Tavern Update 2

Introduction Post

I haven't done any painting the last few days because I'm trying to pump out all the models and get them unwrapped.  My plan is to get all the assets ready for texturing then move onto my next project.  My daily hand painting studies will be directly for this project, so I'll basically be able to work on two projects at the same time with no wasted time.

I've also been getting some feedback from some friends and we inadvertently stumbled across a nice name for the tavern:  The Beer & Bread Inn.  Not final, but unless I can come up with something better, I'll probably keep it at that.

Below:  Quiver of arrows, case of crossbow bolts, 3 potions (triangular, round, tube), scroll, money bag

Below:  Weapon rack, 2-handed sword, 1-handed sword, dagger, anvil, buckler, kite shield

Below:  Weapon rack, 2-handed sword, 1-handed sword, dagger, anvil, buckler, kite shield

Below:  bow, crossbow, blunderbuss

I tried to squeeze a painting in today also.

January 26

Introduction Post

Yeah, my posting has slowed down a bit but I'm still putting the time in every day.  This weekend is the Global Game Jam and although I didn't participate, I did work on some stuff for a friend.  I painted a quick brick texture for him, among other things.  It was kind of rushed since it's only for a game jam, but mostly just because I have more interesting things (to me) to do.

I received a pretty sweet critique on my Polycount thread about my wooden planks texture so I spent some time today touching that up.  Now, if only everyone could give valid, educational feedback like that rather than simply saying "needs more contrast" I would be happy.

Here's a before/after shot of my wood planks.  Before on the left, after on the right.

Actual texture and a shot of it tiling:

I started on another major texture today.  Originally it was going to be some stone bricks for a wall, but the base ended up looking better as a cobblestone floor.  Here's my progress on that, which I'll be continuing to work on tomorrow.

January 23

Introduction Post

I'm switching gears and working on some larger architectural pieces.

  
Tiled

January 21

Introduction Post

A beer stein!  I need to learn how to pace my details.  This is a minor prop in an otherwise huge project; at this rate it would take me months to get all the content textured.  I suppose it's good practice though, as it does replace the daily hand painting studies I've been doing.

I received a critique about lacking AO which I totally forgot to add in.  Here are the adjustments:

January 20

Introduction Post

Project update:  I got all the dining ware modeled and unwrapped.  Everything below will be fit onto four texture maps.  One is for a single asset because it will have transparency.

I spent some time painting a stool.  I'm not sure how I feel about all the rings, they become a bit noisy at a distance.  I might paint out every other ring or repaint it as planks instead of a trunk core.

Project Update: Tavern

Introduction Post

I know I haven't posted in the last few days.  I wanted to finish this section of my project before posting.  I made 16 food items all on one 2K map, which is equivalent to each item having its own 512 map.

Like I said before, by the end of this project I will probably go back and tweak some textures.  For now, they are more or less done and I'll be moving on to the next asset group:  dining ware!  Lots of metal and wood textures coming up.

January 14

Introduction Post

Nice change of pace today.  I was able to combine painting with my project all day today!  I painted food, which was pretty challenging.  I imagine by the end of this project I might go back and rework the textures.  

January 13

Introduction Post

More metal!

I have decided to scrap the Noob Challenge project.  After some deliberation my reasoning is because it simply doesn't match any of the studios I'm looking to cater my portfolio to, nor is it  entirely exciting for me to look forward to adding it.  Better to realize sooner rather than later and waste a bunch of valuable sabbatical time.


I have set my sights on a Dungeon Defenders inspired environment.  I've already got a majority of the assets set up and I'll be getting started on some of the props tonight.

January 12

Introduction Post

Took the day off from modeling today.  Knocked out some minor MEL script tweaks I've been meaning to get around to.

  

January 11

Introduction Post

Didn't get as much texturing done for the Noob Challenge as I would have hoped.  This might be a project I will decide to push to the wayside, maybe just work on the textures here and there.  I really want to get started on something geared toward the studios I'm looking to get into.

There is a new up and coming challenge event happening at Polycount, this one aimed specifically at hard surface modeling.  These challenges seem like they will be much smaller and easier to manage: something doable in a day or less.

I was working on the second piece of the challenge but Maya crashed and left a sour taste in my mouth.  Not sure if I'll do it again.

edit:  Fixed the threading on the bolt so it's more accurate to a real one.  Just intersected a simple helix primitive instead of trying to make it all one solid mesh.

January 10

Introduction Post

A cauldron (I hope)

Noob Challenge progress.  I can start on the textures tomorrow!  I still need to add plants, but I'm really wanting to move on to something relevant like I said  yesterday.

January 9

Introduction Post

Metal, or at least it's supposed to be

Chugging right along with the Noob Challenge.  Nothing to post right now; too busy getting all the normal maps baked out.  I might put a rush on this just to get it cleared off my plate.  It's not exactly something that fits my target studios, something I should have considered before I started.  Oh well, I plan to be moved on by Sunday night.

January 8

Introduction Post

Looks better, but I'm still not satisfied with my metal.  I guess that shouldn't be a new discovery, I haven't really practiced metal a whole lot so far.

  
I'll be posting some updates on the Noob Challenge soon.

January 7

Introduction Post

Slow day.  Here's the wood portion of a small chest.  Tomorrow I'll add some damage and start on the metal.

   

January 6

Introduction Post

Today's painting

More Noob Challenge stuff

  

January 4/5

Introduction Post

James Kincaid was nice enough to give me some detailed critiques on my paintings and portfolio contents.  He did a paint-over of one of my textures and even at a glance it is remarkably better.  I did some comparisons between my and his versions and noticed why my paintings look so muddy.  The color saturation of my paintings tends to stay around the 30-59 range which is pretty much a midtone.  James' paintover had much higher range of 50-90 which is clearly better.

Here's the paintover.  James' version is on the top, and mine on the bottom.

Here is my paintover for tonight after considering the above:

The rest of the day will be spent working on the Noob Challenge.

January 3

Introduction Post

Painted in ZBrush

Noob Challenge 15 progress.  Now I can get started on high poly stuff.

   
Here's the ATM looking thing near each of the bay doors.  I'll probably add additional details like screws with nDo2.

January 2

Introduction Post

Had some troubles rendering the transition between tree bark and the inside portion of a cut slab of wood.  I'll have to go back to the table top and apply the same effect so everything looks similar to this stool

Blockout progress of the Monthly Noob Challenge.  I wasn't satisfied with the curvature of the left wall so I remodeled it.  Looks much better now.  There is essentially four copies of everything which is why this challenge appears easier than the last few.  That just means I get to focus more time on texturing.

New Year!

Introduction Post

Light day today.  I painted some, but it's kind of a larger "scene" and didn't make much progress since yesterday.  I don't really like how the table wood is.  I think it's way too busy for what it is.  I'm going to try to wash out some of the details, sort of like the stool but not quite as bland.

Conveniently, I have finished the Caster project just yesterday, and now the new Monthly Noob Challenge is starting so I'll be doing that for my next piece.  Took me longer than I care to say getting the basic proportions down but I think I got a good handle on it.

This scene seems like it will be very easy to construct, as each long section (indicated by BAY numbers) is pretty much identical to the other three.  Here's a shot of my current blockout progress.  There does appear to be a side room where vehicles or some other thing is parked for maintenance/inspection which I haven't worked into my blockout yet.

Concept

Progress - There will be much more tomorrow.