Week 1

Primitive and Low Poly Modelling

I have used 3D Studio Max before in previous studies so I am quite confident using the basics of this software, from forming a box, plane or sphere to changing the shape using editable poly mesh, extrude or bevel to create basic shapes. I hope to increase my knowledge of 3D Studio Max and to be able to create a detailed and informative blog over the next few weeks.

In this first tutorial we learnt the basics of Poly modelling to teach us how to use shapes, editable mesh, soft selection, extrude and bevel.

Apple - soft selection tool

This apple was made by firstly creating a sphere, and converting to editable poly mesh, and selecting vertex from the modifier, the sphere is now ready to edit. Selecting the top of the circle move vertex down to create the top of the apple, and do the same to the bottom. Then using the soft selection tool I highlighted different points of the sphere to create an uneven surface. To create the stem I created a cylinder and increased the height segments, and converted the cylinder to editable poly mesh and from the modifier drop down menu I selected the bend tool, selecting and increasing the z axis increases the angle of the cylinder. I then moved the cylinder to the top of the sphere to create the stem.

I then changed the stem colour to brown and the sphere to green to give the appearance of an apple, and added a target spotlight which I will cover later in this blog.

Final Render of Apple

Castle - Extrude

For our second tutorial we were shown how to create a simple castle using basic shapes, I created a castle using two types of shapes, box and cylinder. firstly I made the walls by creating a long thin box and changing the amount of segments so that I am able to extrude them, I then changed the box to editable poly and selected polygon, then selecting one of the top segments I used the extrude tool to extend the polygon, I then did this for every other segment to create my wall. I copied and rotated the wall 3 times so that the outer wall is formed. I then did the same for the cylinder for each corner, by selecting segments and extruding.

I created the center tower of the castle by applying the same techniques as the outer wall, and adding a thin box for a roof.

Final Render of Castle

Person - Extrude and Bevel

For our third tutorial we were shown how to create a basic person using the bevel and extrude tool. I first created a box and changed the length and width segments to three and the heights segments to two.

Then changing the box to editable poly and selecting the middle poly I extruded the polygon to create the neck and then bevelled the top create the bottom of the head, this technique is then repeated to create the head arms and legs. A Turbo smooth can then added to reduce the sharp edges.

Final Render of Person

Leonardo Da Vinci

Project - Leonardo Da Vinci's Machines

Mood board

We are to chose one of Leonardo Da Vinci's amazing machines, model it, animate it and present it in a 15th Century Italian environment.

Leonardo Da Vinci was born in 14 was an italian Renaissance polymath: painter, sculpter, architect, musician,, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer.

Machines

These are just a few of Leonardo's machines:

Ornithopter Flying Machine