Just a few samples of my progress so far, I’m currently working on a few animation tests for the complicated sequences.

Environment Light Study


Character Motion Study


Run Cycle 1st Pass

Meet Bit the robot. He’s the start of a family of robots that will serve as part of my rebranding, logos and such.

So I noticed that I’m getting better at animating camera moves and action scenes. My next big animation, among all the others I want to put together, is going to be a parkour runner being chased by enemies. I started on the environment, and once I get the story completed I’ll begin to start the actual animation. Until then expect to see some test animations of different maneuvers. A big portion of inspiration came from the game Mirror’s Edge. I’ve checked out a lot of youtube videos and it’s actually really interesting. There’s a lot of mechanics to the body movement that I think will help me get better at character animation. Here’s a preview of what I’ve got going on.

So while my schedule has been hectic as ever, I’ve managed to get some time to work on modeling and composition. As for my character concepts...I’m about 90% sure that I’ll be having a new logo character. If not, then I at least have a family of robots to animate.


HDRI Lighting Study / Robot Concept


Airship Concept


Abstract Art #1


Abstract Art #2

While working hard on my portfolio and trying to design a few more characters. I stumbled across an idea for a cute, clumsy demon. I made a basic mesh and figured I would try ZBrush for the details. Needless to say, I love this program and this character is going to be awesome. Here are a couple early samples of the little booger.

I haven’t posted anything new in a while because I felt that if it wasn’t interesting enough, it’s not worth posting on my blog. However, there are many people who are either new to 3D modeling or aren’t exposed to enough of it. I am a big fan of cgsociety.org Their articles are so in depth and their forums are the best resources I’ve found for feedback. While working on a few character concepts and modeling some rough ideas, I occasionally look at the W. I. P. thread to see what other artists are doing. I noticed that a lot of people who don’t post concept drawings usually have ZBrush sculptures for their concept work. I was able to get a hold of an older version of ZBrush and so far I love it. I use it as an alternative to concept drawings at the moment, but I plan on using it to take my modeling to the next level as far as details and textures. I just started using ZSpheres and it’s fun. It’s almost like modeling with bones.

Check out a few basic pieces I started
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Now that graduation is over, finding a job in 3D animation or modeling is priority #1. Other than that I’m trying to regain some of my social life. I’ve been practicing some new hip-hop dance routines and making more music. As far as graphics, I’ve been trying to learn better lighting techniques with Mental Ray. My academic advisor said that I’m doing well and that I should take a look at the Renderman software for more options and things. Until I get the money to get a student license I guess I’ll stick to Mental Ray. Soon all the pieces will fall into place...just like these cheap candies :p

Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you, Techno the Cyber Monkey
Over the next few days i will be designing accessories and such, as well as cleaning up his appearance.

So there’s a lot that goes into graduation. There’s preparation for your final presentation, exit exam, reworking old projects for your reel, and finishing boring classes while working a job you’re tired of working. I have finished my final version of the CD inserts for my demo reel handouts. Next is to get the physical portfolio together. Read out this thread to see the layout. and some of the pieces. the portfolio section will be updated soon as well with some cool stuff...

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I’ve been expanding my ideas a little more and I made a 3D model of the tiki character from Pocket God for the iPod Touch. I also came up with my own character based on that. Next step is texturing. I always wondered how to animate textures, so after I texture these guys I’ll probably learn how do work with set driven keys.

Here are a few ideas of some 3D typography. Read more to see the breakdown of the monster.
thanks to Kiel Figgins for the original rig.




UPDATE:


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So after much school work and graduation prepping, I finished a couple environments I was working on.

A new thing I decided to start was a process blog. I draw every once in a while, but I do a lot of spontaneous modeling. So why not put it on my blog? This is the first of what will be many. I flip between Maya and the reference photo I was using, which was concept art for the latest Prince of Persia game.

I’ve been working on the lighting for my environments and came across a good example of what I’m going for...

I’ve been doing some other work outside of character animations recently. Environment modeling is something I would like to do on top of 3D animation. These are just a few concepts I’ve been working in between in the past week. Most of the scenes are finished, so after some last minute tweaks I will finish lighting and move on to texturing.


A Stairwell


Bathroom


A Gym


A Spaceship Hallway

While cleaning up the animation, I decided to add a little more to this animation. So I also started on another part where the main action in the scene will take place. I decided to start the animatic for the entire animation. This also gives me a chance to work on camera animation and subtle movement with it. The character rigs were designed by some amazing people at www.3dfiggins.com and www.creativecrash.com Read More...

I’m working on a few new animations for my demo reel. I have a lot of character animations I’m trying to cleanup, so in the mean time I’ve started animating more mechanical objects. Here is a sample of what I’m working on.

After watching a few demo reels, I saw a character I liked and decided to adapt the same concept. Read More...