My Roadmap part 2

A Journey to the 3D world.

This stage in my life, I have decided to learn about the 3D world before creating 3D games so When I start making games I have a robust understanding of the models.

So I started to read about it. The first thing was the pipeline of the creation of the 3d models( Concept Art - Modeling - Texturing - Rigging - Animation - rendering ).

I didn't like the Art section neither was good at it so I decided to go directly to the modeling part and just try to clone objects or do whatever comes to my mind. I followed step by step tutorials and try to get used to its interface. It was Maya Autodesk 2016.

My First model was a glass. It took 2 hours from me to do it alone after that, I couldn't find the button for saving the render result as an image so I took screenshot *lol*.

My First Model

After a lot of practicing and watching tutorials following the steps. I got a basic understanding of making models out of simple shapes and just coloring them without actual texturing. So I would just put the material and start coloring it. So with a little tweaking in the shapes, I could make some models ( TV - Laptop - Chair.. etc).

Unfortunately at this part of the journey. I made a shift-delete of one month of models by mistake. I was so angry about it and needed to relax a couple of days before starting again. later I found a laptop rendered image from this time.

My laptop model

I wanted to go to the next level. Making something more complex. so I decided to clone the Minion. It was really hard for me to make it. I remember I had a problem with the scale of the parts and making the shapes smooth. before I was only doing hard surface so doing this was a kind of struggle. it took me 3 days.

My Minion Clone

After creating the minion model, I wanted to animate it, I saw some rigging and animating stuff. and here come the problems when I tried to apply the basics of that. I couldn't, even making poses. It was a struggle.that's the moment when I learned the glory of the topology and its importance and all the models I made before was a disaster. 

At this time I started to learn about topology and watch pros tutorials and tips. and for the first time, I started to use references while I model instead of relying on memory to get the measurements right. I was getting the feel of a 3rd model. I remember while I was walking on the streets. I would look at the objects and imagine how I would model that. also, I had a Pro friend that gave me a huge boost by just watching him how he models.

Shoe Model(practicing topology)

I wanted my next challenge to be more complicated. so I decided to make Buzz Lightyear model. I couldn't do the face at this time as my background was all in hard surface modeling. actually, I made a face but it was just ruining the model, so I removed it. I took about a week to finish the modeling and for the first time, I tried to make a 4k image render it took a whole day.

Buzz Lightyear Suit Model

I got a bit confident about my modeling skills. I started to jump to other topics like UV, Texturing, Rendering so I can make a better representation of my models. I started doing daily modeling practice and try to make a good looking image out of it. Later I changed the rendering software to an easier one and it gave better results.

Practicing Modeling

After 3 Months of learning and exploring 3D creation aspects. I wanted to end my holiday with a masterpiece and combine what I learned in one project. Also, I wanted to animate it. but since I didn't learn much about rigging or animation. I couldn't. So I thought of just making the movement of the camera.

The model I chose for that mission was the Batbod from Batman Movie. It had a lot of details and its colors were simple.so that I can easily texture it. It took 1 week for me to make that.

Finally, I have reached a good understanding of how the 3d world works. I have learned a lot on this journey mainly on modeling as my main part and a bit on other aspects. I wanted to get back to the game development and make use of the knowledge I have gained.

At least now when I see artists' 3D creations, I appreciate the efforts to make those stunning art.
I would still do some modeling from time to time to refresh my memory,
here are some of the projects I did at various times also you can find some here.

Various models

Honorable Mention: after some years I wanted to make a cool 3d video so I made Grendizer dancing on Gangnam style.

So my next stage would be 3d Games and especially AR(Augmented Reality) ones. To be continued...