Year 2 Week 30 Alice Post Mortem

Finally its all over!

Project : Off The Map

Project Contribution: VFX/Mushroom area/Engine/lighting/rigging/modeling

Summary

For this project I ended up in charge of all the VFX. I was also in charge of doing the wonderland mushroom area.

 I unfortunately wasn’t here when the group allocated areas of the map for everyone so I had to take some areas from other team members. This project really tested my team skills and the ability to work in areas I wasn’t comfortable in.

 I did really enjoy designing and modelling my area I took from Dom which kept me interested in the project. I also found this project the most challenging as during this time I had many life events going on at the same time such as getting a new job and join sports teams. This meant I had to learn to balance my time effectively.

I also found myself not having much to do every now and then so I would as to take some work of other team member’s hands including modelling and rigging the cat.

Assets contributed towards;

-1 Cat-Rigged and modeled

-5 Trees-modeled and textured.

-3 Tree parts-modeled and textured

-2 tree animated. (falling, Swing)

-4 types of Rocks- modeled

-2 flowers-modeled and textured.

-8 Mushrooms modeled and textured

-7 Particle systems including changeable colors etc.

-2 Blue printed mushrooms to jump on.

-1 Scone light Modeled and textured

-5 Playing cards modeled, textured and animated.

Things that didn’t make it;

-Outline shadier using post processing (see image below.)

-2 Mushrooms modeled

-1 Spooky eyes particle system. (See below)

-The cat is fully rigged we just didn't have the time to put into engine.

-Blue print where a line tracer is fired from the character to the camera and anything in its way will become transparent.

-Blueprint that makes the camera sway a little to make game play smoother (see above)

Concepts:

Modelling: 

Texturing/Engine:

Beauty Screenshots (Without wires/Engine):

Unwraps (Render texture of unwrap/Evidence of UV packing efficiency):

Our art style is very simple and therefore we didn't need to unwrap anything. The only thing I unwrapped was the playing cards

Conclusion:

In conclusion I wouldn't say this was my favorite project although it has thought me allot of new skills sets within Unreal and working in a group. This project has been pretty fun to do as the art style was unique style. After completing this project I can happily say that I specialize in VFX. The main problem I had with this project is that there was a lack of modelling and texture skill required so there for I could practise and improve in my skills with that area. Throughout the project I have done my best to take on other peoples work because I was unfortunately assigned nothing to do at the start of the project. So everything I have done has been done because I said “let me do that” I think this was a large floor in my work flow as this meant me sitting around not really knowing what to do, or if I can do anything. This was all down to poor communication. I feel as though I have contributed more than a few of my team members and I am happy with the amount of work added by me. Well… there is always room for improvement and therefore like I say in every project conclusion I think that if I had more time this game could actually be really good.

Due to the art style again this means I didn't get to use programs such as Zbrush and there was no need for PBR. I think that if I were to be marked down for this then it would be very unfair. Same with my unwraps.

I was miss understood at the start of this project as I stated that I can’t come into labs every day due to personal events. This was taken by my group and tutors that I was using my time for unproductive events such as “getting pissed” this was not the case however as near the start I had some personal family issues to resolve and I also just started my new job as my financial state was at a critical state. I get that Uni should come first but for my Family and staying alive is more important. So I apologies for any inconvenience and wish to excuse my absence.

A follow up from this is after everything settled down I made sure to post as many times as possible to my group when and where I will be in for meetings. I made it clear that I wanted to contribute to the team and wanted events like meeting and catch up sessions. Evidence can be seen of this in my screen shots folder> Facebook.

For my next project I will make it a priority that I am assigned plenty of jobs for myself that way I’ll have plenty to do and lots to learn.