Steampunk Myths and Legends Entry: James Catterson

[xtremepenguin]

Hi Everyone,

I Don't think i have properly entered a cgtalk challenge before so I'm looking forward to getting started and seeing other people's work progress.

My basic concept right now is of a huge steam punk metropolis. Im still not sure how to show it tough, this is my first small concept sketch:

[xtremepenguin]

whoops, can a mod delete please :cool:

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227037393_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227037393_large.jpg)

My first sketch of my entry, not sure about the office part

Im not sure if the perspective is going to work, or if the office will detract from the city. I think sorting out the composition might be a bit tricky, so any advice and crits are really appreciated!

[xtremepenguin]

Ok so I have fleshed out the concept a bit more in my head. I forgot to write in my first post that this is going to be a steam punk take on the myth of Atlantis.

I'm going to focus on the 'Military threat' element of the myth, of a civilization that had conquered areas of Europe and Africa, and was enslaving the population in these areas.

The story goes that Athens led an alliance against Atlantis which led to a failed invasion of Athens by Atlantis. Shortly after this, Atlantis sunk into the sea. My entry is going to be before this ill fated invasion, showing Atlantis in all its glory, preparing for a big military operation.

Im still not sure about the view from the office idea, I did want to try and introduce some propaganda into the office, to show the non military efforts that Atlantis was going to, to get support for the invasion. Plus the office could be a chance to have a few Steam punk ish items around.

Going to do a larger sketch today to try and explore some more ideas.

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227542399_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227542399_large.jpg)

I have changed the camera angle and the location of the character. This time to a nearby roof top, looking down on a zeppelin being loaded with supplies.

The angle is inspired by some of the mirrors edge concept art, which is fantastic.

Composition is not my strong point so any critiques or feedback on that or anything else is greatly appreciated.

[keraj37]

hi man, good luck with it, we have similar concepts - Ill have eye on your progress

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227631993_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227631993_large.jpg)

This is my wip of the train that will be on a viaduct that has snaked though the city.

Not sure how much detail i am going to put on because of its distance from the camera. The character on the roof top is likely to now be leaning over the edge, like a spy. Maybe wearing stuff similar to 'Garrett' in the Thief Games

Any comments are much appreciated.

[chayground]

I look forward to seeing your zeppelin, and good idea on having your character facing into the camera, I have no idea how I am going to show the main character in my entry!

I like the way you have done a pre-vis of how you want the image, I'm going to try and do that to make it easier to see what I need to focus on.

Look forward to seeing your progress.

[daWinky]

Hi James,

oh, another Atlantis theme! Interesting idea to show Atlantis in all it's power and glory and I already like your preview! The first sketch was also good, but I guess this will be a lot more to model and maybe all the details are lost - so the changed concept is a good choice for me! Good start with the modeling, looking forward to see an update.

Have a nice day!:)

-sabrina

[xtremepenguin]

keraj37 - Thanks for stopping by! Good luck to you to

Chaymation - Thanks for commenting, doing a small bit of pre viz has certainly helped me out in figuring out exactly what to do. I cant wait to start the zeppelin, its gonna be the best part to do i reckon.

daWinky - Thanks for the feedback, i think my original would have been far too much to do and would have been a very busy image. Im gonna have to work flat out with my current image as it is, having a big interiror as well would have been mammoth!

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227720145_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227720145_large.jpg)

Moved on from the train for now to start some of the buildings. Will most likely go back to the train at a later date to add details etc.

This is the start of one of the buildings that will be visible on the ground. It will be a grand guildhall with extra steam punkyness added to it.

Im planning on starting as many assets as possible over the next week. So i can get a better idea of how long i'm going to need to finish this and how much detail each part will end up needing.

[warpv]

Hey James, love the second concept! I think the angle you have with the character looking down is very height enducing and dizzying! Good stuff! And yeah, Mirror's Edge is an awesome game! :)

The train is looking good. I'm no train expert, but maybe that round cylinder part up front (see my expertness! ;)) should be a bit bigger, no?

I'm also very much looking forward to seeing the zeppelin develop, should be really could to make indeed!

Best of luck with the challenge!

[daWinky]

Im planning on starting as many assets as possible over the next week. So i can get a better idea of how long i'm going to need to finish this and how much detail each part will end up needing.
Yes, thats a very good approach, this way you're also able to make quick changes where needed ...
The start of the building looks good, clean modeling and already enough details to get a good impression of the style!:thumbsup:

-sabrina

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227802619_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227802619_large.jpg)

Further progress on the Guildhall building. Hopefully will be close to finishing this building tomorrow.

[xtremepenguin]

daWinky - Thanks for the comments! :thumbsup:

warpv - Thanks for the feedback, ill have another look at my train reference to see about that.

Do you guys think the composition of the concept image works?

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227876701_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227876701_large.jpg)

Further Progress!

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227888704_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1227888704_large.jpg)

Added some cogs and a symbol which i think i might use as the symbol of Atlantis. Something a bit Totalitarianism about it. Although hopefully its an original symbol and not something i have remembered from somewhere.

Will hopefully help add to the back story of this the image

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1228242624_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1228242624_large.jpg)

Started a second building. This is a large Brick built warehouse structure that the zeppelin will be on top of.

On the roof will be some elaborate scaffolding and then the zeppelin with ropes coming off of it holding it down.

This building should be a good contrast to the Guildhall, as it will be orange brick, dirty and fairly run down looking.

[daWinky]

Hi James,

good progress with your buildings here:thumbsup: , looking forward to see them textured!On the roof will be some elaborate scaffolding and then the zeppelin with ropes coming off of it holding it down. Great idea, this will add a lot to the steampunk feeling, especially if you put some weight on the scaffolding, something with a lot of gears and similar stuff;) !


-sabrina

[warpv]

Hey James!

Yeah, nice work with the buildings, it's coming along nicely! There's only one thing that seems a little off to me, the steps in the first building look a little out of scale...taking into account the size of the building itself, those would be some pretty huge stairs to climb!! ;)

The building reminds me a lot of this building (http://photos.igougo.com/images/p112802-Rome.jpg) in Rome, Italy. Maybe check out some pictures and try a couple of differente designs for the stairs, instead of a "straight down" look would help!

Keep us updated!

[xtremepenguin]

warpv

Good point about the steps, ill do some tweaking! Thanks for the feedback about the style of stairs, seeing as they are seen from above, i should try and make them more interesting!

daWinky

thanks for the support!

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1228757829_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1228757829_large.jpg)

Started to add to the scene, made a start on the viaduct and platform for the zeppelin.

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1228757915_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1228757915_large.jpg)

Made further Additions to the grand guildhall structure. Not quite sure about the statue thing though, its going to be a globe.

[mrpeace]

Great modeling...I love the way you have structured the buildings :thumbsup:

[warpv]

Hey James!

The building is really starting to take form! The steps are much better. What are the roofs made of? It would be cool to see some sort of vaulted glass roof structure! Something like this (http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uRbED9Q0d3U/R9HXuqhJ1qI/AAAAAAAADBw/OJ_zycPULY0/Bath+&+Paris+221.jpg) building in Paris. Just a suggestion! ;) As for the other picture, it would be cool to see more of those metal struts that support the platform for the zeppelin. Maybe make the platform a little bit higher?

When will we get to see that zeppelin?!?!?! I can't wait! Keep us posted!

[xtremepenguin]

warpv - thanks for the great feedback!The photo you linked to doesn't work for me, do you know what the building is called? Yea i was a bit annoyed the supports don't show, i might raise it and maybe make them a bit more decorative.

The zeppelin is next on my list! :thumbsup:

mrpeace - Thanks for the support!

[warpv]

It's called Le Grand Palais (Grand Palace). Try this link (http://picasaweb.google.com/kristyjackson/Paris#5175154643512710818) instead, it's the link to the page itself, not the picture. Let me know if it works! Or just do a google search on it! ;)

[xtremepenguin]

Ohh i like it. I was trying to figure out how to make the roof more interesting, great idea!

[warpv]

I thought it would work really well with the style you're going for! Let me know how it works out! :)

[xtremepenguin]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1229172915_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/22/16517/16517_1229172915_large.jpg)

Tried a different roof idea, the one on the right is the new roof. What do you guys think?

[daWinky]

Hey James!

Oh yes, I like the new roof - really good for me! I can already imagine it with some slightly tinted glass...Looking forward to see more updates, I'm eagerly waiting to discover the next steps...

-sabrina

[warpv]

Yes, definitely works for me also! I like Sabrina's idea of tinted glass, I think making it some old dirty/greenish tinted glass could give it a lot of character! Another note on proportions that I just saw...I think that the banister on the roof is too big if I compare it to the scale of the rest of the building...they would probably go over the head of someone standing on the roof. What I usually do is use a biped/skeleton or even just a plain box and put it at 1.75m and place it next to my models. Of course your scene has to be in real-world scale for that to work. Then again, maybe the banister is fine and it's just the angle playing tricks on my eyes! But check it and let me know, I'm curious! ;)

[xtremepenguin]

Yea the dark green glass would look great. I also looked into your proportions feedback, and changed those bits on the roof, thanks for that!

I have started the Zeppellin, not sure if i am happy with how it is looking right now. Still a lot more to add though. On the front bottom is a sort of bridge area, with glass, where the captain would be.


http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z204/xtremepenguins/001-3.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z204/xtremepenguins/002-3.jpg

[warpv]

Real nice design on the zeppelin! :) I love the bottom and the back especially. The bottom "transportation" part you could use some of that dark green glass again, like on the building. The front and top I'm not sure about. I like the idea of the smokestacks. Maybe try some design for the top that looks more like the smokestacks of an old steamliner (like Titanic), could look cool, I don't know. How will it be held down to the ground? Anyway, keep us updated!

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.