I have spent half of 2016 planning a VR Stealth game, “Espire 1: VR Operative”. Over December-Jan I created a basic prototype of the game and have now announced the project with a prototype video.
You can learn more about the project on my dedicated Espire 1 website. If you’re interested in being involved, do get in touch!
I love my job, making 3d “Stuff” all the time. I use 3ds Max for more hours every day than I care to admit.
I have been part of the 3ds max beta programme for 4 years. Last year I was very lucky to be a part of the 3ds Max “Charter” group and to get in touch with the developers and some of the best 3ds Max users around the globe. It has been great!
[image title=”3ds Max beta Tshirt” width=”544″ height=”816″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-05-17_Micael_Wentworth-Bell_3ds_Max-1.jpg [/image]
My site has not been updated in some time – my Portfolio in particular. This is because I have recently gotten Married and have spent some time away on a honeymoon adventure with my Wife. We visited Paris and Morocco – 2 extremely different experiences and had the time of our lives!
Here are some photos from our Wedding and Honeymoon Adventure:
[image title=”My Wedding” width=”544″ height=”544″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Wedding” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-04-16_Wedding_02_resized.jpg [/image] [image title=”My Honeymoon in Paris” width=”544″ height=”790″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Wedding” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-04-16_Honeymoon_00_resized.jpg [/image] [image title=”My Honeymoon in Morocco” width=”544″ height=”703″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Wedding” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-04-16_Honeymoon_01_resized.jpg [/image] [image title=”My Honeymoon in Morocco” width=”544″ height=”408″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Wedding” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-04-16_Honeymoon_02.jpg [/image] [image title=”My Honeymoon in Morocco” width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Wedding” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-04-16_Honeymoon_03.jpg [/image] [image title=”My Honeymoon in Morocco” width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”Wedding” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16-04-16_Honeymoon_04_resized.jpg [/image]
I’m very excited to be able to share one of my favourite LODE projects from early 2015. This 3D animation was created to detail The Riparian Project’s goal of shifting grazing practices to improve river health.
Envisioned as a looping continuous video without edits, it shows the negative effect livestock cause to rivers and the knock-on effect this has on the entire ecology downstream and in the surrounding environment. By erecting fences along the river to keep livestock out, the river can repair itself and the land around it. Solar powered water troughs allow the livestock to still drink from the river from a safe distance.
This was created for Jen Rae’s PhD exhibition: Art & The Anthropocene on Thursday the 14th of May, 2015.
It will now be installed at the Yea Water Discovery Centre where it will loop continuously.
You can find out more about the Riparian Project on the official website.
I was involved with this project and took the initial script to an animatic, asset creation, animation, shading, lighting, rendering, compositing and the audio soundtrack.
I completed this project in May 2015 and used it as a qualifier for the fantastic new Alembic implementation in Autodesk 3ds Max 2016. You can find some more videos about the production process for this animation on my Channel.
I have recently added 3 projects to my portfolio – they are all projects I worked on for Dale De Silva – Oiltinman.
Here is a summary of what’s been added:
[list style=”list_1″] [li]Graduate Registration video – A Motion Graphics video for the Podiatry Board of Australia. I worked on this at Reel Pictures in late 2014/early 2015.[/li] [li]Inside Health – A 15 second logo animation for the Department of Health. I worked on this project way back in 2012![/li] [li]Web Accessibility – A motion graphics piece created for the Department of Human Services. Like the Inside Health animation above, I also worked on this project in 2012.[/li] [/list]It was extremely fun working on these 3 projects. I have neglected updating my site and my portfolio for the past 3 years and look forward to sharing more projects soon.
Still Frame – “Graduate Registration Video”
Still Frame – “Inside Health”
Still Frame – “Web Accessibility”
I’m Currently spending 2 weeks in Hong Kong and, as always, loving my time here!
[image title=”Returning to Hong Kong in May 2014 with Ivy” width=”544″ height=”332″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”HongKong2014″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Michael_Wentworth_Bell_Hong_Kong.png [/image]My life journey is tied to Hong Kong in a very special way – it has been a turning point in studies, my career, and where I met the love of my life.
In 2009 myself and 2 friends entered the first ‘Autodesk Panorama‘ competition, creating a short 2 minute 3D animation in 3 and a half weeks to meet the deadline. We were extremely lucky to have been chosen as Australian finalists.
We were flown by Autodesk as Team Belfast with the other Australian finalist team to Hong Kong where we got to attend a 4 day intensive boot camp with other finalists – Students from 11 countries.
[image title=”Group Shot of the Panorama Boot Camp entrants, organisers and mentors.” width=”544″ height=”306″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”HongKong2014″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Autodesk_Panorama_Competition_2009.jpg [/image]The boot camp was mediated and mentored by 4 industry professionals including Markus Kurtz from Rhythm and Hughes, Daniel Thompson from Rising Sun Pictures and Benjamin Huber from Industrial Light & Magic / Lucasfilms.
After the competition, we decided to stay on in Hong Kong for an extra 5 days – it was the first time the 3 of us uni mates had ever been overseas. it was during this time that I met an acquaintance who became a pen-pal, friend, girlfriend, is now my fiance and next year will be my wife.
[image title=”Visiting Hong Kong Disneyland with Ivy in 2011″ width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”HongKong2014″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Michael_Wentworth_Bell_Disneyland.jpg [/image]The Panorama 2009 experience changed my life completely. I have since finished my Uni degree and am working in the 3D animation industry.With Ivy, i’ve continued to return to Hong Kong once a year, Staying around 1-6 weeks each time. One of my recent trips to Hong Kong was shared with my sister and best mate James, and my parents have travelled to Hong Kong this time to spend time with Ivy’s family. It is the first time my father has left Australia!
[image title=”‘Bliss’ – one of a series of mini-planet panoramas I have made while in Hong Kong” width=”544″ height=”544″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”HongKong2014″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Michael_Wentworth-Bell_Hong_Kong_Stanley.jpg [/image]I absolutely love the bustling and extremely busy Hong kong. The people, the food, amazing transport and architecture of this insane mecha-city.
Also a big fan of the art community in Hong Kong. This trip, Ivy and I have visited the newly opened PMQ artist’s hub located in Central, Hong Kong.
[image title=”‘The PMQ Artist hub in Hong Kong” width=”544″ height=”813″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”HongKong2014″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PMQ_Hong_Kong_2014.jpg [/image]Still early days for the PMQ precinct, but it is a state of the art setup with some very interesting tenants and a lot of great events planned later this year – i’m very annoyed that i’ll be missing out!
We’ve also visited the Art Basel exhibition which was mind-blowing in its sheer scale. 2 absolutely massive exhibition spaces with thousands of artworks on display from all over the world.
[image title=”Ivy and I at Art Basel Hong Kong 2014″ width=”544″ height=”716″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”HongKong2014″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Art_Basel_Hong_Kong_2014.jpg [/image]Some very truly inspiring pieces amongst some of the more tame and conventional work. The best work was coming out of Beijing and Korea.
I am always trying to keep up-to-date with what the local HK studios are producing in the area of 3D animation, visualisation and broadcast. Particularly impressed with FATFace and Treehouse studio.
I’ve had a great 2 weeks in Hong Kong this year and look forward to returning in aroud a year’s time. To any HongKongers in the 3D Animation / Design industry, please do hit me up if you visit Melbourne, Australia sometime!
I’m back and determined to update my Website, Portfolio and Showreel after far too long. It’s been over 1 and a half years since I did an update to my Portfolio and this website is in need for some TLC. My last (and only) showreel was made when I was still in Uni in 2009(!) and updated only slightly when I graduated in 2011. So now it’s high-time for a new showreel.
As I work on my showrell, I’ve gone back to late 2012 and i’m adding my favourite projects since then one-by-one. I’ve started tonight with a 3D image I created for a BASF print advertistment in October 2012.
[image title=”The final BASF print Ad ” width=”544″ height=”681″ lightbox=”true” group=”BASF” icon=”zoom”]http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/BASF_Poster_3D_Artwork.jpg[/image] [image title=”Final 3D render – Closeup view” width=”544″ height=”460″ lightbox=”true” group=”BASF” icon=”zoom”]http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/BASF_Poster_Crop_01.jpg[/image] [image title=”Closeup of one of the ‘spores’. Wireframe view from 3ds Max viewport” width=”544″ height=”305″ lightbox=”true” group=”BASF” icon=”zoom”]http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/BASF_Poster_3DS_max_nitrous_viewport_04.jpg[/image]I’ve made a new page for this particular portfolio item. You can view the final image and read more about it here.
Looking forward putting some new work out there!
As we wave goodbye to 2013 and begin the new year, I’m excited to put together a quick review of my highlights over the last twelve months.
My most exciting moment this year by far has been proposing to my Girlfriend Ivy. I proposed to her 4 years to the day we first met, and 3 ½ years after we first started our romance together. It has been the greatest 4 years of my life – Ivy has given me so much love and support and has made me a better person in countless ways since the day I met her. I am very lucky to be spending the rest of my life with this amazing and inspiring woman!
[image title=”My proposal to Ivy – 4 years to the day we first met” width=”544″ height=”362″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”michael2013″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Michael_Ivy_Engagement.jpg [/image]I proposed to Ivy at sunset at the top of Mt. Dandenong, Melbourne. We walked down the Kyeema track to the main lookout point and Ivy was shocked to find a large ring of fairy lights circling the vantage point. As we approached the fairy lights I laid down a picnic blanket in the middle of the circle and 2 of my closest friends, James and John, appeared from behind the trees playing the Beatles’ ‘And I Love her’ on acoustic guitar.
I sang the song to Ivy as they provided the backing music. I then picked up a 3rd acoustic guitar to perform the guitar solo before the song finished. I then knelt down and proposed to her. It was the greatest moment of my life, and I was quite embarrassed because there about 10-15 people standing by watching – I hadn’t realised the lookout was such a popular spot!
The whole moment was captured on video and with photos by my Boss and friend Alf Kuhlmann, who I have had a relationship with longer than Ivy haha. I owe my friends a lot of gratitude for their support on that special day.
[image title=”My proposal to Ivy – 4 years to the day we first met” width=”544″ height=”362″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”michael2013″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Ivy_Michael_Engagement_Friends.jpg [/image]Earlier this year I was extremely happy to see my best friend get engaged to his long-time partner and my sister celebrate her engagement with my soon-to-be brother in law. Many Close friends have become engaged and have become married throughout the year. It’s been a big year for love and one i’ll always look back on with fond memories for the rest of my life!
I have been very lucky this year to be offered a full-time position at Reel Pictures. One of my first industry roles was at Reel Pictures in 2010 via the Swinburne industry placement program. After that 1 year placement I returned to Uni to finish my degree, but have continued to work for Alf Kuhlmann as a freelance motion graphics artist and 3D generalist. Early this year I was given the opportunity to work full-time with Alf and was very happy to accept it.
I have been able to work on some very exciting and technically demanding projects this year for a variety of clients. We have created motion graphics and 3D animation for TVCs, corporate videos, accident re-enactment/use in court cases and created 3D content for permanent installations.
The most exciting highlight has definitely being a part in creating a large ‘Wonder of Gold‘ animation for the Perth Mint. We used RealFlow extensively for this project and it was the perfect opportunity to learn this extremely powerful software.
[image title=”Screenshot of the ‘Big Bang’ Sequence” width=”544″ height=”82″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”michael2013″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Reel_Pictures_01.jpg [/image]This year I have also been offered a role as a sessional lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology. I helped teach the ‘Typography for Screen & Motion subject in Semester 2. The subject is an overview of Typography and it’s application for screen apposed to Print via an introduction to Motion Graphics using Adobe After Effects. This subject is taken by a range of design students. Our class had students from Digital Media Design, Communication Design, Interior Design, Film & TV and Industrial design!
It was great fun helping deliver this subject to students and introducing them to After Effects. After Effects is extremely popular in motion graphics but there are so many opportunites to use it in many design & digital media disciplines. it’s a very important program to add to your toolset, that’s for sure!
I had the opportunity to update the coursework and contribute 5 new tutorials to the subject. This was the last time this subject was offered as part of the faculty of Design before Swinburne changes the Design Campus from Prahran to Hawthorn and the subject will be revised into 3 new After Effects subjects at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. This is an exciting time to be involved with the course and I hope to continue to be a part of its evolution in the future.
2013 has been a good year for my own design practice – the Digital Lode. Due to my new roles at Reel Pictures and Swinburne, I have scaled down the amount of projects I am taking on. I have found this to be a very good arrangement because I am able to choose & commit to projects that really interest me. I have worked on a variety of different projects this year, but my main focus continues to be 3D design for print. I have worked on various posters, websites and other promotional materials. In the coming year I hope to continue to work on exciting projects via the Digital Lode!
Earlier this year I traveled overseas with my partner Ivy and spent a month visiting Hong Kong, Mainland China and Thailand. I had an incredible time visiting Ivy’s extended family and celebrating Chinese New Year with them in Ivy’s hometown of Chenzhou.
[image title=”Celebrating Chinese New Year with my Partner and her extended family” width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”michael2013″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/China_01.jpg [/image] [image title=”Fireworkds during Chinese New Year” width=”544″ height=”369″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”michael2013″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/China_02.jpg [/image]I cannot wait to visit Ivy’s family again in early 2014. This time my parents are coming also – the first time my Dad will have left Australia. Norfolk Island doesn’t count!
One of my favorite projects of 2013 at Digital Lode has been creating the cover art for Buchanan’s debut album, Human Spring. I worked on this project over a period of 6 weeks at the start of 2013. The album was official unveiled and released in April/May and is now available in both digital and print over various music services. To find out more about the album and their music, check out the official Buchanan Site.
[image title=”Buchanan – Human Spring – Cover Artwork” width=”544″ height=”177″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”michael2013″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Buchanan_Album_Cover.jpg [/image]This was a challenging and incredibly fulfilling job. I had a fantastic experience forming a working relationship with the band’s front-man Josh Simons, who came up with the original concept for the cover art, and helped Art Direct the artwork over the course of its creation.
It was through this artwork that I received an invitation to join the 3ds Max beta program. This is a community of Autodesk 3ds Max users that test and evaluate early versions of the software. I was able to road-test Autodesk 3ds Max 2014’s ‘populate’ feature during it’s development and provided feedback based on my experience creating the Human Spring cover art. There were over 400 Populate people used to make up the crowd in the cover art.
I created this video overview of the Human Spring project which was used as a ‘sneak peek’ video for the Populate feature in the leadup to the release of 3ds Max 2014.
2013 has been a year of continued learning, which anyone working in industries like this will be doing for the rest of their lives! Much of the fundamentals of design and animation stay the same, but most of the technical skills that I remember learning when I first started studying 3D Animation have changed drastically or been completely superseded!
To keep up with the fast past developments in this industry, i’ve signed up for a few different services this year.
I signed up for the free university ‘Coursera’ at the start of 2013 and enrolled in a few subjects. Coursera is an amalgamation of tertiary level degrees, subjects and classes that are offered by top universities from around the world, including Harvard, Stanfard and Melbourne University. It’s completely free and accessible to anyone with an internet connection and is therefore an extremely important and generous initiative!
I’ve enrolled in a few different classes this year. The first class was the Introduction to computer programming with Python. This is an amazing 12~ week crash course in computer programming offered by Rice University. Other classes i’ve enrolled in include an Introduction to Public Speaking and the extremely interesting subject Internet History, Technology and Security.
As well as Coursera, i’ve been subscribing to Digital Tutors on-and-off throughout the year. This site is fantastic with over 4000 hours of digital media and visual effects courses for all the industry software. There are standard ‘software tutorial videos’ and project based ‘creative development’ courses that are presented by top professionals in the industry. Finally, there are learning paths that arrange all these key videos into playlists to guide you through learning a software from scratch. I used the 60+ hour RealFlow learning path to get up to speed with RealFlow while working on the Wonder Of Gold Animation with Reel Pictures.
Finally, I found the lecturing job at Swinburne has been a fantastic opportunity for me to stay on top of the industry and keep my finger on the pulse of all the latest trends and workflows in motion design. A lot changes in just 12 months and by teaching a motion graphics subject I force myself to be refining my craft and learning the very best techniques.
I attended a week-long Growth Partnership course for the second year in a row. ‘GP’ is organised and run by the multi-talented Andrew Chua. The main portion of the course is a 72 hour stint in French Island accompanied only by a partner of your choice. I went with my best friend James and we spent the time setting up a basecamp, exploring the swamps, playing guitar and talking about the big issues in life. Half-Life 3 – is it coming? Is it true that there is a place in someone’s brain that if you shoot it, their head will explode? Etc.
[image title=”Fireworkds during Chinese New Year” width=”544″ height=”403″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”michael2013″ icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/FrenchIsland1.jpg [/image]It was a fantastic rare opportunity to escape your normal life, switch off from everything and focus on The island 20km x 12km island has no running water, electricity, sealed roads, law enforcement or council. There are 95 residents and 2 ferries to/from the island operating everyday. The perfect setting for this course.
These are some of the highlights I’ve had in relation to my work and personal life in 2013. Thanks for your interest in me and for reading this post. A very big thanks to all the people who have helped and assisted me in work and personal life over the past year.
Thanks to the people who have offered me so many fantastic opportunities and to everyone i’ve had the chance to work with. I look forward to what the next 12 months have to bring and I wish you all the best in 2014!
[image width=”544″ height=”683″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_01.jpg [/image]
I wanted to make a quick blog post to share a few photos of a recent addition to my LODE bookshelf – an unused copy of Maya Version 1 for SGI!
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_02.jpg [/image]
I was very happy a few months ago when this heavy box arrived at the studio from Woodland Hills in the USA.
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_03.jpg [/image]
It was extremely exciting trying to get this safely out of the box and see what early adopters of Maya would have received in return for their $40,000~ software investment. The entire packaging was very impressive!
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_04.jpg [/image]
The manual was broken up into a series of books known collectively as the ‘Maya Library.’ Each book in the Maya Library focused on a certain aspect of the software, Dynamics, Modelling, Rendering, etc.
When Maya 1.5 came out, it had new and updated versions of certain books. Unfortunately this set is missing at least 1 of the books…I know there is meant to be a book dedicated to MEL (Maya’s scripting language). Was there any other books?
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_05.jpg [/image]
I really wish Software was still available in such a complete physical package these days. Just look at what you received when you bought a Maya 1.0 licence!
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_06.jpg [/image]
I still remember when I bought my licence for Maya 2011. There was a knock at the studio door – I opened it to find a tiny little box on the ground and the postman already driving off and around the corner! What did i get for parting with my hard earned cash? A crappy little DVD case worth about $1!
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_08.jpg [/image]
The software companies say that reduced packaging helps save the environment and it obviously helps them save heaps of money in printing, binding, packaging and postage, but I think it would be great if you could still order all these great printed manuals, awesome box and goodies as an optional extra, or received all this once only with your initial licence purchase and then all further upgrades could come in just their crappy dvds!
Maya 1 came with printed documentation – an entire bound book for every aspect of the software! Maya’s online help has always been great, but I still do love reading books and it’s great to be able to sit down and really read everything the developers wanted you to know about one particular module of the software.
[divider_line_padding]The actual Software CDs were still shrink wrapped and completely unopened! I initially wanted to keep it unopened incase it would be worth something in the future…but honestly…it seems very few people see value in holding onto a piece of 14 year old software that will no longer run without the correct hardware.
[image width=”544″ height=”816″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_09.jpg [/image]
I just couldn’t help slipping the plastic open to have a look inside!
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_10.jpg [/image]
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_11.jpg [/image]
There’s a small booklet with a written introduction by Penny Wilson, CEO of Alias.
[image width=”544″ height=”357″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_12.jpg [/image]
There’s also a CD with scene files, assets and a collection of videos featuring video interviews and work produced by studios with beta versions of the software. Really looking forward to checking these out!
[image width=”544″ height=”334″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_13.jpg [/image]
These CDs do not run on a Windows Machine. I’m on the lookout for an SGI O2 to get this software up and running!
[image width=”544″ height=”355″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_14.jpg [/image]
[image width=”544″ height=”354″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_15.jpg [/image]
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_16.jpg [/image]
[image width=”544″ height=”347″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_17.jpg [/image]
As well as the main CD Case and ‘Maya Library’ documentation, there was the usual release notes, system requirements, terms and conditions and installation info.
[image width=”544″ height=”343″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_21.jpg [/image]
Qualification & System requirements for Maya version 1 and included software.
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_07.jpg [/image]
Here’s some photos of the Maya Version 1 release notes, including known limitations with the software:
[image width=”544″ height=”327″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_22.jpg [/image]
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_23.jpg [/image]
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_24.jpg [/image]
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_25.jpg [/image]
And below, a couple of photos some of the Maya Library manuals. Part of the ‘Animation’ volume:
[image width=”544″ height=”311″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_18.jpg [/image]
And a photo of the Dynamics volume:
[image width=”544″ height=”355″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_19.jpg [/image]
The Rendering volume:
[image width=”544″ height=”363″ align=”center” lightbox=”true” group=”MAYA” icon=”zoom”] http://thelode.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Alias_Maya_version_1_Photos_20.jpg [/image]
Though i’m now working primarily with 3DS max, Maya was my first proper introduction to the world of 3D, I spent many sleepless nights getting to grips with the basics of the 3D pipeline and I absolutely love Maya for allowing me to bring my dreams to life!
[divider_line_padding]Perhaps some people think this was a bit silly to get, and the truth is these really are priceless in the sense that nearly everyone would throw this old gear out, let alone pay money for it, but I really am fascinated by old versions of this software and this box will share a spot on the wall with pride!
I now work for Alf Kuhlmann at Reel Pictures. Alf is a 3DS Max veteran who has used the software since 3DS dos R2. The box for every upgrade since then is sitting on the shelf in the studio. He’s also got a boxed copy of ‘Illuminaire: Paint & Composition’ by Denim Software…version 1.0 of the software that later became Discreet Combustion.
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So, to anyone out there reading this post….do you still have the older boxed versions of the software you own or do you now download everything & throw the boxes in the trash? Do you have any interesting boxed versions of old software?
I’ve made this blog post and shared these photos in response to a recent thread that was started on the CG discussion forum, CG-TALK – Maya 1.0 Video from 1998.
If you have any early Maya related gear or media, add it to the discussion there!
Buchanan’s ‘Human Spring’ has now formally been announced. I am very lucky to have been able to work with Buchanan in creating the cover art for their debut album. I had a lot of fun creating this artwork which includes a crowd made up of over 300 protesters. A lot of time spent adding many little details.
You can see a preview of the finished artwork and secondary promotional artwork on Buchanan’s website and on their facebook page.
I have put together a video with a look at how the artwork for Human Spring was made. It’s a brief rundown of my workflow for this project and how new features in the visualisation software Autodesk 3ds max 2014 were used throughout the project.
This video covers how the new ‘Populate’ feature in tandem with the Biped system to create a large crowd of protesters. also highlights the Nitrous Viewport performance improvements in a scene with over 400 unique animated objects, a look at the new ‘2D Pan and Zoom’ tool and the use of State Sets to render out sections of the ‘Populate’ crowd separately.
Have been impressed from the start with the pure creative force behind this album and the the people who have been involved in it’s production. I’m really looking forward to May 10th when it the music is finally released into the wild!
The band’s first single ‘Human Spring’ has just been released. The video clip is about to be revealed and the song is (at the time of writing) now available free on their website.
Very excited to see the artwork in the physical release, which I hear may include an LP pressing!
Hope to share a couple of behind the scenes images at a later date.
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