IN3D Maya Problem

When I want to render a model, this error pops out and it just shows a black blank screen.

// Error: setParent: Object 'renderView' not found.

I discussed this problem with some of the coursemate and found out the solution to this error after much research and trying out. Important: Reinstalling Maya might work, but it's not 100% guarentee.

Solution:

1. Open Autodesk Maya default scene.
2. Click on File > Open Scene [] (click on the option)
3. Check the "Ignore Version" box, save and close.
4. Open your scene in this manner all the time.

IN3D Week5 Lab1

Shaders & Texture

Directional light > Sun light (background)
Press t button > Target the light
In attribute > Intensity < 1

Point light > Place it slightly above object

Edit > Delete by type > History
Modify > Freeze Transformation

IN3D Project1 Part1 (by Week 4)

Story

The mouse and the cat.
The kitty and the rat.

A rat is racing around a track on a mousetrap car and suddenly...A KITTY CAME BY. As you guys know, mouse are afraid of cats and for this instance, it is a rat instead of a mouse and a kitty instead of a cat. Nooo, it is no ordinary kitty , it is the kitty that most rats feared of...it is THE HELLO KITTY!!! The Hello Kitty chases the rat round and round the track, but got too exhausted after a period of time while the rat is still safe and sound on the mousetrap car that is still full of battery!

Shape

The shape of my model is rather easy but there are complex parts for the details of the Hello Kitty. I am going to split my model up into 6 parts - head, bow, body, clothes, hands and legs. From the things that I learnt so far and from the shape of the model, I guess I will be using a lot of bevelling to achieve the rounded edges and shapes, extrusion for the Hello Kitty's ears, boolean for the hole in the clothes and polygons such as cylinder, sphere and maybe torus as well. For the colours, I will be using Lambert!

I think that the toughest part of all will be the body and clothes of the Hello Kitty, merging them together will be a challenge.

Design

Photographic images: Side view

Photographic images: Front view

Photographic images: Top view

Photographic images: Bottom view

Photographic images: Back view

Wireframe sketches

Wireframe sketches: Other component

IN3D Week4 Lab1

3D Mindset & Learning (E-learning)
http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=class&session_id=7160
http://chronicle.com/article/Scholars-Turn-Their-Attention/63746/

Does multi-tasking give you a real or false sense of having accomplished something?

It depends on what type of tasks I'm doing simultaneously. We're multi-tasking all the time, our mind is always thinking of something when we're performing tasks such as eating/bathing. To me, following the instructions on PDF and modelling it out at the same time is actually quite taxing considering the fact that I have to keep on pressing "alt + tab". After I complete each modelling, it gives me a sense of accomplishment, a real sense of accomplishment, I would say. A fake sense of having accomplished something only happened to me when I'm listening to music and reading something. If I were to multi-task by switching tabs while waiting for a page to load, I would feel like I'm not wasting time and on top of it, feel like I'm spending each second wisely, although it might be confusing to do that at times.

Is learning 3D and design different from learning programming, or is all learning the same? Why?

Learning 3D and design is DIFFERENT from learning programming! 3D and design is much more fun and interesting in a way such that we don't have to face with a wall of texts (codes). There is no right or wrong in 3D and design, we can always experiment around with the tools, but for programming, you either know how to code it out, or you don't because you can't guess the syntax. The same thing about 3D and programming is that you have to be very careful with every little details.

The article states that “Learning is actually a very complex operation for an individual”. Do you agree with this? Do you feel that you approach your learning in the best way – if yes, how, and if no, how can you change your work style?

I do agree with the statement "Learning is actually a very complex operation for an individual". I believe that everyone has the capability to learn anything, but it's just factors such as - interest, learning method, learning curve, etc. will affect one's learning. I don't feel that my approach for learning is the best way because human needs to constantly improve on themselves to be better. I think that the first thing I should do to change my work style is to stop being so lazy and forgetful. When I'm lazy, I tend to make my study table into a mess. When I'm forgetful, I won't be able to find my learning materials in the mess on my study table.

What are your thoughts about the last paragraph in the extract?

The students for today’s industry have to have talent and the personality to fit in with the team. As a professional artist, communication is important and the ability to communicate well with other team members is an ongoing struggle. It is well noted that a businesses success rides completely on communication and this area is no different. The ability to effectively write an email, give and take constructive criticism, articulate a solution to a problem, and in some situations talk with a client are foundational skills necessary for success.

I agree with what the last paragraph in the extract is talking about. Communication is indeed the key to everything. Without communication, no matter how great your idea is, as long as you can't get the idea across, nobody will know how great your idea is anyway. The tone in the communication is crucial as well because no one would want to communicate with someone in an arrogant tone.

Should your lecturers also focus on your work attitude, or just leave you to sink or swim on your own? Why?

I think that it is optional for lecturers to focus on work attitudes, because if a student really wants to learn, he/she will have the right work attitude. There's absolutely no point trying to get someone who is not interested to be interested, unless with counselling or a psychologist's help. If I can swim on my own, I will continue swimming on my own, until I find myself sinking then I will find a "float" (lecturer's help, or maybe classmate's help) somewhere in order to finish swimming and reach my destination.

IN3D Week3 Lab2

Track Modelling
Modeling a Section of Track

Process

First of all, import the track outline to the front panel.

Next, draw out the outline with Create Polygon Tool and perfect the drawn outline by moving the vertices. And also, turn the visibility of the track outline img off. Switch to perspective panel.

Extrude the drawn track outline.

Enter the attributes as on the pdf and I got a nice-looking track.

Tumble the perspective view to the bottom side of the track and Insert Edge Ring Tool.

Move the newly inserted edges to the 2 ends with the Scale Tool.

Change to Face Mode and select the top 2 faces to extrude them.

Next, select the new face created and extrude it out.

After extruding everything, bevel the edges.

In order to make the track bend like a U shape, switch the Menu Set to Animation. Next, Create Bend Deformers.

Enter the attributes for the bendhandle to get this.

After editing the track with the Move Tool, I got this as my final outcome.

Not forgetting the colours, with my tracks looking good.

Techniques

I learnt that besides using CV Curve Tool and EP Curve Tool, I can also use Create Polygon Tool. It is also crucial to classify the objects well with the Outliner, so as to avoid confusion.

Reflection

At first when I saw this image on the pdf...

I was so frightened by it and didn't want to start on the modelling at all. But after completing the exercise, I realised that it's actually not as hard as I thought. They are just different pieces being joined together to form this complex looking track. I can do it with the Create Bend Deformer Tool as well.

IN3D Week3 Lab2

Washboard Modelling
Modeling an Antique Washboard

Process

Create a cube and enter the attributes to form the body of the washboard.

Change to the "Edge" mode next.

Select all the interior edges of the box and bevel it to get this.

Change to "Face" mode and select the new faces formed on the box, then extrude it.

Go back to "Edges" mode and select the new edges formed by the extrusion

This is what it will look like after all the necessary edges are selected.

Create a new cube and enter the attributes from the pdf, this is to form the top header of the washboard.

Create another cube to form the top panel and align it with the Align Tool, such that it is in the center of the top header in terms of height and width.

Next, create the top stringer with a cube and do the same with align tool, then duplicate it for the bottom stringer.

Create the left and right legs with cubes and align them with Align Tool as well.

Select all the stringers and legs to bevel them.

Finally, after adding colours to it.

Techniques

The thing to learn out of this modelling exercise is the Align Tool, because aligning it with the tool will be more precise than to align it with the Move Tool. Aligning is so much easier and within a few clicks. Another thing to take note is the order of selecting the objects before going into the aligning mode. Always click on the object which you want to align first, before clicking on the other object.

Reflection

Although the steps for the washboard is pretty simple and easy to follow, but it made me realise the importance of Align Tool, because using the tool will save me so much time and effort.

IN3D Week3 Lab1

Exercise 2
Use the same technique of revolving a curve to create an interesting vase.

Process

I drew out the left side of the curve using EP Curve Tool, instead of CV Curve Tool after trying out both. The initial curve looks very different, but with Control Vertex, I managed to manipulate the vertex to position it better. I also added in more points by adding Curve Point and Insert Knot, I get to be more precise.

I added in colours after completing, this is the final product.

Techniques

I learnt how to differentiate when to use EP Curve Tool and CV Curve Tool. For EP Curve Tool is for curves that are rounded, while CV Curve Tool is for straight or diagonal lines. I also learnt the importance to add in and manipulate vertex.

Reflection

Initially when I first saw the vase jpg, I was a little worried that I might not be able to model it out on my own without any pdf instruction file to follow. Upon completing the bucket, I realised that it is not that difficult afterall. Drawing curves takes a little more patience, as long as I'm determined to get it done, it'll get done.

IN3D Week3 Lab1

Exercise 1 - Bucket Modelling
Complete the toy bucket modeling tutorial in 2.4 MM_Bucket Modeling.pdf

Process

First of all, I drew out the bucket outline by using CV Curve Tool, I learnt how to draw curves through the video tutorial. I didn't get the ideal shape within the first try because I didn't have the outline for a guide and also practice makes perfect.

Next, I went on to revolve the bucket outline so that it will look like a bucket.

Now for the bucket tabs on both sides of the bucket and holes cut out from cylinders. By using what I have learnt from the gear exercise (which is extrude) and what I have learnt from the block modelling (bevel & boolean difference). A nice shade of blue to make modelling more interesting.

Connectors for the handle ends, like how the bucket is formed, the connectors needs to be drawn out with CV Curve tool as well. Since the lines are all straight, using the "snap to grid" function makes it easier, this is to ensure that the lines will not go out of shape. Always hit enter to complete the curve!

The same old revolving step, and tadah!

Resize and insert the connector to the bucket now...

Up next is the bucket handle, using the CV Curve tool, I drew out this from the top panel. The tool is hard to control, and this is when the vertex mode comes in handy.

Creating a handle profile with CV Curve tool.

After extruding the bucket handle profile, I did a lot of adjusting and positioning of the bucket handle (which is super challenging!!!), I did it!

Techniques

The most important technique is CV Curve tool, in order to create curve objects this tool is essential, although the curve will not turn out to be perfect but by moving the vertex will allow it to be positioned better.

I'm still not good at using the Soft Modification Tool and I don't understand why is there an alphabet "s" whenever I click with the tool.

Reflection

I enjoyed modelling the bucket but not the handle! I'm still surprised at how by drawing out curve will be able to turn it in to a bucket. The handle is the toughest part, I spent hours doing and redoing it. Although my bucket handle didn't fit the connector properly, but that's the best I could do.