Louvre Animation Frame Modelling Progress

[ryangroves]

Studio/Institution: Ryan Groves
Genre: Other
Software: 3ds max vray
Website: http://www.ryangroves3d.com
Description:

Made some Progress here and there on the internal framing of the main pyramid over the past couple of weeks, the poly count is continuing to rise! With this added detail in the model I’m already seeing countless vignettes which would make the animation much more intimate and explorative of the architecture

 

Happy with how the model is looking though, I had to model it in enough detail necessary for sticking a camera right next to it, whilst not going overkill with the polys. As far as my modelling knowledge goes it was impossible not to use a meshsmooth on certain elements of the frame mainly on the ’4 way’ junctions that the frame would slot into at each meeting point. Not the dark ones with the pins sticking out but the junctions that actually fix this space frame to the external glazed skin of the pyramid. Keeping optimization in mind though I kept the entire pyramid to about 6-8 million polys (cant quite remember without opening up the scene!), which I can live with its the main focus of the animation and the detail required in a lot of the shots makes it necessary in my opinion!

 

Will probably come back to tweaking the textures of these before rendering, mainly the glass. I’ve made an effort to get that noise/warping you get with glass structures which is so far working ok but I’m not entirely convinced! Realism is paramount for what I want to achieve with this project so not going to half-arse it in anyway shape or form! Anyhow, really liking the compositions that are starting to arise the more and more detail i’m putting into this, love tectonic shots of architecture and seeing how something fits together. From a photography point of view even just down to the little specular highlights off each strut that jump out in the depth of field are starting to add character to these shots and its these little details that I’m hoping will create some really nice pieces of film further down the line when I work into the lighting and animation!

 

Usually never happy with the work I produce, always wanting it to be better as I usually visualize it in my head and then the results are never quite the same! Something I know the majority of artists struggle with during the early stages. I’m already optimistic of this one which is unlike me I’m my own worst critic so hopefully I’ll maintain such optimism and power through the rest of the work ahead as there will certainly be some mountains to climb when it comes to the water fountain simulation and sculpting of the ornate detailing & human sculptures of the pyramid’s immediate context. I could just buy such models but I don’t see the point, if its a personal project you’ve got all the time in the world and so many opportunities to learn new things which will in turn make you better as an artist, which surely is your main goal is it not? Anyhow I wont get in to such a discussion - hope you like how its going, any crit/feedback don’t hesitate always willing to hear what other people have to say to push my work forward.

 

For more progress of this project, higher resolution renders and the viewport preview animation of the film please visit my blog - http://www.ryangroves3d.com

[Nicolai Bongard]

Allready looks very good! Keep at it! Suggestion: Check out your vray edges or vray dirt settings on your dark metal - i guess the diamond shape on the closest connector-thingy is not on purpose? Edit: To clarify, where the black beams meet on the third and fourth picture.

[ryangroves]

Thanks Nicolai, much appreciated! Long way to go yet lol

 

And yes you're right, that diamond shape isn't meant to be there, its due to me taking a bit of a shortcut when I initially modelled the external skin, the faces are overlapping which as a result makes the vray dirt effect really prominent around that area! Will have to go back and remodel this element at some point and slice and bridge the faces with a bit more care so its all interconnected!

 

Thanks