I’m working on a project involving robots! This little guy is Smokey, an Incin-a-bot that picks up and burns trash. The textures AND model are definitely work-in-progress. I’ll do final textures after the model is locked down. The next steps for me are to put the final leg and arm models in, which will add detail and improve the size of the feet and claws.

Here’s the latest render.  At this point, I optimized some of the geometry, did a complete UV map and pack, and baked the ambient occlusion and procedural wood.  I decided to use the procedural wood rather than paint a wood map because the procedural texture created the soft, clean look I was going for.  I can always paint on the baked map if I need to make any specific modifications.  This shot was rendered with only the default 3ds Max lights and no shadows.  Everything is baked in!  Ambient Occlusion + Render To Texture = Awesome.

I think it turned out pretty well, but this is still inside 3ds Max, and has not been optimized yet. I will pack the UVs, tweak the maps, and the glass is there now for reference. We may use separate models for the glass and the table, as they will have to break differently.

Ian Strandberg and I are working on a Half-Life 2 mod that will be used as game footage in an upcoming film by Devi Snively called “Death in Charge.”  We’re creating a genuine mod that will be played and captured to be used in the film. The game itself  is called “Blood Splattered Corpse Orgy,” and will be set in a bright, cheery upper middle class suburban home. Then the player kills some zombies, and all sorts of parts fly hither and thither.

Ian has mapped out the basic layout of the level already, and has some appropriate custom textures in place, and I will be doing most of the furniture-building in my role as “environmental artist.” For my first task, I’m building a coffee table (referene pictured). I’m starting tonight in 3ds Max and Photoshop, and hopefully will have something either later tonight or in the morning to show, if not a final product to insert into the game.

If you want info on the *real* coffee table, visit Stoneline Designs.

There are a lot of changes, both here on the website and in my life.  First, the website:

I added descriptions for items on the animation and game design pages, uploaded new documents (including a Neverwinter Nights module), and did some minor organizational changes.

In my life, I found out today… well, okay, yesterday since it’s 1:30am… that I’m going to be a daddy.  My wife is 6 weeks pregnant and we’re expecting our child in February.  Eeek!  It’s our first.  That reminds me that I should add that to the “About Me” page…

The pressure is on, now!  Let’s find me a job!