VSFX 448

For my studio 2 project I've decided to work on something new. A few quarters ago, I made a carousel in Houdini but I was not satisfied with how it came out. For this project I want to use a mixture of Houdini and Blender to create a carnival scene. I've never used Blender before so this will give me the opportunity to learn the program, at least at a basic level, before graduation. Here is the carousel I have currently:

What I'm thinking is that I'll add more detail to what I already have to make it more like the style I'm going for and then I'll import it to Blender and finish the project there. In Blender, I'll create another 2-3 elements such as a roller coaster, ferris wheel, cotton candy stand, bottle ring toss game, balloon dart game, etc. to complete the scene. By doing this project I'll be able to learn how to model, texture, and light in Blender. I'm also aware that Blender has faster render times which is helpful.

Here are some reference images I'm going to work from:

I love the look of het one on the left but I think I'm going to add some sort of fence around it like the one on the right. I'm also planning on changing the animal in the carousel. In the model I already have, I just created a simple caterpillar-like animal but I don't want to use that for the final. I'm going to try making a horse but it's also been suggested to me to make various fish which sounds fun too.

The biggest modeling change I need to make is with the top of the carousel. I'm also going to add realistic textures, right now there are just color nodes and some preset textures that I used because at the time I didn't really know how to texture.

As much as I'd like to have a solid plan, I think I'll have to play some things by ear because the only thing I want to do in Houdini is the carousel and then I'm going to try matching the level of modeling of the elements I model in Blender. I'm still going to model the ferris wheel, roller coaster, etc. but the amount of detail and look of the textures is what's up for change.

This is how the carousel is looking so far. I've added the railing and the tent top. Before class 4, I'm planning on adding some mirror/picture frame design to the top ring as well as lights. I'd still like to change the animal design. I know the carousel design isn't too detailed but I want the level of detail to match with what I'm going to be modeling in Blender and since I've never used Blender before, I'm not expecting my models to be as detailed as normal. If I find that I'm having an easy time with Blender and I'm able to add more detail, I can always come back to the carousel and add more detail so everything still matches.

Class 5

Here is a rough outline of what my project will look like. It is meant to look like the models are sitting on a work bench to show that they have just been built and also to show the scale.

Time got away from me this weekend so I'm a little behind where I want to be with my modeling. I still need to make the horse figures for the carousel. I've also added lights to the carousel but they're not in the picture used in the video. I did start the ferris wheel in Blender but there is not a lot of progress. I'm also still trying to learn how to use Blender which is why it's taking a little longer. My goal for next week is to have the horse figures done and at least most of the ferris wheel done.

After the carousel I moved on to the ferris wheel. I think the modeling for the ferris wheel is done. I want to have it move a little in the final so all I have to do is animate it.

I've also started figuring out the positioning and scene set up. I'm going to have the camera start on a close up of the ferris wheel and pan to the carousel and then it will zoom out to show the other pieces and reveal that they are just toys on a tool bench.

I've blocked out the skee ball geometry so I have a basic shape to start with and soon I'll go in and add more detail.

I've also been thinking about what objects I want to add on the table so it's clear when you see it that they're toys on a work bench. I know I want to add some basic tools like screws and screw drivers and I'm also going to try adding a paint set and paint brush.

This is what I have done as of midterms. Since I'm more behind than I thought I would be, I was thinking of just sticking with the three models I have and just keep going with those instead of adding a fourth. I've got the hammer model and nails so far but I'm going to try adding a least one other tool and part.

I also need to update the camera movement. This video I posted is sped up a little because of how it rendered so the camera movements aren't actually this jerky but they're still not smooth. The camera won't be this fast either, I want to take some time showing each model closely before showing the whole scene.

This is where I am as of class 13. I've been working on getting the scale correct and I think the size relationship between the holes in the peg board and the toys is good. I'm also done modeling the carousel, ferris wheel and skee ball toys. The animal for the carousel still needs done. I'm going to leave an animal or two off to show that it's still being built. I'm doing the same for the ferris wheel. One of the carts is being left on the ground.

I've also worked on the tools that I want to have around the scene. So for I've got a hammer, screw driver, and some nails. I think I still want to try making some wrenches and paint brushes. The good thing is that I can just make one of each and then duplicate it and change the size so there are multiple and it fills the scene better.

The next thing I need to work on is the textures. I've already got one for the bench and peg board but that's it so far.

Class 15

I've been using this carousel toy picture mainly as my inspiration. I really liked the color scheme so I decided to carry it through into my design. My carousel is various shades of pink and gold and I added pink to the ferris wheel to match.

I've also been modeling more tools to fill up space and to add a sense of scale. In addition to the hammers and wrenches, I've added scissors, pliers, a ruler, a can of pencils, and some balls for the skee ball game. There are now also some pegs in the peg board to hold up the tools but there are still some I need to add.

This is the preliminary camera movement. It's a little too fast right now and some of the movements are stiff. I'm also going to zoom it out at the end so more of the scene is able to be seen.

I've also modeled a desk lamp for the scene. I want the light in it to be working and to act as a spotlight for the objects on the desk.