3D Modeling/Exercises

on

28.8.2023 - 2.10.2023/Week 1 - Week 6
Sim Jian Xiong (0356498)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Exercises

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Week 1
Blender Workplace Navigation
In our first class, Mr. Kamal taught us some shortcut keys in Blender. I've written a few down in case I forgot.
  • MMB - Rotate (Screen)
  • Shift + MMB - Track (Left & Right)
  • Ctrl + MMB - Smooth (Up & Down)
  • Quad View - Ctrl + Alt + Q
  • Reset Transformation - Alt + transformation keys (G, R, S)
  • Add Objects - Shift + A
  • Move - G + axis (X, Y, Z) + insert value + left click
Week 2
Object Management

Week 3
Cylindrical Modeling Techniques


Week 4
Box Modeling Techniques

Week 5
Organic Modeling
INSTRUCTIONS
Exercise 1: Primitive 3D Modeling
Our first task to create any object using a combination of 3D shapes. 

IDEATION

Fig 1.1 Ideation, Week 2, (4.9.2023)

At first, I want to do a tank like the image above as I was inspired by an example of a senior's work. But I realised it may be too difficult as I have little to no experience in Blender. On the right, is a dinosaur plush which I thought to be simple at first sight, but its long, curvy neck seems hard to replicate. I then settled for a wooden train since its structure is mostly made from 3D shapes that is premade in Blender.

SKETCHING
Fig 1.2 Train Set Concept, Week 2 (5.9.2023)

During this phase, I thought to add cargo for this lonely train to pull. This is the moment where I got an idea to combine the tank with the train but they're both wooden toys. I came up with a set shown above.

MODELING
Fig 1.3 Modeling Process Week 2 (10.9.2023)

  1. I combined 3D shapes to match my train set concept sketches as close as possible. I learnt to use Boolean to make holes and cut shapes.
  2. I then filled the set with mostly primary colours since this is a product likely aimed for children. I initially thought of filling it with plain wooden texture, but colours brings the set to life.
  3. Finally, I posed my train set to show as much 3D shapes as I could in a shot.
  4. Upon receiving feedback, I change the position of lighting in Viewport Shading so the shadow is on the other side. I also add outdoor.sl for a blue tint filter which helps highlight the set.
    FINAL SUBMISSION
    Fig 1.4 3D Primitive Modeling Final Submission, Week 3 (11.9.2023)

    Fig 1.5 3D Primitive Modeling with Wireframe Final Submission, Week 3 (11.9.2023)

    Exercise 2: Cylindrical Modeling
    This next task is to make cylindrical objects such as bottles, bowls and glass. We need to get as much references such as blueprints.

    REFERENCES
    Fig 1.6 Blueprints, Week 4 (15.9.2023)

    To begin with, I searched Pinterest for blueprints that interest me or seem within my ability as a beginner in Blender. 

    MODELING
    Fig 1.7 Modeling Progress (Left to Right), Week 4 (15.9.2023)

    I first model the aluminum can, which I find simple to complete using inset and extrude. The glass bottle is a little difficult from its neck to its lip. I couldn't deform its neck to make it as curvy as the blueprint. Finally, the cola bottle is the toughest to make out of the three. I have no idea how to its groove pattern and its center is a challenge is replicate.

    Fig 1.8 Modeling Progress, Week 4 (17.9.2023)

    Both aluminum can and cola bottle have been applied with shade smooth and subdivision surface. But I only applied shade smooth on the green glass bottle because the latter effect deformed the rectangular shape too much (shown in Fig 1.8, on the right) for my own liking. Also, I filled the cola bottle with blue because it looks more like a water bottle. Lastly, I added a table so the bottles don't float midair. For submission, I like the shot taken because the shadow of the green bottle brings out the shape of its fallen comrade.

    FINAL SUBMISSION
    Fig 1.9 Cylindrical Modeling Final Submission, Week 4 (18.9.2023) 

    Fig 2.1 Cylindrical Modeling with Wireframe Final Submission, Week 4 (18.9.2023)

    Exercise 3: Box Modeling
    This week, we were tasked with designing an object of box shape such as electronic devices, furniture and vehicles. 

    TUTORIAL
    During the tutorial session, Mr. Kamal taught us how to make a polygon car. I learnt how to create car parts such as the wheel disk, window and bumper. Thus, I decided to create a vehicle to utilize my newfound knowledge.

    Fig 2.2 Tutorial Session, Week 4 (18.9.2023)

    REFERENCES
    Fig 2.3 References, Week 4 (20.9.2023)

    At first, I wanted to create the police car from The Simpsons: Tapped Out, a city building game which I played before. But I got concerned over the shape of the police car not sufficiently looking like a box. So I settled for the S.W.A.T van from the same game instead.

    MODELING
    Fig 2.4 Modeling Progress, Week 4 (21.9.2023)

    1. Firstly, after roughly determine the size of the van, I created its base.
    2. I started to add parts for the front. I attempted to replicate the blueprint as best as I could. For example, I tried to recreate the grill using several loop cuts and inset and extrude for doors.
    3. After using more loop cuts and knife tool, I didn't want the side of the van to be completely flat, so I extrude out the corners.

    Fig 2.5 Modeling Progress, Week 4 (22.9.2023)

    1. According to the blueprint, there's stairs at the back of the van so there must be doors. Since the back is not shown in the blueprint, I used my imagination to create the doors. Furthermore, I didn't want to design the side and front but leaving the back flat and empty.
    2. At this moment, I wanted to submit the van then and there, but I was wondering if I could make the windshield transparent so it matches the reference better.
    3. Luckily, I found an article which shows me that I can make objects transparent through colour picker by decreasing Value and Alpha.
    Fig 2.6 Modeling Progress, Week 5 (25.9.2023)

    1. After making the windshield transparent, I added seats and a simple Torus for the steering wheel.
    2. Although unnecessary, I also made the windows at the back transparent and added seats as well.
    3. Upon receiving feedback, I used knife tool to cut a sphere for a smoother satellite dish.
    Fig 2.7 Full view of S.W.A.T Van, Week 5 (25.9.2023)

    Finally, I applied Cavity to the van for better outlines.

    FINAL SUBMISSION
    Fig 2.8 Box Modeling Final Submission, Week 5 (25.9.2023)

                     Fig 2.9 Box Modeling Final Submission with Wireframe, Week 5 (25.9.2023)

    Exercise 4: Karambit Modeling
    To learn about Boolean, this week's task is to model a karambit based on the reference given below.

    Fig 3.1 Reference, Week 6 (1.10.2023)

    Fig 3.2 Modeling Progress, Week 6 (1.10.2023)

    After modeling the base of the karambit, I gave it a metallic look and two screws like the reference. Similar to all my exercises, I didn't want to have the karambit floating in midair so I created a cutting board for it to rest on.

    FINAL SUBMISSION
    Fig 3.3 Karambit Modeling Final Submission, Week 6 (2.10.2023)

    Fig 3.3 Karambit Modeling with Wireframe Final Submission, Week 6 (2.10.2023)

    FEEDBACK

    Week 2
    General Feedback: Make sure that you model above the grid, not below. One way to know is the z-axis is facing up.
     
    Week 3
    General Feedback: Your submission should be at the right level. Don't jump to advanced so soon.
    Specific Feedback: Don't show the corner of the wall. Light should be on other side to highlight the train. Play around with Viewport Shading.

    Week 4
    General Feedback: If you have an object, don't make it too big or too high, make some room.

    Week 5
    Specific Feedback: Everything looks good, except for the satellite dish. Use knife instead of Boolean to cut the sphere.
    REFLECTION 

    Experience 
    Exercise 1
    There's a lot of freedom in this task as it doesn't specify the object we have to make. This creates a challenge of narrowing down and eventually deciding the object I want to create. As I mentioned, I wanted a tank at first, but I somewhat gave up on that upon realising I'm only a beginner. I'm glad I'm able to combine two ideas into one.

    Exercise 2
    The task went well, up until the cola bottle, which I struggled to replicate. One might say I should've change the blueprint but I'm not willing to give up so soon. In the end, I tried my best. Plus, I'm sure there are tougher, more advanced tasks down the road.

    Exercise 3
    I had fun designing the S.W.A.T van, perhaps because it's from a game I played and it's not too complicated to replicate. The challenging part is the positioning of loop cuts and knife tool used throughout the model.

    Exercise 4
    The toughest part of this exercise starts from the hilt all the way to the blade as it is curvy and thin. In my modeling process, the back of the karambit's hilt was crooked and I didn't notice it until I turned it around.

    Observation
    I managed to get a peek at my classmates' work during class and I noticed that some looked quite advanced, with their models looking complicated and spent a lot of time and effort on them. I felt impressed and jealous at the same time because if one were to compare mine with theirs, my models look too easy, as if not on university student level. But, I tell myself that I'm new to modeling and tried my best for all my submissions.

    Findings
    One common mistake I found out in my own exercises is that I don't check my models properly before subdividing and assigning materials to them. My karambit model, for example, I did not check the back of it to see how distorted it was and had to undo. I will check all my models from all angles before submitting them.

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