Week Summary - BA1b Week 4

Further modelling

This week started us off on some more complex modelling techniques. We looked at how to smooth our models to make them more visually appealing and/or realistic, and how we would cut in (or not cut in) details like buttons onto our meshes.

Unsmoothed and smoothed versions of the same mesh

Experimenting with how edge loops affect smoothing

Below is an example of floating geometry, which can give the look of there being an indent on a surface without it actually existing. Though we've not covered baking yet, from what I know of the process I can see how this process could very quickly cut out lengthy cutting in periods, and also help to quickly see how ideas play out without having to actually change the mesh.

I tried to use the smoothing feature to create a rough chair shape (below). I feel it turned out reasonably well, if a little rough, and with some refining I think it could be usable.

Here we looked at the special duplicate command to create an array of buttons for a dial. The process requires a little maths but creates very quick results. The best thing about this technique however, in my opinion, is that because the new duplicates are instanced using the original as a base, any change to the original will be reflected in the duplicates without any extra work, saving a lot of time.

Example of how one could cut in panels using simple eight-sided shapes, and use smoothing to create the illusion of a circle.

Telephone model

Our task for these next few weeks is to create a high-poly vintage telephone from a reference image. Below are some shots of the model so far, I need to do some work on the dial area but otherwise I'm fairly happy with the lower section, although I may cut the cylinder into the base to make the transition a little smoother, and the base could use the edge loops being slightly closet to the edges for a sharper finish. As for the upper section, I'm hoping to get some guidance at the next session as to how I might tackle the curved cylinder sections of the model, as up until now my construction techniques for these have been fairly time-consuming. I'm particularly proud of the detail around the handle section, producing these lathe-style ridged sections was something I found very satisfying.