Minor Project - QF 13-Pdr Model, 02/11/18

The main weapon of the RHA during the early war period was the 'quick fire 13 pounder' (despite this name the shells did not weigh 13 pounds). It was initially valued as it could be transported by a carriage of horses over rough cross country terrain at speed . Despite this the gun was quickly over shadowed by its bigger brother, the 'QF 18-Pdr' as it could fire shells at a greater distance. This was due to the increasingly stagnant nature of trench warfare in WW1. In terms of modelling it appears that there is a high amount of mechanical complexity. This combined with the lack of technical drawings (due to limited production and usage during war time) makes it difficult understand. To simplify this process the gun is divided into its various components. As of now the components include the wheel, gun shield, recoil tube, barrel\breech and pole. Even then the gun will not completely match the real life counterpart as specific details will be simplified for ease of modelling. One example of missing details is the lack of detail on the sight or optic used of the gun. various images on the Imperial War Museum website showed the gun with what appeared to be sight mountings but lacked the sight itself. It was not until an army manual was found confirming that a no.14 type sight was used.

Behind the real gun at the previous IWM

Currently only the wheel and plough at the back have been modelled in detail with all other components currently having place holders. Looking over the source images it appears that the wheels still need some changes such as details to a metal rim covering the wooden circumference of the wheel and changes to the centre details. 

Beginning stages of QF 13-pdr model

Model back view

Model side profile

I am happy with the positioning of the bigger parts of the weapon as it carries the basic shape of a field gun yet a lot of work is still required to get the model up to scratch. However for the next few days I will not have access to a computer with Maya, hopefully the next update will be on Sunday with more detail added to the gun shield and recoil tube.

Minor Project - German Soldier Model, 30/10/18

Adding the final details to the German soldier model included remodelling the sleeve, modelling the pouches and helmet. Overall thanks to the orthographs used the remaining processes were relatively smooth. In terms of its counterpart it appears that they are easily distinguishable mostly due to the helmet or hat worn. With the use of colours the ease of distinguishing between the two factions should be increased with the use of German field grey and drab olive green. 

Finished German soldier model turnaround

The final pins for the 'Y' straps have been created using scaled down buttons giving a sense that all the components are attached.

Back view of model

With the third iteration of the sleeves I believe that they feel more natural and blend with the rest of the uniform. While the M1910 uniform has a red trim along various edges only one was embellished. This is the one along the sleeve and was done so that it stood out better when combined with the texture. 

New revised sleeve

Leather helmet Pickelhaube

Final model unsmoothed with wireframe showing creases

Minor Project - German Soldier Model, 29/10/18

Being the counter part to the RHA soldier the German soldier has a few key distinct differences in terms of his uniform and equipment. Despite this I thought there may be issues in terms of clearly identifying the different factions due to the nature of the basic field jacket. When compared to the British model, I aimed for a blockier torso with less creases. The reasoning behind this was that it appears the German troops used a stiffer material that made the jacket appear more like a winter coat. Another key defining feature of the early war period was the use of a leather helmet that offered no real projection but does greatly help define the German soldier and his silhouette. In terms of specific details, it becomes more difficult to find equipment and uniform for the group that acted in the Battle at Nery. Instead details have been taken from other German battalions during the early stages. This would include the ‘Y’ leather strap that acted as a webbing holding the soldier’s equipment and the sleeves of the jacket.

German model with some unfinished components 

Currently a number of minor details have to be completed for the arms. The helmet (currently a beanie shaped place holder) and ammo pouches still have to be modeled from the start. After modelling the sleeves it did not appear to fit the model and was remodeled into something more appropriate. Despite this it appears the sleeve have to be removed and remodeled from the start to resemble something more fitting.

First iteration of sleeve 

Second attempt at sleeve

When modelling the sleeve I will be using the M1910 uniform as a reference.

German, M1910 Imperial WW1 Waffenfrock with a unique sleeve design

'Y' leather straps completed but currently lacking the ammunition pouches on the belt

'Y' leather strap from behind currently missing a few minor details such as a button

Early German uniform appeared to use much taller boots that would often later be reserved for higher up roles. They would be replaced by British puttees. Oddly these boots were the most fun component to model.

Early war leather boots

Minor Project - RHA Soldier Model

In terms of the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) models that were necessary for the animation it was decided that a base model would be created. This model would incorporate key features that are shared across all the character models belonging to this faction. This included clothing such as the trousers and the puttee wraps around the lower half of the legs. With all this in mind it would be easier that the models can share components so extras could be generated more easily. Other accessories would include a bandolier, hat and satchel which could be removed or left on depending on the needs of the model. Characters with certain features such as facial hair will be modelled separately based on the basic model. In the future I am also planning to create a new torso without the over coat showing the shirt and braces underneath adding more variation.  

Finalising RHA soldier

In terms of the art style I wanted to carry the angular creases into Maya while using textures to help extenuate the folds of the clothes. The model would heavily depend on the texture to bring it to life. 

First interpretation for orthograph

Final orthographic drawings for RHA soldier

In the process of making the model there were a few challenges that were generated due to the initial attempts trying to replicate the format of a game model. By using a low poly model the reliance on a texture and poly map would greatly increase but also give quite a blocky model which could have given the desired style. In the end, with alot of guidance from Alan, it was decided to take an alternate route. 

Final model

Hat and bandolier model

The first model would not use the smooth function allowing for the use of trianlges instead of quads. However with the added complexity of creases and current knowledge of models the model's mesh proved too messy and unorganised for me. 

Inital attempts at model

Instead of following the path of a games model a more traditional method was used with the edition of Maya's crease function. The function allowed for the edge to be more defined and is represented by the thicker lines in display. Initial it was planned that the model's faical features would be a painted texture but it was opted that a set of eyes, mouth and throat would be modelled instead. 

Wire frame over final model with creases

Toolkit 3 - 5 Minute speed pose, 2

Minor Project - Schedule

Toolkit 3 - Toadstool, Squash and Stretch

For this exercise we learned how to used nodes to create a squash and stretch effect alongside a spine.

Toolkit 3 - 5 Minute speed pose

For this exercise we were tasked with creating a quick pose, using Moom within 5 minutes. This was to practicing become proficient at posing for future animation.