2009 Summer Projects
 

Anyone doing anything interesting to keep your Max skills sharp?
I've been trying to do some modeling. I've spent the last couple days making a human model that has gone so-so. It is only my second character model and is a huge improvement over the first, but still is not correct with anatomy. I think I'm going to focus on animals after this experiment, because I've learned that I'm not very good with humans. I'll give a link to a render when I've spent more time on it.
I also plan to work on rigging and getting walk cycles down.
I'm curious as to what everyone else is doing and any good resources?
I've been liking 3dtotal.com so far and it seems there are a lot more good tutorials on that website that I plan to take a look at.

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

This might be a good time to think about doing Kevin342's suggestion for an off season project....

"What if we create an animation of robots, team mascots, or any other characters in our AVA entries - all dancing to "I like to move it, move it"?"

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

I've been experimenting with box modeling. This is a t-rex I made. Right now it's in its early stages, only 1100 polys right now. My top three priorities for improvement on this mesh are:
1. Arms- They aren't skinny like the stereotype
2. Feet - They're too small and couldn't physically support that
3. Head - Only got a basic shape right now. Adding eyes and nose could get ugly, so I was saving this for near the end.

Also, I have no idea how to texture this thing. Should I just use a multi-object texture and change the mat id's of the polygons?

http://img190.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=trexfronta.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=trexfront.jpg

This is only the second model I've made without using a tutorial. What do you think? Is it a good start or am I doing it all wrong?

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

I need to see a wire frame view that you see in your view port. I need to see the wireframe/poly view. then I could tell if you are doing it wrong.

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

http://img41.imageshack.us/gal.php?g...ewireframe.jpg

The non-wireframe images are with meshsmooth applied, wireframe images are before meshsmooth.
Also, which views(perspectives) are best when posting a wireframe?

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

Tried a second time, this time following a tutorial. Here is the start of my head:
http://img257.imageshack.us/gal.php?...erspective.jpg

I think it looks more like a velociraptor than a T-Rex, so I'm gonna try to make some adjustments.

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

two things you need to research. Edge loops and edge flow. You are relying too much on mesh smooth to do your modeling for you. Your model should look perfect with only one alteration of mesh smooth. Not 2 or 3.

also how much reference pictures are you getting when you model this? Look at komoto dragons, snakes, and other lizards. Also I suggest you run over to toys R us and get a kick $@#$@#$@# T-rex toy to use as a reference. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH! Toys and action figures are awesome when it comes to research.

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JttZ1AX5kGw

T-Rex walk cycle

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

I'm going to try and build a magnetic generator:

http://www.magniwork.com

I've been looking for something like this for years, at first it seemed a bit fake, but a bunch of third parties backed it up.

So there's my summer fun, I'll tell you how it goes.

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

forgot about wireframes
http://img27.imageshack.us/gal.php?g...ramenonsmo.jpg

also, T-Rex doing the moonwalk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRMiZbtG2jI

It's a little rough when his foot that is just touching by the toes goes down flat, but if I slow that part down the whole thing looks like it's in slow motion
I will think more about how to fix this after I sleep on it

Rest In Peace Michael Jackson

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

Our students are working on a human-like robot. We'll practice rigging and animating.

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

uhhhh.... it claims to make 5 times the energy it uses. I looked around a bit, they never quite say what type of energy it uses, aside from "revolutionary green energy" or "revolutionary magnetic energy". Those terms really don't mean anything. I've heard of people harvesting electromagnetic energy, but they admit it's very small amounts.

I hope you don't buy their manual.

Re: 2009 Summer Projects
 

It doesn't matter. In animation, I could make WWII hotdogs fight against roman cyborg seagulls that shoot laser beams out of their eyes. oh wait, I DID!