Module Review

Here is a Gantt chart I created to show roughly how I distributed my time during this semester. The first two weeks consisted of trying to get decent photographs of a construction vehicle which I could actually model from. Weeks 3 to 6 purely consisted of modelling the digger itself. I then spent two weeks collecting texture reference, UV mapping and then texturing the digger. The next two weeks involved modelling, UV mapping, collecting texture reference and texturing the diorama. The final task was to import everything into UDK before creating the final renders.

Overall this module has been helpful as it allowed me to practise and improve my modelling and texturing skills as well as learning the basics of the UDK engine. The biggest challenge in this module was trying to create a model which looked like a real life object as this is the first time I had attempted to model something which I hadn't also designed myself. This was also the highest poly object I had modelled which was a challenge in itself. The part of the module I am happiest with is the diorama as a feel this is the best looking part of what I have created. Overall I am pleased with how this module has gone as it has provided valuable practise for modelling, texturing and UDK work.

Presentation Renders

Here are the two final renders of my digger and diorama in UDK

UDK

 The final step was importing everything into UDK. After importing each object and setting up materials so that I could apply the texture to them, I had to set up collision. Here are the collisions for each object that appears in the diorama.

Here is a screenshot of the digger and diorama displayed in the UDK game engine.

Diorama Texture

For the diorama, we were given the limitation of using one 1024 x 1024 diffuse texture. To make the diorama slightly easier to texture I chose to use four 512 x 512 textures instead of a single larger texture. This makes it possible to split up the scene into different parts to make texturing it slightly more simple.

This is the first 512 texture. This texture is used for the road. This texture was easy to make, using a photograph of a road which I then edited to make it tile correctly.

The second 512 texture includes a tiling path and kerb texture, as well as the texture for the digger bucket and the lower part of the traffic light.

The third texture includes the lamppost, the traffic cones and the top section of the traffic light.

The final texture features the plastic barriers and the sign.

This is the diorama with all four textures applied, displayed in Maya.

Diorama

Here is the Maya model of my diorama. My idea for the diorama was to create a small area of roadworks on one side of a road with my digger sat in the middle of it. The roadworks diorama contains 5 cones, 3 plastic barriers, 3 lampposts, a temporary traffic light, a sign and a digger bucket.

In total, my whole diorama came in at exactly 1000 tris.

Texturing Again

Here is the final diffuse texture for my digger. It is a single 1024 x 1024 texture.

Here is the 512 x 512 decal sheet I created for my digger.

This is the digger model with the final textures on it, displayed in Maya.

Texturing - Diffuse

Here is the latest version of the diffuse map for the digger. It looks fairly good at the minute although it still needs more work, namely the smaller details and more dirt on the lower section of the cab.

This is how the digger looks at present in Maya.

Texturing - Normal and Specular maps

Here is the normal map I created for the tracks. Below are the low poly track I baked the texture too and the high poly track design I baked from.

Here is the first version of the specular map I will use on the digger.

UV Mapping

Here is the final UV layout for my digger, set out with as little dead texture space as possible.

 

Below are a few shots of the digger with a UV spacing texture, showing that there is little to no stretching on the model.

Digger Model

Here is the basic process I used to create my digger.

 I began by setting up image planes of the front, back and side views.

 I then made a simple block out of the larger components of my digger.

 The first section I added detail to was the cab and the rear section.

 I then added detail to the arm sections, the joint and the base. The final bit i made was the undercarriage.

Here is my almost finished model.

CGM More Reference

Here are a few more images of the digger I will model. These just show more detail of certain parts which should make them slightly easier to model.

CGM Reference Images

 These are the front, back and side views of the construction vehicle which I plan on modelling for this module. This post also contains a side and front on view of just the digger arm.
I took these pictures at JCB Harrison which is a JCB dealer located on the Whisby industrial estate in Lincoln. This particular digger is a JCB 8018 CTS.

Left View

Front View

          

Back View

Right View

 Arm Right View

Arm Side View