Modeling: Low Poly Fun

Looking back at my last few posts I noticed that I started off two of them with the phrase "Well now" and as tempting as it was to continue the tradition, I know that I need to up my vocabulary and try to branch out and use big boy words.

This month, after talking with a few of my friends, I tried my hand at a fun new project. Just to give you a little info, here at school there are two similar degree programs Game Art, and Computer Animation. The main difference between the two programs is that Computer Animation (which I'm enrolled in) focuses on high poly counts, and replicating realism, whereas Game Art (that my friend used to be part of) focuses on lower poly counts and replicating the art style. After talking with them, and doing some research I was interested in making what is called Low Poly Art.

Without further ado, here is the project that I was working on. Keep in mind, it is a LOW POLYGON PIECE, meaning you are supposed to see each individual face.

This is the original concept drawing. Here you can see the original vision that I was trying to replicate.

Above is the first thing I wanted to get done. This character was originally going to be one of the main focuses of the scene, but I think I have recently gotten away from that mindset. We will see how it turns out later. I still need to rig, and pose him....Maybe.

This is the progress after my second day of working on it. You I used Maya's Physical Sun and Sky to get the lighting I have.

Above is my thrid day of work. I added a car, clouds, and a few other details to the scene. I took out the sky, in order to test if I wanted to replace it in post.

On day 4 I started coloring the geometry and testing the different materials that would work. I choose to stick with simple lambert materials. I think it worked well with the lighting that was present.

This is where I currently am for this scene. I added some more things to the scene, most notably the Ice Caps to the mountains. I felt that if it was a nice touch, that added A LOT to the scene.

Well that's all I have for the moment. I haven't been able to work on the scene all too much in the last few days, because of school. If you look at the original concept I had a black streaks in the sky, which are supposed to be giant birds, with long flowing tails, and that is what I am currently working on.