Our VR project is nearing its end as we were told to start collecting everything and plan for the post-production phases such as lighting. Our group had not started texturing yet since we hadn’t assembled everything and some models were still yet to be completed. It’s been rather difficult for me to find time for this enterprise since the progression brief is more important and 3D isn’t what I want to go into. I try my best in the lessons we are given but I don’t have Maya at home, nor do I have any desire to install it again so I’ve only contributed with a couple of models so far. In this lesson, we assessed what still needed to be done as a group and there were still a few empty spaces to fill in the room. I volunteered to help with creating some extra furniture and we agreed that a cabinet would add something extra, so that’s what I spent the lesson on.
As per every lesson, I started by adding my target to the group padlet and checking in with the group’s progress. I still take my organisation role seriously and like to make sure that everyone is being as productive as possible during our allotted time. I start by ‘doing the rounds’, asking each person how their work is going and what they plan on doing during the lesson. If everyone is happy and knows what they’re doing, I simply make adjustments to the progress tracker spreadsheet accordingly but if not, I give a few suggestions, sometimes asking Jacob for his opinion and if he has anything specific to add. Overall, I’d say that we have a nice spread of work and everyone has put forwards a good number of models each (it really feels like a team effort!).
After this was done, I started looking for reference images and inspiration. Like the last couple of times, I did this, the results were extremely detailed and quite disheartening for a novice modeller. Almost every cabinet was decorated with high levels of ornamental pattern-work, which is quite standard for Victorian furniture which is all about flaunting quality craftsmanship and wealth.
I chose this image because I love the structure of the cabinet and plan to create something similar. But as you can probably predict, all of the engravings and raised details that add personality to the wood would take a small eternity to create and I simply didn’t have the time or the technical skill to accomplish something of that level. Still, the best way to do something that you have doubts about is to simply start, so I jumped right in without any plan in mind, aiming to create something similar to the victorian cabinet and add as many details as my knowledge in Maya allowed.
