LO 2: Plan and manage the development of 3D models to meet requirements of a brief
In this unit I have been asked to create a 3D model of either a traction engine or a police officer. The models must be inspired by the following themes:
- Steampunk inspired
- Victorian era inspired
- A dystopian setting
- Intimidation
To get myself familiar with the specifications of my task I decided to first research into the Victorian era and the steampunk genre.
Victorian era
The Victorian era is known as one of the most significant periods in UK history due to its ingenuity, social change and the industrial revolution. The name of the era itself comes from the monarch of the time Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901. During her reign the United Kingdom was a dominating presence felt across the globe called the British empire, and at its peak controlled over a quarter of the world through colonies and trade.
The might and success of the British empire created a time of prosperity that helped fund the industrial revolution. In 18th century the industrial revolution began as a result of changing times and the agrarian industry becoming more urban and more industrialized. One of the great invention that was the foundation of the revolution was the steam engine. These engines were powered by coal and stream, creating energy and movement. This ment the production of items could be made on a much larger scale in factories. While railroads connected Great Britain increasing the movement of food, material and trade. The days of limited man and horse power were gone replaced by the speed and efficacy of the steam engine.
However just like any other time in history the Victorian era had it downsides including:
- Cover crowded cities & living conditions
- Unwanted colonisation
- Dangerous working conditions & injuries
- Child labor
- Water and air pollution
- income inequality.
Steampunk genre
The steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that is based on retro futuristic technology with the aesthetics of the 19th century, as well as the industrial revolution. Steampunk world’s usually take place in an alternate reality where technological advances have been made using steam engines are the main source of power, no electricity. Steampunk themes include engineering, the spirit of ingenuity, machinery, steam and Victorian fashion.
“Steampunk is a genre that imagines how different the past might have been had the future come earlier.”
Where can steampunk be seen today?
This genre can still be still be seen around today through different mediums that include Graphic novels, Film and TV, fashion and video games. Below are a few examples from each medium:
- Books & Graphic novels: Steam by Drew Ford & Steampunk: Manimatron by Joe Kelly
- Films: Mortal Engines, Wild Wild West, Castle in The Sky.
- Fashion: through cosplay inspired by films and videogames.
- Video games: BioShock Infinite, Dishonored, The Order 1886
April 2021: Choices and inspirations
Truth machine/traction engine & why?
The model I have decided to make is the truth machine/ traction engine as during this course I have gained the most experience in making hard surface models. Models I’ve made include a cart, a TV, a victorian lamp etc. With the traction engine I want explore how to make a stylised machine based model and experiment with what can be used to make machinery look intimidating.
Moodboard response
Based on my research and the modeling criteria I have made this mood board based on what has inspired me so far. When making it I have decided to focus on four main areas, the structure of the traction engine, the machinery and working pieces within steampunk, causing intimidation and the colour use of colours throughout. My goal is to use these themes to create a militarised traction engine a dystopian British empire would use to control people. Where the mere sight of it would intimidate people.
Production schedule
| Week 1 | Research steampunk and Victorian themes |
| Week 2 | Create Moodboard response |
| Week 3 | Sketch & design traction engine |
| Week 4 | Start low Poly model |
| Week 5 | Finish low poly traction engine |
| Week 6 | Texture low poly traction engine |
| Week 7 | Start high poly model |
| Week 8 | Finish high poly model & texture |
| Week 9 | Texture high model |
| Week 10 | Render tra tion engine, evaluate work and upload work to Sketchfab |
Traction engine design
I found the concept of building something this complex in Maya quite daunting so before I started building the traction engine I decided to break it down into shapes that can be found in maya using a rough sketch I made. And from there I used the sketch as a guide when I started modelling the basic shapes in Maya.
The redesign
Now that I felt more familiar with the shape and structure of the traction engine I started looking into the redesign. Here I split my thought process into two parts, what the brief suggests and what I’d like to add:
Steampunk version
When creating my final design I
Adisa Walker VFX 