ASA 2023 STEAM EXPO

The Judges Committee has awarded this submission Excellence in 3D Modeling

PROJECT SUMMARY

Ever since I've found the perfect 3D modeling software called Blender, my quest has been to explore its different functionalities, as a pastime, but also to fulfill my dreams of learning CGI for the film-making passion that I have.

This time, I wanted to test my cumulative skills for Blender by creating a large-scale nonentity, with some extra background components, to create a fully rendered image.

WHY?

As mentioned, my main goal for the project was to test my cumulative skills for creating things on Blender. I felt that after I overcome this level, I'd finally be able to move on to properly learning how to animate on Blender, and also to create CGI. My main issue for this project was being able to assign colors and textures to the objects, and also how to create a environment where the object can be presented in, so that it didn't look as empty.

HOW?

First, I had to find a flat top and side view of a model of a ship. I visited a website that had several different ship models, and out of it, I picked the USS Arizona model, due to its significance in World War II, which is a war I personally am fascinated by.

Then, the modeling itself wasn't too big of a struggle. It did take a long time due to the many components, but I feel like I'd become an intermediate user by now.

For the textures and colors and final rendering, lots of YouTube tutorials have helped me in navigating through the difficult functions of Blender, as well as the official Blender website that explains how certain things such as camera placement works.

WHAT?

The final result for this project is a fully rendered image of a navy ship in the middle of a vast ocean, with bright daylight shining down on it. Approximately 3 to 4 weeks of work was put into the entire modeling process, and the results were good enough that I was satisfied with all the dedication I'd put into the work.

SO WHAT?

I finally figured out how to manipulate the camera, as well as how to assign several different colors to one object. I also learned how to use the Dynamic Sky application in the software, as well as the ocean modifier, for the environment.

With these new skills that have been acquired, I think I'll be able to make a short animation sequence on the software, which is another step towards creating CGI for film-making.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I used the ocean modifier for the sea, and I feel like it doesn't look too realistic as the sky above does, which I want to improve on. I also need to additionally learn how to add textures on the ship so it doesn't look so solid and flat. I'd also like to learn how to animate the ship so that it isn't static, but moving towards some point. I did watch a tutorial on YouTube about this exact task, and I realized that I'll have to learn how to use nodes as well.

A next project for Blender that I have in mind is to create a 3D zoetrope. I think it'd help me understand how animations work in a more in-depth way. I think I'll also incorporate engineering by adding movement functions to the result.

Link to the video:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Of06yfW9oBLPMmRNxxUQcMlxgVWfz-2U

REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

"1 minute Blender. “How to Render an Image (Blender Tutorial).” Www.youtube.com, 11 May 2021, youtu.be/kkwmdb9iLME. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Blender. “Cameras — Blender Manual.” Docs.blender.org, docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/render/cameras.html. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Blender for Beginners. “How to Add Color in Blender 3.0 (Colorize Beginner Tutorial).” Www.youtube.com, 31 Jan. 2022, youtu.be/2WSguIVrrKI. Accessed 19 May 2023.

“Blender Not Rendering the Camera’s View.” Blender Artists Community, 10 June 2013, blenderartists.org/t/blender-not-rendering-the-cameras-view/577474. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Blender Tuts3D. “How to Make a Objects to Float on Water in Blender 2.9 | Blender Boat Floating.” Www.youtube.com, 5 Oct. 2020, youtu.be/zNWkr85Mw40. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Blix, Petter. “USS Arizona Model Kits.” Www.building-Model-Boats.com, 2009, www.building-model-boats.com/uss-arizona-model.html. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Cg Studio. “How to Create Sky in Blender 2.8 Eevee.” Www.youtube.com, 4 Apr. 2020, youtu.be/QSkrgnQstjs. Accessed 19 May 2023.

MLT Studios. “How to Make a Ship Wake in Blender | Tutorial.” Www.youtube.com, 11 Jan. 2023, youtu.be/14SNmHvVBio. Accessed 19 May 2023.

---. “Making a Ship in Blender.” Www.youtube.com, 20 Mar. 2022, youtu.be/1uvfZlR9eyM. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Ryan King Art. “How to Use the Camera in Blender (Tutorial).” Www.youtube.com, 24 Feb. 2022, youtu.be/aY04h4ujrlY. Accessed 19 May 2023."

JUDGES FEEDBACK

Fantastic improvement on previous project and clear commitment to getting better at 3D modeling. I've been watching your skills improve over the years and this project is a testament the heights that student creators can reach with them combine passion and dedication. You are an inspiration for all of our submissions!

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