Blog Post #1: DFX 452 Project Proposal 02/02/2024

 Hello all, I am Stefan Urbanek, a senior undergraduate at Northern Kentucky University. This blog is for documentation purposes of my semester-long project for the DFX (3D-Digital Design & VFX) 452 course I am taking - Advanced Portfolio Production. I am happy to say I will be providing consistent updates on this journey, beginning with this first post. 

 

DFX 452 Project Proposal

- Stefan Urbanek -

Problem Statement

How can I utilize my knowledge in digital design to create high-quality 3D-models & materials of fully rendered fantasy weaponry?

 

DFX 452 Deliverables

  • Three high-quality 3D-models of fantasy weaponry (Zweihänder, rapier, shield) modeled in Zbrush, Maya, or Blender.
  • Full custom materials through Adobe Substance 3D Painter & Designer.
  • Camera-based final product & VFX/workflow breakdown demo reel rendered in Blender Cycles Renderer or Unreal Engine 5 (Both support AMD GPUs, unlike Arnold).
  • Dedicated showcase website page on my personal portfolio. Detailed workflow process through portfolio & blog website.

Project Timeline

Week Number / Dates Task to be completed
01/08 - Week 1 Brainstorm DFX 452 Project.
01/15 - Week 2 Complete DFX 452 Quiz A1 - Project Proposal.
01/22 - Week 3 (Lab) Create DFX 452 Blog and begin designing basis of weapon models (2D Diagram), brainstorm (moodboards).
01/29 - Week 4 (Lab)
 Prepare for DFX 452 critiques through presentation #1, complete required coursework. Compile blog post #1 (INCLUDE HYPERLINK).
02/05 - Week 5 (Critique G1 (Includes myself), G2) Blog Check Sculpt/Model basis of weapons in choice of Zbrush, Maya or Blender.
02/12 - Week 6 (Lab) Refine base models of weaponry.
02/19 - Week 7 (Lab) Halfway point - beginning of retopology & unwrap (if applicable), design materials in 3D Substance Painter & Designer.
02/26 - Week 8 (Critique, G3, G4) Blog Check Prepare for next critique presentation (I am in G1) down the line. Compile blog post #2 (No File Submission).
03/04 - Week 9 (Spring break - no classes all week) Spring Break.
03/11 - Week 10 (Lab) Refine materials, textures, and shaders within chosen rendering programs.
03/18 - Week 11 (Critique G1 (Includes myself), G2) Finalize 2nd critique presentation (I am in G1). Begin rigging scene, lighting, shaders for camerawork in demo reel (Blender or Unreal Engine 5).
03/25 - Week 12 (Deliverables Check, Blog Check) Lab Compile blog post #3 (No File Submission), include deliverables check.
04/01 - Week 13 (Lab) Continue to finalize scene, lighting, shaders for materials and weaponry in Blender or Unreal Engine 5.
04/08 - Week 14 (Critique G3, G4) - Individual Progress, Final Product & Deliverables. Mid-Semester Reel (Rough Draft) Due, complete said mid-semester reel. Begin finalized rendering and editing of reel.
04/15 - Week 15 (Lab) Finish editing of demo reel, begin maintaining final blog, portfolio website pages.
04/22 - Week 16 (Final Check in | All students) Final class - submit blog post #4 (No File Submission).
04/29 - Week 17 (Finals Week) Final Due 4/29 by 8:00 AM. Complete Final - Portfolio site & Demo Reel.

 

DFX 452 Potential Project Outcomes

  • An enhanced understanding of my 3D-model and material workflow to prepare me for my career outside of college.
  • Goals: To have a high-quality demo reel of the fully furnished, high-quality weapon assets complete with a workflow breakdown and moving camerawork. An enhanced understanding of Unreal Engine, Substance, and Blender.
  • This project will impact my education as a designer as it bolsters my portfolio and enhances my work so I may obtain a comfortable and challenging job in my career to boost my progress in the field. It will also improve my education as a digital designer as I am challenging myself again, with 3D-model workflows, as I had done with DFX 352. This project incorporates more detailed workflows through multiple materials and a full, camera-based demo reel.
  • Impressive works to showcase on my portfolio and professional social media accounts (LinkedIn, Instagram, Adobe Behance, ArtStation) and connect with industry professionals in alignment with the DFX 420 course. 

 

Next Steps 

Over this weekend, a side blog post will be uploaded that details the moodboards and 2D Diagrams of the weapon models. Three more main blog posts will be posted later through the semester, in addition to side blog posts as well. Please stay tuned, and thank you for reading.

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