SETTING UP--
The MAJOR ONES FOR ME:
1. Preparing My Resources for Impending Problems
Spending more time preparing for HOW to go about the work than actually working will hopefully help save more time in the long haul (HOPEFULLY).
I've gone through my all the resources that I had in my office and scanned in pages from hard copies of areas in 3D that I know I'm going to have to confront at some point during the duration of this side project, but as of right now chew my nails thinking about. Those, for me include Rendering, Lighting, and Color. Everyone has there own technical soft spots.
I wanted easy access in times of need... so I rummaged through over two dozen issues of 3D world magazine (one of my favorite resources) table of contents in search of anything and everything covering those subjects and scanned away for my own handy archive. I've also started bookmarking sites into folders for quick reference. And searching for video tutorials. I've decided my major focus for this project is going to be to try to take on learning and incorporating Vray. I also feel a need for a very straight-arrow purpose with projects that are outside of my own. It gives me a driving point and helps me get through the long hours. The mental and physcial stress warrants the construction of as many purposes as possible.
2. Disciplining Myself
I'm trying my best to be my own teacher. I trust that if there was absolutely NO ONE out there to help-- that I could rely on myself and only have "go-to" when there is absolutely no solution in troubleshooting to very specific questions. (Which can happen more often than not when one has specific goals). But HEED: You do not want too be needy (You lose friends that way).
Really, though, the only way you'll truly learn is the hard way. The easy way only offers solutions that are sourced from others and everyone's approach is different, but in the end sometimes the best way to remember is through recycling your own studying and memorization skills. In any event, whichever works. You know the way you learn best and how your brain filters information, as do I for myself... But remember that you should be the one to discipline yourself above all.
3. Warm up Days.
When it comes to computers and software, I find that negligence from one program versus another seems to occur more often than not as I try to expand my intersts. When it comes to a job, I now find my frazzled and frustarting trying to navigate the interface once again. Fumbling with hotkeys and hestitate with mouseclicks, trying to fire up the fibers of tips and tricks learned but now settled into the back corners of my squareheaded brain... It's frustrating. Maddening, really. I wanted to scream tonight, but instead I left the computer to exercise out the pummeling agression that was brewing-- than sat back down and decided its best to take it easy first-- I stretched! Always stretch they say, no? :)
I was taught in Maya and am very comfortable in the interface, but have also learned some heavy fundentals of 3DSMax as well over the last two years. Now, I still love Maya with all my heart, especially for character modeling and I will return, but went with 3DSMax on this project for these reasons:
1). The product files that I was given for the shower drains are dwg extensions, which stores 2D and 3D dimensional design data from AutoCad, I believe, and is unrecognized in Maya.
2. The Measuring Tools and Unit Set-up in 3DSMax are excellent for building to scale in order to attain proper lighting.
3). Arch and Design Materials. So much less of a headache than building my own shading networks in the hypershade from scratch, which I enjoy, but outside of budgets and time constraints.
A note for both: ALWAYS delete the preferences extension! Trying to select more than one object, wasn't possible without doing this. And for both programs tends to make your workflow super buggy.
So, it starts. THE SET-UP in 3DSMax.
I've officially dove back in the wonderful world of 3D and have now started the process of 3D layout for more some more intensive previsualization. When it's all said and done, I will post pictures of the progress.
For now, the website has to go on hold. With a snapshot the last page in the works, now in dreamweaver with working rollovers and spans that will take the you onto a page for dedicated to individual characters and/or styles:
What I will try to do, is sketch more... These long excerpts need some drawings attached. Until next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment