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R&D
OVER
For units 9 and 10 of the UAL level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology, I have a task to develop a 3D based animation which is inspired by the New York City subway Graffiti and Street Art. For the exact purpose of developing the final outcome, I am required to create everything from scratch so that I used Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and 3Ds MAX as my software. Starting off, I composed a vector street art piece, bitmap label, 3D spray can and scenery which in this case will be wall and ground textures.
VIEW
3D ANIMATION DEVELOPMENT
Starting off with the first art piece from task 3 is to develop a Vector based throw up graffiti art. I always begin with rough sketches so in this way I will have a clear visualisation of what eventually my design will kind of look like. I drew 3 different designs of throw up graffiti art. After that, I traced my sketches over Adobe Illustrator and drew 5 more. I decided to pick my “Pac-Man” inspired vector art piece because it appeals the most to my cartoon-based style. I did step out of my comfort zone as this time I have not used any references or inspirations to design my throw up graffiti art piece as well as I used the “Blob Brush Tool” for the first time. I would definitely work more on the shading and including the small ghosts as they fly around the text.
The second task was to develop the bitmap label which we eventually wrapped around the spray can. I exported my vector throw up graffiti art as a PNG file and placed into Adobe Photoshop. I used a typical spray can as a reference which helped me to take all the relevant information it contains on the label. I placed my little warning logos such as flammable, recycle, recycling, barcodes and the Montana logo. I placed an instruction text on the side which I took from the reference spray can. I used modern techniques in terms or reaching this aesthetically pleasing layout. Once I am pleased with the final product, I saved it as a PSD file. This allows me to edit my label and these changes automatically show up on my 3Ds max spray can via the material editor texture map. I would definitely, yet again switch the cream white background with the original space and add the ghosts which are leading characters in the game.
VECTOR STREET ART PIECE
The third and most exciting part, in my opinion, was to build the 3D animation starting up with modelling the spray can then build the scenery which was the wall and ground texture. Using Adobe Illustrator, I created a 2D spline of a spray can and exported it as an Illustrator version 8 (.ai) file. I place the spline into 3Ds Max and apply the “Lathe Modifier” so I can turn the 2D spline into a 3D object and using the rotate tool to stand up to 90 degrees. Then I increase the interpolation of the model from the default mount of 6 to 40 to make it smooth. I continue with building the nozzle from where the paint releases. On my finished 3D spray can model I place my Bitmap label on it.
BITMAP(LABEL) DESIGN
3D ANIMATION DEVELOPMENT
To create the background, I use “plane shapes” then I turn them into “editable poly” so they can become 3D. I rotated them to 90 degrees. I downloaded random wall textures and placed my throw up design in Adobe Photoshop using the multiply transparency option. I went back again to 3Ds max and I clicked on the texture panel, choosing to defuse option, I then selected my photoshop label and then apply it to the background. I repeat the same process with the ground.
CLAY
QUICKSILVER
COLOUR
PENCIL
To actually create the animation, I set my target cameras pointing at my object (spray can) as well as my Omni lights with which I can set different colour lightning. I set my safe frame and divide my screen into perspective and camera point of view. Before doing the action, I used the Quicksilver renderer and created several images using a variety of effects including the original, clay, tech, INK and colour pencil, then I export as JPEG file.
TECH
RENDERS
INK
As experimenting with different techniques, I extend my skills and knowledge. I set the time configuration on a frame rate at 24 Frames Per Second (FPS) and the Animation Length at 240 frames. To start recording I press the “Alt Key”, set it on my desired time length and move the camera. I repeat the process until I am done. I then render the final animation as an (.avi) movie file. To convert the (large) AVI file to a (smaller) MP4 file I use Adobe Media Encoder.
FINAL 3D
ANIMATION
CONCLUSION
As a first 3D project I feel proud of myself not because I just did the work but because I understood everything, and I try to use this knowledge to develop my skills even further. Feedback is essential for me to grow as an artist and do better. I have received as a response based on my street art piece and label is that I have made a good contrast between the vector street art and the space background which makes it stand out. I could have made some of the elements bigger or smaller but on the other hand, the black lines representing a highlight in the text is a good addition but if they were white, I think it will be even better looking. The layouts on my label look good as I heard as well as the moto which matches the path of my street art piece. What could be changed is adding more colours and contrast, so it does not look too bland and using more fonts. Overall, I am pleased with the feedback I received from my tutor and some friends and I do agree with all of them. Additionally, this project made me even more intrigued by the Animation Industry and I do not regret applying to study Animation Production and Technology at university.
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