image that has lights and sometimes cameras and applies them to the final image when I take the rendered image. Throughout this module, I explored different rendering settings and how a simple adjustment can completely alter how my image comes out. I practiced adjusting the lighting angles and camera placement, and also the textures produce a detailed render, and also how they impact the final rendered image. Using higher renderers vs lower ones and how they can impact the production and length it can take for the image to be made. Using rendering it helped me make my designs more professional looking.

I can use the skills from this module in futyre animations and work as it is one of the most crucial parts for presenting my finished work.  Understainding these settings will help me improve the quality of my future projects and make them look more realistic and also visually appealing. Unlike just taking a screen capture, the rendering will also capture the full esscene of the scene. The lighting and shadow technicies also effect the mood and atmopsphere of the scene and positioning the camera in a certain angle that will capture the goal or primary part. I really had to have some paticene with trhis because it could take a while for a single render to come out. I bet these skills are very helpful when it comes to film and photograpgy. Module 5 helped me gain skills on how I can set a mood and placements that will make my scene look the way I want it too.

Module 6- Materials and UVWs

In this module I learned how to apply materials and use UVW mapping in 3Ds max to make 3d objects become more realistic and have different designs and textures applied to them. I used the material editor to ass textures such as diffuse maps and experimented with how different materials change the appearance of an object. I also explored UVW mapping, which controls how a 2D texture is placed onto a 3D surface. By using the UVW map modifier, I was able to adjust textures so they fit properly instead of appearing stretched and distorted. I practiced using different mapping types while making Indian Jones to see how they worked with the different types of maps and layouts provided.

These were crucial assets as they are used in many real world industries when planning or expressing ideas and plans. I can use the skills in future modules when I want to provide my own design, color, or pattern to my objects. They can help create more realistic visuals as well instead of just doing a singular color. I could use these techniques to accurately apply materials to my scene . This module really helped me understand that even a simple block or shape can actually become super detailed and realistic when mapping and materials are applied.

Module 7- Materials and UVWs

In Module 7, I learned about rigging and how it is used in 3D modeling. Rigging was the process of making a skeleton for a 3D model so it can move realistically. Throughout the module, I explored how bones, joins, and controls work together to allow animation. I used tools that helped me attach the rig to my character and adjust how different parts would move. I practiced moving arms and legs using control handles and learned how to fix an issue like natural bending and when creations parts were moving but not the whole. I also learned about the weights, which determine how much influence each bone has on different parts of the model. 

These skills will be useful for me in the future with more projects in 3D modeling like the PBM project. Rigging is important because without it characters would not be able to move in a realistic manner. I could yse these skills to create my own animated projects and characters. or improve past projects like the Indian Jones one.  I could make him walk or run. This module taught me problem solving skills, since at times rigging is a very trial and error process like past projects. In the future, I can apply this to make my animations more professional and realistic. Overall, my learning about rigging has given me a stronger understanding on the mobility and realism that is need for projects.