Maya Experimentation | Maya | Minor Project | Year 3

I've begun to take peoples drawings and convert them into basic Maya models. This is not only to get the shapes right and to start getting a range of them converted but to allow me to experiment with textures and lighting techniques.

The plastic cup is a brilliant example. Just by adding a realistic glass/plastic texture to the piece, it really adds a new dimension. I also want to find a way to add a black outline over the piece to tie it to the original drawings. If possible I'm hoping to use the original drawing over the top but I'm not sure how easy this would be.

This is the latest drawing that I'm experimenting with. The basic shape of the 'sky domes' have been translated and the basic textures added. The sky domes are now glass and the posts have been given a generic texture for now.

Walk Cycle | Maya | Year 2

Skullduggery's Rigging and Skinning Attempt | Maya | Adaption B | Year 2

These are screenshots from my rigging and skinning attempt for Skullduggery. 

Suit Progress | Maya | Adaption B | Year 2

This is how Skullduggery's suit is looking so far! I think I've managed to get a nice shape with good definition to the suit and tie when the model is un-smoothed as well as smoothed. The collar doesn't match with my orthographs but I think the way I have modelled it looks a lot smoother.

Skull 2 | Test | Adaption B | Year 2

This was attempt 2 at modelling a skull. This time it went a lot better and I could create a smoother shape but there was still too much geometry. My third skull will be made using the proper orthography and not the original drawings from the 1st 2 attempts which I think will help.

Skull 1 | Test | Maya | Adaption B | Year 2

This was my first attempt at modelling a skull. Although I got the rough shape correct, I had added too much geometry and it was getting very difficult to change the shape.

Animated Poses | Maya | Year 2

Poses | Maya | Year 2

Archer

Yoga

Ballet

Runner

Basketballer

Squash and Stretch: Jumping | Maya

Legs, Spine, Head and Neck | Rigging | Maya

Settle & Rest: Pendulum | Maya

Custom Camera Rig | Maya

Batch Rendering | Maya

Reflectivity | Maya

With and without shadow

Sign, Render and Movement Testing | Playblast | Maya | Fantastic Voyage

Sign, Render and Movement Testing | My Science Project from Beckie Ryan on Vimeo.

This is an incomplete playblast of my pre-viz. This was to test the signs, render quality and movement of the objects and signs within the piece.

All of the pieces shown have had their UVs created and basic textures applied. I applied a slightly different top layer to the 'warden tower' which gives it more of a 'painted on cardboard' effect. I think for the final animation, I will apply this texture top layer to all of the pieces to give it more of a realistic look.

Early Pre-Viz Renders | Maya | Fantastic Voyage

These are some renders of my early pre-viz. The UVs have been corrected on the cardboard and many of the pieces have had textures especially made for them. These were made to test the lighting and how the components should look when layered correctly. 

Pre-Viz Playblast Test | Maya | Fantastic Voyage

Playblast Test | My Science Project from Beckie Ryan on Vimeo.

This is my playblast/render test for the opening sequence. This is the introduction for "My Science Project". My set now features a 'cardboard curtain' to hide some of the pieces out of view and helps to draw the audience in further, The sign will say "how the body fights infection" although I'm not sure if the chain that is featured on it fits with the cardboard childish aspect and I'm wondering if this should be string instead.

@Simon @Alan | Playblasting help

I'm currently trying to plyablast my pre-viz but the settings I'm used to on the uni computers aren't there. Is this because I'm using a iMac and not a windows computer? If so, what are the settings that I could use to playlist? Many thanks :)

FEEDBACK Needed | Pre-viz Set Size | Experimentation | Maya | Fantastic Voyage

After making my pre-viz model of the box, I've began to wonder if I made the 'stage' area too small. So I've created 2 wider versions to see what not only looks better but what would give my animation more space to take place.

I prefer 2 the most as it's not too wide and is probably the closest in size to my real life version, meaning these proportions are more believable. 3 is also a good size and has a lot more space for animating in but I feel it may be too wide.

Any feedback is appreciated

Pre-viz of Box | Render | Maya | Fantastic Voyage

Maya - pre-viz of box

Maya - pre-vis of open box

I've successfully managed to pre-viz the basic set of my box for the animation. For now, I've also added in a basic cardboard texture to the box to add a bit of depth.

Lighting is a bit of an issue as I keep getting a hot spot at the back but I'm going to try and change some of the lighting and shadow settings to see if this will help.