Mushroom

I tried to make a mushroom using Zbrush and the results were mixed. I used the tools that I was most familiar with. I have the basic shape but there are some real problems with this model.

It looks as though it could be a tree, and I have the whole "melted look" problem that I also had with the log. However, it is almost recognisable as a mushroom.

Here is a view of the underside, you can see the alpha i used to try to make the frills on the underside of a mushroom top.

Zbrush Log

This is a log I attempted to model in Zbrush. I started out with a cylinder, then subdivided. I then tried to begin to build up layers of "bark" on the outside of the log with the clay brush. For the concentric rings of the log, I used the circular alpha to make the shapes on the top of the log. I think that the rings and the basic shape are ok, however the bark looks more like melted wax on a candle than actual tree bark. I didn't know how to improve it so this is the final design.

I did a small addition to the log by adding some colour for it to apply to the brief work.

Water Canteen Step by Step

Here I will try to give a step by step of how I made my water canteen object:

I started with the basic sphere tool.

I then subdivided it twice to make it smoother

I then squashed it to give it a more accurate shape and cut off the top and bottom, I followed this up with masking off sections that I would then inflate.

Which gave me this shape, I now needed to add a lid for the bottle.

I now appended a cylinder, subdivided it and scaled it to the correct size.

I then moved it to the correct position and ended up with this object, my completed water canteen, ready for texturing and colouring.

Badking Grenade Tutorial attempt

This was the first stage of making a grenade, I began with creating a sphere, and then used the move tool to make it into an egg shape.

I then masked off sections to make the "pineapple" effect grenades have to maximize shrapnel on exploding.

I followed this by masking off the bottom section and manipulating the top of the grenade to give the "stem" a better shape, I then smoothed that section to make it look better.

Now, I have started to create the fuse assembly at the top of the grenade, to do this, I began with a cube, manipulated its shape, positioned it to the correct point of the grenade then began to "clip" away unnecessary areas, I ended up with this model.

I then copied the first part of the assembly and began to make the trigger part of the grenade, I used the same shape as the original assembly so that later on it would be easier to line up. I then made the handle part tapered by using mirror tool and shrinking a section of the assembly. I then began to mask off sections that would be kept on the grenade assembly in order to get to the next stage.

I am now at this stage of the model, and the grenade is beginning to take shape. I like the way the assembly has taken shape, and it almost looks like the finished product now.

My chosen genre

For our brief we have been tasked to come up with a genre in which to make objects for a potential game. Inspired by watching the movie Castaway and TV shows such as Man, Woman, Wild, Born Survivor and Ray Mears' Extreme survival I had had the idea of a "wilderness survival" game, but I think the objects may be a little difficult to create and more than a little above my abilities. I mind mapped some potential items for this scenario and decided that the following three may be suitable for inclusion.

• Hunting Knife
• Log
• Water Canteen
• Axe or Hatchet
• Tent
• Mushroom
• Mosquito
• Wolf
• Campfire
• Fishing Rod
• Flint and tinder box
• Rations (sack of rice)

Given my terrible skill at using the program, a lot of this list is just way above my ability to produce, I would really like to do the Wolf, but with limited time, and my low level ability I don't think this will be possible.

My final list of three objects, due to my low ability, I think should be, Water Canteen, Axe or Knife and Log. This is because these objects are probably easier to sculpt initially due to the fact that they can probably be made with a few basic shapes.  

Frustrating start

So far my endeavors with 3d have been stressful and troublesome, particularly with Zbrush. I just can't seem to get the knack of using the program. This blog will detail how I made progress (or not!) with making 3 potential assets.