Game Technologies (Project 3: Prop 3 Blockout)

My third and final prop blockout for GTE was a KitchenAid hand mixer (circa 1950s). I modeled it in Maya 2016 and rendered it in Unreal Engine 4. Final composition and reference image provided. 

Game Technologies (Project 2: Prop 2 Blockout)

My second prop blockout for GTE class was of a Revere Model 144 8mm camera. I modeled it in Maya 2016 and then imported it into Unreal Engine 4 to render it. I have provided both my render and the reference images used.

Game Technologies (Project 1: Prop 1 Blockout)

This month, one of the classes I'm in is Game Technologies. Earlier this month, you saw the three props I chose to model and compositions of the reference images (post here). The first prop I chose to block-out was the Zenith Radio (circa 1939). I modeled the radio in Maya, getting the basic shapes of the mesh ironed out. I then used Substance Designer to create all the materials necessary for the prop; such as wood, screen, plastic, bronze, and copper. I brought everything into Unreal Engine 4, and created a Glass material to apply to radio where needed. Last, I set up three point lighting by utilizing a key light, fill light, and rim light. This is a very basic block-out that I will work on in the future to achieve more realism and detail. Below is a comp of the radio in Unreal, along with the reference images used. 

Material Study (Substance Designer 5 & Unreal Engine 4)

This week I created 12 materials (6 clean, 6 dirty) using Substance Designer and Unreal Engine. I designed all the materials in Substance and them imported them into Unreal to render them out.

Game Technologies (Activity 1: Project Reference)

The first activity in Game Technologies class involved me doing research for props I plan on building. I chose three props that I thought would present a challenge, all following the same theme of vintage, household appliances. Below I have compiled the reference images I will use for my three props.

Advanced Game Characters

This month, as I near the end of my Game Art degree, I am in two classes. Advanced Game Characters and Game Animation. For the Advanced Game Characters class I started out on a project about a week ago. I did most of my research on Pinterest and compiled it on a board for easy access while I worked on this project (see previous blog post for link to board, if interested). I won't lie, characters are not my strong suit. I struggle with anatomy and out of all the programs I have learned to use over the past year, ZBrush is by far the one I am least experienced in. I worked with my character in ZBrush, using basic tools and alphas to come up with a "basic" model for my character. Here was my first milestone turn around:

I think I did a decent job at making his chest and veins very defined. I wanted them to stand out and make his skin appear to be very tight and stretched. His face on the other hand isn't as stretched, but is more scaly. I still need to work on defining the eyes and ears. The next step will be to model his shirt and armor. I plan on having a full bust from the chest upwards. I think at this point a lot of the details will be more evident and apparent once I start to work on it in Substance Painter. I can use different colors and shaders to draw a contrast of his features. More to come soon!

While You Wait...

Hey ladies and gentlemen! I wanted to apologize for the slight gap between posts. Last month was very time-consuming for me and it didn't leave much time to focus on anything non-academic. I have a lot of exciting posts I am working on pertaining to the level I built last month in Level Design and Lighting Class (using Unreal Engine 4). I plan on getting up some good entries over Thanksgiving Break, but in the meantime, check out my Pinterest board to see the latest project I'm diving into. This month I am taking Advanced Game Characters and Game Animation 1, so I look forward to really learning a lot this month. Hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!