Improving the topography...

Jo Bowman took a look at how I was getting on and spotted some areas of the topography that I could improve. Some of the quadrants intersections did not flow into the next which may cause the surfaces to 'tear' when stretched.

I've shown some of the dodgy areas here highlighted in green...



I then corrected the areas to smooth out the flow of the topography.

Placing the images onto planes in 3DsMax

I then added the modified images to planes in 3DsMax. The planes sit at 90 degrees to each other and will be used as a guide to build my 3D face.

Progress so far....

Ok, I've followed the online video tutorial steps 1 to 3 and these images show some of those steps...

These are the front and side profiles of the photo's I'll be using as a reference for my 3D face model. They've been adjusted in Photoshop to conpensate for lens distortion etc using the Lens Correction function. And for any ditortion from the camera being at a slightly different height using the Horizontal and Vertical Perspective functions.
I alligned my eyes on the front view using the Straightening tool.

Once the side view was placed alongside the front, I used the Ruler tool to ensure both views were correctly alligned.



Then I've added blue lines to indicate features like cheek bones and folds in the skin.



The red lines were then added to represent the topology of the face and will serve as location indicators for the individual facets of the 3D model.

Reaction to the brief...

The face part of the brief shouldn't be too tricky as we are working with familiar software, albeit the latest 2010 version, and using online video tutorials which mean we can go at our own pace.

The group part raises other issues. I'm working with group members who I know will pull their weight which is reassuring.
The trickiest parts look set to be how to promote Essex using an animation and which parts of Essex typify the county?

We've had a group discussion and feel that maybe an animated car jouney passing famous buildings and locations could be an interesting concept.

New brief...

The brief this semester is split into two. The first being modelling our face in 3D using the 3DSmax software, and the second, a group activity where we will be liaising with a member of staff from Essex County Council to create an animation that promotes the county of Essex.

New year, new projects....

Ok, I'm in my third and final year now and the group has progressed from 3D images through to animation using the 3DsMax software.