17/10/18 - 5 Minute Moom

Minor Project - Environment Modelling #1 - Base Cabinets & Desk

I decided just to use my sketch of the side view as the orthograph, as it was pretty clear and defined, so I really didn't need to waste time "prettying" it up in Photoshop when its fine as it is.

I wanted to make sure everything was kept to scale, to be an accurate representation of my room, Initially I tried playing around in Maya for a bit to try see if there was a way I could set measurement values so I could simply type values into the scale boxes to set object sizes, to make sure everything was the right size and to set my orthographs correctly so the width/depth/height ratios weren't distorted, leading to an odd looking model. However this wasn't working quite how I wanted, so in the end I just used the grid as units of measurements, my room us 5.5m wide and 3.75m deep, so I set the orthograph to fit to 11 grid blocks wide and 8.5 deep, keeping the ratio correct. I also then scaled the height in this way before upturning the side orthograph so I know my objects will be the right height, and matched the room edges with the base ortho. 

Initial modelling process. I'm keeping lots of separate layers as I go as I know this will make things easier for me to to isolate and change objects in the future when it gets to fine tuning, for now I just need to focus on blocking. A lot of very minor details I will be adding through texturing. 

Minor Project: Room Environment Designs

The environment will be driven by the animals, it will change around you as you "the player" explores and discovers more around the room. The set number of changes/scenes I need will be decided by my characters featured, but I need the key start and end designs for the room, and can decide exactly what changes when later on.

Here are my initial room layout plans, I measured and drew everything exactly, so I know when I use use these as my orthographs everything will be to correct scale. I started with the top view, and also made a really quick sketch just after to get down a bunch of my "final stage" ideas, which Ill use as a base in photoshop to draw up a proper version. 

I then went over it in Photoshop to map out the key areas, and colour code furniture vs animals, so this is a really clear orthograph to use as my base for the whole room. 

Next I mapped out the desk side of my room, as this is the most complicated/busy side, and I have to begin somewhere. 

Minor Project: Character List & Reference Images (Meet the Zoo Crew)

After my chat with Phil I have a clearer view of how to proceed, the first thing I need to do is decide on a character list, as although my project is environment based and model-heavy, my characters are driving the environment changes, so key. 

However to stop my characters becoming mundane and falling into a flat "rinse and repeat" with meeting each one, I need to give each of them a personality, as this will add interest, which is perfect for my younger targeted audience, and will allow me to explore more options re: script writing and voice-over artists. Luckily I already feel as though each of my animals does have a personality of their own, so I just need to decide my selection of 3-5 individuals that will display a wide range of character traits. I've put together a quick list of a few of my animals and the traits that suit them. 

Meet the Zoo by Pip on Scribd

Another thing I want to take into consideration is I want this projects' outcome to be educational to those watching/experiencing my project, but not just on the husbandry front re:what sort of environment they need and what they like to eat. A few of my animals are rescue animals, taken in from less than ideal situations and brought back up to health/just made to feel comfortable by me and will not be bred. I would like to feature a few of these in my film to highlight the issues surrounding irresponsible petcare, breeding, and improper husbandry. One last aspect is what time the animals are active, all the bearded dragons and skinks are active the most during the day, and have set day/night cycles with UV and heat lights to help with body temp regulation etc. Similarly Buddy the Terrapin likes to bask and swim in the sun. Others like Stevie the leopard gecko are crepuscular, meaning they are mostly active in the late afternoon/early evening, and then a lot of the arboreal geckos, crested, gargoyle and tokay, are primarily nocturnal, coming out in the late evening/when light fades. So when choosing my characters I need to take into account they are driving the environment, so need a selection that require time to pass in the film. 

1. Boots 
2. Basil
3. Spyro
4. Pluto/Lunar
5. Stevie
6. Georgie
7. Cresteds/Gargoyles

Initially I was thinking just 4 or 5, but now Im considering a few more to give a better rounded view of my animals, and to fit with the time progression too. Modelling wise - all the snakes will be able to have very basic models, same rig, just change the size and texture, add a little nose upturn for the hognose. This is similar with the arboreal geckos, tokay crested and gargoyle, they can all have very similar model shapes, and add the details and define the species primarily with textures. 

Now on to designs! 

Minor Project: Schedule and Submission Inventory

Minor Submission Plan and Inventory by Pip on Scribd

Minor Project - Soundscape

I need a background soundscape for my "game" animation. Many of my stylistic influences and similar games currently out on the market have these backing tracks and it helps tie the whole experience together. It needs to be simple, relaxing, basic sweet background noise, something soothing and calming. I plan to design this myself.

It doesn't necessarily need to follow a specific tune, nothing that can be too catchy or recognisable. When working, if without music on, I often find myself humming random tunes, making up the melodies as I go. I want to create something similar for my short. Ill need to look into what software I can use to do this, I don't need multiple instruments or any complicated layerings, the simpler and calmer the better. 

These are a few influences of whats already out there, to see the direction/style I'm interested in. 

Minor Project: Room Reference Images

These are my reference images of my room/where my animals are located as a base for my models. I dont have all my animals in my room due to space mainly, but its also better for others to be away from places with a lot of people always around. eg the ball pythons like below. In my animation models I plan to have the final stage with all the animals (and possibly more) in the room as they take over the furniture and the environment changes. 

My ball pythons are kept in the spare room/ my brothers old room (along with lots of spare vivs and reptile equipment). My main adults are in a rack system, but I do have some overflow too. I only plan on keeping 6 long term, to focus on specific genes for breeding, and want to upgrade these into 3ft vivs for each of them, but need time & money first. 

Hallway leading to my room/zoo. In here we have a yellow belly slider, hamster and 2 bearded dragons. 

Multi tier mansion for Mr.Nibbs, the russian dwarf hamster. 

3.5ft tank with Buddy the Yellow Belly Slider, he will be upgraded to a 4ft x 2.5ft x 2ft downstairs soon as we can find a suitable stand for it. 

Two Bearded Dragon enclosures, both 4ft wide. Top is Charlie and bottom is Spyro. 

Welcome to the zoo.

Couple of panos to show the layout of the main workspace end of my room. I'm currently in the process of upgrading in size some of my gargoyle gecko enclosures, just need to put together the bioactives setups and move them in.

My skink wall, 4ft vivariums stacked, top going down is Dilly - Merauke, Herb - Irian Jaya, Basil - Silver Tanimbar.

Stevie - Leopard Gecko

3ft vivarium housing three Tokay Geckos (and Norman)

African Clawed Frogs

Boots (Bootlace) the Western Hognose

Left - Sun Beetles, isopods and springtails, Right - GALS (giant african land snails)

Gargoyle gecko enclosure that once housed 3 hatchlings, now just one juvenile thats being upgraded again to a larger enclosure.

Small vivarium housing Petrie, the runt gargoyle gecko. 

 

+5ft tall adapted display uni, housing two adult gargoyle geckos (breeding pair)

4ft viv, Twinks home

Twink wondering whats going on.

Back end of the room.

 Pano views

My younger brothers room is where the three crested geckos are, the 2 females are mine and the single male I got for him as a birthday present this year.