Step 1: Preproduction
My first project for 3D for Games this year is to build a modular kit for some sort of structure. As always, we begin by finding reference. I am trying to decide at this point between 3 different ideas that all have the potential to be visually sophisticated, appealing, and versatile.1) Electrical Power Station:
The reason I want to pick this is the visual complexity that can be produced by a relatively small amount of assets. The assets themselves could be easily fit into another part of the level it goes in. Example assets are:
-The tower that holds the cable(can be made of 1 modular piece to build the bulk of the tower and the cable holders, a tripod stand, and a 5 way connector piece)
-The Cables themselves
-Transformer Boxes
2) Prison Cells:
I wanted to pick this one because prison is a big part of literature and art in general, such works as the Count Of Monte Cristo, The Shawshank Redemption, and Batman: Arkham Asylum. Also, I feel like it would be an interesting texturing opportunity, as I could use gray scale images inside the RGBA channels to save texture space. Some Assets I would need:
-Cell Door
-Wall of Bars(the other half of the door)
-Toilet
-Bed
-Sink
-Wall texture(walls could be made out of BSP)
3) Water Mill
This one would also be a very interesting modeling and texturing opportunity. I also think that this one holds the most appeal and will be the most versatile of the 3. Some assets I would need are:
-The Wheel
-Wall and/or individual pieces of wood
-Window
-Roof
Step 2: Blocking Out Etc. Part 1
I ended up doing a modular kit for a prison. I think I'll like it a lot,
and I'm going to go with a very run down, dilapidated old prison, my
main reference being the 3rd Dirty Harry movie, where they visit
Alcatraz prison.Here are my assets for the Prison Modular kit so far:
So far I have, just blocked out, Stairs, Railing, the Bench/Table, Cell Door, Cell Bars, Toilet and Sink. I still need a computer console/control deck and a bed. I should also make the bulletproof glass
Here is the map for my two constructs, sorry its just a hand drawn for now. I plan on using additive BSP for my walls etc.
One of my plans is for a three level prison complex, with cells on just one side, the other section only has 2 stories, but it has cells on both sides, and the center of both are filled with tables for either Visitation or for Meals.
Here is a mockup for one construct in Maya
As always, more to come.
Listening: The Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty
Playing: Cut the Rope, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, Spyro the Dragon
Watching: Mythbusters, Full Metal Alchemist