Additional Maps added

I added an opacity map and a specular map to my weapon today. The globes on the gun looked a little bit bland so I decided to include them in the opacity map. That made them a translucent orange color. The red dot sight is now transparent like it should be. Also, the projectile now has holes in the central part of the cylinder. After adding a base and a few lights I took a few pictures to show it off. I still need to animate it and then I'll be finished for now.

Diffuse Map Finished

I worked for a few extra hours after class and was able to finish my diffuse map for my weapon. I ended up having to add a few more small models to the ends of the tubes on the barrel. The problem was that the place where the models came together was choppy. These connecting models helped to smooth the transition and to add some detail. I still have to add bump, normal, specular, and opacity maps but those are easy once the diffuse is ready. I hope to finish those maps next class.

Texture Changes

While I was texturing I kind of stumbled into a color scheme that I really liked. Blue and orange with black. I also added a series of difference cloud patterns to give a camo look to the main pieces of my weapon. I've had mixed comments about how it looks but I like it so I'm going with it. I'm in the process of adding small decals and other details to this part of the gun before I move on. Things are going well but I'm running out of time. Next class I plan on finishing the diffuse texture.

Some Texture Work

I've been working furiously on my texture today. I had a hard time deciding on a color scheme once I started trying them out. I decided to go with a matte black with a lighter gray for secondary pieces. I'm using a yellow green for some decals and I want to throw some blue in as well to mix with the grays and blacks.

Unwrap Finished

I fell a day behind schedule because I have been very sick so much this term. Fortunately, today when I got to school I worked extremely hard and was able to finish the gun's unwrap today. Like I said, I'll be using 2 1024 textures to paint the gun. I still have to model the projectile but that will take only a few minutes. I can stick the unwrap for it on the second texture map.

Thoughts on a texture style

So while I was presenting my idea to my peers, someone suggested that I try an Aperture Science sort of theme. Since it is an experimental weapon, it could be worth a try. A glossy off white texture on the primary parts of the gun with a secondary glossy color for the details. I would like to see blue or red. It wouldn't be hard to try out many colors so I may even try some others as well. I want to throw some barcode or registration number somewhere on the gun as well.

Half Unwrapped

I came into class today with my model half unwrapped. There's just a little bit of the complicated tubing and the sights left to unwrap. I was hoping to finish it today but I had an unfortunate crash that killed all the work I did today.

I'll be using 2 1024 maps for this model. I want to cram as much detail as possible into this. I haven't thought of the color scheme that I want to texture in yet though. I could either go with a standard heavy weapon colors of greens and browns or I could get funky and do something more stylized.

Start of Unwrapping

The base of the gun has been unwrapped. I think I will use 2 1024 maps to texture this properly. Before I started unwrapping I added a handled to the midsection of the gun that completes the balance of the gun. I hope to finish unwrapping early next week.

A few adjustments

I made a few adjustments from what I had last week. I tilted the dark matter storage bottles to flow with the spiraling pipes in the barrel. I also added another tube flowing from the end of the barrel to the middle of the gun. I'm finally ready to unwrap. I need to be able to get that done Thursday to get back on schedule.

Model Finished

I finished the Syzgee today. Overall I like how it looks. I had to move the orb that was going to be on the barrel because it obstructed the users view from seeing directly down the sights. I also decided to add a red dot sight in the middle instead of iron sights at the end of the barrel. The single orb turned into two glass containers held on each side of the barrel. I even created a frame to hold the glass containers so that an opacity map would show the details correctly.

Model Progress

I made some progress on the model for the Syzgee. The tubes that I want to place on the barrel intersect with other polygons so I may have to fix that in the future. It will add a ton of polys but I gave myself a high enough poly count that it shouldn't affect anything else. I still need to add the glass globe to the barrel. I think I may still have time to add some extra details to the model or have time to make small adjustments.

Concept art

I created some basic concept art to show everyone what I am thinking of. I wanted to start modeling the gun this weekend but I was unexpectedly overwhelmed by other classes. Modeling on the project will begin Tuesday and shouldn't take long as I am a fast modeler. I haven't decided exactly how to make it appear like there is a mini black hole in the orb of the gun but I think a little research should turn up some ideas.

A gun with a mini blackhole in it

So I have an idea about a way to propel the blades in my gun that makes it so much sweeter. In the end of the barrel is a glass orb that contains dark matter. The dark matter creates a mini black hole every time the weapon is fired. It uses the slingshot effect so that it accelerates the blade to speeds that make it so it can break through any molecular bond. When I texture it I want to make it look like black hole collapses and then is recreated after every shot. Pics in my next update. Oh yeah and I have named this gun the Syzgee.

A new Idea

So going with Pyramid Head isn't going to work. I still like the idea but I need to do something of my own invention here. This isn't a bad thing, though, because I've had an idea for a weapon that I've wanted to do something with for some time now.

I want to make a gun that shoots ring like projectiles that are serrated that would almost be like a cookie cutter. The gun itself resembles a fat and short bazooka with rotors inside the barrel that would give spin to the ring. A pump action is required between shots. I have some concept sketches done that are somewhat simple but I really want to go all out with this.

Current thoughts on my project

As of right now I want to do a character model of one of my favorite villains from a video game, Pyramid Head. He is the terrifying character plaguing any player of Silent Hill. I want to put my own unique touches to it to make it my own.
First of all his iconic helmet has a few versions of its own. I want to use a version that has a pointed nose with a dense wire cage inside the helmet. Several large bolts will stick out from the back of the helmet.
Secondly I want to give him some sort of large belt holding his giant smock made of skin in place. The smock will go all the way to the ground but I want Pyramid Head to have some sort of large boots on with plenty of straps.
The last thing I want to change is his knife. I want him to have a giant kitchen knife with the heel of the blade extending straight into the handle from the top. It will have some sort of white tape around the handle.