Returning back to regular classes, I began modeling my fantasy world in Maya. I thought it best to start with the object of most significance, both size-wise and lore-wise – The Lignum Vitae.
Having never heard of nor touched Maya before this course, I was unsure of where to start for modeling a tree. As such, I searched for tutorials on YouTube and found one that seemed useful and appropriate for someone of a beginner level, such as myself. The video was relatively easy to follow, and I ensured to model my tree step-by-step as the tutorial showed, but from about halfway through, I was able to see the repeating patterns of the modeling process and was able to continue modeling the tree without the tutorial. I also stopped following the video because I wanted to make my tree unique, and fit my vision, and as such, I altered certain aspects of the model – such as making the trunk wider and bent, as well as increasing the number and thickening the tree roots.
The process has been quite tedious, and due to my lack of experience in Maya, the modeling process has been quite slow. However, after catching onto the repetitive nature of the modeling, and learning various specific controls, I gained more confidence and speed in my modeling. I feel that with where I am now, I will be able to model the rest of my fantasy world much quicker and with less hesitation. Of course, I expect to encounter troubles and technical difficulties, but my skills and confidence are slowly growing with each branch I model on the Lignum Vitae.
I am, however, still very nervous about colouring and texturing my fantasy world, as we have only covered each of these processes once in class, and frankly, they were both incredibly complex. Though I was able to do it in class with the tutor’s assistance, being left to my own devices and having to texture and colour models of much greater complexity is definitely daunting. I will, more likely than not, have to seek help from my tutors and my more experienced peers, but I also intend to do research and attempt to learn to take on these processes myself first. I would much prefer asking for help only once I need it, not because of fear of failure.
I did most of the roots today in class and will finish the entire model of the Lignum Vitae tomorrow. Then, over the weekend, I plan to model the forest trees (2 other tree models to then duplicate and place as the surrounding forest), and hopefully, by next Thursday, I will have also completed all my models of the villagers’ houses. Since we don’t have much time left, I would ideally like to begin colouring and texturing my models by next weekend, so by the time the due date comes up, I will have wiggle room to make any final adjustments necessary. I am a perfectionist, and so each project like this will inevitably be very time-consuming, meticulous work for me, but I am determined to bring to fruition my vision of this fantasy world to the very best of my ability.
