Quarter 1

Quarter 1 reflection

In quarter 1, I was introduced into the basics and what to expect in this class. It was pretty complicated at first, but once I got to practice with the skills, it was pretty easy and simple. I faced a lot of challenges through out the modules, and each of the projects.

The first skill I learned are the use of the basic primitives. The main ones I practiced with are boxes, cylinders, planes, and spheres. With the primitives, an exercise that helped me the most is making a snowman. I say this, because it taught me how to place, and scale primitives. And that was really easy. Another skill and technique I learned are modifiers.  To me, the most helpful modifier that I learned is the Edit Poly modifier. This was kind of confusing, because there are so many sub object modes, and it was a lot to take in at first. But it became easier, especially because of some of the exercises I did, such as the Heat Press, and the Lego Figure. I also learned how to work with splines, the lathe, and the loft modifier. I had quite a bit of trouble with working with splines, and the lathe modifier, but once I got more experience with it, it became way more simple. The screwdriver, and chess pawn really made me get more familiar with working with splines, the lathe and loft modifiers.

A resource that really made me get more confident and familiar with these skills are the videos from Brain Buffet. Daniel Torres does a really good job introducing, explaining, and getting into detail about how to apply the new skills he teaches. Like I stated in the other paragraph, he taught me how to make Lego figure, which was a learning experience for me especially because I had no previous knowledge about the modifiers. And, after all the tutorials we get put to the test to see what we have learned, and because of his videos, I have learned a lot. So that's why I say Brain Buffet is a helpful resource.

I faced a lot of challenges while making these projects though. A big challenge I faced came from making the Lego figure. This was a challenge for me, because I had to start over on the torso like at least 3 or 4 times. I had to restart over and over again because I had kept messing up on it, and I wasn't satisfied on it turned out. Another big challenge I faced was making the chess pawn. Again, this was a challenge to me because I had to make it out of splines, and splines was really confusing to me. I also had to restart on this a couple times due to me messing up on tracing the reference image. But after finally getting it down to my liking, I was really happy with the outcome of it.  One more challenge was making the table lamp. I had to make this out of splines, and the lathe modifier, and I could not get it to my liking whatsoever. It took me time and time, and probably longer than it should have. And I faced another challenge getting the lights to my liking, but I was okay with the outcome of it.

But in conclusion, I had some ups and some downs with quarter 1, but I had fun and a good experience practicing and learning new skills. 

Intro

I am taking this class because I want to learn more about how to model, render, and animate objects. I expect to learn more about software's, how to use them, the different features, and more stuff like that.

Module 1 Review

After watching Module 1,  here are some things that I have learned about the use of 3ds Max. First, I learned how to use the basic primitives, such as boxes, spheres, teapots, planes, hoses, the torus,  and the chamfers. I also made something called the "Temple of Primitives" which was really simple. It was just uses of primitives, and colors. Another thing I learned was the use and features of the different tools. The first tool I learned how to use is the move tool, which is really easy and simple. All you do with the move tool, is move your objects with either the x axis, y axis, or z axis. But if you drag it from the middle, you can move it anywhere. The second tool I learned how to use is the scale tool. Just like the move tool, you can scale your object using the x, y, or z axis. And, by using the middle part, you can make it bigger or smaller. The next tool I learned how to use is the Array tool. The Array tool just basically copies your object, but you can make multiple at once.  But you can copy an object just by holding down shift, and moving it in any direction. 

An important use for these tools would be if your making a movie scene. It would make your life way easier by using these tools, especially the array and move tool. I say this, because I used these tools while making the Temple of Primitives. The most useful tool in my opinion would either be the move tool, or the array tool. Because you can make a bunch of copies in a little amount of time. And with the move tool, you can make precise moves.

Module 2 Review

9/16/2025

After completing module 2, I have learned how to use more tools, and I made another project, called "Alfie Hitch cat." I made this project by learning how to use different tools such as the snap tool, and how to import different project files. The snap tool is pretty confusing, but very easy once you've learned how to use it properly.  All you need to do, is right click to set it how you want to snap it.  It was really easy

Module 3 Review

10/3/2025

After Module 3, I learned, and practiced how to use some new modifiers, and features of the tools that I was taught in previous modules.  A new modifier I learned how to use was symmetry. Symmetry is pretty simple to use.  You can cut out one half of the  primitive, and by applying symmetry, you can see the other half of it. And, you can apply one thing to the side, and it will apply to the other side.  I also worked more with the bend,  and taper modifiers. Same with the sub-object modes, such as bevel and extrude. I practiced getting familiar with these modifiers and sub-object modes by making some designs. A design I made was a toy submarine. This helped me practice a lot with the new modifiers and sub-objects. Another design I made was a spaceship. Again, this helped me get familiar with using the modifiers and sub-object modes. The last design I made was a heat press. Making this design, really put me to the challenge of using what I learned without using tutorials.

I think I will use these modifiers more by designing more and more designs, to get more familiar with them. These modifiers are very important, especially when you're 3D modeling because it makes your design look more realistic. By using these modifiers, you can add more detail to your design. I realized this by making my designs using these modifiers and sub-objects.

Module 4 Review

10/24/2025

Module 5

11/28/2025

After completing this module, I have learned how to render, and apply materials to objects, using physical materials and bitmaps. Some topics I covered was how to apply a material to an object, and changing the parameters, so the quality wouldn't be terrible. It was really easy, because all I really did was apply a physical material, and edit the parameters to make it look better. The project I practiced using these skills and techniques, is the "Still Life!" project. This project includes applying physical materials to 4 main objects: a bowling ball, heart of the ocean, one ring, and the Maltese Falcon. I also was assigned to making textures for the background. 

I see myself or someone else using these tools and techniques in the future by making high quality scenes. It allows people to apply intricate details, realistic textures, and sophisticated materials, bringing virtual objects to life. For example, look at the picture I put that showcases the use of knowledge of applying textures to make scenes look realistic, and bringing them to life.

Module 6 Review

11/14/2025

After completing module 6, this is by far the most complicated, frustrating, and confusing module in my opinion so far. In this module, I worked with UVW Mapping,  and the Unwrap UVW Modifier which is applying and editing textures, and the sub-object modes, such as peel, stitch, arrange elements, explode, and reshape elements that come along with them. The two projects I worked on in this module is an Indiana Jones Lego Costume, and a Simple Tank. I struggled a lot with the tank, because I was so lost. I wasn't provided with any textures, so I had to find textures myself. And the most challenging part for me is mapping the textures to make it look good. 

I can see myself or someone else using these skills in the future because a lot of game creators, or people who model use these skills already. It makes it a whole lot easier, because you don't actually have to make the object look like something. You can just map it.

Module 7 Review

11/28/2025

4 corners: path constraint

I had a difficult time trying to find my 4 corners file, so I just ended up using Mr. B's demo file. Something I would've done differently is save it to google drive.  Adding a path constraint changed the cars movement a lot because it followed the road. Some changes I made was flipping the axis, so the car could go on the road forward, because at first it was going backwards. Another change I made was turning on Bank.

Module 8 Review

12/12/2025

Quarter 2

After quarter 2, which was pretty much the second half of this class, I learned more tools that include rigging, rendering, animating, texturizing, bitmaps and uvws. I faced challenges in this quarter, just like in quarter 1, but I overcame them.

I learned a lot of new techniques and tools in this quarter. The first tool I learned and practiced with is rendering, which is Module 5.  The scene I practiced rendering with is called "Still Life!" which works with materials, and rendering to see the outcome of things. The next tool I worked with is Materials and UVWs, which is Module 6. The exercises that helped me practice with this is the Indiana Jones costume and the Simple Textured Tank. I struggled a lot with both of these, especially the tank. I couldn't figure out how to get the textures in the right place at first, but after a few trial and errors, I had texturized the tank to the best I could.  Another tool I worked with is rigging, which is Module 7.  The assignment I did to practice with this is the "It's Alive!" project. And the last module I worked on is animation. And the exercise I did was the big premier. 

A resource I used and found helpful was BrainBuffet again. Just like the other quarter, the tutorials really helped me out while I did the assignments. When I faced trouble, I just rewinded the video back and looked closely, and redid some stuff so I could overcome the troubles.

Some challenges I faced however, was texturizing the tank, like I stated before. I found this challenging, because I couldn't find any good textures that I liked. And to add on top of that, I could not get the texture in the right place.