Week 04 – Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan 

  • New modeling techniques
  • Modeling low-poly flow using Creasing for hard-edges
  • Snapping objects together – SnapTogether Tool
  • Duplicate special to create arrays and radial arrays of objects
  • Using Mash to create arrays of objects
  • Rendering Smooth Wireframes
  • Discuss Topology and Edgeflow 
  • Use Multicut to add specific modeling detail/edges, cut edges, insert loops
  • Create and manage a Maya project including scenes and source images
  • Creating Cameras and Bookmarks for Rendering
  • Review Robot Progress 
  • Refine the materials and lighting to improve upon last week 
  • Render a wireframe turntable of your robot design 

In-Class Exercise

Create two air-plane propeller models using radial duplication with Duplicate Special and Mash Networks. Combine them into one scene.   

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

Hand in a project folder called FirstName_LastName_Propellers 

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

The Images folder should contain one .png file showing the models rendered with wireframe over lighting.  All the renders should be on a single image. 
FirstName_LastName_Propellers.png 

Homework 

  1. Find additional reference to support the creation of your model.  Find examples of joints, arms, legs, hands, materials – everything that will help you visualize the final model as you create it.  In essence, you want to research first, model second.  Use the research don’t just gather it for my sake. 
  1. Complete the Robot model by refining the models and refining the materials and lighting.  Look at the silhouette – is it reading well?  Adjust the design, add details and complete the model. Great artwork is all about iteration of design.  Each time you do this it should get better.  Make sure you save the progress as separate files. If you aren’t using Incremental Save, now is the time to start.   
  1. Make sure the robot has pivot points that will allow it to be animated. Start parenting the model and making sure the pivot points work properly. Ie. Can the shoulders move in a 360degree rotation? Are the elbows/knee hinge joints?  You should be able to select each part of the model and have it move/rotate like a real robot. This means placing the pivot points correctly. 
    1. Make sure that the robot is bipedal – ie. Two arms, two legs. Something that we would normally want to animate as the main character 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 its movement too much for animation? 
  1. Clean up the geometry and topology – reduce details where it isn’t needed. Clean the scene and make sure it is organized, and each part is labelled correctly. Delete all the history of the objects unless you will need it for animation. 

Hand in a project folder called FirstName_LastName_Robot_Model_PUB 

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

In the Images folder should be a minimum of three .png files showing the Robot from three different angles that showcase the model. Show both render and wireframe. 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. 

The homework is due at 9am, February 10.  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 is 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.