3D Modelling: Project 1
15/5/2024 - 26/6/2024 (Week 4 - Week 10)
Seh Zi Qi/ 0355872/ Bachelor of Design(Honours) in Creative Media
Module Name: MMD60804/ 3D Moddeling
Project 1
LIST
Project 1: Hard Surface Modeling
LECTURE
INSTRUCTION
<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wQ99leedHonnhF67lwfbvzoM_7ByrnTS/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
_______________
PROJECT 1: HARD SURFACE MODELING
"This project will be focusing on creating 3D hard-surface model based on created/extracted blueprint e.g. Weapon, Robot, Vehicle, Structure etc. Students are exposed in mastering various techniques includes destructive and non-destructive workflow to produce visually appealing 3D models/assets. The completed model will be presented using real-time rendering workflow for final preview."
____________
Research
Before I went ahead with modelling, I needed to decide what I wanted to model, I decided that I wanted to create a weapon for one of my OCs, Original Characters, Raina Jenesis. She is a Dragonborn chef who likes to forage so I decided to make a weapon that fits her occupation.
A magical axe was my initial idea since she is from a fantasy world, and it would've looked cool to have a chef with an axe, but I realised that it doesn't suit her occupation well. So I decided a knife would make more sense and it would serve a better purpose than an axe.
 |
| Fig 1.1, Research on Pinterest |
Once I was done with finding references on Pinterest, I went ahead with sketching out my own design because I wanted to try making my drawing into a 3D model, and it felt more personalised towards my character since it was something she'd used.
 | |
|
____________
Progress
Once I was done with the sketches, I went ahead in Blender to start with my progress.
Knife Making Progression
Starting with a plane, I used loop cuts and the 'Move' tool in Edit mode to match the shape drawn in the sketches; Some parts were heightened to create a sharper edge to the knife. After that, I mirrored the plane to create a physical object.
| Fig 2.1, 1st Progression of the knife |
I had also added some stars in the middle of the knife to create some variation.
 | |
|
Then I started to work on the hilt and grip of the knife, I used a cylinder model as the base of the hilt and grip while the extension was created using a cube model. By extruding and scaling it up and down, I was able to create the shape I drew on the sketch; I also added a bevel to the edge to create a more high poly look.
| Fig 2.3, 1st Progression on hilt & grip |
Once I was done creating the hilt and grip, I went ahead with adding more accessories because it felt a bit too bland for a personalised knife, so I thought it would be cool to add a keychain with a dragon tooth at the end to connect it back to my character whose a Dragonborn, a descendent of dragons.
I started by creating the hook but using the torus model as my base while extruding, moving and rotating another cube model to create the basis of the string that attaches to the dragon tooth.
 | |
|
I then went to create the dragon tooth itself, using a cone model as my base, adding loop cuts to it so I can use the 'Proportional Editing' in Edit mode to achieve the curve that I was looking for. By extruding and indenting the bottom, I was able to make a case that encompasses the top of the tooth where the keychain will attach.
I used another cylinder model to create the attachment part for the string and tooth. I also added loop cuts to the cube model to add a curve for the string to be more realistic.
Fig 2.5, 2nd Progression on the keychain
After making the keychain, I took a step back and realised that the hilt and grip didn't look as up to par with the knife and keychain so I decided to go back into Pinterest to find a better hilt and guard that matches the aesthetic of the knife better. I found 2 images that I felt were a good aesthetic that matches the knife I was going for, the 1st image is the reference for the hilt while the 2nd image is the reference for the grip.
Fig 2.6, New references for hilt & grip
Once I found references for the hilt and grip, I created the hilt first. Using a cube model, I scaled it down to size, added loop cuts, extruded and moved the cube to the desired shape. After that, I added 4 cylinder models, indented and moved the flat planes to create the screws on the hilt.
Fig 2.7, 2nd Progression on hilt & grip
Then I started to create the grip of the knife, this time I started off with a plane since it would be easier for me to manipulate the shape to my liking; I achieved this by adding loop cuts, and extruding and moving the plane. Once I was satisfied with my shape I went ahead with mirroring it and joining both the hilt and guard; This can be achieved by joining both of the models, going into Edit mode, choosing the lines you want to join and using 'Bridge Edge Loops' to make them connect.
Fig 2.8, 3rd Progression on hilt & grip
Once I was done with the hilt and grip, I wanted to go into colouring but then realised that when I did 'Subdivision' the knife looked really off and I realised that the holes I added into my knife were causing the problem so I decided to create a new knife. I still wanted to keep the stars in the middle but I decided that it'd be easier if I had a circle instead as it wouldn't interfere much once I gave it enough support.
To create the holes in the middle of the knife, I used a cylinder model as my base, lined it to where I wanted the holes to be, selected the cylinder model and the knife, and used 'Difference' in the side Bool Tool tab to achieve the effect.
Fig 2.9, 3rd Progression on the knife
Once I was done with recreating the knife part, I changed the screw placement and the hook attached to the knife since it didn't look right when I placed it with the previous one. Then, I put everything together and got the final result of my knife.
 |
| Fig 2.10, 3rd Progression on the knife |
Colouring & Lighting Progression
 |
| Fig 3.1, Freepik Website |
Once I was done with finding the textures I needed, I went ahead and started colouring the parts that needed to be coloured. Using the lectures and exercises that Mr Kamal gave, I was able to achieve the desired look by using the UV and Shaders Editor tabs importing my textures and moving the planes in place.
Fig 3.2, Colouring Progression on knife
After finishing the colouring, I started to work on the backdrop and lighting to create an appealing look when I rendered the image which is the end of this project.
 |
| Fig 3.3, Lighting Progression on knife |
_______________
FINAL Hard Surface Modeling
Click here to download the Blender file:
 |
| Fig 4.1, Final Hard Surface Modeling |
 |
| Fig 4.2, Final Hard Surface Modeling Wireframe |
REFLECTION
I had a lot of fun but gruelling pain during this project since I didn't really know how to navigate or know the functions well; I basically had a lot of trial and error before realising that I should just do the best I could and give my all even if it's not my best work. It was hard to grasp certain concepts like the number of vertices I needed to maintain the circle inside the knife or how many loopcuts I needed to create the sharp edges that are crucial to this project. However, it was quite rewarding to know that I was able to draw something in 2D and create it in 3D in Blender; it gave me a sense of pride that I was improving during my time in classes where Mr Kamal is teaching as well as my own research in-between studies and my own time.
Comments
Post a Comment