This module again is something to do with the 3D max studio, which is on the basis of 3D modelling and animation. There are two projects for this semester, one is the individual head modelling, which needs to be handed in within five weeks; in the meantime, we’ve got the other project that is a group work, by working together to produce animations about a chosen area of Essex (probably Chelmsford) in order to help challenge common perceptions about it. Both two projects sound tough, as the time is really tight and we will need to demonstrate our progress by updating our blog after each lecture, so that we could keep the knowledge in mind as much as we can.
In the first lecture, we watched the video on how to create the front and left images with topology lines that are to be as a whole reference image in 3D studio. Thanks to the useful resources of the 3D tutorials from Richard, by following the videos step by step, I start to make the reference image my own head modelling in the next couple of weeks.
The most important part in the first step is to make sure that front and left images are always on the same level. By dragging the guide (with ruler) onto three standard areas, which are the centre of the eyes, the nose and the mouth, so that I could examine those two images. However, it was difficult to draw the topology lines by using the tiny brush tool in the next step, which took me a long time to complete.
In 3D max, create a plane and then apply the reference image as the material bitmap, and then show the map in the viewport. Afterwards, hold down the shift button and rotate it as to create another plane which is perpendicular to the first one, use the UVW map to adjust two images (size and position). Flip the second plane if the faces are not facing to the same direction. At the end, freeze the image onto the background (but still show the image by unchecking Show Frozen in grey) so that it I will be more convenient for the further work.
Final reference image:
During this process, I was struggling to draw the topology lines in Photoshop, as there is no precise area for those lines, so I just tried to follow the video tutorial as much as I could. Due to the misunderstanding of the second part regarding the facing direction, I didn't manage to get two images facing to the same direction, but as I listened again, I finally got it--- I need to flip the image and then move until the left view appeared. Generally speaking, the first practice so far is not that difficult, but I am aware that the following parts will be more complicated. Anyways, I am looking forward to moving onto the next practice…
