Major Project - Reflective Statement

Looking back at the entire major project, I am satisfied with how I managed most of the project. Similar to my experience of the minor project, it went well overall but still had a few small problems along the way. I am happy with the animation and 'art of' document I have submitted and feel that it reflects a lot of hard work in areas that I had only rudimentary experience in beforehand.

These main two areas were animation and lighting. In previous projects on this course I had perhaps not pushed myself far enough in these areas to properly prepare for a year long project creating an animated short. Thankfully I manged to overcome these problems before they threatened the project significantly. However, this experience definitively shows that I need to work more in these areas after this course in order to bring them up to the standard of the rest of my skill set.

There were also a few moments during the project where I didn't work smartly enough and some areas were left too long. This mean't I had to pause everything else just to complete things that should already have been done. Due to moments like this there was time lost that should not have been.

The project as a whole went very well despite these few setbacks and I am very proud of the animated short I produced. I was able to work to some of my strengths creating the animation and I very much enjoyed working on it. 

Major Project - Final Submission

Major Project - Colour Fade Effect

A quick update to show the colour fade effect I have created for my animation. It was made by animating a radial ramp that is projected onto the object in maya.

Major Project - Lighting Tests 02

After making the lighting changes Alan suggested I have these reworked shots. Shot 8 still has some issues which I have yet to figure out how to solve.

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Shot 6

Shot 7

Shot 8 (A)

Shot 8 (B)

Shot 8 (C)

@Alan Major Project - Screenshots of Shot 2 and 10

Shot 2 Ambient Occ

Shot 2 Point Light

Shot 10 Grid Reference

@Alan Major Project - Lighting Tests 01

I've been working on lighting the scenes and tweaking texture maps where necessary. This is the progress so far on the first 10 shots. The shadows still need a bit of work but I think the brightness and vibrancy of the shots are very close to what I want. I would appreciate any feedback on lighting issues I may not be seeing.

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Shot 6

Shot 7

Shot 8

Shot 9

Shot 10

Major Project - Interior Texturing Continued

This weekend I've taken a break from animating to get most of my texturing done. I am happy with the majority of these textures but some still require more refined detail and slight colour alterations. The only textures yet to be completed are the van and front garden. For now though I will get back to animating my shots.

Kitchen

Living Room

Baby's Room 

Hallway (Basic Lighting Only)

Major Project - Animation Blocking for shot 08 and 32 Continued

I have tweaked these two shots after talking through them with Alan.

Major Project - Animation Blocking for shot 08 and 32

This took longer than expected as there were a few bumps and restarts as I worked it out. It could likely do with a little more refinement before proceeding onto refined animation.

Major Project - Sound Collector's Van Modelled and UV'ed

I have completed the final model for the animation. This is the van the sound collector arrives in at the start of the animation. It has been modelled after a Ford Transit MK1.

Major Project - Animation Blocking Continued

I have blocked out the majority of the shots for the animation now. I have only included shots with animation in the video above.

Major Project - Environment UV's Complete

This weekend I decided to take a break from animation blocking to complete the UVing for my house environment. Once I have set up all of my shots, there may be some small additions of props if it seems necessary.

Baby Room

Bathroom

Hallway

Kitchen/Living Room

House Front

Major Project - First Animation Blocking

I have now started blocking out individual shots for the animation. Progress with these has been initially slow, but I am feeling steadily more confident with the process as I make them.

Shot 04 Blocking

Shot 05 Blocking

Shot 11 Blocking

Major Project - Second Modelling Update

I have now modelled the majority of the environment props in my house set. With just a few extra details to finish, including the two houseplants that currently exist as two empty pots. The next thing to complete is the model of the sound collector's van.

Model of the Front Gate Lock

Major Project - Modelling and Texturing Update

I've been continuing with modelling the environment sets. The hallway has all of its main pieces of furniture and the front door is complete. I've also modelled the majority of the exterior set. The front gate still requires more work and the van still needs to be modelled. Since receiving my feedback for the minor project I have also made some tweaks to the textures in my living room/kitchen set. I've added wooden detail to the front of the sofa, changed the design and colour of the ceiling lamps and removed the artex from the ceiling beam in the kitchen.

Hallway Main Furniture Modelled

Front Door Lock and Door Bell Speaker

House Front Modelling Progress

Early Doorbell Shot Test Render

Kitchen Texture Changes

Living Room Texture Changes

Major Project - Continuing to Model the Bathroom and Baby Room

Baby Room Set with Main Furniture

Bathroom Set with Main Furniture

Since the minor project hand in I have been continuing to model the house interior for 'The Sound Collector'. I have now modeled the main furniture for the bathroom and added the skirting and coving for both the bathroom and baby room. The next task is to model the main furniture for the hallway.