This does not look good here, um...

You probably have a few questions for me:

How was Christmas?

Yes I did have a lovely Christmas thank you.

How is work going on?

Well I have been trying to follow that tutorial. On the first try, the code worked but the shape wasn't moving correctly so I've deleted it and start again. But now every time I would try to input the code, I get this error message:

Error: Attribute already controlled by an expression, keyframe, or other connection

I have no idea how to fix it and I've been trying out different things with no result.

This is really down hearting as I was hoping this method would be the solution but it looks like I have no choice but to animate the wings manually myself...see this is way I dislike modeling because of complicated controls and problems like this.

The Christmas Season

I may be off university but I shall still be working on my assignment. I've managed to download a trail version of the 2011 version. It last for 30 days which should be enough time before the deadline. I've tried to get the full version but I can't access my student email for some reason which is required. But a trail version shall do for now

A Perfect Tutorial?

Browsing through the internet searching for tutorials, I've find a blog page that might be the perfect tutorial I need. It shows a technique called Expressions. From what I can gather, it allows you to animate a model without the use of keyframes. The example happened to be a bug with wings. I could follow that example to model my Moth. I have been having a little trouble trying to figure out how to create the Moth so hopefully this would give me a solution.

The secret behind animating the wings appears to be some coding that must be added in the expression editor:

lWing.rotateX = time * 10;

(With lWing being the name of your model)

This code controls the X Rotation of the model and the "*10" part makes the flapping of the wings faster which makes it easier to see.

To make the wing back and forth, you add this code:

lWing.rotateX = sin (time * 10) * 40;

(To make the right wing animate properly, add a minus sign in front of "sin")

You can find more details here: http://www.talino.org/tutorials/exp1/

I haven't tested this out yet as currently, Maya is still down but I do plan to download Maya at home so I can try it anytime (and so I can work throughout the Christmas holidays) where ever it's the full version of a trail version.

Another walk cycle preview

This is the preview of the improved walk cycle that I've done a few days ago using that reference I've posted earlier.

Some images

As I type this in uni, unfortunately, Maya is down so I decide to do some research by finding images of the objects that I might model in the lamp animation. Here are some that I've found.

Can you believe it's nearly Christmas?

If you're wondering how I'm doing with my work, then here's an update:

I've been improving the Walk Cycle in modeling too using this as a reference:
But I've also got started on modeling the lamp. I just need to model the Moth which might take some time...

Progress!

I've woken up late this morning as my alarm failed and I end up waking an hour later (but I still got into university in time) plus the weather is awful.

But it's not all gloom today.

Here's a preview of the Walk cycle I've done so far yesterday with the legs moving. It's not perfect but I'm glad I've made progress.

A New Hope

I've actually made some progress in Maya. Managed to start the Walk Cycle animation (which is also part of the assignment). So far, I've focused on moving the legs. It might not look perfect but I'm pleased that I've made an attempt in it.

The Final Sketch

Here's one last sketch for my modeling work that I've did recently. It's a sketch of the scene for my animation. It's set in a bedroom with the window open. I'll be sure to model the lamp. moth, desk, window and shape of room and depending on how much time I have I'll add the rest of the scenery to give it more feelings. Hoping to create as much as I can but it's more important to fulfill the task first.

That should be enough modeling and research. Should get started on the modeling tomorrow.

It doesn't get any easier...

Assignments this term has been hard.

Still having a bit of a headache with Maya. Doing the sketches and research has been fine. It's just the actual modeling that I'm not looking forward too. If only the software wasn't so complicated. By the way I haven't found a free download for Maya and my 3DS Max program has expired. The only good thing about it is that it's due after christmas but time flies when you're having fun (can you believe that 2010 is nearly over already?).

I can only hope that next year's assignment won't be as daunting. You know the old saying "It doesn't get any worse then this...".

Back in Action

I am now back in university and yes, I have done some work and sketches over reading week. I would like to show you them.

First, here are two mood boards I've created on lamps and Moths.


These moodboards gave me ideas for the sketches for both objects.
Below is the final design for the lamp and moth in addition to the storyboard.

Plans for Reading Week

Doesn't time fly? Only 3 weeks in university and Reading week is just around the corner. That's not to say I won't be doing anything oh no. I have some plans, mainly regarding the art assignment. My tasks are:

• Create moodboards for lamps and Moths. These will help me create ideas for...
• Sketches. Hoping to come up with as many ideas possible.
• Storyboard the scene on paper.
• I'll see if I can download a free version of Maya to test at home. If I can't then I'll see how to convert 3DS files into Maya files. I have a copy of 3DS Max at home. It would be useful to test out my modeling skills via tutorials or just have a play around experimenting with tools.

I should be able to get as much work as possible (before my birthday on the 30th October).

With great idea comes great responsibility

The power of ideas...they sometimes comes instantly to you regardless if they're good or bad. I just have one about my lamp idea.

You know how Moths are attracted to light? Well perhaps I could use this idea and each time a Moth approaches a lamp, I could add a slight twist: The lamp could spring to life and destroy the Moth by firing a beam of light to it. I personality think it sounds interesting.

Shame that ideas are sometimes easier said then done. It might be tough trying to model the action. Maya is tricky just like 3DS Max so I might have a tough time. At least finding textures would be fun...for the moth that is.

However, the Paint effect tool is fun to use, just simply pasting images like flowers and fire onto your work. Here's one I've made filled with random stuff. Apologies for the size but you can just make out flowers and fire on there.

The more you learn the better

Currently the second week of university. The timetable seems to has settled down for now. It may not be perfect but at least it's consistent. Lets hope for no more drastic changes.


Speaking about Maya, I've been a bit better at it since last time I've used it. I learnt that some Mac PCs DOES have a right click after all...But seriously though, I was right when I said Maya is simliar to 3DS Max. The main difference being that some of the options has a different layout. I've yet to discover how you move the object more freely in 3D. Hopefully there is one.

During the lesson, I've created a very simple animation trying to create a bouncing ball. To be honest it's not the best (at least I've worked out how to slow the animation down. It was too fast before). Lets hope I can improve much later on.

Something About Lamps

My first in university and very first blog entry. Very fitting. I have been very tired but thankfully going to bed early seems to help.

The first week was just general stuff on what the courses will be about. Timetables are still in a bit of a hiccups though. The modeling brief mentions about modeling a lamp in Maya. I can't help but think about this guy:

However there's also a new Pokemon that is based on a lamp:

(It's a Ghost/Fire type. English name not confirmed yet).

I wonder if I should based my lamp on these guys. Not copy them obviously as I'll get sued by Pixar and Nintendo.

Maya seems very much like 3DS Max. The good thing is that the interface is familiar but to be honest, I didn't enjoy using 3DS Max back in college much. Was kind of complicated. Here's hoping Maya is less of a nightmare.