gorjuss1-blog1

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Week 8 - Unreal Engine & Triggers

I missed Fridays class, a workshop that introduced us to Unreal Engine. However i spoke with both of my teammates to see what i had missed. I had no prior knowledge about this program, so they were able to give me a basic idea, and some websites to research. As most of the big jobs in texturing are done  i thought i would introduce myself to the program.

When i first opened the program with Josh in class i noticed that it looked and played like a third game using the WASD controls that i was familiar with. there was a set up on the screen with gnome looking NPC’s that would attack your character if you went close to them. There were also stairs with a raised platform in the scene. This was apparently the same demo scene that was used in the class i had missed.

I was then shown the features that the program used, it seemed pretty straight forward, with basic instructed options and the scene was given to us by the lecture. I felt this would be relevant to our project if we wanted to animate things such as the pig, or be able to move about in the scene we had just created. Which would be a huge accomplishment for myself.  

Prior to learning about this program i had heard the term OBJ be thrown around, but i didn’t really understand until now what the format was. When Exporting out of 3DSMAX to another program such as Sketchfab (where our final piece is to be uploaded). Tom and Josh had always done OBJ and i had only recently learnt how to upload stuff to Sketchfab. However when i was researching the link Tom had given me I learnt that:

FBX is considered to be a higher quality modern 3D exchange format that retains more information while OBJ is a simple model format that is popular for 3D data exchange.

based of this information i believe that FBX is more like the HD type quality that you will get the best results from if you have the time. and OBJ isn’t as high in quality, more SD. however it will give you faster results. Also it might be possible that OBJ will run better if the computer isn’t powerful enough (slow operating system.) so each will be better for a different scenario, However. Tom told me that FBX was also better to use in animation information because OBJ focuses on static information, and animation is all about movement so it would only be logical to use FBX. 

Triggers

Both of my teammates were able to give me some pointers on where to begin my search of knowledge on triggering animations. Tom had given me some links that were on youtube, campus online and digital tutors.

Triggers are Actors that *trigger* the the event (such as a animation.) to occur once interacted with by some other object in the stage. Apparently all of the default triggers are relatively the same, just differing in shape and area of influence. 

what I understand to set up a triggered animation in Unreal you have to use trigger actors that can be in any desired shape such as a box, capsule or a sphere depending on your situation and desired outcome.

The triggers set off events that you set up inside the blueprint editor, the blueprint editor is a node based pipeline of actions designed to tell that trigger what its supposed to do when triggered. Triggering the trigger actor is usually a response to some sort of collision with an object or player through hitting or overlapping with the trigger actor you put in place.

Based on my knowledge, placing the trigger in Unreal reminds me of those *build your own level* games. So it seemed straight forward and easy to do, just drag and drop.

The triggers seemed straight forward to use, like ones used in the game Minecraft. Simple animations that where caused by player interaction.

Ben Ormstad (2014, August 6). Unreal engine 4 Tutorial — trigger and animate elevator Retrieved from

Schultz, R. (2016, October 29). Unreal engine 4 animation frames — photo frames & pictures design. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from Frame, http://frame.icapemay.com/unreal-engine-4-animation-frames/

unrealengine. (2004). Trigger actors. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from https://docs.unrealengine.com/latest/INT/Engine/Actors/Triggers/

#triggeredwithtriggers

[gorjuss1-blog1]

Rigging -Intro

This class wasn't focused on our main studio project. It was a rigging workshop.

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Week 3 - Art Bible and Changes

This week myself and my team were focused on getting our work ready for the Art bible submission. I had missed a few lessons, though my group explained everything i had missed and we had various Skype calls during this to discuss how we should approach different designs. The calls help us all feel involved in decision making and also made sure we were all clear with what was expected of us and what we all agreed looked good.

We had a drastic-change in design this week as well several great ideas for assets. However in our last half of Fridays lesson, Jon brought to our attention several flaws with our colour schemes, and overall project. he said that it would be hard to complete several asset, as was shown in the *clutter/hoarder* mood-board for the library. as if we completed it and it looked barren, it wouldn’t really look good.

That night we all went home and discussed the changes that needed to take place. We agreed with Jon’s comments but we also noticed how he was saying that the front part of the building contrasted the back. so we decided to focus those.

The front, being vibrant and colorful,

The back, being satanic and more dead.

I made the comment that we should still have a (looking through the window) feature. then Josh brought forward that we could use a skybox. Which was exactly what i had in mind.

Overall i would say everyone is still enthusiastic about the project, and dedicated to start modeling straight away so we can get to texturing as soon as possible.          

#sae #qantm #trail&Error #witchescoven

[gorjuss1-blog1]

Week 2 -Project Progress

I was not able to attend this lecture because I had an orthodontic appointment. However via slack and mainly Facebook. The team was able to brainstorm ideas and concepts Throughout the week. We all drew examples of what our house/coven in the Forrest would look like and we developed our story further. We have decided on a outdoor focus and also the witch being a child. This child will help the protagonist. We definitely took a turn away from the evil side. Looking at homely decorations that we could put a witchy spin on. But we were all on the same page with the design and each member actively gave their honest feedback to help improve the project. We all seem committed to the project at this stage. Trying to make it as detailed as possible.

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Week 1 - Studio 1

I am very keen to start on this studio unit, though i know there is a lot of work ahead. We started the week with an intro of what would be expected of us, and how grading would be different along with the teaching styles. This TRI would be mimicking as much as it could, what a real animation studio would work like. I was keen to hear that we would be having a variety of lectures coming in to educate us.

Breaking into groups of 3 we started to brainstorm ideas of game scenes in which we would create. One group had a Sci-Fi theme the other had an Ancient Ruins theme. My group however is doing a Witches Cabin in the forrest. Hearing feedback on not only our presented idea was a real eye opener making me both excited and terrified. Both lectures Brett and Jon made us realise how in-depth the back story to the scene had to be, not just, *doing something because it looks cool.*.

I am in a group with my Team Leader - Tom De Groot and the Co-Lead - Joshua O’Reilly. I enjoy the experience of working with different people/friends and i am happy with this team comp. Together we all brought forward ideas that were relevant and added to certain looks we were wanting to achieve. Though we were tossing between a scary (cult) look, or more stereotyped (disney) witch vibe. in the end we wanted to achieve an animation stylistic look that  would give an unsettling vibe. e.g. 

-High Triangled roofs, stick people, rotting flesh *rams heads*, green/mossy/ overgrown look. 

We have organised homework for each of us. i am currently working on a Modified mood broad, we are discussing ideas on Facebook chat, and i will start drawing up different looks and styles. by next lesson we aim to all have a solid story and all be on track to what we are expecting for the final product.

#studio #animation #witchcraft #cabin in the woods #sae #qantm

[gorjuss1-blog1]

We’re On Youtube

I’m now making my works available to view on either my Facebook page, “Scared Horse Productions,” Or SHP.

also working out the kinks on youtube.

nothing is up yet (not good at youtube) but ill keep it updated.

**** add in** https://www.facebook.com/ScaredHorse/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8zeIgYeF7hWgl3mznxwXw

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Pay attention to the dislike and like ratio, also the second photo is a re-upload of my all time favorite youtube comment. (I’m guessing the First was deleted)

watch the video here, i mean if you really wanna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvxRsDpXPGo

#jacob sartorius #cringe

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Week 6 Blog for CIU111

The lecture today was based around watching a video explaining how people and his public image came to be, and explaining on how he was “Being Famous Wrong.”

I had not heard of Phil Fish before, but apparently he is famous for FEZ, his third indie game. However that is not only what he was know for, he became more and more famous through not “being famous right” as the movie put it. he would lap up the attention and get way more credit than he deserved, he also responded back to the haters with responses like; “choke on your cock.” He became self indulgent and to put it in simple terms, people loved to hate him. Honestly i can think of a variety of public figures that become more popular through the public venting their frustrations. Such as; Jacob Sartorius, known for his cringe “Sweatshirt” single, an example of mum and dad having to much money and buying a record deal, the dislike to like ratio on his youtube channel speaks for itself. This kind of reminds me of the Nickelback example that was brought forward in class.

After looking at these examples we where told to search in a group of 3 an article on a product that matched our discipline; Animation. We were tasked to find a positive review and a negative one. My group choose Paperman (the Pixar/Disney short), this is one of my all time favorite works and i haven't previously been able to find a bad review on it. However we did find one on reddit, in which the person enjoyed the animation but had a problem with the story line. after hearing everyone’s group responses i mad the comment, “people love to hate things.” this was kind of a turning point for me, because i realized that this whole lecture was based around the positive comments being ignored and only the juicy gossipy ones being heard, ones that match the prediction of what you would expect. Though a tad irrelevant this whole discussion reminded me of something Jerry Seinfeld said, commenting on relationships: “If you can't say anything bad about a relationship, you shouldn't say anything at all.”  

#phil fish #nickelback #cringe #jacob sartorius #being famous wrong

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Week 5 Blog for CIU111

Today we Debated on a variety of topics, and this was incredibly fun. At first it was girls verse boys in an ultimate battle of the sexes. then we had an argument were we had to prove why each of our disciplines were the best, this was between Animation, Film and Audio fortunately the games students were absent, “good thing for them.” it was very challenging to debate one side, without pointing out a strength in another field. they all need each other to work well and convey emotion. what is a film or a short animation without an audio track instructing you on how you should be interpreting the image and how you should be feeling. For me this part of the lecture was painful to watch, and though i wanted Animation to win i knew we were doomed from the start, along with Games if they were present.

After the rage died down, we swapped and interchanged into groups consisting of the different disciplines. We had to create a product that would benefit us all. my groups idea was originally a pillow that recorded your dreams, because we all believed that you had your best ideas come to your when your asleep and your at your most imaginative and creative state. But then we realized that it would have to be something that could be made now, and our idea if possible was years in the making. we then thought of endorsing LSD ( i have no idea why.) but my team seemed able to prove some valid and relevant points.

i did enjoy hearing everyone inventions, and got to meet a variety of people i wouldn't have talked to otherwise. I enjoyed this class a lot.

#debating #dream pillow #sae #qantm

[gorjuss1-blog1]

Week 4 Blog for CIU111

This week we discussed core abilities used in an interview, such as what an employer would be looking and expecting from you.

Many potential employees are caught in what they think the employer expects when ideally you should answer the questions truthfully, lying and faking an interview will only doom you later on if you do end up with the job. An advantage to honesty is that you will get a vibe pretty easily if that is even the sought of working environment you want to be in.

You must show that you are motivated for a job and are willing to be flexible and take the time to learn the necessary skill. Usually if you have already made it to the interview stage, they will believe your capable based of your resume. This is the moment when you need to show them your personality and how you would interact with customers/clients. Everyone wants someone that is easy to work with.

I have complied a list of what good attributes are in both and employee and an employer.

Aims For:

Employee: Problem solving, Passionate, Communication, Practical, Insight, Pressure, Tech, Reliability, Experience, Flexibility, Approachable and Motivated.

Employer: Professional, Approachable, Leads by example, Authority, Experience, Constructive critique, Motivator, Management, Open to ideas, Responsibility and Not a hypocrite.

These are a list of questions that my group came up with, as an employer to an employee.

Q1. How would you approach a customer/ greet?

Q2. Give me one circumstance where you've improved your working environment.

Q3. Why did you leave your last employment?

Q4. How would you deal with a difficult customer?

#interviews #sae #peopleskill

[gorjuss1-blog1]

Pogo’s channel -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn-K7GIs62ENvdQe6ZZk9-w

-Pogo was sued by Disney for copyright, but now he works with them. (Fun Fact)

#pogo

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Week 3 Blog for CIU111

This class was focused on expanding our knowledge of copyright and contracts. We already had covered the basics in the previous unit of CIU.

APRA and AMCOS were introduced to us because they proved copyright protect information that was useful for us students and starting creatives, however it is only for Australian citizens. Apparently you can receive payments if radio stations use your song, which i found quite amazing because i had no idea about such companies.

What is classified as copyright though? its a very fine line between taking something and altering it and being able to pass t off as your own work. there are mountains of examples however i wasn't informed of how big it was until after taking part in this class.

The one i was familiar with was the Facebook page giant “Soflo.” What he did was reshare popular vines however he would pass them off as his own, It seemed however unintentional at first but as Facebook crediting licenses changed it became clear that he was avoiding referencing the primary source. How Soflo videos worked was, he would find a popular meme and add in his little intro which was; “This is totally me when I'm driving.” then would cut away to the original. In this case the original producer had 5000 views on youtube, and his channel had 83% more. This is stealing outright.

However in most cases they aren't as black and white. Pogo was one of the artists i researched today and he started what seems like his own original style, he is also previously studied at SAE Perth which is amazing. He had been sued by Disney for using their sounds an film. Even though his works are completely original. The only solution i can think of is to look into help from copyright companies such as APRA and AMCOS as well as various others.

All amazing new art is built off and reworks of old, every idea is inspired from something, and that i believe is the beauty of creativity and art, it influences others. I believe as long as all references are acknowledged and aren't what can seem black and white copies, we can built off what is already there to make it better 

Solo Reaction/Explanation -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qwxYaZhUGA

#pogo #soflo #h3h3 #copyright

[gorjuss1-blog1]

Examples of titles that are Crowdfunded.

both of these are huge successes and are truly unique

#kungfury #undertale

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Week 2 Blog for CIU111

Crowdfunding

-This week we looked at how creatives can get funding on variant creative ideas. ideas such as commissions, freelancing, crowdfunding and salary.

Crowdfunding is a great way to kick start your project people can go on websites such as ‘kickstarter.com’ and can read about your idea/project, see the trailer, and what the final outcome will achieve when/if you reach your target. Why would people donate to this? What do they get out of it? Well that is the question i know i had at first. Usually when people put forward a donation they will get a reward that will vary as the donation amount is increased. For an example, if i donated an amount between $1-10 i might get a mug or a beanie compared to if i donated $150-200 i would get a larger reward such as my name in the credits or on a plaque.

This is based off my reference to this current kickstater project:

-https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/footsteps/chuck-palahniuks-lullaby?ref=category_popular

From this point, we then were instructed to think of ideas that could be used to benefit all students as well as staff on campus at SAE Qantm. We brainstormed ideas of using a mobile app that would work like a Facebook type base, where students could share their work or ask for help. Though my groups final idea was to raise money to buy the upstairs part of the building of our uni, so that we could put a cafeteria type place, we thought of a list of rewards that would be granted if you donated, larger donations involved free parking for a Tri outside the uni as well as a personal invite to the opening night party and free drinks.

We also learnt that if you don't follow through on those sites you can get sued and your name will be marked forever, this means that you likely not be employed in the industry and it will be near impossible to receive any sort of funding.

This lesson was very informative and helped me understand how i could start a project and get a foot in the door of the creative industry. Before i would have been clueless as to where i should start.

#crowdfunding #SAE #sae qantm #kickstarter #lullaby #kungfury

[gorjuss1-blog1]

Week 1 Blog for CIU111

I was actually absent from the first weeks class, but this week we are reflecting on what we want to achieve in the industry, and what we have learnt so far.

Since this is my second Tri as an animation student the final weeks of the last Tri were very hard for me, all of the work i have presented so far i am happy with and i have given it my best effort however I’ve learnt that as i continue in my course i will have to be even more efficient with my time.

This Tri i can tell will probably bring me many tears and crushed emotions when 3ds Max will yet again fail me XD. but I’m excited to embark on new projects, we are getting introduced to flash and 2D animation is my favorite style, we are also constructing characters on 3ds max, which I’ve always been interested to learn. The characters I and many of my other fellow classmates that were in Edi Udo’s drawing class are using their characters in the flash project. I’ve also been introduced to the timeline of animation this week. honestly I’m surprised at how wrong i was about how late things where made.

this week has inspired me to try my best :) lets hope i can keep that energy throughout this year if not only for the duration of 2nd tri.

#sae qantm #3dsmax #flash #ediudo

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As you can see from the fabulous work of John Kahrs, paperman managed to retain its very hand drawn look, even once animated

Sourced from-  Disney. (2016). Walt Disney animation studios. Retrieved March 25, 2016, from http://www.disneyanimation.com/projects/paperman

#paperman #john kahrs

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Gouraud Shading- The first picture is a curved surface rendered using flat shaded polygons, the other is Gouraud shaded. It is quite clearly smoother and more attractive and well worth spending the time to code.

Anti-Allasing- the second image is more appealing because it looks a lot more realistic.

#rendering #gouraud shading #anti-aliasing