Postmortem

I would like to take some time and write down the things I felt I did well and the things I did not on this most recent project. So the first week involved a lot of planning but the only real thing I got done was the blockout. Even that changed as I worked on it. My planning from now on needs to include not only what I want to make but what programs and what workflows I need to finish it. If I had a clear idea on what needed to be done then I could have been more efficient learning the tools and workflows I needed to. I should also have been more realistic with my timing and how much of it could get done in the four week time period I set for myself. Much of this probably couldn't be known beforehand and must be learned but I would like to think that I have grown as an artist because of it.

From weeks 2-4 I feel like I worked my ass off to try and get finished with both the sculpting and the retopo. My sculpting ability I feel is my strongest work in this whole project. I took a long time reworking all of the sculpts but I should be more confident in what I can do. I shouldn't be intimidated by the size and detail I envisioned for my model. I think what took the most time (2 weeks with 6+ hours a day) was getting all my organic meshes retopologized. I'm glad I learned 3D-Coat and I feel like I've gotten a whole lot faster though. Next time I might want to try Topogun to see if I like it any better. I made the mistake originally to try and use the quad draw tool in Maya. It didn't take long to realize that it really isn't for me. At least not for doing all of it. Good for some quick touch ups but that's it. Using the mouse in Maya all day is also sure fire way to get a sore wrist.

There was a week in there that was pretty much a waste. I was busy doing homework and getting ready for a trip and I didn't really do much work at all. Some of that was kind of my own fault and maybe I got lazy. I was getting down that I wasn't even close to finishing and was debating just quitting then and there.

After I got back from said trip I was determined to get as much done as I could in 2 more weeks. I didn't want to extend the project any longer so that I could start working on something new. It needed to get textured and I really haven't finished texturing anything before without following a tutorial of some sort. This time I feel like I finished a lot. I spend a big chuck learning how to use dDo, nDo, and Bitmap2Material but that's three more programs that are now a part of my arsenal. I shouldn't have attempted to learn how to use PBR materials when I've never really done much texturing the last gen way (diffuse/spec/gloss/normal). More time was wasted trying to take the textures I made and switching back to something more easily understood.

Last but not least I had intended on using UE4 for my final renders. I want to be able to use the engine to show off my work. I need to take more time to learn the ins and outs of it, especially with materials. I was able to get everything set up and inside the engine but I feel like I don't know what I'm doing with it yet. My creative options are limited by my knowledge of the program. Maybe I'll have to take a couple weeks focus strictly on the engine to improve. It can only help in the long run.

I ended up running out of time after creating the vegetation and moss as extra details to add around my assets. I actually kind of like what I made but never really got a chance to place them around in my scene. I also never got around to creating a nice backdrop and atmosphere that would have really helped with beauty shots. Lastly I never even started working on that nasty purple wall I have in there. It's basically a plane that I wanted to add a little glow and grunge to the walls. As it stands right now it clearly looks out of place.

I won't reveal my next project I'm working on but I will have screenshots posted next week of my progress. I've already decided what to do and I feel like I'm much better off this time around. I'll give more of a breakdown next time.