Assignment PT 2

Self-Critique

I feel that my model have a 70% similarity to the bass guitar as I did not have the ability to produce the details of the model like the strings, the screws, the tuning pegs, bridge and some curves on the body of the guitar. The small parts of the guitar did not have good topology and the shape is not accurate. My lecturer taught me topology and I was able to get the guitar's basic shape with his patience and guidance. I feel that I should think more on how to tackle my model and not ask my lecturer without thinking it through first. I also feel that I should not give up at the slightest obstacle while doing the model. This will affect the quality of my work. I should also practice more and put in more effort in doing 3D.

Research

There is very little on guitars but here is one acceptable link which helped me in modeling my guitar

http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials_3/makingof_unplugged/page01.php

This is quite a good guide on doing a guitar, especially it gave me ideas on how to progress on the small parts of the guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwY8Kn0-rIs

This modeling technique, I thought was wrong. However, I am unsure now but it is really a new way of modeling to me.

My final model

I do not know what I did to make shaded mode bring out this color. My rendering is fail as it does not bring out the feel the real guitar gives.

Assignment PT 1

Story

Story of a rat racing around a track on a mousetrap car.

Rat was racing around the track when he saw something. The long straight track up ahead was not there! It is replaced by a bass guitar and rat have to drive the car on the strings of the guitar. He positioned his car to drive on the two thickest strings to have a higher assurance that his car will not lose balance and endanger his life or worse, lose the match.

Shape

There will be four tuning pegs on the head, the body and neck of the guitar, the bridge, the strap system, four knobs for different controls like volume control, the frets, the pickups, the nut, the input jack and the strings.

The body, neck and head will be formed from a rectangle. The neck and head will be extruded from the body. The bridge, knobs, strap system, input jack and pickups will be extruded from the body and the tuning pegs will be extruded from the head. The frets will be extruded from the neck and cylinders can be used for the strings.

Design

Photo of the front of the guitar

Photo of the back of the guitar

Photo of the side of the guitar

Photo of the top of the guitar

Photo of the bottom of the guitar

3D Mindset

Does multi-tasking give you a real or false sense of having accomplished something?

I am naturally bad at multi-tasking and from my experience, multi-tasking gives me a false sense of accomplishment. I multi-tasked and at the end of it, I felt like I achieved many things in a span of three hours. However, I realized the fact is I did not achieve anything at all when I sat for my test. This made me realize that multi-tasking is not the way when doing stuff and focusing on one thing at a time is still the best way.

Is learning 3D and design different from learning programming, or is all learning the same?Why?

To me, learning is different for different modules as interest in areas vary. For 3D and design, I am naturally bad when it comes to putting what I have conceived in my mind onto paper or Maya, as I am not efficient with the interface and I am bad at drawing. Step by step procedures makes it easy to do 3D but 3D is based on one's own imagination and the possibilities are limitless. For programing, it is more on the logic of the codes and there is a fixed answer like mathematics. This is achieved through knowing codes and having a strong logic. However, these two are similar in a aspect of practice. Both needs practice to be fluent and for me practicing is a form of similar learning. This being said, I somehow prefer 3D compared to programming as I find 3D fun. Interest is what makes learning different.

The article states that “Learning is actually a very complex operation for an individual”. Do you agree with this? Do you feel that you approach your learning in the best way – if yes, how, and if no, how can you change your work style?

I agree that “Learning is actually a very complex operation for an individual”. Every person have their own learning style and personally, I have not found mine yet. My current working style is definitely not the best way as I leave everything to the eleventh hour. The best way is actually doing work consistently everyday and practicing is a key factor to efficient learning. I am easily distracted by any possible thing and I have to be more disciplined in order for me to approach my learning in the best way.

What are your thoughts about the last paragraph in the extract?

The last paragraph in the extract is really about what is happening today in many different areas. Communication is an essential factor in determining success. Even if someone is talented but does not have the personality and is unable to communicate with others, he/she will be unable to be successful. However, with this said, it is a fact that communication is difficult as people have different mindsets and different personalities. Without allowances, two or more strong personalities will clash and will affect the team's performance. Communication is a difficult but necessary skill to achieve success.

Should your lecturers also focus on your work attitude, or just leave you to sink or swim on your own? Why?

Lecturers should focus on our work attitude to a certain extent. With motivation, there are students who will respond positively and have a positive work attitude. However, when students respond negatively after countless times of motivating, lecturers should leave him/her alone and focus on the students who are responding positively until that student choose to change his work attitude. This is due to making him/her to be responsible for his/her own studies and future. Without their own conviction to do well, no amount of pushing will work on them.

Primitive Breakdown

I choose easy objects as I am naturally bad at drawing and dislike drawing unless I am appreciating drawings. Even easy models present a tough challenge to me but I manage to draw these two models.

Washboard

My washboard. Align tool can sometimes be a burden and difficult to use although it is normally otherwise. Extrude, bevel and alignment. Serve as a practice for me.

Track

This is my track. Using create polygon tool, extrude, insert edge loop tool and bend is simple to follow. I have one problem, the two blue lines. If I delete them, I will lose my curve as the lines are the bendlines. However it is ugly to have the lines and I do not know how to remove them. Other than that, this exercise is pretty easy and reinforcing what is taught in other lessons.

Gear

This is my gear. Just pipe and extrude. I tried to smooth it to see the effect but it does not look very nice with smooth in my opinion.