Entertainment Media Design Blog

My character in UT3 continued

2010-02-08T23:53:00.004Z

Video 2 shows my new fully textured character shooting an old version of my character that i had problems with.

Video 3

Video 3 just shows more footage of my character running round in a Death Match game i was also checking out that all animation worked ok. I forgot to add the top of the head of the character in the Player Select screen if anyones wondering why there is no top of the head showing up.

Video 4

Video 4 i have produced a Red and Blue texture for the Team Death Match games so here i just wanted to see that they was all working, which they are :) Im currently re-evaluating my model and making some improvements but i promise to put up some more stuff when i can.

My character in UT3

2010-02-08T23:14:00.005Z

OK Dave here are those videos i promised you i have to apologize for the poor quality of the videos as these taken by myself on a digital camera. As i said in the previous post this was just for my own benefit really, having not used the Unreal Editor or importing before i thought it would be a good idea to get him in there. It was also a good way of seeing were i was having problem i was just glad that i was able to eventually have the character running around to be honest. I'm currently in the process of adding more detail to the character etc and i shall upload more videos when i get the chance. Hope you enjoy the vids :)

Video 1

(Actually seeing the character running around in UT3 gave me quite a buzz after all this time seeing it all come together is very satisfying)

Video 2

In this video it was just showing my fully textured character shootin

Its been a long time..........

2010-02-08T22:40:00.011Z

Hello there everyone it has been a long time since i have been on here. Anyway Dave Woods has asked me to stick some work up here to show his student up in bonney Scotland. So I'll start off with the character I'm creating for my BA (hons) Degree. I shall show some renders and then i shall show some vids abit later. Having built my model in 3DS MAx it was time to start texturing i started off with a basic texture applied and built upon this as i go.

Basic Colour and experimentation:

With this basic texture applied i started to experiment with different colours and with the aid of the Epic Games Forum (http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=716007) it was suggested that i should have different Camouflage textures Urban, Desert, Forest, Artic, Spec-Ops and a default camo which i shall probably use from my concept design.
Here is the resulting textures these are by no means finished but its giving me a better understanding how my character is coming together. No Normal, Specular, Emissive maps have yet to be applied these will be created when i done the Z-Brush work.

Concept Colours:

Urban Texture:

Forest Texture:

Artic Texture:

Desert Texture

And that is the state of play regarding the texturing so far i have put this to one side however as i wanted to get the character in-game and do a first pass on importing him into the UT3 engine. In the following post i shall show the result on how i got on :)

Oh before i forget if you want to see a more in depth look at how ive gone about creating this character go to:

http://stevenchabeaux.blogspot.com/

It would be nice to have some people following my blog and any feedback would be muchly appreciated. My blog is not up to date but im going to try to address this over the next few days im struggling to keep the blog updated as im working so hard to get the character finished asap.

My new blog

2009-09-25T09:37:00.002+01:00

Hi there peeps just thought i would post up my link for my new blog i have created to help me with my Model Book that i have to compile for one of the modules. So here it is ive just posted up the work from the pre-production stage for now but feel free to pop round and make some comments :)

http://stevenchabeaux.blogspot.com/

Friday Tutorials

2009-09-24T11:19:00.002+01:00

Hi Ste and Dave

Just in case you're coming in tomorrow for a tutorial can you make it after Midday. Dean is giving a presentation to year 2 at 11:00 in J313, and me and Stas are sitting in so they won't be available until Midday.

Production Module Contact Details

2009-09-17T09:57:00.003+01:00

Hi Part-timers,

Here's the list of staff who will be responsible for your final year/module. Click on the name to email them.

Module Leader:
Stas Krakiewicz
(contact for all module and tutorial guidance)

Specialist-tutor:
Dean Betton
(contact for tutorial guidance)

Pastoral Tutor:
Marianne McCracken
(contact for BA related guidance and confidential issues)

Part-time Enrolment Date and Room

2009-09-09T09:41:00.003+01:00

Hi part-timers,

Its enrolment time next week and due to different work schedules it looks like it will be spread across the two days. Either way we will do exactly the same thing.

I have a simple form printed for you to sign to enroll. Then I'll give you an initial briefing on your final project. This will be followed by time for you to write up your own brief based upon your rationale. So bring with you a copy of your rationale and a pen.

Those coming in on Wednesday 16th will be enrolling in room K202 in the Business College building. That is the building next to SKB with the glass entrance facing into the car park.

Those coming in on Friday 18th will be enrolling in room J313 in the SKB building (the games room).

The sessions will begin at 9:30am and last all morning.

New year Final Year

2009-09-02T11:40:00.004+01:00

Hi Part-timers,

Hope you've had a good summer. Enrollment is nearly here for your last year and module before eventual graduation.

Your final Production module will be self-directed with specialist-tutor support by Stas and Dean. The emphasis is on you delivering what you've planned during the Pre-Production module. If during the summer you've changed your plans that's fine as the beginning of the next module will give you some time to revise your idea.

Apart from enrollment you'll have very little contact with me, as you'll be arranging tutorials with your specialist-tutors. Remember keep them updated on a regular basis to avoid any problems. It is usually fatal to a student if they try to go-it-alone without showing progress to your tutors… silly errors or bad judgments are made this way.

Tony and Kev are coming in on Wednesday 16th September at 9:30am (room TBC) to enroll, as their supervisors cannot swap days to Friday. Steve and Dave, I don't know where you stand regarding a day change to Friday for this next year. If you can it takes pressure off of Stas and Dean (see previous July posts). Do you both want to also come in to enroll on Wednesday 16th or the following Friday? Let me know ASAP so I can plan.

On enrollment day I will also brief you on the last module - especially about the model book 30% component of your final mark.

You've all had a fantastic 1st year with some fantastic grades. In your final year DON'T CHASE THE GRADE. Just concentrate upon doing a great project that answers the learning outcomes. Be ambitious but don't blind yourself.

I look forward to you all succeeding in July as BA (Hons) graduates and starting a new chapter in your lives.

Important message for part-time students only

2009-07-23T14:01:00.002+01:00

Hi part-timers,

In my Monday, 6 July post "September Dates' I proposed a day change to Friday for part-time students, to ease the timetabling of Stas and Dean. I have heard from one of you who has encountered very real work-related problems with such a change, and that is understandable and I've made arrangements. So far I haven't heard from the rest of the group if this change is fine or equally problematic.

My problem that I forsaw in July is that year 1 and 2 are timetabled at the beginning of the week in J313 with Stas and Dean. In your first year Wednesday was great for me and Kate to be timetabled with you, but between September and December Stas and Dean are locked into heavy delivery.

If you let me know how you are fixed ASAP I can begin to make some provision if there is any problems. Currently Dean and Stas are on summer leave, and so will I be from Monday. So if a change of day to Friday is out completely for everyone, then I will need to arrange some dispensation with both of them to accommodate tutorials during a very busy teaching schedule. That's not to say it cannot be done.

Your final Production module will be pretty much self-directed by yourselves and specialist-tutor tutorials would naturally only take place every few weeks. So I perceive that if Friday is fully or even partially out due to work, then I would negotiate a tutorial schedule with both of them which may mean a lunch-time or end-of-day tutorial. Flexibility and compromise I think will be the motto for the first term of next year. Timetables change in January so things may become less problematic.

If you can do Friday then that is fine, either way please tell me ASAP.

Have a great summer and I'll see you mid-September.

Personal Finances

2009-07-15T12:10:00.003+01:00

Hi all, new and returners,

Just a friendly reminder that if you are seeking student loans, LEA funding, grants etc. sort out your paperwork now rather than later. The later you leave it the further down the respective waiting lists you slip.

This may mean that any money you may require in the new academic year may be severely delayed. Some students last year didn't have any money until November because they left it so late to get the paperwork done.

Any queries the guy to arrange an appointment with is Keiron Potter in Student Services.

Have a good summer.

Potential New Students

2009-07-07T09:52:00.002+01:00

Potential New Students

If you didn't get a UCAS form in by the deadline then you will still need to complete one. Visit Student Services, as you will now be classed as 'Clearing'.

September Dates

2009-07-06T10:40:00.003+01:00

Hi Part-Timers and new Full-Timers,

I'll confirm dates, times and rooms towards the end of August but for now here are some provisional dates for your diary.

Full-Timers
First day is proposed as Wednesday 16th September at 9:30am. Your contact day of lectures, group crits and tutorials will be on Wednesdays.

Part-Timers
Now that you are into your last module I'm proposing a day change to Friday's. This is so that your specialist-tutors Stas and Dean can be timetabled with you in J313. Can you discuss this with your managers and make arrangements?

BA (Hons) Entertainment Media Design 2009 Degree Showreels

2009-06-09T14:34:00.000+01:00

The following work are short showreels showing the work of some of this year's graduates and part-time students who will graduate next year. I will be uploading showreels to YouTube soon, and when I do I will replace the videos on this page with embedded YouTube versions.

Karen Costello
Graduate 2009
The Eye of the Way - RPG Horror Game Level
5 mins 45 secs

>coming soon<
Dave Roberts
Graduate 2009
The Poignancy of Musical Memory

Jennifer Swann
Graduate 2009
Trailblazers - FPS Game Level
1 min 22 secs

Steve Chabeaux
Part-time Student
The Equivalents - Character Design
2 mins 18 secs

Dave Jones
Part-time Student
Isle of Mann TT Project Pre-production
2 mins 18 secs

Kevin McKenzie
Part-time Student
Kaupang - Viking Beat-em-Up Level Pre-production
2 mins 04 secs

Anthony Weekes
Part-time Student
S.W.O.R.D. - Character Design
2 mins 04 secs

Grades have been posted

2009-06-09T14:25:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

Keep an eye out for a package over the next few days as your grades and, where we had two copies, a copy of your bound dissertation have now been posted.

Jenny and Miles I need an address in order to send your parcel. Please email me ASAP.

Cheers

VideoGame Nation

2009-06-06T23:23:00.002+01:00

If any of you have any free time go and see the VideoGame Nation exhibition. Its is on at URBIS in Manchester. If you don't know your way around Manchester its easy to find as the URBIS building is in the centre of town (its worth the trip just to see the building).

The exhibition charts the history of video gaming, with emphasis on the British input (quite considerable). Its a hands on exhibition and if video gaming is your thing, its a guaranteed good time. Entrance is three quid, I don't play video games and I still thought it was worth it. You will also come away with loads of ideas.

After you have seen all that VideoGame Nation has to offer go one flight up and see the State of the Art exhibition, now this should blow your socks off and could really inform your work. Its billed as the latest contemporary art coming out of New York, sixteen artists and its free!

Go see.

DaveR

CAB completed - grades coming soon

2009-06-05T19:19:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

The CAB met today and the grades and awards have been set. I will mail out the feedback sheets next week which contain the breakdown of your grades with feedback. I believe Huddersfield will post the grade transcript summary to you. So be patient you eager beavers… not long to go now.

The board were impressed by the degree and the achievements. Although I am not going to post the grades here, as they are confidential, I can say that the graduating full timers have a good range of grades. The grades range from the first FIRST CLASS award on the degree through Upper and Lower Second Class awards. Part-timers grades are also healthy looking but you'll get your praise next year when you complete the degree.

There are two people referred on a module each, one on Pre-production and one on Production. I obviously cannot say who the two are but the two people will be notified next week. You will have to complete the referral work within two weeks to a passable standard, and this referral work will be presented to a Referral CAB in July. If the work is passable you will graduate/progress in July.

To end this post on a high note the board commended the entire group for your dissertations. Everyone has passed this module with a good range of grades. Kate has really enjoyed working with you all on your theses, and you should all feel very proud that Kate, who has a PhD, praises you so much. I will return your bound copies with feedback attached when I send all the grades. You have all done yourself academically proud.

After you receive your feedback, please read it carefully (don't just look at your grade) as the academic team have spent time giving constructive feedback. If you then wish to discuss your work, grades and feedback book an appointment to see me. I would recommend that the two people who have been referred make an appointment to ensure they understand what they need to re-submit.

Good luck to the students graduating this year, its been a pleasure seeing your development. Although you've graduated you can still keep the course informed of your career as you will be able to continue posting to this blog. To the part-timers' your time is in 12 months… I'll see you in September.

RESULTS?

2009-06-04T15:44:00.001+01:00

Hi Dave just a quick question will we be recieveing our results tomorrow? If it is tomorrow could you email me my results to my work address as im in work all weekend.

Cheers

Ste.

Course Assessment Board - 5 June

2009-05-30T02:41:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

I've just had confirmation that the Course Assessment Board (CAB) will be held on Friday 5th June. At this board all full-timer grades and the part-timers' first two modules will be presented for approval.

What this means for you guys is that sometime during the following week you will be given your grades - and for the successful full-timers your awards. There are four awards available FIRST, UPPER SECOND 2:1, LOWER SECOND 2:2, and THIRD.

Also any referrals will be set at this board. If you are not successful then you will only have a two week period to work on the referral before it needs to be re-submitted. The deadline is immutable and cannot be re-arranged if you are on holiday.

I'll be in touch. Good luck everyone.

FUSE - HE degree show 19th May

2009-05-12T09:58:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know that all next week will be the HE Arts Degree Show in the Forum in Brook Street.

Myself, Steve and Dave did try and garner interest from you all with little effect. So Dave Roberts will be unveiling his digital artwork at the event and everyone will be represented on a DVD showreel. I'll take work from your submitted work.

I'd urge everyone to come (there's free drink). The degree show is really the culmination of your year, and the last opportunity for you to see each other.

Show is on between 6:30 to 8:30.

Nobody said it was going to be Easy

2009-05-08T20:01:00.003+01:00

But they didn't say it was going to be this Hard.

Congratulations everyone, for some of us the fat lady is singing and its all over for others another year to go, but we all deserve a weekend of relaxation. I hope you are all planing to exhibit, you really should its a great night. If I can help anyone with printing and mounting just let me know.

For those I don,t see at the exhibition good luck for the future and stay in touch via the blog.

DaveR

signing out

End of year for full-timers

2009-05-07T09:48:00.003+01:00

Hi full-timers,

With your submission tomorrow will come the end of your studies at St Helens College. There's just the assessment between you and graduation now. Results should be with you around the end of May.

Before everyone vanishes there are some module feedback forms that need completing. Please pick them up from my desk tomorrow and complete before you leave.

Cheers and good luck with your future.

DW

FINISHED VEHICLE CONCEPT

2009-05-04T20:15:00.003+01:00

Here are my final Vehicle Concepts at bloody last i say im glad to have everything sorted now just got to get it all together now :)

Sharing a frustration

2009-05-04T18:27:00.003+01:00

A frustrating aspect of writing is spending time developing a sentence or paragraph till it reads and sounds really well, then to find it doesn't fit into the body of work and has to be dumped.

DaveR

Message for Tony. Need your help mate?

2009-05-03T21:12:00.002+01:00

Alright Tony im just wondering if you could help me out in anyway. Since we are both going to be implementing our characters into the unreal engine have you got any info on the restrictions that you have to follow when putting our models into the unreal editor. Im absolutely clueless about this so any info you can provide me would be great. Its all stuff to do with poly counts texture sizes etc.

Cheers.

Ste.

Better Final Reners of the Bobber Pototype Motorbike!!!

2009-05-01T22:57:00.007+01:00

Yet more images!!!

2009-05-01T22:15:00.001+01:00

Playing about can give you some cool results!!!

A 3D model to help with skecthes etc.

2009-05-01T21:07:00.010+01:00

To help me get a better idea how my model will look like i have quickly built this model in 3DS Max this will also help me with my sketches. It is just very rough i know :)

Enough with the promo images already!!!

2009-05-01T10:52:00.006+01:00

Here a few images I bunged together for the promo images of my project - enjoy:)

VEHICLE CONCEPT

2009-05-01T02:00:00.003+01:00

Here is the first vehicle concept nearly finished it need something added to it to finish it off but i dont know yet.

Bare Bones

2009-04-30T20:42:00.003+01:00

At the moment I am drawing more position of my character, so I'm just showing some work in progress. A point of interest is the comments on my artwork post, it would be interesting to get more views.

Character artwork

2009-04-30T15:50:00.001+01:00

Nice one Ste for your feed back, I may have been misleading with posting the art work when it is not completely finished I still have amour to add to the characters body, so I was showing some WIP.

Message for Dave Wood: IMPORTANT

2009-04-30T15:35:00.002+01:00

Hi dave ive sent you a email to your bazaar.me.uk account could you look at it for me plaese?

Pictures for Tony

2009-04-30T15:23:00.005+01:00

Here you go Tony i think this is more the type of thing that would suit your character just dont think your character looks very steampunkish at the moment and it would add to it. Just a suggestion mate.

Character artwork and blogger link

2009-04-30T13:59:00.003+01:00

Hello everyone, Just sending a link to my blogger page for people who has not seen any of my work.

Please feel free to add constuctive comments.

Cheers

Part-time Pre-production Presentations

2009-04-30T12:12:00.002+01:00

Wednesday 6th May

Note to full-timers

Just to remind you that the tone of your presentation is to convince not to explain us. The time to explain what you have done in the pre-production stage was during the group crits. Now is the time to pitch your production idea to the audience, show us what you will do and be positive and confident in your idea. Above all enjoy it!

20 minute presentation + questions.

Schedule

9:00 - 10:00 Set-up in C431
10:00 - Scott Tasker
10:30 - Tony Weekes
11:00 - Kevin McKenzie
11:30 - Dave Jones
12:00 - Steve Chabeaux

Please ensure you're all in the room by 9:50 including the invited audience. The core audience is restricted to assessors and BA students only.Full-timers are invited to attend. It would be good, if you can attend, to see you all. Some industry people may be in the audience. It may be worthwhile.

FINAL PIECE ON THE CHARACTER CONCEPT HONEST I MEAN IT! ;)

2009-04-30T11:57:00.005+01:00

Well after i my last post i said i was finished i was actually in the process of finishing off a close up of the face to help me build him in MAx. So i really do mean this is the last character piece now :) Just also added the reference material to the piece purely for the research folder.

FINISHED CHARACTER AND WEAPON

2009-04-30T00:16:00.004+01:00

Hello there peeps well you will be glad to know that my character is finished im so happy its complete only thing left to do now is the vehicle and then thats it all concept work done :)

I posted my Weapon design on the Unreal Community and ive had some really great comments and advice it got mentioned to only have one coloured light throughout so ive gone back and changed it to only one colour scheme i think it works alot better. I have to agree it does look better now :) Does anyone agree?

Badge Change

2009-04-29T10:43:00.002+01:00

Ive decided to change the logo for the 2057 bike, do you prefer it to the old Lombo rip off one lol?

Final perspective views for the Assault Rifle

2009-04-28T22:40:00.008+01:00

Well here is my final angles for the assault rifle so my weapon is now finished just the vehicle and the rear perspective of the character and im finished then its pitch bible time :)

2009-04-28T19:03:00.007+01:00

Hi Everyone...

I just thought I'd post up a few concept sketches of how my Environment will be set together.

This is the area where the fight will start. Beach Landing - Zone 1

This section leads up to the Forest Clearing, from Zone 1 into Zone 2.

This section is the Forest - Zone 2 and this will then lead to Zone 3 the Viking Village - Ragnorak.

Here is Ragnorak Viking Village Zone 3.
These are all just rough layouts but it helps to organize the "walk-through".

Here's my blog spot http://ragnorak-neo-kenzi.blogspot.com/ more concept ideas are on there.
still a work in progress... ;o)

A link on how to import one PDF file to another

2009-04-28T15:15:00.001+01:00

Ive just put this in DAve comments but dont think its going to work so ill stick it here instead.

http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collaboratory/HowTo/Acrobat/add.html

Pitch Bible Help!!!

2009-04-28T14:11:00.002+01:00

Alright dudes,

I dont know if anyone is currently working on their pitch bibles, but Im about stuck and wondered if anyone can help.

Basically, I have set out my first draft of the pitch bible as follows;

Overview
The concept/idea
The Format
Technique
Research (including bobber prototype)
Charlie Collier: 1907
Bob McIntyre: 1957
John McGuinness: 2007
Luca Jones: 2057
Deadlines
Assets

Im not too sure is thats a good layout, any feedback would be great, thanks.

Also, can I just save images off in photoshop (JPegs) then apply them to a PDF???

Assault Rifle

2009-04-28T01:21:00.007+01:00

Well i had some time off this afternoon after handing in my Dissertation ive done this tonight still think it needs working on but going to do the perspective views tomorrow and get the bulk of the work done first. So more to follow once completed....See Above Post.

I cant forget the traditional drawings now can I?

2009-04-27T16:41:00.002+01:00

Seeing how my dissertation was written mainly about the lack of traditional skills being used within the computer games industry, I thought I would illustrate this image of my concept motorbike and not use any digital tools to enhance it :)

BA (Hons) Entertainment Media Design UCAS Applications

2009-04-27T10:00:00.001+01:00

Those students interested in progressing onto the 3rd year top up BA need to firstly complete a UCAS application. Do arrange an informal chat with me but you need to be registered with UCAS.

UCAS DEADLINE = 6th May
www.ucas.ac.uk

The process is:

UCAS application -
Route B: Course Code - E212
Institution code name: STHEL
Institution code: S51
Start date: 01 September 2009

Complete FD

Interview (informal) for BA

Start September 2009

Dissertatio hand in

2009-04-27T09:02:00.007+01:00

When you submit your dissertation today ensure you get a receipt. DON'T LEAVE. iT ON ANYONE'S DESK!

You can hand it into Jon the admin officer in J312 or the 3rd floor admin office in the maian building. Staff will be in and out so ensure you allow for that.

Work submited without a receipt is at your own risk as we cannot trace it of problems occur.

Good luck

Mocap

2009-04-27T08:57:00.003+01:00

Thought I'd give you all a giggle and you can see just how bad my atempt at motion capture acting really is for my pre-production work ^^

(dont do this at home folks! it does hurt when you do it wrong too :p )

Dissertation hand in Time

2009-04-26T20:16:00.002+01:00

Kate or Dave

Will it be ok to hand in the Dissertaton on Monday at 4.15 (Room J 312).

DaveR

Quick question for Dave Wood

2009-04-25T10:38:00.004+01:00

Hi Dave im just filling in the list of illustrations section of the dissertation and im wondering can you show me how to lay it out for properly. Here are the images URL's ive taken off the internet to explain to the reader better the whole production process:

http://opensg.vrsource.org/trac/attachment/wiki/Tutorial/OpenSG1/NodeCores/lod.png
http://gscept.com/projects/08/ip6/public/blog/imgs/highPoly01.jpg
http://devron.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/gears-of-war-20060714024932572.jpg
http://www.darknews.com/textures/weeds-leaves-dead.jpg
http://www.antonpersson.com/gallery/tarascus/normal.jpg
http://www.orvillevillanueva.com/Dragonprojects/T1.jpg
http://www.immortalknightz.com/tutorials/UT3CustomChars/ut3chartut07.jpg
http://www.jesseobrien.com/blasty/blasty_ambient_occlusion_map.jpg
http://images.gamedev.net/features/reviews/3dsmax7/FuturemanSkinWithBiped.jpg

On the Leeds university reference website it says to lay it out like this but i dont really understand it?

ORIGINATOR. Year. Title of image [online]. [Date accessed]. Available from World Wide Web: URL.
NEWRY INSTITUTE. 2002. Current student [online]. [Accessed 4th December 2002]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.nkifhe.ac.uk/>.

I understand most of it but dont understand the ORIGNATOR & Year. Could you clear this up for me please Dave?

While im here the first 2 images i got of neil thompson when we was on the FD course how do i reference them?

Cheers,

Ste.

Message for Kate O'Leary

2009-04-24T18:04:00.002+01:00

Myself and Ste will be coming in on Monday to hand in our dissertations to you, will you be in the staff room at 11 AM?

Thanks

Monday Tutorials

2009-04-24T14:51:00.002+01:00

Hi Tony and Kev,

I'll be free on Monday afternoon for tutorials. Book a time that's convenient.

Tony, I've been mad busy this week but will discuss your pitch bible plan with you on Monday. Remember to use my work email for emailing drafts.

Cheers

Start of a New Concept

2009-04-24T09:39:00.004+01:00

In between finishing off my dissertation ive started on i rear perspective of the character just so when i come to build the character in 3DS Max i have a better picture on how the character should look. Will udate as i go as usual :)

Another promotional design

2009-04-23T17:15:00.002+01:00

Hey peeps,

Ive been working on another promo image, let me know your thoughts!

Promotional Image

2009-04-22T21:45:00.002+01:00

Between working on my blueprint, I have also started work on promotional images, for example, this bad boy :)

I have a ton more in store, so which this spa....errr. blog :)

Finished Blueprint

2009-04-22T18:56:00.002+01:00

Hey guys and girls,

I have completed my final blueprint of my concept motorcycle, I will now work on a splash image of the bike, well when I get a minute that is :)

Message for Dave Wood

2009-04-22T16:57:00.003+01:00

Hi Dave just to let you know ive sent you an email to your home email address with my dissertation and some comments Kate has made im a bit confused and need you to look at as soon as possible.

Cheers.

Ste.

Monday Tutorials

2009-04-22T00:34:00.003+01:00

Hi part-timers,

I'll be free on Monday for tutorials. I'm currently in Edinburgh so I'll confirm times on Thursday.

Even if I individually see you all, still attend the Wednesday group crit with Dean next week for final fine tuning. The network and support you have given each other over the last academic year is important. Keep it going. That network is independent of me. Show and tell. And enjoy!

Good luck.

Full-timers,

I haven't forgotten about you guys. Kate, Stas and Dean have been keeping me informed on your progress. Ensure you keep the momentum going. Keep the hard work going. Its a matter of weeks now before submission and hopeful graduation. Keep me informed of any problems. I like NICE surprises so don't self-destruct this late in the year!

Good luck.

FINSIHED CHARACTER

2009-04-21T17:06:00.004+01:00

Well after all these months here is the first finished concept design of my character cant believe im starting to finally rap things up i very pleased how its turned out :) What does everyone think?

Pitch Bible/Design Document

2009-04-21T13:20:00.003+01:00

Hi Part-timers,

Here is the information I would have shared at group crit this week but couldn't.

The document you will produce is the tip of the iceberg regarding the work you've done so far. Remember the iceberg tip is all that shows of the huge mass below. It demonstrates its presence. Your document is the method with which you show the pre-production work you've done.

It is a concise document that pitches your proposed project to an audience defined by yourself. It takes us through your project from idea to schedule. It gives the reader enough information to understand your project. It must feature information on market, audience and intellectual property for your project.

It is a visually focused document. Text is supported by images showing your research, concepts and time-management.

Overall it should sell your idea to potential decision-makers (in this case your assessors).

I've re-posted some ideas I posted back in October you may have forgotten about. Use them as inspirations. None of them will be exactly the format you will use. Look over them again and see how each takes you through aspects of different projects. Think how each takes you on a journey through the pre-production work.

Your document will do something similar, but for your project work. There is no one definitive way of doing this.

In the document you will be assessed on the following:

• Conceptualize a creative project for a specific audience from the proposal stage
• Communication of your final concept
• Demonstrate your working methodology
• Demonstrate deadlines and work schedule
• Visual presentation

Your hand in for the entire module should be on a disc as follows:

A research folder
A pitch bible document
Rationale
Gantt Chart

Make everything clear to the assessors. Don't just lump everything together, structure the disc using folders.

Grades can be maximized with thought on how you present the course work.

I will be available for individual tutorials on request. Unfortunately I have to be off site next Wednesday. But next week's group crit can still go ahead without me. Dean will stand in. So 9:30 in C431.

-----------------------------------------

Pitching Schedule example

Source: Dave Wood - New Media Bazaar

-----------------------------------------

3D Modellers Design Document example

(link to pdf to be added)

Source: Dave Wood - biennialFreerunner

-----------------------------------------

Animation Pitch Bible with Episode Guide example

Pitch Bible [PDF]
Full Concept Bible [PDF]

Source: Cake Entertainment

-----------------------------------------

Pitch Bible Blogs & Info

Cartoon Creation Blog

The Pitch Bible: Just The Essentials

Friday Tutorials

2009-04-20T14:00:00.002+01:00

Hi all

I'll be available for tutorials this Friday between 11:00 and 1:00. First-come-first-served. Respond to book via email or comment below.

I will post separately about the pitch bible. Info I would have passed on this Wednesday.

If you've done the research, the gantt chart, the rationale and your concepts then it is simply a case of presenting them now. How you do it is your decision. I explain this further in my next post.

Kate has emailed you all about the dissertation and Dean is seeing some of you on Wednesday for a tutorial.

Job

2009-04-20T01:32:00.001+01:00

Thought I might interest a few of the level designers with this job posting I found

http://www.jobsearch.co.uk/show_job.cgi?j=5330033&e=year&k=graphic%20design&lo=Lancashire&a=31

good luck if you go for it!

Here is the link...

2009-04-19T15:13:00.001+01:00

http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=4346&page=2

For Ste Shabbs!

2009-04-19T15:11:00.003+01:00

Alright Ste, here is the image - also, have a look at this link - it shows loads of unreal characters, they make for damn cool reference!

Concept Motorcycle scale

2009-04-19T14:47:00.000+01:00

Here is an image to show the scale of the concept :)

Start of the final character holding weapon.

2009-04-19T14:07:00.012+01:00

Well ladies and gents im finally starting to rap up all of my designs now ive just started to experimenting with some colours for the character holding the weapon as a finished piece still need to work into in loads so ill update as i go.

Concept Motorcycle

2009-04-19T13:52:00.004+01:00

Dudes!!! I've finished a side view shot of my concept motorcycle - as you can see I've made some necessary alterations to the design. For example, Ive lowered the ride height, made the body out of carbon ribre and changed the rear swingarm.

Let me know what you think, please compare it to the original design!

Nice one

FINAL Final Part-time Group Crit - this is for your diary!

2009-04-18T23:12:00.000+01:00

Hi all Part-timers,

It looks like not everyone can make next Friday for a group crit, therefore we'll have to do the final group crit on the following Wednesday.

That's Wednesday 29th April at 9:30 in C431.

Use next week to really wrap up the concepts and planning. Contact Dean to see if he is free for a Wednesday tutorial while I'm away. I'll be free for tutorials on Friday of next week for those who need it.

Ignore any previous posts. This is the final date to add to your diary.

Message for Dave Wood

2009-04-18T12:03:00.004+01:00

HI Dave ive just been talking to Dave Jones and we are wondering if we could come in and discuss our Pitch Bible with you. We aint to happy about leaving it till the 29th as this does not leave much time to get everything sort before hand in date on the 6th of May. So if that's OK with you can we arrange a time on Friday to go through everything with you?

FINAL VEHICLE CONCEPT

2009-04-18T00:21:00.006+01:00

Well here is the vehicle im going to go with its taken ages to get to this point but im pleased with the result. What does anyone think of it?

Dissertation Question

2009-04-15T18:12:00.002+01:00

Hey peeps,

Just a quick one, if you reference the title of a book, product or movie. For example, including Star Wars into the dissertation, do you have to include the Trade-Mark or Registered logo with it?

That applys aswell to computer software that is included?

Thanks

EARLY VEHICLE CONCEPTS

2009-04-15T16:32:00.024+01:00

Well with my character and weapon virtually done just got the vehicle to do so here is my first initial ideas more to follow. It is a land vehicle to be used on other planets such as Mars to get around from place to place the kind of shape that im after is like a scorpion type thing.

Final Part-time Group Crit

2009-04-14T02:35:00.001+01:00

Hi Part-timers

Will all part-timers be OK if I move the next group crit to a Friday? Let me know if this is a problem.

Part-time Group Crit = Friday 24th April
Focusing on pitch-bible preparation

Ignore any previous posts that say Wednesday or Thursday.

Degree Show Ideas???

2009-04-13T20:40:00.000+01:00

Anyone agree that we should put up any of our Pre-production stuff up at the end of year degree show?

Deadline Dates - REMINDER

2009-04-13T10:09:00.001+01:00

Hi to both Full- and Part-Timers

A reminder of the deadlines:

Dissertation deadline = Monday 27th April

Full-time Production deadline = Wednesday 29th April
You should have planned for this deadline already

Part-time Pre-production deadline = Wednesday 29th April
You should have planned for this deadline already

Part-time Pre-production presentation = Wednesday 6th May
This is the pitch presentation

Official hand-in of all practical work = Friday 8th May
This deadline is the final deadline for both groups. It gives you time to finalise paperwork and ensure you are handing in all the evidence needed for assessment.

All work to be handed into C324 Admin Office. Ensure you get a receipt.

Individual tutorials can be arranged on request. Email tutor to book. Click on name below:

Dave Wood
Stas Krakiewicz
Dean Betton
Kate O'Leary

A little bit help would sure be appreciated

2009-04-11T13:32:00.003+01:00

Hi all
Within my dissertation I want to differentiate between game play and watching a movie, it would help enormously if you game players could tell me;

A) How long in hours (or sessions) a game takes to complete.
B) The average amount of hours you put in per playing session.

I know you will all jump on it varies and it depends, all I am after is ball park, educated guess, estimate...
DaveR

FINAL FACE

2009-04-10T08:04:00.011+01:00

Well ive started now to produce my face that i have decided to use its not complete yet hopefully im going to finish it off tonight. Ive used Photoshop and my drawing tablet to help me here. Well i havent finished it but its getting there im not sure about the scar on his face though not sure if it adds anything to it or not. Anyone else got an opinion?

I wasnt happy with the hair so im going to redo it tomorrow its getting there though taking bloody ages though.

Promo image

2009-04-08T19:18:00.003+01:00

Hey peeps, Following the work I did yestarday on motorbike concepts, I worked on this promo image.

Any criticisms welcome :)

Another character Face

2009-04-08T17:55:00.003+01:00

Still undecided about the face so im going to produce a few more pics is this never ending lol :) What does anyone think?

Concept Art and 3D prototype motorbike

2009-04-07T20:28:00.003+01:00

Hey guys and girls,

Here are two images of the prototype motorcycle Ive been working on and a piece of concept art.

The prototype bike (as you may remember) was going to be a 1942 Zundapp-KS. However, I could hardly find good reference material to work from, so I went for a bobber style bike the other day. It only took me four days to model/texture!

I also worked on my 2057 concept bike today, Im quite pleased with the results so I will be working on further designs tomorrow.

Any feedback would be great!

Nice one,

Dave

FINISHED ARMOUR

2009-04-07T19:49:00.010+01:00

Gun Concept

2009-04-05T14:21:00.007+01:00

Ive managed to narrow down my weapon to be built and i am in the process of doing some final designs for it here is what ive done so far...more to follow.

Back to the drawing board!

2009-03-31T23:35:00.003+01:00

Well having accessed my character ive come to the conclusion that my characters face is looking too much like Kratos from God of War. So ive gone back again and started to draw some new designs taking everything that ive done into consideration and this is what ive done so far more to follow..... (Sorry about the quailty of the pics but took it from my camera my scanner is still knackered.)

Degree Show Planning

2009-03-31T13:56:00.002+01:00

As you come to the end of the course the end result is more than just a hand-in. Each year we have a HE degree show. As I type the horse-trading as to how the show will work is beginning and this gives you all an opportunity to suggest how you wish to have your work seen. As there are only a small number of graduating full-timers this year I am throwing the show open to part-timers to preview work-in-progress.

Therefore what would you show? The outcome of your Production module and selected concept work from Pre-Production.

How will it be shown? DVD showreel, print-outs… what's your thoughts. Let's hear from you over Easter. Begin discussing it via the blog and I'll see what can be done.

The degree show will be held in the Forum area of the main building near photography about the 3rd week in May (after hand-ins).

How should the year end? What's your thoughts?

Student Forum Meeting on Tuesday

2009-03-25T15:07:00.000Z

Hi all (part-timers and full-timers),

There will be the 2nd student forum on Tuesday 31st March at 9:30 in C431.

If the group reps can attend that would be great. If the year could feedback to Steve or Dave Roberts your concerns, ideas, comments etc. that would be great.

Steve and Dave can you attend? If not can you email me anything you want raising? All students are welcome to attend but use the reps to raise your concerns.

Cheers

Final Image Finishing Line in Sight

2009-03-23T18:45:00.004Z

Hi folks

My final image has at last taken shape. At this scale I don't know if you can see the coloured rectangles in the upper 3/4 of the image but what I have to do is replace them with photographs, scans and news cuttings and that's the work finished.

Visually what you are seeing is shape given to a musical composition, the context of which involves the potency of musical memory, and how music can often reawaken personal memories and associations that are otherwise lost. Research for this project led me to work with a group of people who are suffering from dementia, an illness in which memory degeneration is continuous. It has been known for some time that musical memory is more resilient to disintegration and has been called a "relative island of preservation in a sea of impairments,”(Gardner 1985). A piece of familiar music serves as a soundtrack for a mental movie that starts playing in our head, it acts as a catalyst and calls back autobiographical memories. Recent research suggests that the region of the brain where memories of our past are supported and retrieved also serves as a hub that links familiar music, memories and emotion.

DaveR

Gardner H: Frames of Mind; The theory of multiple intelligences. Chapter 6, "Musical Intelligence," 99-127. New York, Basic, 1985

VERY EARLY WEAPON CONCEPTS

2009-03-23T10:34:00.008Z

I have put my character to one side for now so i can start on the weapon and vehicle concepts so here is the start of the weapon concepts more to come.... :)

SKIN CONCEPTS

2009-03-23T09:56:00.002Z

In the middle of doing my dissertation ive produced this piece im just playing round with different skin tones for my character really.

Aby Warburg (1866-1929). The Survival of an Idea

2009-03-18T14:32:00.004Z

Hi Dave (Roberts)

Further to your tutorial yesterday I've just been introduced to Aby Warburg by my PhD supervisor Chris Speed. I think his research on "The Survival of an Idea" may support your own research somehow. At the least it may be interesting. Here's the link www.educ.fc.ul.pt/hyper/resources/mbruhn/

Looking good

2009-03-18T13:37:00.001Z

Nice work Karen... Looking good.

Level test

2009-03-17T19:36:00.005Z

Hi all. I've finished building the maps for my level so if you get time I would like you to test it and let me know what you think. It can be downloaded from here: www.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/showthread.php?p=1445080#post1445080

Now I just need to add sound to it to finish it off

Background of character?

2009-03-11T08:20:00.002Z

With the help of my mate Stuwart Owens and while i came up with the original concept we have come together and started to write the back story for my character where, when he was born etc. So here is what we have done so far:

William Molenar (June 12 2499) was an Colonel in the Unified Army during the Unification Wars, at the Battle of Vienna, he commanded a rescue mission that freed the deposed Alliance Leader from captivity. Molenar was also the leader of Operation Gemini, in which soldiers were to infiltrate through enemy lines, using their opponents' uniforms and customs.

Molenar was born in Durban into a middle-class South African family that had a long history of military service. In addition to his native Afrikaans, he spoke excellent French and English. In his teens, William once complained to his father of the austere lifestyle that his family was suffering from by mentioning he had never tasted real butter in his life due to the worldwide depression.. His father replied, "There is no harm in doing without things. It might even be good for you not to get used to a soft life." Thus his underprivileged upbringing helped make him the feared warrior that he became. He was a noted swordsman at the Military Academy in London were he also excelled as an engineer. He engaged in thirteen personal combats. The tenth resulted in a wound that left a dramatic scar on his cheek.
In 2520 Molenar joined the Unification Forces and soon became a member of the Werewolves an elite Special Forces unit. A charismatic figure, Molenar played a minor role in the Austrian Invasion of July 12 2525, when he saved the Austrian President Wilhelm Moloch from being shot by Unification Troops.
After the 2520 invasion of the Mars Colonies, Molenar, then working as a civil engineer, volunteered for service in the Air Force but was turned down on grounds of age. He then joined Fathers (Leader of UWL) bodyguard regiment, as an officer-cadet.
In 2522, as an UF Corporal, he impressed his superiors by designing drop ships to quickly unload ordinance from ships. He then fought in the liberation of Venus and The Capture of the Europan Power Systems, where he achieved distinction by forcing a large Alliance force to surrender; following which he was promoted to Captain.
Molenar went to war on Earth with the 1st Infantry and subsequently fought in several battles on the American Front. In October 2253 he was in charge of a "technical section" of the Unified forces during the battle for Moscow. His mission was to seize important buildings of the Alliance Forces, including the Allied headquarters at Lubyanka, and the Central Command and other high priority facilities, before they could be destroyed.
In December 2523 he was severely wounded in the back of the head by shrapnel and sent to Vienna to recover. While in Vienna, he learned that The Doctor had decided to form a new unit similar to the Commandos – The Werewolves he quickly volunteered for this and was accepted.
After Molenar had recovered from his wounds, he took command of The First Werewolf Unit. In July 2525, he was personally selected by The Doctor from among six UF Air Force and Army special agents to lead the operation to rescue Air Marshall Caine. Almost two months of cat-and-mouse followed as the Allied Forces moved Caine from place to place to frustrate any rescuers. Information on Caine's location and its topographical features were finally secured by The Planner (Molenar’s second in command) and aerial reconnaissance by Molenar himself. On September 12, Molenar took part in "Operation Legend" a daring assault on a fortified base in Northern Scotland. Caine was rescued without firing a single shot. Molenar escorted Caine to Rome and later to London. The exploit earned Molenar fame and promotion to Major.
On October 20, Molenar was in London when an attempt on The Doctor's life was made. Anti-Unity Army officers tried to seize control of the UWL's main decision centres before The Doctor recovered from his injuries. Molenar helped put down the rebellion, spending 36 hours in charge of the United Forces's central command centre before being relieved.
Then came his most daring raid
As planned by Molenar, Operation Endgame involved about two dozen Werewolf Operatives, most of them in captured Alliance Ships and dressed as Alliance soldiers, who would penetrate the last Alliance base in Antarctica to cause disorder and confusion. While this happened Molenar and the Planner infiltrated the High Command, assassinating the entire leadership – ending in a stroke the Unification Wars.

Error! Group Crit is this Wednesday 11th

2009-03-09T11:14:00.002Z

Thanks Ste for spotting that error with my previous post.

The group crit is the 11th not the 18th, that is this Wednesday!

In my earlier post of Friday, 13 February 2009 "Deadline Dates - READ CAREFULLY and adjust your schedules" the date was correct.

To reiterate that the group crit is this Wednesday at 9:30am in C431.

See all part-timers then.

Next group crit?

2009-03-08T20:47:00.002Z

Hi Dave when is our next group crit? Im alittle confused because your post said the 18th of March but you said a comment on scotts post saying "Let's see a load more of these analytic tests at the group crit next week."
So have we got a group crit this week or the week after then not sure?
If we havent got a group crit this week can i book in to see you to discuss my dissertation and work in progress? Im working on my dissertation at the moment and im going to email you and Kate before i go to bed tonight to show you exactly where im at with it. Im getting good feedback off the questionnaire i knocked up by the way loads of info :)
Let us know about wednesday then Dave?

My dissertation

2009-03-06T12:49:00.003Z

Hi Dave just thought that i would update you where im at with my dissertation:

Ive currently made a start on the Introduction and at the same time i have been in touch with John. Im putting together a questionaire that reads like this:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Name?

Your Job title?

Give a brief description of your day to day activities during pre-production/prototype phase?

Give a brief description of your day to day activities during production?

Give a brief description of your day to day activities during polish/post-production?

Is there a set of self-imposed rules that you follow religiously, if so what are they?

Do you think that another member of your team work to the same work flow as yourself? Are there any differences?

'What phase of production gives you the most satisfaction, and what is the most stressful/intense?'

What advice and comments would you give to aspiring young developers? When trying to follow a similar work ethic as yourself?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He is going to pass it round some of the guys in Development for me and so i should get some good advice and tips for my dissertation.

Im going to work over my dissertation over the weekend and then email yourself and Kate what ive done so far to see what you think.

What do you think Dave?

Tips if wanting to post images on Epic Games Forums

2009-03-05T08:23:00.003Z

Yesterday i joined the Epic Games forums community and i had lots of trouble putting up my images on the threads. It took me ages to get it right but im now sharing my work with the Epic Games community.

The problems i was having was, you have to link your work with a URL address and when i was putting in the college blog URL a little white box would appear with a red cross through it and wouldnt display the image. So i asked for help and this is what someone wrote back "As far as the images giving you heck it looks like your using a blog site for image hosting, many of those sites do not allow direct linking. Try putting your image on a site like Image Shack or Photobucket, then link to it form there."

So what i had to do was, i uploaded my images to http://imageshack.us/ and then when i went back into the Epic Games forum the images appeared.

I just thought i would share it with everyone so you dont have the same problems that i had.

The URL for the Epic Games Community is http://forums.epicgames.com/

Middleware

2009-03-04T15:37:00.002Z

Hi Kev,

Kate has an article on middleware in Developer Magazine. Their website www.developermag.com has the following links from a search using middleware as a keyword. Check them out http://www.developmag.com/search/middleware/news/1. There are 5 pages of them.

Narrowing my Character Down

2009-03-04T08:22:00.007Z

With all my ideas coming along ive decided to rough out a few quick sketches to see how my character will look like these sketches didnt take long still quite rough, its all slowly coming together.

Haiving looked at my previous drawing i think he needed to be abit more muscular so ive redefined my drawing slightly using photoshop. I have made the shoulders, forearms and legs slightly wider.

<<<<<----->>>>>

update

2009-03-03T15:38:00.003Z

Why is it when the wheels are in motion lots of things fall apart on you?

I could moan at all the little problems ive had this past 2 weeks but I won't, 2 videos taken so far off people walking about (in St Helens) and a (very) short clip of people playing football. Have started to work on the analysis (see pic below) of them as these will form the basic back-ups in case my main plan off filming actors goes tits up.

My rationale hasnt been touched much so I will keep working on it when I get chance

ps sorry about the image being crap, im not used to CorelRave

Dissertation

2009-03-03T13:41:00.003Z

Hi all (FT & PT),

Kate needs to see a draft of your dissertation. Email her whatever you've currently got.

Remember if you're experiencing problems don't put your head in the sand, arrange yourself a tutorial sooner than later. Otherwise you'll just be compounding your problems and it won't get easier over these last 2 months.

Make it easier on yourself and get the support of your tutors.

Hope to hear from you soon :-)

Next Group Crit - Part-Time Students

2009-03-03T12:20:00.003Z

Hi part-timers,

On Wednesday 18th the penultimate group crit will be held for Pre-production with myself and Dean Betton. The same format as before 10 minute plus questions.

The focus of this group crit will be on pre-production progress. Show what work you've done since the last time you discussed your work. The emphasis is on gauging direction and progress. You can show concepts, schedules, new research, prototypes, software tutorials, sketches etc. whatever you have. This is an important milestone as the next group crit in April will be the last, and that will focus on collating your work into the pitch bible/design document.

We'll begin at 9:30 in C431.