Unit 68 - 3D Environments

Evaluation,

I think I did some great work for this Unit and maybe some of it was not so great. I think the best way to summarise this Unit as a whole is by evaluating it one task at a time.

Task 1,

Task 1 was to create a Schedule. This Schedule was there to basically practise working on deadlines and to plan ahead. I found that some tasks I did a lot quicker than I had anticipated and other lasted a bit longer. I think overall, my timing was similar to the dates I had down on the excel table.

Task 2,

In this task, I had to gather research on my chosen theme. The theme I chose was Space Mining Settlement. I decided to gather a bunch of research on the common objects and settings that you would expect to see in a mine. With these I could develop my own ideas and help inspire my final outcome. I think that the range of research that I gathered was sufficient as it helped me with my work in the following task.

Task 3,

In Task 3, I created a bunch of different designs. Some of these designs I used and others I didn't. I started out by creating a top-down view of my level. After this I created a few different drawings of the objects that could be in my environment. I think that these drawings weren't exactly my strong point of this unit however, these are only ideas I don't think that they need to be masterpieces.

Task 4,

In the legal and ethical task I had to talk about copyright and ethics. I had to give positives and negatives on both elements, I looked on some case studies and talked about them and finally I talked about the constraints.

Task 5,

This task is where I moved onto the production of my environment. To do this task effectively, I needed to create assets in different files/modules. This means that I could focus on one object at a time. When I created all the assets, I compiled them into one big file within Blender. I think that my 3D modelling skills have definitely improved due to this unit and it was great fun trying different ways to create these models.

Task 6,

In this task, I used Blender to create an animation of me traversing throughout my environment. I did this because I wanted to add a kind of cinematic effect instead of being just a video showing you what I had done.

Task 7,

This task required me to take screenshots of my complete environment. I also added a video of my walking though my level using OBS.

As a whole I think that the mine I created is suitable for the theme I chose. The one thing I would have done differently if I was to do this Unit again would be to add a outdoor part to actually see space and to see the face of Mars. I would have added a space skybox too the game as well.

Creating a Rock in Blender,

First of all, I created a Ico Sphere. This is a very useful starting point for creating a rock/boulder type object.

The next thing I did was smooth the Ico Sphere to get rid of the jagged edges. I used the smooth tool as well as the Subdivision modifier I set the View to 2 and I ticked Optimal Display to make it look better/smoother.

Next step I did was select Proportional Editing Object Mode. This a mode which allows you to modify multiple vertices at the same time is a very strange way.

Every vertices within this white circle allows you to modify the object by stretching it out in any direction.

This was my first modification.

After some modification I was pleased with this shape for my rock.

Final step was to use the Node Editor, I was messing around with something called Node Editor. This allowed me to get a texture onto the model to make it seem more realistic compared to the model above.

This is the model after applying the nodes above.

Final Rendered version of the rock,

I added a sky texture to make the rendered version better.

Creating a Pick-Axe in Blender,

I started out with a plane, Then I traced one of pick axe images from my research.

After tracing the angles I extruded it to get a little thickness instead of being flat.

After doing the axe part I moved onto the handle. I used a cylinder, and made it the same height as the reference image.

After this I added two edge loops to allow me to account for the thickness change near the tip of the Pick-axe.

I applied this, Boolean modifier, to the handle so I could remove any geometry that is overlapping to avoid any glitching/tearing.

This next modifier, Subdivision, I added to both the handle and the axe. I did this as it makes it look smoother and not as jagged.

I wanted to add my own personal touch to this model instead of it being a simple trace. So on the tip of the handle I added a spear like design.

I also added hand grip onto the middle of the handle. This is to just add a little effect to the pick-axe.

A rendered image of my Pick-axe, (No Textures)

Creating a Screw,

To create my screw I started by spawning a UV Sphere into my project.

I then proceeded to cut this sphere in half.

Next, I spawned a cube into the project and manipulated it to be a rectangle.

I place this rectangle in the centre of my sphere and used the Boolean modifier to cut a hole into the top of my sphere.

My next step then was to smooth the top.

This was my outcome

Next I created a cylinder and placed it on the bottom of my sphere.

I created a bunch of edge loops to allow more options to modify.

After I had messed around with some different methods this was my final outcome. I also smoothed this to match the sphere on top.

Final Outcome,

Creating a Minecart,

Firstly, I created a cube and expanded it to make a rectangle.

I then duplicated the rectangle and made it a bit smaller so I could use the Boolean modifier to make it hollow.

Next I added some edge loops, two on either side and one around the middle.

I then added a sort of rim around the cart just to add a little design.

Finally, I added four sets of three wheels on the bottom of the cart.

Creating a Track,

I created a rectangle from a cube to be used as the side of my track.

I then Duplicated this rectangle and put them side by side.

Next, I made a slightly smaller rectangle so I could place them between the two sides of the track.

I did this four time.

I used the Boolean Modifier to delete any unneeded geography to avoid any weirdness that could happen like morphing.

Creating a Corner Track,

I took one of the rails from the other track and I make it curve using edge loops.

Next, I duplicated this corner rail and scaled it down in size.

Then I made added the rails in the middle.

I added five rails.

I used the Boolean Modifier to delete any unneeded geography to avoid any weirdness that could happen like morphing.

Creating Mine Support Beams,

I spawned a cylinder for the post of my support beams.

I duplicated the post and place it on the opposite side to the original.

I then duplicated it for a third time and placed it between the top of the two posts.

I used the Boolean Modifier to delete the geography that is intersecting.

This is what it looks like after adding the modifier.

This is the final outcome.

Creating a Mine Entrance,

I place four posts opposite from one another.

Then I added four on the top between the posts.

I added a boolean modifier which you can see above.

This is the final outcome.

Making the environment,

Putting all the models together,

I started by making a wall with a plane.

I made a square as a starting point for my environment.

Next, I added a floor using another plane.

Now, I imported my rock model and I placed it in one of the corners within the room. I rotated the same rock and scaled it up and down to make it look different instead of it look like the exact same rock.

I then imported my pickaxe model. I place it next to the pile of rocks in the corner.

I wanted to have a couple of holes in the wall to make it seem like it has been mined into. So, I used some edge loops and made a square into the wall.