Process :
Printer : Form 2
Software : Maya (for precision measurements)
ZBrush (for boolean operation and sculpted detail)
PreForm (printer software)
Week Ending 11/05/18…
This week while still doing work on Shipwrecked (animation changes suggested by Luis and re rendering said changes).
I started the research process for the technical aspects of my 3rd year project.
On Thu I had a my 3D scanning appt. I wanted to scan my armature from Julian Clark Studios (https://www.stopmotionshop.com). The scan however didn’t like the material and texture of the armature, so, didn’t work very well. I gave up and turned the session into an induction to 3D printing. So very happy to say that I can now use the 3D printers anytime.
I also had a very good first meeting with Laura-Beth Cowley who is doing a PHD in 3D printing for stop motion. She gave me some excellent tips on how I should use printing for my armature.
I will try printing body parts which will clip together around the armature. This however depends on my final decision.
Sunday 20th May 2018.
Decided to write this daily from now. As I do a hell of a lot of work everyday.
Last week I started designing body parts for my armature…After creating a digital version of it. Using callipers and maya I managed to get it pretty accurate. Then into Zbrush to make all the pieces into exact digital representation of the armature.
I also managed to get my first prints done so am now fully aware of the process.
Very happy with the tests as now I know I can go very accurate. It also gave me tests for all of the body parts and what I need to change to the design to maintain performance related range of motion.
Today I finished designing all the body parts for printing tomorrow.
Monday 21st May 2018
Today I went in after re-rendering for shipwrecked.
I sent a print off and will have to wait til tomorrow for it to be done.
I had to take out the hips and body pieces as they were failing the print in Preform. So have to redesign them. All appendages were accepted tho.
Redesigned Hips and body pieces.
Tuesday 22nd May 2018
Collected my body parts this morning. Happy to say they all fit exactly. knee joints may need some sanding and I need to cut off the top corners of the arms because I forgot to add a gap for the bar.
Must remember for next time…
I sent the redesigned body and hips to print.
Designed boots then built moulds in ZBrush.
Wednesday 23rd May 2018
Collected body and hip printed parts. Leaving to dry til tomorrow. I want to remove the supports with the cutters tomorrow then test the size. They look right though.
Head design next…..! tried a few but am no good at designing….need a head off someone!!!
Thursday 24th May 2018
Today I went in to pick up the moulds, 17 quid. I tested them and they were the wrong size damn it!!! Trust the most expensive ones to go wrong.
Got marks for Animation Practitioner module and got another 1st. So averaged a 1st for the year.
I also clipped supports away from yesterdays prints and tested them.
Body pieces fit but will have to cut off the bottoms. hips were completely out.
Also redesigned hips and measured them too.
Added some more details to the boots as well as I may give the failed moulds to someone who has feet that will fit it, if they want them.
Fingers crossed they will work this time round.
Friday 25th May 2018
Sent redesigned moulds and hips off to print. Gave moulds to Matt Thomas.
Took rest of day off.
Sat 26th and Sun 27th May 2018
Today worked on a stylised soldier head design to print for the puppet.
Built a head then hollowed out and boolean where it needed.
Also began work on interior support structure will try and have design ready for Tuesday. Will require a lot of careful work, checking and re-checking measurements as I don’t want to have to reprint. Gonna try and get 1st time right prints from now. Can maximise replacements that way.
Had an idea about creating a lever based rig inside the head for a gelatine face. Need to research it as would bring costs right down.
Not going to follow that up yet.
Monday 28th May 2018
Spent today on the head.
Must remember to save regularly.
When you use GoZ the autosave doesn’t work properly.
Just lost a lot of work. I had the back of the head done and was working on the front. Will have to try and repeat what I did.
Tuesday 29th May 2018
Picked up redone moulds. Very happy to see them fit perfectly….Hopefully. Bit hard when you’re flying blind with no help.
Wednesday 30th May 2018
Designed an eye mechanism today. Did a load of research into robot eyes and how those are put together and the idea of ball and socket eye with the wishbone attached is what most people do and looks like they work best. I think the best thing is to just test the design and see. Have to change the head design a bit to incorporate the mech. This is something I would work out before hand when I have designs.
Thursday 31st May 2018
Today finished the initial design for the head and created the parts to print and set up the print in Pre-Form. No doubt It will be a bit of trial and error to get the head right. cant get it done 1st time can I?
Friday 1st June 2018
Today I sent off the head prints and took the rest of the day off.
I have to wait til Mon for them.
Monday 4th June 2018
Today I picked up the prints for the head. they look fantastic and all the holes look the right size. I have some precision cutters, tweezers, a set of precision files on the way and a Dremel workstation. So will wait for them to cut my supports away. Im doing this because some of the parts are very small and I want to not break them while taking the supports off.
The eye mech looks pretty delicate but Im hoping that it will all work first time!!!!
Doubt it very much!! Ive been either really lucky or just really good so far though as Ive only had to reprint once so far.
Looking to start getting electric into the garage so I can set up tools and hardware work into there. If I can sort what I can now while Im more free it will help get things rolling there.
I also worked on a new showreel.
Tuesday 5th June 2018
Tools arrived so I clipped the head
supports off.
The ball and socket for the eyes
worked perfectly.
The eye mech was too small and
broke as I was snipping the supports.
That would require more research than I have time. I could however
get it to work given the time judging by the result (It was pretty close).
The head was too big overall so will have to watch that on the redesign.
I think I will incorporate the eyelids into the replacement faces.
The holes on the back of the head were too small and also too thin where the screws go in so that also broke.
I will incorporate the support structure into the back of the head.
The neck ball and socket worked with a piece of my bought head.
Not a bad first shot though.
Started the redesign.
Wednesday 6th June 2018
Finished the redesign and took in to print Hope it works as I have 2 days left.
Thursday 7th June 2018
Went in to pick up the prints. Probably wont have enough time to do any redesigns for any reprints because Uni will be shutting tomorrow and the screening is today.
I will go to the level 3 screening then come back and finish my reel….
Tested head parts and found that I needed to reprint the internal structure but everything else fit and worked.
Made some minor adjustments to the internal structure in the design.
Friday 8th June 2018
Last day for printing so lucky I tested last night and made the changes so I could go in early and make sure I was first on the printer.
I hung around and picked up the parts.
Then tested:
As you can see all the pieces fit and work and I am over the moon because it took me just 2 goes to get a functioning head. With a few tweaks here and there I will get it perfect and unique to me.
I need to probably send away for the replacement faces because I want them in colour preferably.
Next for me is to attach the head to the armature. Ive asked Julian if he does a double ended ball/stem. Which is what I need and I don’t have the skill to make one myself. A ball for the neck and head.
I am particularly happy today as I achieved my goal to have all the parts printed and working by today. I made it by the skin of my teeth!
The next stage is to make the puppet!!!
I have to start with the feet. I guess I should just have a go. I have really nice moulds and I have silicone.
I am rendering my showreel titles (Really high quality renders with lots of attributes so its going at 4 frames an hour!!!) at the moment to start sending to studios next week.
Mon 11th June 2018
Today I transferred this document online.
Continued to render titles for the showreel.
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