Week 02 – Hard Surface Modeling

Lesson Plan 

  • Modeling Hard Surface Elements 
  • In Class exercise: Create 3 different models a crate, a gear and a quadrapus (What!?!) 
  • Homework: Using the techniques utilized in class, block in your robot model 

In-Class Exercise  

Model a Crate, Gear and Quadrapus using the techniques covered in class. Combine all 3 into one scene. 

Follow the notes and videos to create the 3 different models. The goal is to learn the different types of models that you can create using extrusion modeling. These techniques will form the basis of your Robot model. 

Hand in a project folder called FirstName_LastName_Extrusions 

In the Scenes folder should be one scene with the .ma file in it labelled FirstName_LastName_Extrusions.ma 

In the Images folder should be one .png file showing all 3 models with wireframe over shaded turned on (It’s the cube with wireframe icon on the top of your viewport). Or go to Shading, Wireframe over Shaded. Use the snipping tool/screen capture to capture a wireframe over shaded version of your work. 

Homework 

  1. Using the reference you gathered, block out the shape of the Robot using the techniques covered in the first two weeks. Pay attention to the size, shape and silhouette of your robot.  Make sure the robot has pivot points that will allow it to be animated. Ie. Can the shoulders move in a 360degree rotation. Are the elbows/knee hinge joints.  
    1. Make sure that the robot is bipedal – ie. Two arms, two legs. Something that we would normally want to animate as a main characters in a film/game.  If you keep it relatively human in proportions, it will be easier to create and animate. 
    2. Does the design of the robot hinder it’s movement too much for animation? 

Hand in a project folder called FirstName_LastName_Robot_Blocking 

In the Scenes folder should be one scene with the .ma file in it labelled FirstName_LastName_Robot_Blocking.ma 

In the Images folder should be a minimum of three .png files showing the Robot from three different angles that showcase the model. Your job is to provide enough information in images to your supervisor so they can quickly look at your work and give you feedback. Presentation is important and key to communicating what you have created. 

Your assignment will be graded based on the following criteria: 
  • How well you used the techniques to block in the Robot model 
  • How organized you scene is 
  • How close you matched the reference image to the final model. 
  • The submission is a Maya Project folder named “FirstName_LastName_Robot_Blocking” 
  • The submission’s  Scenes folder has one maya .mb scene file named “FirstName_LastName_Robot_Blocking.mb” 
  • The submission’s Images folder has a minimum of three .png files showcasing the Robot from three different angles. They .png’s are wireframe over shaded renders named “FirstName_LastName_Robot_Blocking1.png” “FirstName_LastName_Robot_Blocking2.png” “FirstName_LastName_Robot_Blocking3.png”, etc… 
  • Note: Turn on Wireframe over shaded (It’s the cube with wireframe icon on the top of your viewport). Or go to Shading, Wireframe over Shaded. Then use the snipping tool/screen capture to capture a wireframe over shaded version of your work and save as a .png. 
  • The submission’s Images folder has a moodboard showing all of your reference and research for the robot named “FirstName_LastName_Robot_MoodBoard.png”.   

The homework is due at 9am, May 19th.  It’s always due at the beginning of the next class! 

Class Expectations 

Be present and accountable for the work that you have created 

Ask questions and be engaged in learning – don’t be a passive learner 

Hand in projects on time, in the location specified. Being a professional means being ready. 

Upload all work as a project to Teams in the appropriate folder. All projects are due handed into the appropriate location before 9am on Thursday’s class. 

If you don’t hand in a project as specified in the correct location, the grade you will get it 0.  I can’t grade what isn’t handed in.  Having issues, ask for help before the deadline. 

Always hand in your files as a project with the Maya files in the scenes folder and images of your work in the Images folder.