Progress on some nature!

I've returned from GDC! Yey! I had lots of fun and met lots of people!

I won't talk about this time, because I have something that I really want to show right now.

I am working on some foliage, and a tree was my first choice! I am not sure how to go about this, but after trying to create a tree in maya, I decided to go my favorite route, which is create it in Zbrush!

I am going off of this concept art I found by Andreas Rocha (http://www.andreasrocha.com/). I want to make a 3D environment that is similar to what is in the illustration. Give me some good practice with foliage. I am UVing my retopologized mesh, so hopefully I'll have a texture for it in the next day or so. Very excited to work on this, since it is something that I am not experienced with!

I will be back with more!

Another blast of FFXIV!

So I have really been enjoying Final Fantasy XIV. I think it is a MMO that is most compatible with my inner gamer. I love the simple yet beautiful aesthetics of the game. I like the quest themes and story style. It is definitely a Final Fantasy. The acting, the personalities, the traditions. The atmosphere of the environments really speak out to me too. I will admit, it doesn't have the BEST graphics or what is now called "next-gen" technology, but I appreciate what they were able to accomplish with the engine and limitations they have. I still want to know how to make a metal shader like how they have it in the game. I read an article in Polycount about something similar to what they do, but I still can't figure out how to do it myself. 

My Pudgy Puk photobombing my picture.

I love the sunset in this game! It is truly based on the timing and view angle of your character.

Sleep time! I really like the sleeping [and wake up, when you log back in] animation if you log out at the Inn.

Btw, GDC in 2 weeks. Eep!

Something completely different!

I am so ashamed as to how long it's been since my last post!

I have been keeping busy at my job. I fortunately received the opportunity to be a Lead Artist at my studio in December. I really like the organization and troubleshooting aspect of the role. Figuring out what the problem is, who to talk to about it, and help get the artist what they need to finish their task; whether it be a review or a technical problem I might know how to fix. I also like making sure that the files stay clean and organized!

On the other side of things, I have been playing games and working on personal 3D stuff!

I was getting into The Witcher (1) and reading the book "The Witcher: The Last Wish". Such a great world to read about. And I really like Geralt. He is pretty much to the point, sly without being cocky, and very interesting to try and figure out. I have played 98% of The Witcher 2, so I am very familiar with the world, but I can't bring myself to finish it off until The Witcher 3 comes out! I don't want the game to end, unless I have something else to continue with. haha!

Here is some 3D work I have been noodling on!

Zbrush

dDo

UDK

I took a tiny break over the weekend to play Final Fantasy XIV. I must say, they've made a believer out of me. They really improved upon FFXI! I used play XI, so I had that as my comparison, and I also play Guild Wars 2, with was another frame of reference for me for a current generation MMO. I really really enjoy the mechanics and aesthetics of the game! Holy crap is it pretty. The lighting, the architecture, the whole environment!!! The lighting is incredible!! Bounce light, environment lighting, weather influenced lighting, ambience, color!!! I am pretty sure I will be taking alot screenshots from the game. Here is one!

I especially got really inspired by how metal looks in the game. It reflects so beautifully! I want to try recreating that metal shader.

This is me currently! Lvl 22 Thaumaturge!

That is it for my update! I think in the coming month(s), I will be focusing on lighting, shader/textures, and possibly delving into DOTA item creations. Also i will be attending GDC in San Francisco! So I will adding that to my future updates when it comes around.

Have a great day!

Small update

Finally got the floor to have reflections. I actually had it kinda right last time I tried making it, but the reflections weren't bright enough to be seen. Big facepalm.

I followed this tutorial (Thank you Chris Holden!):

THEN, I multiplied the reflection texture by a constant of 20 and got this:

Small victory. I'll take it! Next I plan to add some volumetric lighting. :) 

What have I been working on??

Explanation laterr..... sleeeeepy.

1 Month after 1st day of work

It's been an interesting month living the life of an employed artist. Living in a house that is a step up from the place I was at before. Lacking a car, which has been an uncomfortable experience in the wonderful Florida summer. But I am getting paid, and trying to get into a no-stress lifestyle! You trade one stress for another I suppose. That dreadful November loan payments looming over yonder. I am in good company though, and slowly trying to organize the crazy box of tangled cords called life as I live it.

But on to the important things, the art!

This was something I made to test out how convincing I could make decal thru a sculpt I made. Twas interesting results. I wanted it to work over any surface, and it kind of did do that.

Speed sculpt while testing out new techniques.

Found this neat concept art at Polycount.

I felt that sculpting that face would be fun. And it was!

Other than that, work has been fun. I am predominately sculpting in zbrush, so that is a big plus in my work day. More updates to come! Hopefully I find a car soon! Somebody sell me one for cheap for my birthday! lol.

Graduation! And Post Graduation

All is good. Graduation day came and went. I sat for 3-4 amazing (and yet boring) hours, as I absorbed the ceremonious lectures of honors and encouragement. Got my faux diploma in hand and memories that will last me a lifetime. My parents and grandmother was there to celebrate this occasion with me, which made me the happiest little miss Love in the world. I am blessed to have those that I cared about with me and to see them be just as happy as me.

Graduation may be in the past now, but I got a good future ahead of me. I was one of a good number of students in my department of Game Art from Ringling College to get a job right out of college. I thank all the people who supported and believed in me. And I thank God for giving me this opportunity. I don't take this for granted, and I am still amazed I was chosen as a fresh graduate to be a fulltime employee at Lucid Global, a 3d visualization studio that has worked with alot of medical clients and uses mobile platforms (iPad) to display it's work. Here is a link to a latest article about the studio: link.

My position doesn't start until July 1st, so I am spending some well deserved time with my parents, and some time on personal activities: aka. League of Legends, Learning Python, Modeling something OTHER THAN MY THESIS.

As much as I am happy that I have a job now, I still have alot to learn. I want to get better as a game artist. I want to learn animation and some programing. I've already started learning Python at the internet's very own "Code Academy". A great place to get started learning all kings of languages of coding. I am starting to self teach myself some animation, but I am ultimately still focused on improving my 3d creation skills. I may one day jump from the bleachers and join the people at Animation Mentor, iAnimate, or Anim School, but we will see in time. I don't have the funds at the moment, and I don't want to put myself in financial peril if I can help it.

That is all my update for now.

Job starts July 1st! And I'll be moving into a new apartment. Wish me well! And I look forward to keeping in contact with all my friends that went their separate ways. You guys are great and I know you will all get jobs too. Keep networking!!