Here is the finished animation with voice over, we had had to change small details about how long shots should last. Where they should stop and start and just general details that needed to be looked at before the presentation and the final hand in.
I am very happy with the overall end product, we managed to get all the work completed a week before schedule giving us more time to work on the presentation. Every group member did well we had allot on our plates to deal with and the time constraints really tested everyone. There were allot of arguments and disputes but we managed to agree on each step of the way.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Initial Animation
I have just received an E-mail from Kevin about the animation, he has spent a while trying to get it correct. But was struggling in certain areas and asked for some assistance in class on the Friday. I am glad that he has tried had to get his part done and asked for help when he has hit a road block instead of just wasting time trying to work it out. (This is one the advantages of group work.)
Environment and Textures
We managed to help out Kevin and get all the animation working well, this then meant that tom could get to work on the textures and put the model into the environment that he had created based on the information from that Teresa had collected.
Above is the image of the environment that Tom had created, he has done a fantastic job it looks really good. The thanks look really realistic and when you zoom in the onto the cages the lighting really gives off a brilliant detail.
Final Rendered Images
Here are some final renders of the model with textures on and lighting, the model is really starting to look good. Now its just a case of putting cameras in and recording the sequences and mixing it with the voice recoding that Teresa has made.
Environment and Textures
We managed to help out Kevin and get all the animation working well, this then meant that tom could get to work on the textures and put the model into the environment that he had created based on the information from that Teresa had collected.
Above is the image of the environment that Tom had created, he has done a fantastic job it looks really good. The thanks look really realistic and when you zoom in the onto the cages the lighting really gives off a brilliant detail.
Final Rendered Images
Here are some final renders of the model with textures on and lighting, the model is really starting to look good. Now its just a case of putting cameras in and recording the sequences and mixing it with the voice recoding that Teresa has made.
My Work Completion
I have created a version of the model that shows all the modeling that each member of the group completed.
As I did most of the modeling the rest of the work was being done by the other members, we wanted everyone to have a decent amount of work to complete so that everyone had a decent report for the project. This means that I had less work do to from this point on, but I have told all the other members that if they need any help I am willing to help out with animation and any further modeling etc.
As I did most of the modeling the rest of the work was being done by the other members, we wanted everyone to have a decent amount of work to complete so that everyone had a decent report for the project. This means that I had less work do to from this point on, but I have told all the other members that if they need any help I am willing to help out with animation and any further modeling etc.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Final Model
Here are a selection of images of the final model all built and ready for textures and animation.
The final bit of modeling
The last bit of modeling was the silver intake and outtake value, once this had been completed then the model would be finished and ready for animation.
After we had met up in class to put more of the work together, I had spoken to the others we all had finished the modeling that we had set. So that work could continue as fast as possible with all the members happy with the work, I offered to take the final modeling off Teresa so that she could progress with the Voice over that was needed for the video editing.
Me and Teresa have had various conversations about work most of them becoming very heated, this may be down to the fact that we are both quite strong minded and idolize perfection. Although I did feel she was quick to judge work from the other members, I understand her reasons as sometimes mistakes need to be pointed out to members (more of a helping hand from a fresh pair of eyes.)
This is how it would be undertaken in a work environment but because university is still a place of learning we just needed to make sure we spoke about things instead of just moaning at each other. We both had very different opinions to the subject, It has shown to me that group work can be quite difficult sometimes trying to please everyone, but as long as everyone gets a say and can voice there opinion in a calm and casual way then it will result in a good finished piece of work.
The reference image
Working Begins
Quite a hard deadline
I really had a time limit on creating the input and output values, I had the rest of the group waiting for the work to be produced so that they could carry on with the project. I still wanted it to look as good as the rest of the model, so I spent about 8 hours in One day from start to finish.
The image that you see above was a few hours in, I had created very basic shapes (similar to the green parts of the model.) But had combined them together to make a more intricate design. I had stolen parts from other sections (such as the areas where the pipes will lead to.) as it was unnecessary to make them again when they are the same components.
Pipes for Intake and Outtake
The next job was to create the pipes that are used to deliver the steam to the machine, also pumping the tar from the tanks to the awaiting carts and machines. There are allot of small components and dials that needed to be made from scratch.
The pipes looked relativity simple to make but marking bends are quite tricky within max, I went through a few ways to create the pipes in a curved shape trying to use the polygon tool to move the mesh but to no avail. I then found out that there is a bend modifier that can be applied to objects, allowing me to manipulate it correctly.
I did not attach the other pipes for animation reasons, I lined them up as best as I could and once the texture was added you could not see the small overlaps.
Detail in the metal pipes
The sections above show a more detailed look at the pipes created:
Red: 5 Small cylinders and 1 Large one connected together to make the tunable handle.
Blue: The bolts were created by using the hexagon tool and changing the sides
Yellow: These parts of pipe are not smooth they bulged out so I got a cylinder and used editable poly to pull out the middle parts to make it embossed.
The Clock/Dial
The clock/dial needed to be created to fit on the pipe, it was used to monitor the pressure of the steam. I made 2 separate pieces, the main part to house the face which was a cylinder that was then inset and extruded inwards. This then left space for the circular plane ( the reason a plane was made so that a material could be applied without wrapping around the rest of model itself.)
Finished Model
Once all the pieces have been put together they form the image shown above, once again nothing has been attached so that it does not break apart when being sent to the other members of the group.
The final parts managed to capture all the fine details that I was looking for, I have tried to keep the model as accurate to the original. Using all the refreshes images that were available. I have now completed all the modeling.
After we had met up in class to put more of the work together, I had spoken to the others we all had finished the modeling that we had set. So that work could continue as fast as possible with all the members happy with the work, I offered to take the final modeling off Teresa so that she could progress with the Voice over that was needed for the video editing.
Me and Teresa have had various conversations about work most of them becoming very heated, this may be down to the fact that we are both quite strong minded and idolize perfection. Although I did feel she was quick to judge work from the other members, I understand her reasons as sometimes mistakes need to be pointed out to members (more of a helping hand from a fresh pair of eyes.)
This is how it would be undertaken in a work environment but because university is still a place of learning we just needed to make sure we spoke about things instead of just moaning at each other. We both had very different opinions to the subject, It has shown to me that group work can be quite difficult sometimes trying to please everyone, but as long as everyone gets a say and can voice there opinion in a calm and casual way then it will result in a good finished piece of work.
The reference image
Working Begins
Quite a hard deadline
I really had a time limit on creating the input and output values, I had the rest of the group waiting for the work to be produced so that they could carry on with the project. I still wanted it to look as good as the rest of the model, so I spent about 8 hours in One day from start to finish.
The image that you see above was a few hours in, I had created very basic shapes (similar to the green parts of the model.) But had combined them together to make a more intricate design. I had stolen parts from other sections (such as the areas where the pipes will lead to.) as it was unnecessary to make them again when they are the same components.
Pipes for Intake and Outtake
The next job was to create the pipes that are used to deliver the steam to the machine, also pumping the tar from the tanks to the awaiting carts and machines. There are allot of small components and dials that needed to be made from scratch.
The pipes looked relativity simple to make but marking bends are quite tricky within max, I went through a few ways to create the pipes in a curved shape trying to use the polygon tool to move the mesh but to no avail. I then found out that there is a bend modifier that can be applied to objects, allowing me to manipulate it correctly.
I did not attach the other pipes for animation reasons, I lined them up as best as I could and once the texture was added you could not see the small overlaps.
Detail in the metal pipes
The sections above show a more detailed look at the pipes created:
Red: 5 Small cylinders and 1 Large one connected together to make the tunable handle.
Blue: The bolts were created by using the hexagon tool and changing the sides
Yellow: These parts of pipe are not smooth they bulged out so I got a cylinder and used editable poly to pull out the middle parts to make it embossed.
The Clock/Dial
The clock/dial needed to be created to fit on the pipe, it was used to monitor the pressure of the steam. I made 2 separate pieces, the main part to house the face which was a cylinder that was then inset and extruded inwards. This then left space for the circular plane ( the reason a plane was made so that a material could be applied without wrapping around the rest of model itself.)
Finished Model
Once all the pieces have been put together they form the image shown above, once again nothing has been attached so that it does not break apart when being sent to the other members of the group.
The final parts managed to capture all the fine details that I was looking for, I have tried to keep the model as accurate to the original. Using all the refreshes images that were available. I have now completed all the modeling.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Group Meeting to put together work
We recently met up finished putting all the parts of the model that we have created together into One max file, to also see what else needed to be done and have a general group discussion.
Me and Tom met up early before the lesson to spend time putting our work together it took us about 2 hours but we finally managed to produce the image shown above. It was then a case of speaking to Kevin and Teresa to then add there work to the model.
Finding out about the other members work
We had all set a time line for this Friday to have all the modeling completed giving us enough time to work on animation and setting up the environment and textures as well as the final presentation.
Kevin had successfully created the wheel for the pump and it was looking awesome, he has spent allot of time working with different ways to make the cut out segments look good and creating the lip around the wheel. It was the correct size and fit on the model perfectly.
Teresa had only finished one part of her modeling and still needed to complete her main part, she was trying hard but in my opinion she had spent far too long researching the machine. Ill give her credit she managed to find some amazing information that really helped the group and will make us stand out from the others who are building the same model.
But due to this she had little time to model, so I gave her only a small amount making her able to cope. But she was unhappy with this and asked for more during that week. Upon speaking to her on the Friday she then told me there was too much to do, so I ended up taking more modeling off her. This was an easy mistake to make as she did not want it to seem like she had not done her fair share, but at the same time it slowed down the project as I could have got it done and ready for the Friday.
Here is how the work looked at the end of today's lesson, the only piece that is missing is the silver piece on the side containing the intake and outtake. This part has allot of pipes and dials coming from it, so it might take me a while as I know that I will spent ages making it look as good as I can with the detail.
Conclusion
But overall we got all of it sorted, I now need to complete the last bit of the model and then get it sent off to Tom and Kevin who can then start to animate it and texture it.
I have found working in the group quite hard because some group members argued allot about modeling and the amount of work that was set, so I found it really frustrating. I also was told in the beginning that I was suppose to be doing all the modeling, which I felt was quite unfair but in the end I completed most of the modeling for the group. I am happy with the work I created and has given me allot to document, really making me feel a valuable part of the group.
Me and Tom met up early before the lesson to spend time putting our work together it took us about 2 hours but we finally managed to produce the image shown above. It was then a case of speaking to Kevin and Teresa to then add there work to the model.
Finding out about the other members work
We had all set a time line for this Friday to have all the modeling completed giving us enough time to work on animation and setting up the environment and textures as well as the final presentation.
Kevin had successfully created the wheel for the pump and it was looking awesome, he has spent allot of time working with different ways to make the cut out segments look good and creating the lip around the wheel. It was the correct size and fit on the model perfectly.
Teresa had only finished one part of her modeling and still needed to complete her main part, she was trying hard but in my opinion she had spent far too long researching the machine. Ill give her credit she managed to find some amazing information that really helped the group and will make us stand out from the others who are building the same model.
But due to this she had little time to model, so I gave her only a small amount making her able to cope. But she was unhappy with this and asked for more during that week. Upon speaking to her on the Friday she then told me there was too much to do, so I ended up taking more modeling off her. This was an easy mistake to make as she did not want it to seem like she had not done her fair share, but at the same time it slowed down the project as I could have got it done and ready for the Friday.
Here is how the work looked at the end of today's lesson, the only piece that is missing is the silver piece on the side containing the intake and outtake. This part has allot of pipes and dials coming from it, so it might take me a while as I know that I will spent ages making it look as good as I can with the detail.
Conclusion
But overall we got all of it sorted, I now need to complete the last bit of the model and then get it sent off to Tom and Kevin who can then start to animate it and texture it.
I have found working in the group quite hard because some group members argued allot about modeling and the amount of work that was set, so I found it really frustrating. I also was told in the beginning that I was suppose to be doing all the modeling, which I felt was quite unfair but in the end I completed most of the modeling for the group. I am happy with the work I created and has given me allot to document, really making me feel a valuable part of the group.
Sending Work
We noticed that when we wanted to show each other work in progress etc and when it had also been completed. Sending the max files to each other made some strange errors.
How the Object should have looked....
What happened when it was exported and sent.
As you can see the object has become split and deconstructed, It was a royal pain to get it back together again. This mainly occurred because we all had different versions of 3D Studio Max so had to export the models to enable anyone else to open them.
How the Object should have looked....
What happened when it was exported and sent.
As you can see the object has become split and deconstructed, It was a royal pain to get it back together again. This mainly occurred because we all had different versions of 3D Studio Max so had to export the models to enable anyone else to open them.
More Modeling
It was now time to crack on with some more modeling, my next task was to take on the section of the model with the outer green casing (the housing for the governor). From first eyeballing the pictures, breaking it up into sections would be quite simple as it did not comprise of many complex shapes.
I started off by creating a chamfer box, then used the line tool to create the mounts that connect the chambers to the box. (The reason for this was because it gave me the most flexibility as there were no objects that resembled the shape I was looking for, I felt that box moddeling would have taken too long to get the desired look.
The Bolts were then made by simply using the "Gengon" and giving it 5 sides, I stumbled upon this by accident when creating the previouse model and remembered that it would be a great way to create nuts and bolts.
I then added a sphere that was cut in half to the center of the bolt, which really finishes it off. (These are the small details that I like to spend time on, becasue they will make the end result look so much better.)
The chamber casings were made by using the "Oil Tank" and changing its Cap Height so that the top and bottom become very rounded. Then my simply adding a cylinder to the top, there was no need to make it all 1 piece because it would have looked wrong when smoothed.
For the front parts, I used the mounts that were created earlier with the line tool, scaled and rotated them. I then modified and used the bolts, adding them all to some spheres.
The back was also very simple to make, taking the bolts created and duplicating them (Holding down shift) and adding some more spheres.
The above image shows how it looks when all the parts are put together, I did not attach all the items simply grouped them. The reason for this is because it they need to be edited or removed at a later day then they can be ungrouped and done easily, where as when you connect them you cannot break them apart. (This also will help out the other members when animation is taking place.)
The above image shows the wireframe once the 2 models that I have made have been put together, you can really start to see the model comming to life. I am not brilliant at moddeling but am suprising myself throughout this module.
Here is the rendered vesion of both models added together.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Moddeling the Middle Part
As I knew this was going to be the hardest part of the model, getting it out of the way first would mean plain sailing for the rest of the model.I am not the best at modeling in 3D Studio Max, but unknown to me everyone else in the group said they wanted me to take on the main part of the modeling. But I really felt confident that I could produce something to be proud of.
The Main element of the Model (Rounded Segment)
I managed to get a new picture that Teresa collected from a member of the museum, which was perfect for modeling. I started off by using the line tool and following round the edge of the rounded piece.
After converting to editable poly, I then used the extrude tool, for some reason once it had been applied one side was missing. As I am not really familiar with this tool was unsure if that was normal behavior but I had to use the symmetry tool to make sure that both sides were sealed. This did the trick and is not noticeable once the widget to get the right proportions.
I needed to figure out a way of adding the arms to the sides of it, I wanted it to look flush with the model not making separate objects and then attaching them. (The problem with this is that you can see the connect marks and it looks really poor when rendered.)
I had to delete segments from the model and then add more points by selecting the edges and holding down the shift key, then using the weld tool to connect the newly formed edges.
This took a long time to say the least but was worth it when the a turbo smooth was applied as it all flowed well.
As you can see from the image above, the elements flow well when turbo smoothed. The image above also shows some further details that will be explained later in the blog. But the details on the main element that you can also see were simply blocks coming from within the model itself.
Adding Further Details
I have added details to the model, as I wanted to make it look as realistic as possible. Unfortunately it took the longest but really makes the model look better when you spent time on the little details. (Even as frustrating as it is, also that most people wont even see parts.)
It was a collection of spheres and squares, that were bent, poked and moved around to fit with the shape and contours of the model. There was a ridge that ran across the top of this piece I spent allot of time making it look smooth with the gap in the middle. (Simply just using a square and extruding it in different places and using the chamfer modifier to make the edges nice and smooth.
The image above shows the finished the element finished with the pole that travels thought the entire model. This was key to get this in the correct place as it aligns all the parts of the model.
More Detailed Parts
There was allot of details that had to be added to the middle section, there were allot of elements including circular objects, allot of embedded markings and items that were generally not straight.
I used cylinders to make the rotary spheres on the model, simply using smaller sizes that bevel from the outside. The main block was made from a box that was modified to give it more side and height segments, these extra segments were then extruded and inset to give it the metal work look. I then added small cylinders for the small notches on the casing.
The side parts (green scribble) were very simple you can guess that it was created using a box scaled and then duplicated, to both sides of the model. I wanted to give the more detail but from looking over the pictures of the steam pump from the museum, that is exactly how they look. I might be adding a chamfer to them to just make them not so 3Dmax generated.
Rendered Model So Far
Below are some images of the model that have been rendered with some lighting, just to really get a feel for the model and show how it is starting to shape together.
The Base of the Model
I then started to make the base for the model, as it would help with the scale. Also as it was not assigned to anyone and was also relatively simply, it was also a key part when starting to join the other group members work together with mine.
I simply used a standard box, then used the pro Boolean and an oil tank object to cut out the hole where the model parts could be placed. Then by using the images as references, added the sides of the base so that the pipe that runs through could be attached.
I know that the base needs more work but as its one of the easier parts of modeling, could be done later in time. Wanting to spend more time on the actual model as it was the main selling and visual part of the work.
I rendered some VRay versions of the model in its current state, you can really start to see it taking shape. I have high hopes for the finished product, the challenging part will be putting all the work that we have all created together as scale, sizing etc could be off. But I am sure that we will work it out.
Break Down in Communcation
Unfortuanlty becasue we had not spoken about who was going to build the base, 3 members of the group including myself ended up constructing the base. This obviosly meant that we wasted time on moddeling, but luckily most of did not start moddeling it on great detial.
Tom had pretty much bulit the entire base so we decided to use his version, but also used the side parts from teresa's model as they were more accurat to the working steam pump. So luckily the extra models were not wasted and were used to improve the base of the main model.
Next time moddeling in a group I must make sure that everyone knows exacley what and who is doing what peices, as problems can easliy occur. Lukcily in this work it was only on a small scale and ended up working to our advantage, but could have turned out allot worse wasting valuable time of the members.
The Main element of the Model (Rounded Segment)
I managed to get a new picture that Teresa collected from a member of the museum, which was perfect for modeling. I started off by using the line tool and following round the edge of the rounded piece.
After converting to editable poly, I then used the extrude tool, for some reason once it had been applied one side was missing. As I am not really familiar with this tool was unsure if that was normal behavior but I had to use the symmetry tool to make sure that both sides were sealed. This did the trick and is not noticeable once the widget to get the right proportions.
I needed to figure out a way of adding the arms to the sides of it, I wanted it to look flush with the model not making separate objects and then attaching them. (The problem with this is that you can see the connect marks and it looks really poor when rendered.)
I had to delete segments from the model and then add more points by selecting the edges and holding down the shift key, then using the weld tool to connect the newly formed edges.
This took a long time to say the least but was worth it when the a turbo smooth was applied as it all flowed well.
As you can see from the image above, the elements flow well when turbo smoothed. The image above also shows some further details that will be explained later in the blog. But the details on the main element that you can also see were simply blocks coming from within the model itself.
Adding Further Details
I have added details to the model, as I wanted to make it look as realistic as possible. Unfortunately it took the longest but really makes the model look better when you spent time on the little details. (Even as frustrating as it is, also that most people wont even see parts.)
It was a collection of spheres and squares, that were bent, poked and moved around to fit with the shape and contours of the model. There was a ridge that ran across the top of this piece I spent allot of time making it look smooth with the gap in the middle. (Simply just using a square and extruding it in different places and using the chamfer modifier to make the edges nice and smooth.
The image above shows the finished the element finished with the pole that travels thought the entire model. This was key to get this in the correct place as it aligns all the parts of the model.
More Detailed Parts
There was allot of details that had to be added to the middle section, there were allot of elements including circular objects, allot of embedded markings and items that were generally not straight.
I used cylinders to make the rotary spheres on the model, simply using smaller sizes that bevel from the outside. The main block was made from a box that was modified to give it more side and height segments, these extra segments were then extruded and inset to give it the metal work look. I then added small cylinders for the small notches on the casing.
The side parts (green scribble) were very simple you can guess that it was created using a box scaled and then duplicated, to both sides of the model. I wanted to give the more detail but from looking over the pictures of the steam pump from the museum, that is exactly how they look. I might be adding a chamfer to them to just make them not so 3Dmax generated.
Rendered Model So Far
Below are some images of the model that have been rendered with some lighting, just to really get a feel for the model and show how it is starting to shape together.
The Base of the Model
I then started to make the base for the model, as it would help with the scale. Also as it was not assigned to anyone and was also relatively simply, it was also a key part when starting to join the other group members work together with mine.
I simply used a standard box, then used the pro Boolean and an oil tank object to cut out the hole where the model parts could be placed. Then by using the images as references, added the sides of the base so that the pipe that runs through could be attached.
I know that the base needs more work but as its one of the easier parts of modeling, could be done later in time. Wanting to spend more time on the actual model as it was the main selling and visual part of the work.
I rendered some VRay versions of the model in its current state, you can really start to see it taking shape. I have high hopes for the finished product, the challenging part will be putting all the work that we have all created together as scale, sizing etc could be off. But I am sure that we will work it out.
Break Down in Communcation
Unfortuanlty becasue we had not spoken about who was going to build the base, 3 members of the group including myself ended up constructing the base. This obviosly meant that we wasted time on moddeling, but luckily most of did not start moddeling it on great detial.
Tom had pretty much bulit the entire base so we decided to use his version, but also used the side parts from teresa's model as they were more accurat to the working steam pump. So luckily the extra models were not wasted and were used to improve the base of the main model.
Next time moddeling in a group I must make sure that everyone knows exacley what and who is doing what peices, as problems can easliy occur. Lukcily in this work it was only on a small scale and ended up working to our advantage, but could have turned out allot worse wasting valuable time of the members.
Further Model Choices and Sketches
We were all going to take a part of the model to make, as the model was mainly my part of contribution to the group I was asked to divide up the work. I had told everyone the parts to start modeling but believed it would be a good idea to have a visual representation to e-mail to each member to help them.
I was going to be doing the main (dark blue part) with Teresa and Kevin doing the wheel and front mechanism.
I took my part away and started modeling to get the ball rolling, as we were increasingly running out of time and needed to stop researching and make sure we were working on the model.
I realized from looking at the images that we had collected from the museum that we did not have any directly side shots of the model. This meant that it would be hard to model as everything is at an angle, so I decided that I needed to draw a sketch of the model both for modeling but mianly for personal refrence.
The image above shows the sketch, that I came up with. It was nothing special but as mentioned was just needed for refrences and to model within max.
As we were giving a presentation to the class, I wanted to quickyl turn my sketch into a real image. So in the late hours of the night I made something for the presentation, once again It was not fantastic but this was to lull our competition (classmates) into beliving our model would not be that good and then blow them away with the finished product.
I was going to be doing the main (dark blue part) with Teresa and Kevin doing the wheel and front mechanism.
I took my part away and started modeling to get the ball rolling, as we were increasingly running out of time and needed to stop researching and make sure we were working on the model.
I realized from looking at the images that we had collected from the museum that we did not have any directly side shots of the model. This meant that it would be hard to model as everything is at an angle, so I decided that I needed to draw a sketch of the model both for modeling but mianly for personal refrence.
The image above shows the sketch, that I came up with. It was nothing special but as mentioned was just needed for refrences and to model within max.
As we were giving a presentation to the class, I wanted to quickyl turn my sketch into a real image. So in the late hours of the night I made something for the presentation, once again It was not fantastic but this was to lull our competition (classmates) into beliving our model would not be that good and then blow them away with the finished product.
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