One of my additional tasks this week was resource grouping for VR (plants, debris, etc.). Besides, I continued working on the model (adjusting the scale and details from the meeting). I focused on tweaking the geometry to make everything run smoothly in Unity. It also helped me prepare the model for Substance Painter and test the texturing.
I decided to simplify the model so that I could extrude and bevel it later. I had to redo the lobby several times, changing different methods, pulling out a new floor, etc. Eventually, at some point, something worked (not sure what though, I just kept repeating the steps out of sheer frustration).
I had another problem with the model – after bevelling the edges it showed gaps in Unity but not in Maya. I solved it by triangulating the model (mainly for the substance painter, but it also helped to see these issues in Maya) and manually fixing the vertices.
Moreover, I have communicated with An exactly what textures VR needs exactly for unity (base colour, height, normality, roughness).
Overall, it helped me understand topology better and find many ways to solve geometry problems. While it was a frustrating process, I feel more confident in my modelling and retopology skills and know what mistakes to avoid in the future.
General Meeting (03/03/23)
Meeting notes:
- The updated list of objects/resources.
- Smaller, more rectangular cell – feeling claustrophobic.
At first, we thought the round shape would be more suited to the main space, but the rectangular shape is more like a prison cell, so that needs to be changed. We can keep the curved edges to connect it to the waiting room.
- Delivery unit, public toilets – as inspiration.
- Possibly add a toilet/sink to the cell?
- The central space should be wider – like at the airport.
- Make parts of the model collapse – storytelling/guiding the viewer with light.
- Hanging objects from the ceiling.
- Populate the space and make it more interesting.
- Discussion about the inclusion of bins/shelves for personal belongings next to the cells (important for storytelling, encouraging the audience to ask questions about the purpose of this space).
Textures:
- Not too much texturing.
- Textures should be lighter.
- Walls and ceilings need to be the same texture.
- Floor – different texture. In general, keep concrete throughout the building and add tile on the waiting room floor – problems with tiles in a circular space?
- Green, light blue colours, stained textures.
Organisation and communication:
Since our group is quite large, I’ve tried to keep our shared OneDrive as clean as possible and occasionally go through the files, organising them better.
Throughout the project, I constantly checked the models in VR and communicated with other students via messages, online meetings, screenshots, face-to-face meetings, VR videos, etc.
References:
Animator’s Journey (2022) Non-Manifold Geometry: What Is It And How To Fix It in Autodesk Maya. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOedalRf1cE (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
CGI Tutorials (2020) Maya Student Support: Welding Detached Edges, Non-Manifold Geometry, Multi-Bevel, Conform Normals. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eysdj9Hm0y4 (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
Manually create or retopologize a mesh with Quad Draw (2023) Available at: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/ENU/Maya-Modeling/files/GUID-5B9A94A4-1019-49C9-B9F9-9A2ACBB66E1F-htm.html (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
Nexttut (2021) MAYA TUTORIAL | Topology Basics pt1. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0-JYpxQ3_4 (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
Omi Han! (2020) NonManifold Geometry or Vertices. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta5RKlzPlg8 (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
Prabhu Creative Works (2016) What is topology? – It’s Very Useful For Modelling a Perfect Shape. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuzjKvndW7Y (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
Retopology (2023) Available at: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/ENU/Maya-Modeling/files/GUID-74867E07-5CCD-4D55-B60B-C90C3AD65DF4-htm.html (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
Retopology Best Practices in Maya for Unity (2022) Available at: https://learn.unity.com/tutorial/retopology-best-practices-in-maya-for-unity# (Accessed: 05 March 2023).
Topology Guides (2021) Available at: https://topologyguides.com/ (Accessed: 05 March 2023).