2019
Packaging up your Python script into a standalone executable is really useful for portability and distributing your tools for others to use.
This VFX project was an exploration into creating realistic fire which would burn from ignition, through initial burn to a roaring flame and then eventually dying.
I wrote a Python script to convert a sequence of image files into a grid for looping, seamless animations, ready for use in Unreal Engine or similar.
The only good way to do this seems to be via the command line. In this circumstance I have about 5000 frames stored as png image files which are named sequentially xxxxx_0000.
As an example, say you want to spawn a blueprint actor called BP_FIRE_LOG and give it a unique ID number so that it can be referenced in the level.
// Select the vertices you want a locator at and run this MEL script. . string $vertices[] = `ls -sl -fl`; for($v in $vertices){ float $pos[] = `xform -q -ws -t $v`; string $newLoc[] = `s...
2018
Speedtree Click branches and hit W to edit that branch Spacebar and click on blank project to create a new trunk.
Dug deeper into Unreal Engine's powerful materials builder, including building materials which can be used in conjunction with vertex painting to create variation over surfaces.
UE4 Materials Ctrl and click node connections to disconnect all and reconnect to something else Heightmaps need to be minimum 0.
Explored Substance Designer in detail including how to generate Ambient Occlusion outputs from height maps.
Substance Designer Always set new substance to Relative to Parent Set graph to 256x256 so the SD plugin works in UE4 Always good to create the height map in SD first, then colourise it Pre...
Zbrush basics This week I worked on a skull on a table scene, to introduce the most common features of ZBrush.
Zbrush Alt + Click on object : select that sub tool Brush Alt + click drag : opposite effect / different effect (e.
Lighting The image shows the basic light setup for a new level. Directional light: Onle angle matters.
Unreal materials Texture Coordinates node: plug this into a texture's UV input to change the amount of tiling.
The level will feature a variety of re-usable and some one-off assets. I will be using my experience of modelling in 3D Studio Max combined with recent skills learned in the classroom with Maya to pro...
Mesh modelling tutorials Booleans (Intersection and Union) Improving geometry by removing triangles IMPORTANT: Ctrl + Del on Edges to delete vertices as well, otherwise you will be left with ...
We started off the week with a review of our art bibles for the first module project.
My first assignment is to design an area for a level in a game, to be run on a mobile device.
Model something every day - Kristian Avigni, 2018 In keeping with this quote I will be modelling something every day.
As a beginner to Maya and UE4, week one has been information overload however Christian will be recapping over topics regularly over the coming weeks.
Mood boards Cinematography Study lighting GDC talks GDC flipped normals transparency First project 2 room map for mobile top down don't have any transparency Think about what to create, do ...
I'm currently sat on a little sofa next to Laurel, in our van, which is parked on the island of Mosterøy, Norway.
I've wired in a car radiator fan to provide ventilation at the front of the van.
The next job is to install the leisure battery and mains hookup so we have power in the back for lighting and charging.
I'm no carpenter, so rather than putting together some wobbly wooden structures, I took the easy option and used some lightweight racking.
It took all of 5 minutes to lay down the 3m x 2m wood effect vinyl sheet.
Having finished the ceiling insulation, I decided to do the floor next before I start the walls, the reason being it makes more sense for the wall insulation and cladding to rest on top of the ply lin...
With the Luton box insulation finished, I continued working along the ceiling, cutting 50mm polystyrene rectangles to slot in between the batten wood I fixed in place previously.
I finally got around to starting the insulation - only 2 months behind schedule!
2017
Today I started work on the van... How exciting! Even though it commenced with one of the least glamorous of jobs - cleaning the roof - it was still great.
And so it begins... This is the van we'll be doing up an hopefully living in for a while next year.