Special Topics Module 1

Research & Activity Documentation

Lucy Warren

Project 1

Project Plan

My overall project direction is to learn blender. I want to create cool looking models. Natasha and I partnered up to combine our goals and make something cool. Our general direction is making a character creation website.

Activity 1: Exploration

Our overall goal was to explore what was already exsisting in terms of character creation. We explored several different websites and took notes on what we saw, what patterns there were, etc. After that we decided on a low-poly theme for our models and website.

Tested multiple different type of Character Creator websites and studying their capabilities, This one is a DND character builder. It had lots of different options for customization.

Identified similarities and differences in terms of UI and website structure

Decided to move forward with a low poly character theme and created mood boards that would help us envision the theme

Activity 2

With a semi solid idea in mind for our character creator, we started playing around with different softwares. We layed out plans for our website as well as ideated designs for our models.

Initial design sketches based on our mood boards and selected theme. Tried to keep them as simple as possible.

Initial 3D import testing with HTML + Javascript Note: successful display but issues with making the model appear sometimes?

Initial 3D modelling software testing results (This model was made using Womp)

Action Research

My action research was to look for different 3D softwares to explore. The three main ones I looked at was Blender, Womp and Spline. Overall I liked Blender the best and it passed my internal criteria for picking the right software.

Workshop 2

Executive Function

In terms of group work, our exectutive function has been pretty good so far. Natasha and I collaborated on calls throughout project 1 and we both know what is required of us for this project.
In individual terms I am nervous to start this project. Blender is a very overwhelming software to learn and i'm scared I will fall behind. My plan is to mess arounf with blender for a couple of hours twice a week (not including classtime) in order to get proficient faster.

Project 1

Character Customization Concept

PLACEHOLDER TEXT, replace this with an actual description of your proposed concept

This is one of the wireframes Natasha made for one of our final concepts for the website.

This is the general image we're going for. This might change depending on how the modeling goes.

Testing Different 3D Software: Action Research

The purpose of my research was to find a good platform to preform all our 3D modelling on. In order to decide what platform to use I decided on three main criteria points
1. Can I add images and textures on my 3D model?
2. Are there tutorials that are recent and accurate?
3. Are there any paywalls/ limitations?

This model was painfully created in Blender. Blender is a free software tool it is a free download and it not a browser software.

This model was made in Spline. Spline is a browser based modelling application. It has become more popular recently and has been a tool in IXD for a couple years. I have used Spline in the past, but not for a super long time.

This model was made in Womp. Womp is a browser based 3D modelling site. They mainly focus on creating 3D printable models, but there is a lot of room for regular 3D modelling

Research Reflection

I think after playing around with all the different softwares and such, I will stick with blender. Blender seems so be the smoothest software out of the three I explored and there are no paywalls unlike the other two. I can see myself having problems with Blender, especially trying to get used to it. It feels daunting but the videos I found for it should help me along. As long as I fiddle with Blender for a couple hours multiple times a week, I should be fine.

Next Steps

After some debate we are going to alter our idea based on the feedback we received. In order to simplify our models and our customization. We switched to making animals instead of people. Creating animals lessens the scope but keeps our individual goals. Me personally I like the idea with the animals because it gives me the opportunity to mess around with different kinds of shapes.