{"id":1823,"date":"2026-10-12T23:27:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T23:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/?page_id=1823"},"modified":"2026-10-29T00:37:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T00:37:03","slug":"reflections-animation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/reflections-animation\/","title":{"rendered":"Animation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full nolightbox section-img section-img-first\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AnimationThumb.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AnimationThumb.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AnimationThumb-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AnimationThumb-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the first semester of Animation, we started exploring the world of 3D modeling. There were two main focuses for software: Maya and ZBrush, which both work in very different ways,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maya is a modeling software, similar to Blender; it has the ability to make almost anything, from trees, temples, people, furniture, and more through the manipulation and combination of basic 3D shapes. ZBrush on the other hand, is more like manipulating clay; it has an assortment of brushes that help to develop and add details to any object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Skull and Head Models<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were the only two models that we created only in Zbrush, and were both introduced as an introduction to the software. Using a Dynamesh sphere, along with the move, clay, smooth, and other brushes, we made a Skull and a Head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In ZBrush, there are a few useful brushes that we used to create these models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Standard \u2014 Useful for basic sculpting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smooth \u2014 Smooths hard edges out, which is especially useful to correct mistakes that can&#8217;t be easily undone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Move \u2014 Moves a portion of the model to anywhere I want, though it&#8217;s generally advised to re-Dynamesh the model after using it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Masking \u2014 While it doesn&#8217;t directly affect the topology, it lets other brushes focus on a certain area to not ruin other portions of the model<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DamStandard \u2014 Incredibly useful for making visible outlines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clay and ClayBuildup \u2014 Useful for &#8220;adding&#8221; more size to your model in a smooth and harsh method respectively<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SnakeHook \u2014 Similar to the Move brush, except more extreme<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cloth \u2014 Creates a ruffled look, just make sure to turn off the RGB option or the model will obtain a rainbow-colored effect<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the Head and Skull model, I used all of these different types of brushes to create a finished piece. Both models are shown below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-4 wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"657\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"1968\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Skull-Front2.png\" alt=\"ZBrush Skull Front\" class=\"wp-image-1968\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Skull-Front2.png 657w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Skull-Front2-246x300.png 246w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Skull Front<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"917\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"1969\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Skull-Side2.png\" alt=\"ZBrush Skull Side\" class=\"wp-image-1969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Skull-Side2.png 917w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Skull-Side2-300x262.png 300w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Skull-Side2-768x670.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 917px) 100vw, 917px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Skull Side<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"634\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"1970\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Head-front.png\" alt=\"ZBrush Head Front\" class=\"wp-image-1970\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Head-front.png 634w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Head-front-238x300.png 238w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Head Front<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"1971\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Head-side.png\" alt=\"ZBrush Head Side\" class=\"wp-image-1971\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Head-side.png 842w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Head-side-300x285.png 300w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Head-side-768x730.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Head Side<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Game Model Weapon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this assignment, we started by first pulling references and placing them in Maya. Then, using basic objects, we constructed a low poly version of the weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a class=\"fancybox-img\" href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AxeColoredRender.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AxeColoredRender.jpg\" alt=\"Maya Weapon Model\" class=\"wp-image-1976\" style=\"width:205px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AxeColoredRender.jpg 800w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AxeColoredRender-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AxeColoredRender-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AxeColoredRender-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maya Weapon Model<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During this process though, I did change my weapon a little bit away from my reference and took my own creative liberties. I also had to remove a lot of detail to keep the poly count under 5000 faces, overall I&#8217;m pretty proud of how it turned out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Later, we imported our model into ZBrush to add details. Since my weapon is a stone axe, I added a rock texture throughout most. of the model, and I even added a wood texture on the handle. This wood and stone texture is actually from using ZBrush alphas \u2014 images that one can imprint into a model to change its topology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When showing my final product to my teacher, he recommended. to add a bit more detail on the face of the stone axe, as it looked a bit bare. Thus, I added a kind of pattern, which although I&#8217;m not sure if there are any stone axes with this sort of pattering, I think it fits the model quite nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below is the Maya and ZBrush version of the weapon; slide the slider to compare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"beforeAfter\">\n\t<div id=\"portrait4\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img2020before\" src=\"\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/weaponMaya.jpg\" alt=\"Maya Weapon Model\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img2020after\" src=\"\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/weaponZBrush.jpg\" alt=\"ZBrush Weapon Model\">\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Furniture Model<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a class=\"fancybox-img\" href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Maya-Start-edited.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"589\" height=\"589\" src=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Maya-Start-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Maya model of a bowl filled with pumpkins\" class=\"wp-image-2033\" style=\"width:193px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Maya-Start-edited.jpg 589w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Maya-Start-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DariusM-Maya-Start-edited-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My first Maya model<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The journey throughout the furniture assignment was probably the most fun out of all the others, excluding making the character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Near the start of the year, when we were introduced to Maya, we were tasked to make anything we wanted. I decided to make a bowl of pumpkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next assignment was to make a set of furniture with an assortment of decorative items. Luckily, I could use this bowl of pumpkins to add a &#8220;center piece&#8221; to the table I created. I also added some cups, chairs, a book, some cushions, and a teddy bear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the table, I combined two of my reference images. Notably, I used the hexagon shape from <a href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Reference2.jpg\" class=\"fancybox-img\">this reference image<\/a> and the hollow space (acting as a sort of compartment) from <a href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Reference3.webp\" class=\"fancybox-img\">this reference image<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nearing the end of the year, we revisited this model and imported into ZBrush; this time, we needed to add more details to the model. I also used this opportunity to add more objects \u2014 I added flowers, detailed cloth on some of the chairs, and handles on each cup on the table. I also added a reference on the book; try to see if you can tell what it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below is the Maya and ZBrush version of the furniture set; slide the slider to compare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"beforeAfter\">\n\t<div id=\"landscape3\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img2020before\" src=\"\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/CompareAnim.jpg\" alt=\"Maya Furniture Model\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img2020after\" src=\"\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/CompareAnim2.jpg\" alt=\"ZBrush Furniture Model\">\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though I had some prior experience in 3D modeling through Blender, I was surprised how much I&#8217;ve learned over the past few months, especially through ZBrush. It was also a great introduction to industry standards and methods, such as reducing the Poly count of certain models or using Dynamesh  to mathematically maintain topology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was also a great experience using references to create models; previously, when I was modeling on my own, I created everything from my own head, which made it difficult to make anything realistic. With references however, I can ensure that my model has proper proportions. It&#8217;s also not like I&#8217;m following the references too religiously \u2014 looking back through all my models, I made a lot of deviations from my references; in some even, such as the axe, I went in the complete opposite direction from the <a href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Reference1.jpg\" class=\"fancybox-img\">original reference<\/a> design-wise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through starting this year of 3D exploration, I am starting to realize one of my strengths. In Junior year, I noted how 2D illustration wasn&#8217;t a strength of mine, and while I have improved a lot, I had to use different, more unconventional methods of animation to make my work stand out. However, I feel as if 3D modeling is more &#8220;natural&#8221; to me; this new medium is probably my favorite out of the two, and I&#8217;m excited to make 3D animations in the future!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction For the first semester of Animation, we started exploring the world of 3D modeling. There were two main focuses&hellip; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/reflections-animation\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1823","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1823"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1823\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2099,"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1823\/revisions\/2099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freestyleacademy.rocks\/~DariusM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}