Shipping Port Redux - UE3 Level blockout

Several months ago I constructed a shipping port for my World Building class. Screenshots can be found on an earlier post. It was the first time I constructed an environment with the Unreal 3 engine.

Afterwards, I expanded on the design and mixed it with a Level Design test I was working on for Obsidian Entertainment. The test didn't call for screenshots but I continued to work with the engine and reconstructed the port from scratch at the same time anyway.

Here are some screenshots of the shipping port area as well as a top down map I created for the entire level designed for the test.


Rose Garden Top Down Map


UE3 Overhead Perspective


Screenshots







This level was created with the upcoming game Alpha Protocol in mind. I can test it out myself in the AP engine but since I don't own the rights, I can't post any actual gameplay footage.

I've had enough practice with enclosed environments. For my next level design, I want to try an exterior setting.

Pin up Design

I created another custom wallpaper earlier this week with a pin up flair. I posted all three on Deviant art and the pin up is getting the most views and downloads out of all three designs. I also cleaned up the blue "nightfall" paper a little because I noticed a stray brush stroke I actually fixed on the original file but didn't save when I created the .jpg version. Both are below.

Custom Wallpapers

My friend runs a website and made a new ad banner. After she showed to me, I made some modifications which she liked and suggested I make her some custom wallpapers. Wallpapers aren't usually my thing but many of the same photoshop techniques are used and is still good practice. Here's two wallpapers I made for her using two photos and a lot of custom brushes.

My first Freelance - Interior Design

An Interior Design student requested 3D renders of her floor plans. Although I'm primarily a Game Artist, I thought, why not!? Could be fun and something for my portfolio. Although she gave me three weeks to build three environments, she didn't give me the plans until a week before they were due! I ended up off loading one room to another friend instead of rushing through all three.

There are items I'd like to change and clean up before putting them in my portfolio. But the client was happy with these. And in the end... isn't that what matters?

What's up Dock!?

Today I considered changing the layout and design of my blog but thought, no one really comes here often enough to care. This isn't my portfolio site! Although it seems to be going that way. Well, what's the latest skinny in the world of Casey K!?

Another term is coming to an end. ONE MORE LEFT TO GO! When I decided to start school again a couple years ago, I considered what I'd be missing out on by working full time and attending classes every night. But I also thought about what I'd gain by doing so and how hard it would be later on in life. Now that there is just one more term left, I'll go ahead and say education wise, I could have picked a better place.

When I started a second degree to study Game Design, there weren't a lot of options out there. Game Design degrees were new and even art schools didn't cater specifically for Game art. Out of all the schools available when I started, the place I choose did have the best industry connections for the cheapest price (which isn't cheap, just the cheapest). As I progressed well... it's a good thing I went to UCI for my primary education. I'll let you choose how to interpret that.

I will give the school credit for hooking me up with certain teachers. Although the teachers shared disdain for the school, they were people who continued to teach and show me stuff outside of class. One even introduced me to the Siggraph program which has become a yearly event where many new friends were made. Would I suggest the school? No. would I suggest people? Yes.

Art wise, here are screens from the Dock I built for my World Building class project. Rendered in Unreal 3, It is the first complete environment I built in the engine from scratch. I hope to modify it more later to better fit the design test I'm working on here and there for Obsidian.

Well that's what I've been working on this term. Life wise, I've been making it a point to go out more just to get out of the house. I'm almost at the end of school so technically these are the months I shouldn't be doing this but I've actually found it easier to work after taking time for myself. Some of you have only known me as a student. Six years of college does that. Well soon... very soon, I'll be back out and about. Don't be surprised.

Street Tunnel and Design documents

I've been lacking when it comes to posting here. Even if I don't do anything major, I should at least type something to keep friends up to date. So where to start? Ah! Stuff related to art! That way for those not interested in my personal life can stop reading sooner.

So I was watching the a Final Fantasy verus XIII trailer and I was inspired by the environments in the game. They were a cross between fantasy and modern reality. As a result, I decided to create a street tunnel in Max that night. Something quick for practice. Maybe fix it up later. What do you think?



Next in 3D, I'm taking a World Building class and have to render a vehicle and prop. Currently they don't have textures but I have a WIP to share now. It's going to be a gun ship based on the Riverinne naval command ship. Right now without the guns, it looks like a fishing boat. :)



The next latest project which was actually done before gun ship may be considered NSFW. So if you don't like looking at butts, go away!

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ok, so since 2007 I've been getting more involved in Erotic art. This includes photography and painting. There is a contest called Erotic Signature which I decided to start entering. Compared to others who enter, I'm an amateur but I just have fun participating. I'd be really stoked just to make it into the book let alone win. Well last year my friend helped me experiment with photography. Yes yes, the same model I use all the time. The wonderful Ariel X. Hey! You want to complain about me using the same girl? Point me toward someone as open and helpful as she is! Anyway, here is the pic I decided to enter this year. This may turn my blog to a NSFW blog according to Wordpress rules. Not sure though.

Mark of the Red Queen


So that it for the images. Work wise, I've been given the tests to be Designer for Obsidian Entertainment. I am working on it whenever I can. School projects get in the way but it's almost done... school that is. The design test is very writing oriented so I'm not generating a lot of personal art or models on my own right now.

Oh! I finally finished my Siggraph application for 2009. I've been doing that for two years now and it's an amazing experience. If you're a student, do it!

That is the end of the art stuff. Stop reading if you don't want to hear about my life stuff.

Ok, the Holidays were good. I worked overtime though. It's not that I don't like to go out or travel. I just figure since I'm not seeing anyone or have a family to raise, I might as well do all the work related stuff now.

I made a resolution to get my social life back in 2009. Go out at least once a week to relax, visit other cities more. etc. Schools almost over in two more terms. Watch out ladies! I'll be back in the game!

Finally, I've been working out again. After teasing a girl for five years about getting together, she finally changed her response to "gain 80lbs of muscle and a foot taller and we'll talk." Chances she is serious is slim but I'm gonna use it as motivation anyway.

New Computer and Vray

So I finally faced the music and got a new computer. It's so much more 3d ready than my old one. I'm still keeping my old one and plan on using the new one just for work. No junk or pron! :)

Anyway, after setting everything up, I decided to practice modeling. Damn. I forgot a lot. Actually, I'm fine with the modeling but I have problems with texturing still. In many tutorials I encountered and books, I noticed reference to a renderer called V-Ray. I didn't know it was a separate plug in until today and decided to experiment with it.

Below is the result of a V-ray tutorial. Looks nice. So many procedures though that it will be hard to remember if I want to apply the technique to a different object. Welcome to Procedural texturing! It's nice but hand painting can still be fun.