Longer Option
3D Sketching a Lightsaber . . . (3)
Model the Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber
Right-Click on this image and choose Save Image as and save it to your Documents in a folder called 3D, inside a folder called Lightsaber. You will need to make a new folders.
Move your mouse over the perspective view and tap {Space Bar}
Move your mouse over the lower left view and tap {Space Bar}
It should now look like this. At the bottom of the screen, it should sat Front -Z
In the Front Orthographic View, choose View > Image Plane > Import Image
It should appear in the center like this.
Move the image in the Y-Direction so that it sits on the X-Axis.
Using the primitive cylinders, build the basic shape minus the hand grip. It should look like this.
Duplicate a Cylinder and Move & Scale it into place.
Duplicate the Cylinder and move it on top and repeat for the bottom of the last. {CTRL} + {d} to Duplicate.
Right-Click on the both Cylinders and choose Vertex. *You need to select and change each cylinder independently.
Select the top row of vertices - drag a box around them.
While holding <Shift> select the bottom row of vertices - drag a box around them.
With both rows selected, use the scale tool to scale the to match the reference image. *DO NOT touch the RED handle.
Using the scale tool and the YELLOW center point of the tool, scale the vertices to match the reference image.
Select the center vertices of both cylinders.
Scale these vertices slightly inward.
While holding <Shift> select the 3 cylinders.
Combine the 3 cylinders: Mesh > Combine
Duplicate the first grip: Select the newly combined grip and press <ctrl> + <d> to duplicate. Then move it under the 1st grip. Like this.
With the new 2nd grip selected, copy the Translate Y difference. Select the number and <ctrl> + <c> to copy.
With the new 2nd grip selected, Duplicate Special the 2nd grip. Duplicate Special ❏ change the Y difference (mine was -0.5040) and the number of copies.
It should look like this . . .with 9 1/2 sections.
Hide the Image Plane in the perspective viewport. In the perspective window menu, Show > Viewport > Image Planes
It should look something like this.
Creating the Nubs
Create a Cube.
In the Front View, position it to the right of the handle
Scale in the cube in the X-Direction to make it a little bit smaller.
Position it slightly inside the handle.
In the Side View Scale the Cube slightly in the Scale Z .
Right-Click on the Cube switch to Face Mode, Switch to the Scale tool and make that face smaller.
In the Front View Select the cube.
Press the {ctrl} + {g} to group which will move the pivot point to location (0,0,0) or center-center.
With the nub selected, Duplicate it . Duplicate Special ❏ change the Y difference (mine was -0.5040 yours will be different) and the number of copies - 5 more.
It should look like this.
Make the Control Box
Basically make the control box with the skills you have. Here are some notes for one way it can be made.
Model the Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber
Turn on Wireframe on shaded objects to see edges better.
Front View: Create another cube.
Front View: Scale and move it into position. (This is X-Ray Mode.)
Switch to the Side View and turn on Wireframe on Shaded.
Perspective View: It should look like this.
Front View: Duplicate the cube, move it & Scale it.
Side View: Scale and Move Cube
Side View: Duplicate & Move cube.
Side View: Duplicate again, Move & Scale like this.
Front View: Scale it to the thickness of one bar.
Side View: Duplicate the cube 18 more times and move next to each other.
Side View: Delete every other cube
Perspective View: Create two buttons and two prisms
It should look something like this.
Setting Up the Lighting
Open File Explorer
IBL files are here:
Navigate to: This PC > (C:) Local Disk > Program Files > Autodesk > Maya2022 > presets > Assets
Right-Click on the IBL folder and Copy it. Open your 3D Folder, Right-Click and Paste it in the 3D folder on your Desktop. If you do not have a 3D folder on the Desktop, Right-Click on the Desktop and choose New > Folder
Choose Arnold > Lights > Skydome Light
Click on the Checkerboard icon next to the Color Attribute
Choose File
In the Attribute Editor select the file folder next to the Image Name Attribute.
Choose Interior1_Color.exr and then Open.
A new window will open and your scene will render.
Click the eye icon, this will take a snapshot of the render for comparison.
It should look like this. Now test the render. Arnold > Render
Select the IBL dome and in the Attribute Editor, scroll down until you hit the Visibility Tab. Change Camera to '0"
The new render should now not show the background.
Right-Click on selected objects and choose Assign New Material
Choose Shader > aiStandardSurface
Choose Presets
Choose Brushed Metal > Replace
The selected section should turn Black, then rename the material "Brushed_Metal"
Now select all the other parts that use will use a Brushed Metal material. Right-Click choose Assign Existing Material > Brushed_Metal. NOTE: if you did not name the material, it will not be there.
Right-Click on selected objects and choose Assign New Material. Choose Shader > aiStandardSurface. This time just choose the color black and label it "Black".
It should look something like this.
Select the top prism and choose Preset > Glass > Replace
Open the Transmission tab and change the Transmission Color to Green. And rename the material something like 'Green_Glass'
Repeat for the lower prism and assign red glass.
Select all the the parts that make up the Lightsaber.
Combined all the parts. Choose Mesh> Combine
It should turn green. Activate the Rotate Tool.
Activate the Resolution Gate. It is the white square with the blue circle. It will crop exactly what you will see when you render.
Grab the yellow rotate handle and adjust it while zooming in, until it fills the screen. Try to get it centered and filling the screen, while not cutting off the Lightsaber.
