Quarter 1

Why I chose 3D Modeling & Animation

I chose to take a class in 3D modeling and animation because I have been very interested in engineering, design, and visual effects. 3D modeling is a very diverse art form that I think would be very useful for a lot of my artistic expression. I hope to learn how to make complex shapes and animate characters. I am mostly interested in learning character modeling and animation. I hope to gain useful knowledge on how to use 3D software to model and animate professionally. 

Module 1 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: In  module 1, I learned a few of the tools and techniques in 3DS Max. I was able to use the tools I learned in a few projects. I have become much better at using 3DS Max and I have learned to navigate it much more smoothly. I learned things like how to precisely scale and move objects, how to efficiently navigate the viewports, how to utilize the toolbar, and how to change the properties of objects. I have included pictures of my recent projects to show the skills I have developed. 

Paragraph 2 – Application: The tools and techniques I have learned would be very helpful in a career in 3D modeling.  Being able to efficiently navigate 3DS Max could help a lot in getting things done faster.  Understanding the tools and techniques that can be used in 3DS Max is very important, especially in a career in 3D modeling. For examples in my recent projects, the snowman I modeled is an example of character modeling, being able to quickly switch between different gizmos and learning to move pivot points was very helpful in quickly positioning the primitives that make up the snowman. In my temple of the primitives, I learned the array tool and was able to use it to clone the pillars that make up the temple. Both making my pencil project and creating the pillar in my temple of the primitives project were very helpful in learning how to create specific shapes and change the properties of different primitives. 

Module 2 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: In this module I got to learn a few new tools and techniques. I also got to use the new techniques to create a new model. This time, I built a model of a character called Alfie Hitchcat. One of the most useful tools I learned is called snaps, which allows for models to be precisely aligned which each other by different features on their surface. I also utilized the different perspective views in the viewport to better line up the different shapes I used.

Paragraph 2 – Application: The things I learned in this module makes modeling a lot more easy and convenient. Snapping parts together means that parts can be lined up exactly, without having to eyeball it. The different views in the viewport are useful for making sure that everything in my model lines up. Being able to quickly and easily line up different shapes in 3DS Max would be very useful in a 3D modeling career because it means that one can create precise, professional models.

Module 3 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: In module 3, I got to learn a lot of new tools for manipulating the geometry of objects I have made. In previous modules, I mostly focused on creating primitives and placing them in relation to each other, but in this module I learned to create whole new shapes out of primitives. The main tools I learned in the module are modifiers, which are functions you can apply to your 3D objects in order to manipulate their geometry. I was able to move and transform specific sub objects like polygons, vertices, and edges. This was very useful in my Lego Minifigure project. I also got to work with making splines, which are 3D lines. I got to use splines in my screwdriver and chess pawn projects, where I used different tools to apply 3D geometry to lines that don't have any thickness. 

Paragraph 2 – Application: What I learned in this module would certainly be very helpful in any 3D modeling job. These tools mean that I can make unique shapes outside of just the preset primitives. The projects I got to work on this time are great examples of how 3D modeling can be used in a profession like product design. My Lego Minifigure, screwdriver, and chess pawn are all recreations of real objects. Being able to edit the individual sub objects that make up larger objects provides the preciseness necessary to really create realistic objects. 

Module 4 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: In this module, I learned the basics of creating and utilizing cameras and lights in 3DSMax.  I also got to use what I learned to light and frame a scene. I got to experiment with the different types of cameras and different camera controls. I also used different light parameters to change how the lights look and create different moods in a scene.  For my main project on this module, I used a model that was provided for me to recreate a scene from the movie Citizen Kane using what I learned a bout lights and cameras. I got to create a camera in the scene and change the locations and properties of the lights in order to create an atmosphere and frame composition similar to the movie.

Paragraph 2 – Application: Frame composition and lighting techniques are certainly a very useful and important skill in many art forms. Creating lighting and positioning cameras in 3DSMax has a lot of similarities to real life camera and lighting work. Using lighting and cameras is something that will definitely be useful in many 3D modeling jobs. In my project, I tried to place the camera in my scene so that it recreates the composition of the original scene, this shows how camera angles can be used like they are in movies. Recreating the scene's lighting also shows how these techniques can be used creatively, with how my scene mimics the original's spotlights that illuminate only specific parts of the scene and show characters in silhouette.

Module 5 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: In this module, I learned the basics of using materials in 3DS Max. For this project, I created objects inspired by some movies using different materials to make them look realistic. I also learned how to render my scenes. I used rendering in this project to create high quality images of my models that realistically shows how their materials interact with the light of the scene. I utilized different kinds of materials that can be put on objects to make textures that show the difference between things like the translucent parts like in the bird statue and the diamond, the metallic parts like the ring and the diamond's housing, and other materials like the marble of the room and display stand and the surface of the bowling ball. 

Paragraph 2 – Application: These things are very important for so many careers in 3D modeling. Knowing how to render means that one can produce good-looking pictures of their models that reflect their accurate materials. Being able to change rendering parameters ensures that a different image can be make that would work better for its purpose. Pretty much any 3D model that is meant to be used from a 3D modeling job would want some kind of fitting material for it. Knowing how to create and change different materials on one's models means helps make an object or scene look appropriate for what it is, instead of a basic model. 

Quarter 1 Reflection

This quarter certainly introduced a lot of new skills and techniques to me in 3DS Max. Pretty much everything I learned about 3D modeling in this quarter was new to me. Some of the most important parts of 3DS Max I learned were what modifiers are and how to use them. Modifiers helped me in so many of my projects and they mean that I can more finely control the geometry of a shape, specifically with the edit poly modifier that I have learned to make great use of.

One of the exercises that most helped me with understanding a specific aspect of 3D modeling was making a spaceship. That exercise helped me understand how to make use of edit poly and other modifiers in the best way, creating much more complex shapes from simple primitive objects. The spaceship exercise gave me new understanding on the fundamental process of 3D modeling and the use of modifiers so that I can create much detail starting out with simple objects

I feel a lot more confident using a lot of 3DS Max. When I started out, I really only was placing and moving primitives, but now I have learned many new things about 3DS Max that make me confident in modeling lots of things. The thing I feel my skill is best for would be modeling more geometric shapes and that kind of machinery and stuff.

Quarter 2

module 6 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: In Module 6, I learned about a concept in 3D modeling called UVW mapping. UVW mapping is a way of applying textures to 3D models. It is like using XYZ coordinates to decide where a texture and its different parts go on a model. My first project in this module was to texture a LEGO Minifigure as Indiana Jones using texture maps I was supplied, and my second project was to texture a simple tank model using whatever images I find. For my LEGO Indiana Jones project, I placed the individual facets of the model corresponding  to the part of the texture they are meant to display on the surface. I also had a lot of fun on my tank model, since, after I got to model it myself, I got to texture it however I wanted, so I decided to make it an homage to various Transformers figures of Megatron from the G2 continuity, with things like the green and purple camouflage, the G2 Decepticon logo on the top, and the sticker saying "MEGATRON RULES". On my tank model, I got to change the models textures to create a cohesive model that displays its texture appropriately.

Paragraph 2 – Application: UVW mapping is certainly one very important tool and technique for 3D modeling. With UVW mapping, models can be textured to match with the kind of texture being applied, making more realistic models that look better. UVW mapping itself could probably be a good career. Knowing how to use UVW mapping can help a lot in creating good 3D models as part of a career. My tank model shows how UVW mapping can really improve the texturing of a model, with how different textures are applied to different parts of the model, making it make more sense as a tank. 

module 7 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: Rigging was a very interesting thing to learn about in this module. I learned that rigging has a very interesting and complex process. For my project on this module, I rigged and posed a model of a LEGO Minifigure and a stone creature using different techniques. For the Minifigure, I learned to manipulate the pivot points of the models parts and align them to the locations of real joints on a Minifigure, creating a very simple rig that uses the model's already present points of movment. The various tori in the pictures are objects created to guide the movement of the Minifigure. I am able to rotate the tori instead of accessing the Minifigure's pivots directly, which could result in unintentional misalignment of the model's parts. Rigging the stone creature was a much different task. For practice, I learned to create bone structures independently using the rock creature's model and rigged one of the creature's arms. For the final product, I used a system of premade bone structures available in 3DSMax called Biped in order to more efficiently rig the rock monster. I also learned to use a modifier called the skin modifier, which accompanies the presence of bones in order to control the bones' manipulation of the geometry surrounding them. 

Paragraph 2 – Application: Rigging is certainly a very prominent skill in the world of 3D modeling and specifically animation. Many complex animations or character animations in 3D modeling would be likely to use rigging in order to maneuver the articulated subjects of the scene. Rigging is also a very important thing to get right in a 3D modeling job, as misaligned bones can result in disjointed or contorted movement. 3D modeling is often used as a system to produce video, so understanding the process of preparing models for animated articulation is a very important thing. Rigging my characters has taught me how much of a process and an art rigging is, since bones and skeletons used have to be aligned with characters to create convincing movement, and the use of a rig in a scene can result in very dynamic and expressive poses and characterization. 

module 8 Reflection

Paragraph 1 – Summary and Examples: This module taught me about animation in 3DS Max. I had a lot of fun with this one because it is pretty easy to make pretty good-looking animations. On the LEGO Minifigure, I animated by moving the individual pieces that made it up the Minifigure that have been connected together. The rock creature uses a Biped skeleton system, so animating the rock creature's walkcycle utilized a function of that specific bone system. I also learned about a different tool to be used in animation called tangents, which control the speed of movements and how they speed up or slow down as they continue.

Paragraph 2 – Application: Animating is a prominent field in jobs that involve 3D modeling. Knowing how to animate with 3D models can be very important. Animations are a common way that 3D models are used. It is also important to understand the fundamentals of animating. Animation is a specific field of utilizing 3D modeling tools and techniques that is a valuable part of 3D modeling careers.

Quarter 2 Reflection

What new skills or techniques did you learn in 3ds Max this quarter?

I learned a few new, very important skills and techniques this quarter. I learned things like rigging, animation, and UVW mapping. Rigging, animation, and UVW mapping are more advanced techniques that can be very important in a lot of 3D modelling careers. I am still figuring out new things about these techniques, since they can sometimes be complicated. I have had a lot of trouble learning them and gained a lot of new information and experience.

Which project or exercise helped you understand a specific aspect of 3D modeling better?

The big premier, in which I learned animation and animated with the Lego minifigure and the rock monster, helped me learn a lot about animation. There were some parts that I had some trouble with it. It was interesting learning about the fundamentals and the process of how animation works. I also learned about how tangents in animation work. I got a lot of important knowledge about how to animate in 3DS Max and solve problems with my animations.

How has your understanding of 3D modeling concepts improved over the quarter?

My understanding and technique with 3D modeling has definitely changed with what I have learned. I have gotten a lot more confident using different techniques in 3D modeling. I have gotten a lot more used to the different tools and techniques in 3DS Max and I have gotten good at experimenting with the things I know how to do. I understand better a lot of the kind of processes that go into 3D modeling. I have begun to understand a lot more and explore more about 3D modeling.