Week 5: Chrome Shader

Chrome Shader

The Chrome Shader exercise was and interesting and important one as it not only teaches us how to render an object, but how to make it look realistic (to a certain extend). Along with the Dice exercise, this is done in the school lab and i do not have many screenshots of the process of making the final outcome.

Final Outcome

This was before rendering...

This was after rendering without ray-tracing on...

And this is after rendering with ray-tracing on...

Reflection

As clearly shown, ray-tracing plays a huge role in the rendering of a reflective item but not much was elaborated on it. I have played around with the various options such as eccentricity and it really does affect the outcome of the rendered image.
The video was tiring and difficult(correct word to use?) to watch as i could neither playback nor fast forward it and had to play it over and over again if I missed a tiny detail. But in overall, this exercise definitely change how I will model and render my models from now on.

References
Other than the video posted on OLIVE, i had help from my teacher and classmates as this was done entirely in school.

Week 5: Dice

Dice

This exercise was an interesting one as it teaches us how to apply a single texture on all four sides of the cube. I do not have the screenshots of the process of applying the texture but I have the final outcome of the dice.


Texture applied

Even though it is not displayed here, the blanks spaces in the template here will not affect the outcome of the dice as the sides of the dice is arranged to replicate the arrangement of the numbers in the template here.




Final Outcome:


Reference

Since this exercise is done entirely in class, my only references were my teacher and classmates.

First-checkpoint for Assignment

Storyline

The tray I am modeling will be part of the track itself. The race car will hit the "wall" of the tray at the correct angle with sufficient speed to follow the flow and continue forward. For those race cars who stray off track, they will fall into the pit at the middle of the tray, inevitably.

Shape

There are only about two primitive shapes I will be using and that would be the cylinder and the cone. Aside from that, the rest of my object will be created by using the "Revolve" tool. I will be using the "Extrude" function to extrude the food seperator at the base and the wall, which diverts the race car direction. For the extra details, I may be creating a pattern on top of the cover by creating the curve using the CV Curve tool, and "Difference" out the pattern on the cover.

Design

Click to expand picture

Week 4: Reflections

• Does multi-tasking give you a real or false sense of having accomplished something?

According to the two articles given, multi-tasking gives a false sense of accomplishment and even heightens the person's sense of distraction.

• Is learning 3D and design different from learning programming, or is all learning the same?Why?

For me personally, I would say that it is both. Learning something, anything, requires attention and I can say that I may be able to learn everything at a average rate if I can pay attention at it.

However, as mentioned in the article, my attention for 3D and design is a "stimulus-driven attention" whereas my attention for programming is "controlled attention". Personally, I find that learning something using "stimulus-driven attention" is much easier then learning something you force yourself to learn.

• The article states that “Learning is actually a very complex operation for an individual”. Do you agree with this? Do you feel that you approach your learning in the best way – if yes, how, and if no, how can you change your work style?

Having mentioned above MY personal view on learning, I agree that learning differentiates among individuals.

I feel that I am not approaching my learning in the best way possible as I dislike using "controlled attention" to learn. I have entered the wrong course (should have gone to Game Design in NYP) and hence I have to learn programming which I dislike. However, since I HAVE to learn my course modules, I have to find a way for me to get enthusiastic about the subjects I do not really like so that I can learn with a "Stimulus-driven attention".

• What are your thoughts about the last paragraph in the extract?

I believe that the last paragraph in the extract is absolutely true. To thrive in the working industry, one has to have talents and personality in order to work with their co-workers and a good relationship is needed for a healthy and successfully career.

• Should your lecturers also focus on your work attitude, or just leave you to sink or swim on your own? Why?

The way this question is structured makes the answer quite obvious. Lecturers should definitely try and focus on our work attitude it they have the time to. The students work attitude and motivation determines their results and everyone wants to get good grades.

Week 3: Lab 2 (Tracks & Washboards)

Tracks

After using the "Extrude" function at the cardboard box exercise, I was amazed that the "Extrude" function can be separated to divisions. In this case, the divisions makes the track looks like it is formed and connectable with other pieces of the track.

The "Bend" function is a amazing function, being able to bend the object without destroying it.

Washing Board

This washing board was particular frustrating to make as I did not know how to use the alignment tool and it took me quite some time before I realized how to use it. However, asides from that, I did not have other problems with the other instructions given.

The washing board required me to bevel so many times and I was just awed by it's detail. ^_^

References

As mentioned above, I had problems using the alignment tool in the Washboard exercise and I had to go online to find some help. This video I watched gives a reasonable explaination on using the alignment tool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duq-yT-nwjQ&feature=related

Week 3: Lab 1 - Part 2

Weird Vase

This is just a workout exercise to train us on our "Revolve" and "CV-Curve" function.

Reference

I went online to learn more about the "Revolve" tool and this link is to a video which basically does the "Weird Vase" exercise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh_s8ol85Zg

Week 3: Lab 1 - Part 1

The Bucket


This exercise is much more difficult compared to the usual exercises and it teaches me many new skills by itself. The "Revolve" tool is very useful when making objects with a circular base and it reduces the user's workload.

This bucket required more precise work such as creating the bucket handle and the knob. The curve used to create the handle had to be in place with the knob and the soft modification tool only made it.

Reflection

This bucket is a somewhat like the first milestone in this subject. Utilizing all of the past skills learnt here. My basics for Maya is somewhat oK~~~ and I hope I can remember all the skills learnt to create an awesome model for my project!

Reference

A difficult part in this exercise is understanding the use of the soft modification tool. There is a video on Youtube about this tool and the link is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXGyKe3YPU