HA4 Task 6 – Constraints

What constraints are involved in working within a 3D environment - polygon count, file size and rendering time?


Polygon Constraints
 There are MMORPG’s  which usually range between 2000 – 6000 polygons, this is because they are focusing on a single character that a user is controlling. Games such World of Warcraft have had models which are around 1000 polygons and have also had models which have surpassed 7500 polygons which means games aren’t restricted to a range of polygon count but usually stick to a range due to  the capabilities of PC’s. The reason why games like this have such a high polygon count is because you are focusing upon a single character thus detailing will be key because a user would not be interested in a game if a character had poor graphics.

Limitations of file size
With video games, the file size can reach excessive amounts, due to the polygons to render, objects to load in, textures to load.
Can be lessened with lower resolution, lesser detail in models, compression of  files.

Rendering Time
there are limiting factors to the speed of rendering time, such as polygons to render, more objects to render, reflections in metallic textures, world textures to load.
These can all slow down the time it takes to render 

HA4 Task 5 - 3D Development Software

Examine the software tools used in the production of 3D models.

For example, 3D Studio Max, Maya, LightWave, Cinema 4D, Blender, Sketchup, ZBrush etc.

3D Studio Max

3D Studio Max, is a 3D computer graphics software used when making 3D animations, models, and images. It can commonly be seen used by Video game developers and in TV commercials as well as architectural visualization studios.

Maya

Autodesk Maya is a 3D computer graphics software that runs on Windows, and currently owned and developed by Autodesk, Inc. commonly seen used for video game, movie visualizations.


LightWave 3D

LightWave 3D is a 3D computer graphics software developed by NewTek. It has been used in film, television, motion graphics, digital matte painting, visual effects, video games development, product design, architectural visualizations, virtual production, music videos, pre-visualizations and advertising.
 

Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications and video games. Blender's features include 3D modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, raster graphics editing, rigging and skinning, fluid and smoke simulation, particle simulation, soft body simulation, sculpting, animating, match moving, camera tracking, rendering, video editing and compositing. Alongside the modelling features it also has an integrated game engine.


Cinema 4D

CINEMA 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering application developed by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. It is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modeling, animating, lighting, texturing, rendering, and common features found in 3D modelling applications.


ZBrush

ZBrush is used as a digital sculpting tool to create high-resolution models (up to ten million polygons) for use in movies, games, and animations. It is used by companies ranging from ILM to Electronic Arts. ZBrush uses dynamic levels of resolution to allow sculptors to make global or local changes to their models. ZBrush is most known for being able to sculpt medium to high frequency details that were traditionally painted in bump maps. The resulting mesh details can then be exported as normal maps to be used on a low poly version of that same model. They can also be exported as a displacement map, although in that case the lower poly version generally requires more resolution. Or, once completed, the 3D model can be projected to the background, becoming a 2.5D image



SketchUp

SketchUp (Formerly: Google Sketchup)is a 3D modeling program for applications such as architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design. A freeware version, SketchUp Make, and a paid version with additional functionality, SketchUp Pro, are available.

File Formats

A file format is a standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It specifies how bits are used to encode information in a digital storage medium. File formats may be either proprietary or free and may be either unpublished or open.

HA4 Task 4 - Mesh Construction

How are 3D models constructed? Describe and explain the different modelling techniques available to a 3D designer.

Mesh Construction



Polygonal Construction
Polygonal Construction is using different shapes and meshes combined which generate an image.
using primitive shapes like cubes, squares, circles, torus' and triangles


http://www.cgmascot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/posts/futureof3d_sculpt_wireframe.png

Primitive Shapes
The term used to class the simplest of geometric objects, also referred to as Geometric Primitive shapes
these can be;
2D;
Squares, Circles, Triangles
3D;
Cubes, Spheres, Pyramids, Torus'

http://thegreenhouseprojects.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/GUID-D70C18F6-1BA9-4ACB-8B50-39033A8E3417-low.png

http://www.webreference.com/3d/cararra/images/fig1_12.jpg


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9yEm3sr4UkX8PCjsFAK-re66M2i2eRK9ROw1vNVkGSYpPQ9S26-huPLaxmod6sRE7WGMiFe5FlgUo1Qfjlt6nP2lO-S4P_Pp4SkJaGuldsJx6WQuwobzIYxq0ldRbNOiYaDabjoWIhLC/s1600/train10.jpg

Box Modeling
A 3D modeling technique using a primitive shape such as a cube and using a subdivide tool and a extrude tool to generate a rough draft to sculpt out the final project
Subdivision works by dividing up areas on the block and moving them accordingly to what they want.
Extrusion modeling. In this method, the user creates a 2d shape which traces the outline of an object from a photograph or a drawing. The user then uses a second image of the subject from a different angle and extrudes the 2d shape into 3d, again following the shape’s outline.

Subdivision

http://southerngfx.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/3box.png

Extrusion

http://learningtonormalmap.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screenshot019.jpg

3D Scanning
A 3D scanner scans a real-world object or Environment to collect data on its shape and colour
 the scanner is used to create a point cloud of geometric samples on the surface of the subject. These points can then be used to extrapolate the shape of the subject (a process called reconstruction). If color information is collected at each point, then the colors on the surface of the subject can also be determined.

HA4 Task 3 - Geometric Theory

What are the fundamental principles behind the creation of virtual 3D space? Describe and explain 3D geometry.

How 3D Geometry works

3D geometry is similar to 2D geometry with the addition of a third axis in order to give volume and depth to shapes.

http://www.cadalyst.com/files/cadalyst/nodes/2006/8975/0806circles3.jpg

Geometry and Polygons
The most basic object in mesh modeling is a vertex. A vertex is a point in a 3D space. When two vertices connect with a line it becomes an edge. Three vertices connected by three edges becomes a triangle this is the simplest polygon to make. More complex polygons can be created by adding more points to a shape, creating squares, pentagons and such.

http://www.gvu.gatech.edu/people/official/jarek/edgebreaker/CLERS.jpg

Primitives

Primitives are basic shapes which can be used and put together with points to create a polygon object, such as the rabbit above using the triangle planar alone

http://wiki.blender.org/uploads/thumb/f/f1/Mesh-primitives.png/610px-Mesh-primitives.png

HA4 Task 2 - Displaying 3D Polygon Animations

How are 3D models displayed? Describe and explain what an API and a Graphics pipeline are.

API

API, an abbreviation of application program interface, is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the building blocks. A programmer then puts the blocks together.

Graphics Pipeline
In 3D computer graphics, the terms graphics pipeline or rendering pipeline most commonly refer to the way in which the 3D mathematical information contained within the objects and scenes are converted into images and video. The graphics pipeline typically accepts some representation of a three-dimensional primitive as input and results in a 2D raster image as output. OpenGL and Direct3D are two notable 3d graphic standards, both describing very similar graphic pipelines.
Example of a Custom Graphics Pipeline
Created With C++

HA4 Task 1 - Applications of 3D

How is 3D used by the interactive media and computer games industries?

Include and comment on examples of work produced using the 3D modelling across a range of industries:

games, TV, film, education, web, medicine, mathematics, engineering, architecture, product design etc.

 Application of 3D

3D in Games;

3D in Games was originally brought in by ‘Monster Maze’ on the ZX81, it was the first 3D game created which led on to what we have today.
'D Monster Maze is a computer game developed from an idea by J.K.Greye and programmed by Malcolm Evans in 1981 for theSinclair ZX81 platform with the 16 KB memory expansion. The game was initially released by J. K. Greye Software in early 1982and re-released later the same year by Evans' own startup, New Generation Software. Rendered using low-resolution character block "graphics", it was one of the first 3D games for a home computer.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Monster_Maze

My first 3D Based Game

Spyro on the Playstation One, created by Insomniac Games, who are now the creators of the Ratchet and Clank franchise.
The game received highly positive reviews and it's now available on the Playstation store





Current 3D Games

With the Current Engines being produced for consoles and Pc's, with companies on the rise with gaming PC's such as Nvidia or Razer, 3D games are becoming more possible to run and also has more time dedicated into making the 3D realism more possible and faster running, with games such as Guild Wars and Batman Storming in hyper realism.


3D in other areas

Things such as 3D animation and 3D monitors or alternatively 3D Movies now take the world by storm as they're more immersive to experience.

3D Animation
3D Animation can fall under movies such as Disney Pixar Movies like Toy Story which was instantly popular once it was created as it was uncommon to see.


3D Monitor
The 3DS, making benefit of Auto stereoscopic screen, using 2 screens viewing two different images to both eyes, giving a 3d usage which sky rocketed in sales at the technology produced.

3D Movies
Derived from stereoscopic photography, a regular motion picture camera system is used to record the images as seen from two perspectives and special projection hardware and/or eyewear are used to provide the illusion of depth when viewing the film.