A professional musician using Bryce...

Harley Van Kirk is a professional musician who was the vocalist for Surgical Steel and played with bands such as Judas Priest, Queensryche, and Iron Maiden in the 80's. He has been following along with the Bryce video tutorials to create a music video for one of his songs [see below]. He's been updating me on the progress as he works through the process. This is what he told me today:

"Hi Robert! I finished one of the short videos... came out OK. It was your tutorials that helped me! I got some radio interviews due to it. Some people stumbled upon it and contacted me about my music. Robert, your tutorials are worth a lot of money to people, if they just apply themselves. I still have just a few very small edits to do but it's pretty much done! It was your tutorials that helped me realize this in Bryce 3D... great and intuitive application!!!! I'm still looking for things to go along with this album theme... It would have to deal with "Myths and Legends" of our history in the world like "Lord of the Rings" or something like that. The album is theme based -- it's one of those things like Stonehenge and the pyramids etc. that are part of our world but we haven't really figured them out... heavy concept! Hence the dark ages look."

Harley is still working on videos for this project and expressed an interest in having help with models for them.  If anybody is interested in building models relating to myths and legends (i.e. Stonehenge kind of stuff) let me know and I can put you in contact with him.  It might be cool to have one of your own creations be in a music video.

Ending 3rd Quarter

Okay, we're into the home stretch -- at least for the 3rd quarter.  Friday, April 2nd (two days from now) is the end of the 3rd quarter and all projects are due.  We're working on the second week of our "3D Room Design" and I am amazed at some of the attention to detail that students are putting into this project.  Remember, the 3D Room is worth 100 points so it is crucial that you stay focused.

When we return from Spring Break [on Monday, April 12th] we will begin a new unit -- probably Multimedia with Macromedia Flash MX 2004.  Flash [now owned by Adobe] is the industry standard for web animation.  We will be learning basic vector drawing, beginning 2D animation, interactive applications, and some basic ActionScript [programming].

Important: I will be grading all 3rd quarter projects over Spring Break and then we will be moving forward -- I will not be accepting late assignments after Friday.

Work on 3D Room

Today we have the following:

• First, work on your 3D room.  You should be well underway with this project by now.  If you are nearly finished, please continue to add detail (books, pictures, pens/pencils, clock, electrical cords, etc.).  The more detail and effort that goes into your room, the better.
• We have a Guest Speaker from Academy of Art University coming tomorrow (Tuesday).  They have courses in Art, Architecture, Fashion, Game Design, Motion Pictures, Multimedia, Music, Photography, and Web Design.  
• Finally, a brief word about "Guest Speaker Etiquette".  I am grateful when a guest speaker is willing to come all the way to Lake County to visit our school.  Although I am pretty easy-going on a regular day, I expect polite, respectful behavior when I have a guest speaker

• Keep computers off.
• Do not make random or off-topic comments.
• Do not ask random or off-topic questions.
• Be quiet when he/she is speaking or presenting material.
• Be interested -- or at least act like you are.
• Failure to follow these rules will result in a lower grade and a loss of privileges.

Complete 3D Projects

Today is your day to catch up (if you are behind). Check out the 3D Assignments and make sure they are all on your portfolio for grading. I will be grading projects this evening and will have grades available tomorrow. This week is your last chance to get late work turned in.

Your Homework: Measure your bedroom [or another room in your house] to be modeled next week. Measure length, width, and ceiling height. Measure windows and doors. Measure things like your bed, your desk, your television, your phone, etc. You might want to make some sketches of the items you will model so you can get them done accurately. Remember to include little details like power buttons, power cords, etc.

We will be spending next week getting the scene built (accurately) with as much detail as possible. If you have a digital camera, you might try taking a picture of your carpet or wallpaper or bedspread to use as a texture for your final render.

Rhino: Rubber Duck (Self-Guided Tutorial)

Today we're going to try something a little different -- you're going to work through a book tutorial to create a Rubber Duck. The Training Manuals are online (see previous post) and today you'll be using Rhino Training Manual Level 1 [pages 156-169].  Following a tutorial from a book [particularly an online book] can be difficult, so I will work through this one with you as well.

Rhino Level 1 and 2 Training Manuals

The following links open the Rhino Level 1 Training Manual and the Rhino Level 2 Training Manual.  We will be doing some projects out of these books.

LEVEL 1  /  LEVEL 2 

Rhino Project #4: Box Model a Vehicle Body

In this project we will learn about turning on "Control Points" so you can stretch a shape (like a cube or a sphere) into other shapes -- in this case, a vehicle body of some sort.  We begin by building a block -- generally large and rectangular in shape.  Then we "explode" the shape, "rebuild" it, and turn on Control Points (F10).  Finally we drag the control points to create new positions to build our new shape.

Complete Projects / Work on Portfolio

Hi Everybody! Unfortunately my illness finally got the better of me and I am home sick today. I expect my students to treat my substitutes with respect.  I don't want to hear a bad report from Ms. Pilqer.

What I would like you to do today is complete any unfinished Rhino projects, render them, and add them to your portfolio. If you would like to create additional pieces for your portfolio, please feel free. I hope to be grading projects / portfolios this weekend [hopefully the gradebook is operational again] so make sure you have everything uploaded that you would like credit for.

Rhino Project #3: Table with Carved Legs & Beveled Top

Today we are going learn a few new tools to build a decorative table with an inlaid top and carved legs. We will be beveling the edges of a block using the "SOLID > FILLET EDGE" tool. We will create the "carved legs" look by starting with a "Truncated Cone" and then creating a "Spiral Curve", adding a "Pipe", and then doing a "Boolean Difference".

Rhino Project #2: Create a Funky Coffee Table

Today we will be using the "Extrude" command to turn a line/curve into a 3D shape -- in this case, a "ribbon". Next we will "Cap" the holes to make it a "solid shape". Then we will use truncated cones to create legs for the table.

The next piece of the project is to put some items on the table -- perhaps a coffee mug, a plate, a vase, etc.

Finally, create a floor under the table and put a spotlight (or 2 or 3) on your table.

Note: If you double-click the "Examples" folder on your desktop, you should now be able to view the 3D Resources folder which has TONS of textures, bumpmaps, models, etc. Check them out.

Rhino Project #1: Vase or Goblet Using Revolve

Today we are building a 3D shape such as a goblet or vase by drawing the profile of the shape, then using the "Revolve" command to make it a 360˚ object.

Use the "Curve" tool (either "control point curve" or "sketch") to draw the shape in the "Front" or "Right" viewport -- use the red "base line" as a "floor".

1. Press ESC to get out of the "curve" menu.
2. Click on your new line.
3. Type "Revolve" in the "Command:" line.
4. Draw the "Axis" (use Shift to keep the line straight) and press Enter.
5. Type "360" at the "Revolution Angle" prompt and press Enter.
6. Press "Delete" to remove the original curve that you drew.
7. Shade the Perspective viewport and view your object from different angles.

Begin 3D Modeling: Rhino 4.0

Today we begin using a program called Rhinoceros 4.0 -- a 3d modeling program which is used in a variety of industries around the world.  Rhino is used in automotive design, marine design, jewelry design, shoe design, etc.

You can download a trial version (which is limited to 25 saves) here: http://download.rhino3d.com/rhino/4.0/eval/

Check out a gallery of designs made with Rhino here: http://gallery.rhino3d.com/Default.asp?language=&g=1