Animated Environments

Recommended Format & Aspect Ratio

I feel that we should present our short animated environment using an Anamorphic Format, which has the aspect ratio of 2.39:1. This format is used in cinematography for capturing a widescreen picture using a 35 mm camera. This is because I believe that using this format we can provide a cinematic experience which will make our short film more aesthetic and thus more professional.

IPMC Mining Facility Concepts

Here are a couple of Mine Facility concept designs I came up with using photo reference of oil rigs, power plants and the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. However I did acquire some inspiration from structures depicted in the first person shooter Halo 3. Andy volunteered to build a 3D model of the mining facility using Alex's concepts for reference. However Alex's concepts did not depict enough detail nor did they show a side or front view which could be used as image plane guides to help build an accurate model. Andy requested some more detailed drawings to aid him in building he model so that he had a clearer understanding of the form and structure of the mining facility. So I decided to design the mining facility firstly by coming up with shapes/ silhouettes and from there adding detail. I wanted to make sure that these structures retained elements of an oil rig and a power plant yet adding a futuristic architectural feel whilst still possessing an industrial feel. I believe I did a pretty good job of ticking all the boxes. I presented these drawings to the group the following day and it was decided that the second design to the right was the better of the two.

Sketches

Silhouettes

Concepts

Below is an example of a simple mine facility model I created in Maya to help inform Andy of the shape of the structure. This model was quick to build and there is not nearly enough detail, however I am sure this will help Andy to build a more detailed and complex model. Seeing the desired shape of the facility in 3D will provide extra information for Andy to work with. After all we do want our models to look interesting and professional. This is only an example of the sort of shape we are looking for.

Wireframe

Polygon Mesh Mode.

Occlusion Render.

Simple Texture.

Andy's 3D Model

Andy's 3D model above is a slightly simplified version of my second design on the model sheet as it was agreed that secondary side fins were not necessary and the geometry must be reduced for rendering reasons. I was very surprised by how close the model was to that of my drawing and followed the shape suggestion of my simple 3D model.

Reference & Inspiration.

Oil Rig

Power Plant

Burj Al Arab Hotel

Halo 3 Structure

IPMC Mining Vehicle Concept

This concept was an initial idea for the dump truck that will appear in our environment. I wanted to use a design that was close to existing present day mining vehicles so that it would be more believable and seem more realistic. As you can see I based it on the design of the CAT Dump Truck (see image below). I also wanted to use the same colour scheme which would reflect the colours of existing construction/ excavation vehicles. I really think it turned out well as it has a believable shape which has been taken from an existing vehicle yet it is has that futuristic essence in its design. I do feel however that the side of the dump truck looks a little flat and uninteresting, but I should not worry too much as it is a dump truck after all and its design conveys its function.

IPMC Camel SandCrawler: (Gemma)*

IPMC Mining Logo

Above are some tests of the IPMC logo that will appear on the side of the vehicles. I particularly like the tests to the bottom right within the black square. I wanted to convey the excavation process within the logo, so I chose the diamond and triangle pattern to convey a rock or a mountain. It was heavily influenced by an existing mining company logo. I am pleased how it turned out because it is simple yet the design is relevant to IPMC's mining activities.

Image Research: Construction & Mining Vehicles (Photos/ Concepts)

Below are some various images that I found when looking for vehicle designs on the internet.

Star Wars Jawa Sandcrawler

I love the design above. It has an unusual yet interesting shape. I also love the rusty and weathered finish.

Armageddon Drilling Armadillo

The image above reminded me of the dune buggy. It has an interesting shape and huge wheels which I thought I could use for my own design in order to increase surface area so that he vehicle could not sink into the sand. i also the detail of this piece. It almost informs you of how it could be made. The other reason I looked at this piece was because of its function. It is quite clearly a drilling vehicle which I though I could use as an idea for my own vehicle. After all the project centres around a mining facility.

Dune Spice Harvester

This is a spice harvester from the film Dune. I find this design interesting. It also has large wheels and covers a wide area so as not to sink into the sand. Its appearance serves its function, and this is exactly what I hope to include in my own vehicle design.

Tank

I love these tank designs. They clearly are well armoured and their shapes are clean and have hard edges. This is what I shall include in my own design. The backstory indicates that there is social unrest between the miners and the mining company so I thought it might be suitable to include heavy armour plating on to my vehicle.

Tractor

This tractor has a fantastic shape and I especially like the cockpit design and the wheels. The contrast between black and yellow is also very appealing. I may include this colour scheme which all industrial vehicles seem to posses in my own vehicle design.

Fork Lift

The design above really stood out. I really like its hard edges design and its mechanical and hydraulic design towards the front of the vehicle.

Combine Harvester

CAT Dump Truck

I want my design to look like a futuristic version of this CAT dump truck. I want the size of my dump truck design to rival the scale of the vehicle above. This design has a mining/ industrial appearance and its appearance serves its function. The reason why it is so huge is so it is able to transport rock and earth in large quantities. The huge wheels support its weight and need to have some give in order to pass over difficult uneven terrain.

CAT Digger

The design above is caught my eye. I love the tracks on this digger. I also find the detail on the arm very interesting. The colour scheme here is particularly vivid within its surroundings. I also like the logo detail. These are some of the elements I wish to include on the vehicle for our project.

Environment Map

Here is a quick map design I came up with. This design may have to be changed as it was agreed the rock in which the mine was located in the centre was too much of a cube. The rock / mountain will now be more elongated and have the appearance of a rocky peninsula surrounded by sand.

Here is my initial rough plan of the environment where the desert mine facility will be situated. The red symbols indicate potential camera setups which view the mine facility and the surrounding desert landscape from various different angles. Levels of camera altitude have not yet been set.

Environment Concepts

All of these concepts are my own designs using reference material primarily from the internet. My imagination helped to drive my ideas and turn existing designs into more futuristic concepts. The main difficulty I had was lighting and sense of scale. The idea seemed to grow and become far larger in terms of scale. I think I have achieved what I set out to do which was to create some interesting scenes which will help to form our final product. Not all of my ideas will be included by any means, but i guess one of the main things is that I enjoyed myself when painting them. I wanted to inspire my fellow team mates and spark off some new ideas. I also needed to keep in mind that some of my ideas must be build-able in a 3D program.

The concepts below depict a vertical shaft which leads to an subterranean mining geofront. These images were inspired by the previous concepts below of the aperture entrance. again I have tried to experiment with lighting. These were my latest ideas and were highly regarded among the team in terms of design and may be included in the finished product.

These are concepts for a mine entrance that was suggested by one of my team members. It was an interesting idea and I felt I had to create a concept of his vision. This piece depicts the same location lit differently during the day and by night. The aperture door is supposed to be vast and shields the mine within from the harsh sandy environment outside.

This concept depicts a IPMC Mining Depot during a sandstorm.

This concept depicts a vast elevated strip mining facility in a desert landscape.

An early concept of the desert Mining Base. This piece was heavily influenced by a photograph which can be found in the desert image research section.

These concepts were designs for the mining hangar which has been built and carved out of a rock face. This piece was influenced heavily by one of the early shots in Star Wars Return of The Jedi where Luke Skywalker enters Jubba the Hut's lair.

These concepts depict mining activities and a long gas pipeline which snakes through a Mountainous desert landscape. Here I have tried to experiment with different colours and lighting.

This concept depicts a vast desert landscape plundered by surface and strip mining activities. Substantial loading and construction projects are also apparent. I wanted to include a sandstorm to portray a harsh environment and to include some scale.

This piece depicts a desert landscape littered with numerous oil rigs and mining facilities. This piece and its lighting was considered more appropriate.

This concept was heavily influenced by a photograph. I wanted to create this piece to convey the sort of lighting we may be looking for. This piece was however considered far too dark.

This was an idea for the initial design of the mining slum/ settlement that was inhabited by mining convicts. The slum idea was scrapped however. I did enjoy creating this piece because of its interesting lighting and mood of the scene.