Reflection
Progress Stage 1
My current technical skills for developing these assets is growing. I’m becoming familiar with the software UI and tools when working through our class’s online resources material. I am finding that the more user experience I undertake, the easier and more familiar my skillset appears to be.
Understanding textures and animation for the visual asset models is something that I need to research and learn more about. I feel that it is hard to plan for this, due to not really knowing how much detail is required, balancing it with the time available to learn.
I have enjoyed this topic so far, as I love dinosaurs and it gives me great motivation to progress through the unit and research something that I like.
Due to many distractions at the moment, including the loss of my grandfather, I have found it quite challenging to come up with an idea that would be relevant and immersive around this topic. However, I have pushed through and believe that I am on track towards my forecast production timeline.
Progress Stage 2
Understanding the Fundamentals
Developing my research has been time consuming, which has led me to understand more complex solutions for various modelling typologies for organic models. Texturing and unwrapping has been a difficult task, due to the various unwrapping techniques for different typologies for organic and static model types.
I now have a reasonable understanding of fundamental tasks of extruding and scaling models to my requirements, from the experience undertaken and the external resources that I have explored and utilised.
My knowledge around 3D Max has excelled since the last submission and I have become more comfortable in using the program. The program itself could have more of a simple implementation for new users, such as a more streamlined interface which would allow an easier interaction, giving greater user control.
This has been an exciting project and journey that has presented many challenges, and learning experiences. I have at occasions questioned my choice of choosing such a difficult model to work upon and create, however I do enjoy a challenge. Rightly or wrongly!
Research
3D Max
The Journey
My time management can always be improved upon, however due to recent personal impacts and the current climate with COVID, I feel that better management at this time, is harder to achieve and manage than that of previous trimesters. I acknowledge that I am finding it more difficult, however have been committed to achieving successful outcomes with the project.
Progress Stage 3
Overall this unit has opened my eyes to the possibility of developing visual and audio assets from start to finish. Producing a high -quality product is achievable and actually, something that I enjoy undertaking.
Understanding the process with researching to then planning and designing around assets has been extremely important to understand and learn. Choosing a highly complex project has allowed me to explore a wide variety of techniques and processes that need to be applied. Understanding the software of 3D Max has broadened my technical skillset that I will use again.
Through this process, I understand that I have further learning and development to do, particularly with the techniques such as UV unwrapping, texturing, animation, lighting and other audio development techniques. Surprisingly, I have found that there is quite a lack of free Australian audio sounds, and this is something that I intend to explore further.