Sometimes I am at a loss of how to start a post, or even what to call it. It’s easier when I’ve done a lot during the week or learned a lot. This week, neither of those happened. So.
Part of last week was taken up by the day job and finishing up some things there so they wouldn’t be left undone while I am on vacation. That tends to take up a lot of brain space. As a result, I went to bed early more than once. I was just too tired to try to think any more.
The other thing taking up a bit more brain space than I realized, is my Black Belt test. I really want to do well and I think I’m working over time on focusing for that. I would probably be better served if I were to relax a bit and let it go. Otherwise, I’m likely to be drained by the time of the test, or shortly after, if I’m lucky. I keep trying to get lost in something but it’s not worked so far. Though now that I’ve got a little more done for the FunkyBird, I might be able to do it.
Yes, though it is not a lot, I did do some work on the FunkyBird. I got a basic foot added. I haven’t done a lot of detail on it as I really just need it for reference and shape. At least that was my original thinking. Now I think I am going to put some more time in on it. I think I want it more finished instead of just a rough block in sort of thing. Here’s a quick look at the foot. You get an idea of what I’m going for. I think I’ve got the proportion just right so that’s helpful.
I also started on the arm or wing. I’m not entirely sure what it’s going to end up being. But it’s started. I have a lot of shaping to do. I’m not sure if I want it to fan out like that or if I want it more tapered or tapered and fanned. Since my reference sketch doesn’t have any detail for that I will likely just figure it out as I go. Which really isn’t the same in programs like Maya or 3DS Max as it is in something like ZBrush or even Mudbox. Sculpting programs are a lot like sketching in 3D. You can scrape away or add a bit here or there and sort of find the shapes as you go. Maya and 3DS Max and other box modeling type programs take a different approach. So it will be interesting to see how the shape for the arm or wing develops. For now, here’s what I will be starting with.
I am on vacation from the day job and so far I’ve mostly managed to play some video games and watch some movies on cable. Not really the start I hoped for. Oh well. I’m going to try not to worry over it and instead just enjoy ignoring my alarm clock. There is another side to ignoring the alarm clock and that is the night side where I get to ignore bed time as well. For someone who tends to really get going on something about an hour before needing to be in bed, this is definitely a bonus. For this week, if I don’t get started on something until late, it won’t matter. I can just keep at it until I reach a stopping point.
I still have the same hopes and goals for this week as I did for last week. I have modeling I want to get done and a test for the day job to study for. I also need to set up a new subscription to my Autodesk software. They discontinued the suite I’ve been using and the new one has mostly the same software, though, I think it cuts out a couple of things, just not stuff I use. And, bonus, it costs a little less. So I need to get that done. When I do, I should have access to the new 3DS Max with Arnold for the renderer. I haven’t seen if there is a new Maya yet but I’ll have access to that too when it becomes available.
Oh! While on the subject of Autodesk software. Part of my current subscription suite and the new one, is something called Motion Builder. I hadn’t really had a look at it, though I’ve had it for a couple of years. I finally opened it up and poked at it. I think I’m going to need to do more poking around at that. Once I do, and understand it better, I’ll share what it’s about.
This week should be interesting and exciting but that’s all I’ve got for this update. Check back to see how things are going.