Continued Maya Progress... Part 2

Just more of an update using more renders...

Wood Tower Scale Render - 1 - I had to make sure that these were set to the correct scale... it looks a little bit too big for this character...

Wood Tower Scale Render - 2 - This looks more correct in relation to the character beneath it.

Wood Tower Scale Render - 3 - This look a little better compared to the first image... If I was to create a a few characters for this scene, they would have to be this size (of the character pictured)

Trees...

I attempted to use the trees that I created within SpeedTree only to find out that since this version of SpeedTree is "exclusively" of use with the Unreal Development Kit (UDK), you cannot export it as a Maya file or as and Object file (Obj)... So, I have a problem... 

I have decided to make a tree using the good old fashion way of modeling one in Maya... I have looked at a few tutorials (since I've never really modeled a tree before). I did try and model one but it looked rubbish so the tutorial I found has allowed me to create this tree with the branches... it has no leaves on it yet but I'm thinking that I might just leave it the way it is due to this scene will be set within an Autumn / Winter season so it will be brownish/yellowish grass and leaves on the floor... so in this instance, I have actually made a decision on what the environment will look like now... this has helped. 

I only created one tree, duplicated it a few times (with a rotation) and placed them within the environment and I think they look cool.

Tree Render Layout  - 1

Tree Render Layout - 2

Tree Render Layout - 3

In fact, I have changed the textures slightly on the Viking Barns... I taken all the textures of my models and added the normal Lambert so that it will run quicker... I deleted them from the Hypershade due to have my machine freeze a few times yesterday... I'm running a Quad Core 2 and I'm getting little problems! Boo... I actually made this computer for this but yet things still happen! Anyhow, here's a few more shots at it current stage.

Render of Current Progress - Viking Village 1

Render 2 -

Scale - Maya Progress...

I've come across a slight problem...

I need to work out the right scale for my Viking Houses and all other assets... since these were made in separate scenes, when I put them together, some of the models were slightly bigger than the other ones. This was seen mostly with the weapons, shield, Longboats and Barns... 

How to tackle this?? 

Anthony gave me the idea to get a character model and use that as a reference when sizing up my models. I thought this was a great idea so I've managed to re-scale my models so that they are of equal size when compared to a character. 

Here are some screen grabs of this...

 

Scale Render 1 -

Scale Render 2 -

Scale Render 3 -

Scale Render 4 - This is to show how big the character or a character would be compared to the Viking House Door.

Scale Render 5 - This render is to show how the character would fit into the Blacksmith Model... I also added some weapons and shields to this area.

This seems to work but I would really need an "expert opinion" on this mi-thinks... for peace of mind.

Continued Maya Progress...

As previously mentioned... 

Here are some more Renders of the current layout of the Viking Village...

As you can seen a lot needs adding... Terrain, lights etc...

 

Still need to add the rocks, path and barns, water etc... pretty much everything for it to look realistic.

This will be tonight's workload...

Just a quick update - Maya Progress

I am currently... 

Putting all of my assets into one scene (99%) completion due to having to add fences, rocks and trees to make it look more realistic. I am also looking for some help with terrain-ing my environment. Anyhow, here's a few screen shots but these are a few weeks old.

I'll update this post with the newer screen grabs soon...

Render 1 - 

Render 2 -

Render 3 -

Render 4 -

Render 5 -

I'll add my current progression to this soon... (Currently, I'm using more tutorials to get things moving as quickly as possible... I'm looking for Terrain Creation within Maya and a few more bits and bobs like Rendering to get a "realistic" feel to my modeling. I will do some final screen renders closer to the time of completion for this journal and to present for my final interactive art demo.

Another Day... Unreal ED - SpeedTree...

Well, how do I begin?... 

Today I've been learning How to create Terrain within Unreal ED... I had a tutorial today which was very productive in terms of what I managed to learn, creating a terrain, adding materials, changing the height etc... it was a good day and I feel good about it. I've also learnt the basics of SpeedTree via tutorials and it was quite easy to use. I just need to follow it up with learning how to ready it for the Unreal Development Kit (UDK...).

I still have a small amount of fiddling to do with Maya because I've put all my assets within one scene now and positioned it, so I just need to make an Environment for it which shouldn't take too long. 

I have around 6 weeks left now so it's ALL hands on from this point. I will hand in a Interactive Demo as well as an Environment within Unreal so it's going well but I really need to press on now...  

Here's today's workload... (not all of it of course)... 

College Work...

At College, using a Dual Screen Setup! (I want another Monitor :o).

This was one of the environment with terrain I created today. I also added a tree but forgot to Re-Build the lighting again hence the dark tree... looks cool though... On the other side is my Generic Browser screen with the materials, Skydome and other meshes.

It's so good having a good dual setup for time purposes and it looks professional!  

Work 1 and 2 Screen Grab -

 Home Work - Speed Tree...

Today was the first time using Speed Tree (ST). This is a cool package which comes with the UDK... It makes making the right trees for your environment easy and very quickly within a few clicks! I feel very comfortable using it and I'm happy my results (See Below)...

Front End

Created a Tree Trunk

Added Branches

Added more branches...

Added Leaves

Completed Tree!

Here's one I made earlier...

I also attempted to make Foliage...

Well, what do you think...?

There is still a bit to do but I feel that I can do it since I have the best Mentor, Tutor and personal skills... ahem... Later!

Unreal ED - Some More Progress... Part 2

This weekend...

I've been going over some more of the tutorials for the Unreal Editor and I have finally completed my first level... Which I named (Death Match) DM-Tutorial. It works fine. I now have a better understanding of creating a level, but what now??

There's so much more to it than that... and for what I need, it will help but I still need to learn more like, how to create terrain... this will be important for me because my level will be set outside and not indoors... so I have given myself a few weeks to get the knowledge I need and I will definitely will have to get some tutorial time with my Tutor within the next few weeks. 

I've also been playing around within it and experimenting with some of the tools I used to create my level. I think that I'll create another level but on a bigger scale with the knowledge I've gained so that I can start my own project within the Unreal ED. I've have taken a few more screen grabs of my practice sessions...

This is the "bushes" test where you use the brush tool to create your shape for your environment... this was a 2048 x 2048 x 2048 size room with another small box and two lights...

Same as above...

I'll be starting my newer level tonight to see how long it will take me and to add other bits and bobs to it like the weapon pad... shield / amour pad etc... I want this level to be a download-able one when I've finished it and I'll look into it so it can work on both PC and the PlayStation 3 - (PS3). Watch this space... 

End of Part 2 -

CryEngine 3 PS3 Demo

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/dor/gc-2009-cry-engine-3-demo/1014410/videos/gcom09act_crytek_demo2_081709.html;jsessionid=51h37h1f52i0k?show=hi