Portfolio: Character Model: The Balor

I started this character to demonstrate low poly, quad modeling techniques on a 3D character model for a Game Modeling course. I used a model sheet I found online of an old Marvel Comics character, I did change the concept slightly for better appeal. I changed the feet to hoofed instead of toes, I just feel devils should have hoofed feet, I also gave the character burning tattoos. I wanted to create the fire procedurally, I could have gotten better effects using plug-ins or sprites but I was challenging my knowledge of procedural particles and effects. This effect was the prelude of a tutorial I am working on for procedural fire. I also decided to animate a small sequence for the character, I hope you enjoy.

The Balor - Model Sheet

The Lava Cavern

I trimmed down the video so I could upload it. It is missing a character turnaround at the beginning and a slight transition into the animation, but I was able to get the majority of the animation uploaded. Enjoy!

Portfolio: 3D Model: Cars Fall '08

I had two Introduction to 3D Modeling courses this fall. As always, I like to demonstrate how to poly model a car. It works well to show the variety of tools we have been learning and the workflow between the tools. For one class I choose a Cadillac Escalade to model, and in the other class I had a student that was very enthusiastic about the AMC De Lorean so we choose that to model. Here are the results:

Cadillac Escalade


AMC De Lorean

Portfolio: 3D Model: Maybach Exelero

Every time I teach an Introduction to 3D modeling course I always demonstrate how to poly model a car, starting with a plane and working from reference. I will usually take about an hour of class to detail these poly modeling techniques. For my Spring 08 session of 3D Modeling I decided to model the Maybach Exelero and give it a custom paint job. Here is the end result!

Portfolio: Environment: Under Water

Here is a rendering of the Under Water environment I created in 3D. The main purpose of this environment was to explore the the use of particles to create environment effects and features. The rocks, plant life and bubbles were all created and controlled using Particle Flow in 3D Studio Max. There were also some other tricks I had to figure out to really sell the Under Water effect, one was the lighting on the ground. After creating several variations of the effect I was able to come up with a very basic and effective way of creating the lighting for the scene.



Here is a rendering of the Trout model that is used in the video.

The 48 Hour Film Festival

The 48 Hour Film Festival

This year I joined the Itt-Tech team for the 48 Hour Film Festival. It was a new experience for me and I have to say I really enjoyed it. The concept behind the festival is that the films were made completely within a 48 hour time period. This of course is the whole trick, it is not easy to produce anything within such a short period of time. But to write, storyboard, direct, film, edit and drop the final product off in such a short period of time is the whole challenge to the 48 Hour Film Festival.

For the Itt-Tech team I took on the roll of the Art Director on this project. I personally took on an important shot that required a touch that only Number 34 could do. They script called for a shot of a cell phone hitting the ground and opening up to answer an incoming call. I mentioned that we could throw a cell phone at the camera all day long, and still not get the shot. So I opted to complete the scene in 3D. I spent several hours completing the model and textures during the first 24 hours of the competition, and spent the latter half compositing the phone in the scene. The result... a 48 hour phone.

Overall I was surprised in the final result of the film. Of course things went wrong, shots were missed, problems with editing. But that is the point of the project, to overcome within the 48 hours, and to produce a finished product. The Itt-Tech team should be proud of their efforts and product!