Project: Aquarium (description)

[DjVoyager]

Download sep08_aqua.zip, which is attached with this post.
It contains two files.
- sep08_aqua.ma is for Maya users.
- sep08_aqua.obj is for other 3D application users.

Project:
-Create a composition that fits the theme "Aquarium." Fill the tank with whatever creature, real or mythical, and objects your imagination can conjure.

-Still images are good though animation is a plus.

-Render the final image through any one of the two scene cameras' view.

Rules
You can add to the scene, include increasing the geometry, but you cannot delete or move any existing objects or cameras.

- Maya users will find all objects including the cameras locked, so there is no issue of accidentally moving something.

- Non-Maya users ; I've set up a dummy cameras for you to replace with your application's 3D cameras. Set up the render resolution size to be 720x486. Let me know if you are having any difficulty with the file.

Duration
August 25th to September 30th.

Application
Any covered by Digital Tutors. However, you can use a freeware 3D application like Blender as well.

Requirements
1. Create a thread under the September 2008 forum with the title of your project, and post your progress at least three times during the month.

2. Specify your user level with the application of choice.

3. Your final entry should be rendered through the provided scene's camera resolution, 720x486.

4. DT provides unlimited amount of gallery space to members so please upload your final entry in any of the DT galleries. You may also upload the entry on your website or a photo sharing site but the link should be on DT under your project's thread.

* Any entry uploaded as an attachment will be uploaded to MonthlyProjects_Gallery account, which will devoid the creator of that work of any comments or suggestions. In other words, it's not a good thing.


Poll
A poll will be posted on October 1st that is going to include all entries where members can vote for their favorite work.

The winner of the poll will be announced in the following Digital-Tutors Newsletter, to which you can subscribe to via your DT user ID options. Please check your DT Inbox after the poll closes for any important notifications.

* DT administrators and moderators can enter this project but cannot run for the DT Newsletter polls.

The scene, seen through the perspective camera. OBJ file users will have to replace the dummy camera with their application's 3D camera.
http://www.digitaltutors.com/uploads/gallery/data/500/project_aqua.jpg

Some inspirational pictures for an aquarium environment:
http://www.dougmessick.com/Images/Pictures_Images/Fish%20Tank%20Pictures/01%20-%2046-Gallon%20Fish%20Tank%20%204-13-03.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/24/37064324_3b369ae33e.jpg
http://www.bangping.net/pets/fishtank3.jpg

[DjVoyager]

Here are some interesting ways of working around the existing objects;
http://hoboken411.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/teak-fish-tank-filled.JPG
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/uploaded_images/FishTankWallDSCF5149a-732258.jpg

[metryx]

Nice, so is the view from the camera is outside the tanks, so does that mean we also can decorate outside tank? Like placing it in different environments just as long as we use the camera angles? Does the tank have to be filled, I'm thinking cracked or broken tank left outside with contents spilling out, or something like that.

[DjVoyager]

Yes, to all your questions, though the water can be simulated :)

[metryx]

Ok, two issues I'm having:
1. How do you go about creating bubbles either in the water or in the water filters?
2. What step can I take creating the gravel in the tank? Create deformed spheres and multiple, then give collision with tank so they stackup on each other. Not sure how to go about doing it.

I do remember that D.T. has the tutorial Backwater project with the fish tank, would any of that help with this?

Maybe they should dust off the Backwater bunch or revamp for newer version of Maya 2008.

[DjVoyager]

Ok, two issues I'm having:
1. How do you go about creating bubbles either in the water or in the water filters?

The trick here is using caustics. That means that you don't actually have to fill up the tank with fluids or particles etc. but rather give a feeling that water is there. Model bubbles and position them in such a way that they look like rising from air pumps or filters. If it's an animation then you can still have these bubbles cycle on a curve. The surface of the water can be shown by just one plane with the water shader on it.



2. What step can I take creating the gravel in the tank? Create deformed spheres and multiple, then give collision with tank so they stackup on each other. Not sure how to go about doing it.

Remember that in real aquarium or fish tank the gravel just sits there. Just like the bubbles you can model and position the gravel in the tank. If you are creating an animation where an object collides with the gravel then apply softbodies to that specific area of gravel for movement and bounce etc.




I do remember that D.T. has the tutorial Backwater project with the fish tank, would any of that help with this?

Maybe they should dust off the Backwater bunch or revamp for newer version of Maya 2008.

Yes, DT's Backwater modeling kit is a great resource for creating such a project. It teaches modeling a castle and a filter among other things.

Hope this helps :)

[fubar1124@hotmail.com]

so dj...im seeing a lack of animations in these monthy projects if i were to make an animation would that be judged differently like 2 catagories or among everyone just to clear things up :)

[DjVoyager]

Animation is always a plus because most people are more intrigued by motion than a still, so I highly encourage it. Though there is one poll for all the entries because we only have one spot in the DT Newsletter for Monthly Projects :)

[metryx]

I was wondering the same thing about the animation. I was going to try and add some to the Corner, but since I modeled and textured everything took more time than I thought.

Now with the Aquarium, I will use animation. I decided to do less modeling, I found several models on the Net to add to my scene so I can just focus on the water, bubbles, motion, etc. what ever I can come up with that is do able.

[shamoii]

Description says "Render the final image through any one of the two scene cameras' view."
Does this mean if using animation we can't switch between cameras? Can't use both?

Also can we move the lid? Pleeeease.

[DjVoyager]

If it's an animation then yes, you can :)

[brandeil]

This should be interesting.