Foiled Again

Posted on October 24, 2017 by SusanG

Once again I fell victim to the best laid plans curse. You know the one where you have these great plans to get several things done because you normally get home at a certain time. Except because you have planned on getting home at that time, nothing goes the way you planned. That was my Friday and it put quite a crimp in what I had expected to get done this weekend.

Before I get to that. Term 2 of my VR class has started and I’ve already jumped into the lessons. It’s not like the first term where we jumped right into making things work. We’re doing a bit more analysis and commenting so far. I had read some people complaining about it so I was a little concerned if I could stay interested. I do understand what the people with complaints didn’t like. I would like a bit more use and learning on the coding techniques and such as well. However, 20 some years ago, when I first studied VR we didn’t even think about where to put user interfaces or how far we might be asking our players to turn to see something and if that was appropriate for the scenario, or not. And since I’m already thinking about my final capstone project for term 3, I figure it’s better to know some of this and think about it early so I can design with it in mind instead of have to redesign or worse have a project that no one wants to experience.

And then there was Friday. The project for the day at the day job did not go well. We had everything so that it should have only taken a couple of hours. That is not at all how it went and instead of leaving at 1:00 pm like we normally do on Friday, it was after 6:00 pm when we finally finished. My plans to hit the gym, the bank, and then pick up some things for an event the next day all by 5:00 pm and then home to dive into my VR class, all gone. I managed to pick up what I needed for the event and that was it.

Thankfully I was able to salvage things some on Sunday. I finally got to sit down and work on one of the many things on my artistic to do list. My business card. Originally I had intended to create a set for SusanG Productions except I ran into some market research issues that need to be addressed before I do those. In the interim, I need new personal business cards with my blog address so I don’t have to write it on the back of the card I currently give to people. So I found a piece of my art to use and came up with a couple of ideas. This is the design I think I’m going to to have printed. Of course, without the water mark and replacing the smears with a phone number and email address.

Not only did I get the business card worked on, I also started adding the string, for the string of lights, to the Christmas tree model. First I tried using clay tubes in ZBrush to see if I could figure out how to get them placed around the tree. I wasn’t having a lot of success with that but it gave me an idea to try in 3DS Max. I used a spline in the shape of a helix with different size radii so it is cone shaped. I tried in just on a cone first. Once I saw it was going to work I tried it on the tree. Now I can move it into place by vertex. I can weave it over and under the branches just like I do for my own tree. There is still quite a ways to go and I may add a second string, possibly going the other direction. After that I will model some sockets for the bulbs and then I’ll model the bulbs. Of course lighting it will be the fun part. I have a feeling I’m going to have some long render times at that point.

   

For this coming week, in addition to getting the business card uploaded and ordered, I’ll be working on my VR class. It’s not likely to be as consistent as I want but I’m sure going to try. I have a few things it looks like I need to get done sooner rather than later. I also have some things I want to test for that capstone project. If all that goes well I might have some time that I can work on some modeling. Come back to find out how things play out.

 

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Ready for Round Two

Posted on October 17, 2017 by SusanG

I’m all excited. The second term for my VR class starts this week. I can’t wait to see what I get to learn.

I haven’t been lazying about doing nothing this last week. Of course, with the travel there was a lot to catch up on. General chores and what not. Not to mention getting some 3D modeling and art worked on. And it turns out that I worked on a little more than I realized.

Every year after, or during the ZBrush Summit, I get the urge, desire, inspiration, itch, something, to work more in ZBrush. This year has been no different. Except it has. So first, I had to upgrade my ZBrush to the latest version. That would be version 4r8 and a patch or two. Yes, 4r8 has been available a few months. I’ve been a little busy. Now I have the upgrade and the cool new gizmo instead of the transform tool. YAY! Yes I have used it. YAY! The key for me is going to be finding things to make in ZBrush that will be a challenge, though anything in ZBrush is still a challenge for me, and is something I have a need for. I’m thinking of updating or revising my Christmas Tree model so I decided to give that a try in ZBrush. It’s not bad. It’s not fancy. And I learned how to use the radial symmetry feature to make it so much easier.

Aside from coming back from the Summit with a desire to work more in ZBrush, I also came back with a recognition of how woefully inadequate, and dulled some of my drawing skills are. Particularly when it comes to figurative drawing. So to give me reference for that for practice, I picked up a body building magazine to use the photos as reference for sketch studies. Here’s my first attempt. I’m pleased with it as a starting piece. I did more portrait stuff when I was doing people than figurative so this is a little new for me.

Oh! The Christmas card is done. It took ages to get the camera right, I had to change it twice. And then the lighting was just not right and worse depending on the camera. I finally got the camera right, and the lighting close. Then it took a few tries to get it bright enough. Finally I got a look that I like. It’s a family photo type of card. You should be able to check out the 2017 Holiday card here.

Speaking of the Holidays. I am working on a Christmas gathering sort of scene in Unity. I’m working out some things I might want to do for my VR class. I don’t really have time to figure out how to make all the low poly models myself so I’ve scrounged the Unity Assest Store for some free models and shaders and such to see what I can put together. It would be easier if I was doing a fantasy scene. Still I’ve found an interesting combination of things to make up this scene. I have also checked for some free models at TurboSquid. They have some that I may download, and then figure out how to get them into Unity. One of the things I’m going to try to do with this project is to figure out how to use the rails method of traversing the scene in VR. The method I’ve used so far is called dash forward navigation. For now, here’s how things look so far. Not too shabby for free.

After I finished the Holiday card I was on a bit of a roll. The next thing on my list is some business cards. I need some new ones that have a website address as well as email and phone. I could go plain like my current ones are but… I want something with a little art. I’ve finally decided on the piece I’m going to use. Now to get the rest of the card designed.

So yeah. A lot more than I realized got worked on. That’s good. With Term 2 of the VR class starting up, I’ll be deep in that for a bit I don’t doubt. I’m going to try to take the same approach as the I did the last term in that I’m going to stay on it and try to stay ahead of the due dates. With the official class end date as December 26, it would be nice to have it all done well a head of time. Somewhere in there I’ll get that business card completed. Not sure what else I’ll be able to get too. It will just depend on how things go. It should be interesting though.

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2017 Holiday Card is Here!

Posted on October 17, 2017 by SusanG

This year’s Holiday Card is now available.

I went with a portrait style card this year so it’s easier to stand on your shelf or mantle. You can check out the uninspiringly named Christmas card of family in front of the tree here. Or just browse my Zazzle Store, just use the like at the right.

Here’s a preview.

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A Little Late, Then, So Was The Plane

Posted on October 10, 2017 by SusanG

I am back from the trip to Los Angeles for this year’s ZBrush Summit put on by Pixologic. It was again held at the campus of Gnomon School, it the green screen hanger. I have to say, one of the things I like about this event being at the Gnomon School is all the cool art that you get to see as you walk around. It’s showcased everywhere. I should have taken pictures.

As always, there is so much information and great stuff being presented that by the end of the first day, my brain was already full. I liked getting so see the person behind the creation of the DamStandard brush. He was the first presenter and had a nice treat for all. He’s created a second brush which I will have to look for and download. The DamStandard brush is a favorite of a lot of people because it allows you to create really fine tight lines in the mesh. Sadly, I forgot what the difference is with the new brush. It was a long weekend. But as I recall, it will be a nice addition to the tool box.

I hadn’t really planned on watching the Funko presentation but am glad I did. It was really great to see an entire ZBrush panel of women. They were the only female presenters for the weekend, still, it was great. And it was interesting. It was all interesting. And since so much of it is a blur, I’m really glad Pixologic have posted it to their YouTube channel.

A few others that were there that I was wanting to see were Marvel Studios, because, it’s Marvel. Cki Vang because he was covering some hard surface stuff. Bungie, for the Destiny 2 weapons. I think the Rat King gun is awesome, what a concept. Ubisoft, because it’s Ubisoft. I hadn’t expected to watch Dan Katcher’s presentation. Mostly because, I didn’t know who he was and I was thinking I was going to need a break. But I watched it. And for you Game of Thrones fans out there. This is the guy who designed and modeled the dragons. Oh yeah. He was really interesting to watch and listen to. His was more of a demonstration presentation than some of the others and it was fascinating. I think most people were like I was, some what mesmerized as he put scales on the creature and then made them look real by adding depth and making them stand away from the surface.

Another presentation that I hadn’t really planned to watch, but, I am glad I did, was the ZBrush Awards. This is for people that have been posting on the ZBrush Central forum all year. There were categories for individuals as well as studios. For a couple of the awards there were the same 3 studios each for the same project. And even in some of the individual work I think one person received two or three awards. There were two acceptance speeches that I think were the best. Piotr from Flying Wild Hog just said “Thank you”. The other one was for the honorary award that they give out. The first year they gave it, it went to Rick Baker. This year it went to Sir Richard Taylor, co-founder of Weta Workshop. Take a moment, look them up. Weta Workshop. Yeah, got it? Sir Richard brought a 20 to 40 slide presentation with a complete narrative to share with us. He talked about all that Weta does, and is working on and how they have had to innovate to stay competitive and how integral ZBrush has been in helping them do that. It was really fascinating.

One of the interesting things I saw this year that I don’t recall seeing before was the number of presenters that came with full on presentations. They didn’t just bring a few portfolio pieces and then do a demo and sort of wing it. They did full presentations with slides and video, and also demonstrations. I think it demonstrated a different level of professionalism. Very much something to aim for. Not just their creations, also their presentation. I don’t know if people watching realized it, I didn’t at the time, but what we were seeing was a good demonstration of what I imagine they want to see in the work of a person applying to work for them. Not some renders on your phone. But a full, proper, presentation.

I think before the next one happens, I want and need to get my copy of ZBrush upgraded to 4R8 and whatever patch level it’s at now. There are so many new cool tools in it that it could really make some of my modeling go so much faster, if I would use it. And after this year’s summit, I really want to learn to use it.

So next up for me? Well, the second term of the VR class starts next week. That means I have the rest of this week to try to finish up the Christmas card. I’m also going to try to prioritize upgrading ZBrush. I will likely, also, go back to looking for assets for a VR project. Those probably aren’t the only things I’ll be working on, it’s just difficult to say what else I will get to.

Oh, and yes. My connecting flight home was an hour and a half late. At least it was the last leg of the trip. No pictures this week. I’ll try to do better next time. See you then.

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Grab a Cup of Coffee

Posted on October 3, 2017 by SusanG

It was a bit of a busy week. And full. And I have a few pictures to share.

After spending several hours trying to smooth out an issue with the teleports in my Maze project that I found when I viewed it on my phone. I then spent several more hours trying to get a customized splash screen to work, it would work in preview, just not in the final build. I finally tidied everything up, got my screen shot of it running on my phone, updated my read me file, zipped it all up and submitted it. Yay!

Next morning the alarm on my phone goes off and there is an email that says my project has been reviewed. Though I tried, there really was no point hitting the snooze. I got up to see what the result was. And the result was that it passed. I met all the criteria and got it on the first try. Oh Yeah! I got kudos from the reviewer, and from my mentor. I was beaming all day.

That’s got term 1 for this VR course in the books and I’m all signed up for term 2, just waiting for it to start.

The wonderful thing about having the project all done is that it freed up time to get to things I had set aside. Like working on the Holiday card. I did get to working on that. I figured out how to get Walter better placed in the scene. I put him on top of a present and set him next to Snowman. I even moved Snowman’s arm so it’s sort of around Walter a little. This was an improvement over what I’d been working with. However something was still off. I finally figured out that it was lop-sided. Too heavily weighted with stuff on one side. So I moved them all over so they are in front of the tree. Better. Time to work on the lighting.

I like being able to work with the default lighting and get good renders. However, it tends to be fairly bright and nondescript. I started with a nice omni light. It took a bunch of tries before I got it in the right spot. At first I had it too far away and since it over-rides the default light it can be a little dark but I was able to get it so it didn’t look like it was being lit from behind. I gave it a little yellow-ish tint to warm the look a little. It helped while trying to get everything set up. Though it was a little too yellow.

In addition to the one light being to yellow, it wasn’t quite bright enough. If I made it bright enough though, it washed out the scene. So I added another light. This one a directional light and I put it in front and pointed it at Sticks, Snowman, and Walter. This helped. It couldn’t help the sky though. It looked a little washed out. I fixed that and made it darker. But the lighting was still too yellow. I adjusted the color of both lights to tone down the yellow and finally got something nice and crisp. I think I might be ready for the camera.

 

Dad in VR

I was working on the card  when my parents arrived for a visit. We were having cake and ice cream and better to split it among three than just one or two. But we had dinner first. After dinner and all the excitement of finishing my maze project we got my Dad into VR. I got the Oculus Rift on him and then explained how to use the touch controllers to click on the ‘First Contact’ game so it would start. Then there was some explaining of what to do. It was fun. That is one of the best first VR experiences, in my opinion. It captures the real fun of what it can be. And the robot is CUTE!

Dad still in VR

There were a few other things this week. After I submitted my project, I gave a copy of the build file to my mentor so he could try it. He said it took 9 minutes for him to complete. I don’t know what the goal of the project was, if there was one. The only guidance was to be able to spend a little time wondering around. I think I achieved that.

My new laptop arrived. It was my incentive to get my project submitted. I wouldn’t let myself start setting it up until that was done. It’s nice. It’s got some power and should be able to handle much of what I might throw at it. At least for a while. I haven’t put too much on it yet, a couple of basic apps like Chrome and Anti-virus. And Unity and Blender. I want to be able to take it and work in whichever room or even out, or at lunch. Thus the need for those items.

Next up! Los Angeles. It’s ZBrush Summit time. Happening this weekend. If you can’t go, pop on over to Pixologic and check it out. I believe they will be live streaming it again this year. It should be interesting and I expect, like last year, that my brain will be full before Friday is even done. Once I get back I’ll have a few days to work on the Holiday card and maybe even get it finished before term 2 of the VR course starts. I’ll also have time to start working out how to approach a couple of VR projects that I want to work on. And there is always more 3D modeling to do.

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