Final thoughts and reflection

Being in the same group as Tom Robinson, Richard King and Stuart Norton, I immediately knew that the work we would eventually produce would be of a very high standard.
The group worked very well together in most aspects and the progress that we made weekly seemed amazing, even as I look back now.

The primary aspect that made the project so successful was communication. Right from the beginning, we agreed on a size scale to use, and this made it very easy later on when the different models were brought together. We met weekly to discuss what we had achieved over the week and set ourselves targets for the following week's meeting. Another key to the group's success was the fact that we managed to complete the main modelling aspect so quickly. This then gave the group more time to work on the animation and lighting/movie segments.

As Stuart lives quite a way from the University campus, it seemed more ideal that we contacted him via e-mail, and met just once a week. The rest of the group met every couple of days.
The workload was shared evenly. I took on the main model, Tom took the left section, Richard took the wheel and individual arm and Stuart took the right section and environment. It was basically a process where once someone had finished working on their section, they then moved on to something else that could be done. For example, after I completed my modelling aspect, I then moved on to creating some environment (ie snow and sky scenery). I also worked with other members to arrange the lighting and to create the final movie. This consisted mainly of arranging the various cameras into the right positions and making sure that the cameras displayed the scenes as we required.

Unlike many groups that have done projects like this before, the team worked really well together. Something that amazed me was the way the group got on with the work and never argued. We all contributed ideas, and then went with whatever the group agreed was the best option.
Throughout this project, I have yet again learnt so many new skills. Having never used 3DS Max before the face project, I have really been thrown into the deep end of modelling. The only way that I overcame my lack of experience was to sit and work through tutorials and spend hour upon hour learning how the software works. I have learnt so much. The techniques that I have acquired have proved really useful. Things like using the Boolean tool, adding and altering textures to display bump maps and anistrophic settings, lighting settings and key frame animations are to name but a few techniques that I have learnt.

The animation was relatively difficult to get right. Key frames seem to have a mind of their own. I had great difficulty when I grouped objects, animated them, then when I went to ungroup them, they distorted and the animation did not work as I required. The animation was also very fiddly, and typical of me (being OCD) I had to make sure that it was 100% correct.
I was initially concerned with creating the lighting effects and also the movie aspect.
However, working with the rest of the team, I soon learnt how everything works, and am now quite experienced in these areas. Creating a movie is a lot simpler than I thought. It is really just a case of placing the camera in the correct place, then moving through the key frames, making sure that it shows in the view port what you want to display.

At the beginning of the project, the group analysed everyone's strengths and weaknesses. This was vital, as it enabled us to work out who would do what within the project, making sure that everyone worked in areas where they were best suited. However, this did not stop us from learning new skills because with all 3d modelling, there is always something new to learn.
Looking back over the entire project from day one, I can not believe that we have created the model that we have. Our model resembles very closely to the original model. There are no particular areas that I am not proud of. We have now created a movie which provides an educational perspective (Commentary at the beginning) and a short film showing how the model works. I feel that this really is something that the museum could benefit from, which was our initial aim from the beginning.

If I were to go back to the beginning and do this project again, I would keep most things the same, although there are a few things that I would change.
Firstly, before anything else, I would arrange with the group exactly what our aims are and what we want to achieve from this project. Secondly, I would try to meet with the team more. And thirdly, I would try to ensure that the group used the same textures throughout the model, as sometimes working on your own, people tend to use their own textures which do not follow suit to the rest of the model.
However, I feel that the team worked really well together and I am extremely proud of the product that we produced. Maybe one day I will return to the museum and see our animated model/movie on display....