SWOT

strengths: i learn quickly and always want to learn more. In 3dsmax i like to tinker with setting to see what they do and get different outcome from this. i also think i am able to create objects with just reference images very well.

weakness: when following tutorials i like to scan the text and do what i think it is telling me do do rather than what it is. so i end up missing a stage at the beginning and at the end find i need to start again because of the stage i missed. i also don't always manage my time as best as i possibly could due to distractions and a certain little person.

Opportunities: i have wanted to explore the world of 3d modelling for a while but never knew where to start. i love creating things and expanding my knowledge of different software and expanding my multimedia skills. i plan on doing some extra work over xmas with my panda as due to rigging the model it will be easy to animate.

Threats: my less than great time keeping may hinder my ability to create decent models and show my potential. and my lack of drawing skills may stop me creating the standard required to skin my model effectively.

and the final stamp

panda stamp finished

finally after like 5 1hour+ renders today i have finished it

heres the render:

panda lighting

i am playing around with the lighting on my panda

i have used a sky light an omni light and a target spotlight

the 1st one didnt put enought light onto the bamboo

so i edited the settings and changed the colour of the plane under the grass to make it look more realistic

each render takes around 45mins on my home pc and over an hour in the mac lab. so each change i make takes ages to see the result

luckily it gives me time to work on my other projects

this is the final render

i like the shadows cast but the bamboo is now lit too much so i will change the omni light multiplier and try again

the grass is AMAZING tho

panda continued

i solved the problem with the skin on the hands of the panda

problem:

i sovled this by making sure the finger and wrist bone were aligned with the model properly and the bones were of a suitable scale so they were not before.

i have now positioned my panda in the scene and imported my bamboo object which i made previously.

i am having trouble with the lights at the moment with them making the bomboo too light.

i am also using the hair and fur modifier on a box underneath he panda to simulate grass.

completed stamps

my panda is causing me some problems while i try and move the limbs to position it. the skin on the panda doesnt properly follow the biped. i will have to play with the parameters again

as i have finished the other 2 stamps i have put them in the stamp template.

Goldenseal

Turtle

i have now gone back to my panda.

i recreated the model as my skills have progressed from my last attempt.

i forgot to get a render of this.

but i have a blank render of my uvwmapping before and after

after: (still needs a bit of work)

i started to get annoyed with the model mapping again so i decided to start getting it in the correct position for my render. as i want it climbing up the bamboo i made before.

to do this i had to insert a skeleton (biped) to attach to the model.

i then had to adjust parameters to allow the model to follow the skeleton movements properly.