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Sci-fi Environment Prop (feedback much appreciated

StormyStar
polycounter lvl 5
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StormyStar polycounter lvl 5
Worked on a design for a collaboration class and having a bit of trouble and would love some feedback to the design choices. The more textured and rendered out piece I was told was too boring and too much "Just a sci-fi box" so any ideas on how to spice it up well?

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  • KyleJensen
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    KyleJensen polycounter lvl 12
    Add stuff to make the silhouette more interesting. Like hinges, extrusions, a heavy base. Maybe a fancy high-tech locking system?

    Don't add stuff willy-nilly though. The box itself should tell a story of some kind.

    Things you might want to think about when designing this box:

    -What is the box made of?

    -Who made the box? Space marines? Space Pirates? Scientists? An alien race?

    -What does the box contain? Is it trying to keep something safe, or prevent something from getting out? (Keeping valuables vs. biohazard/radioactive containment)

    -How does this box open up?

    -Where is this box located?

    -Is this box fragile? Is it strong enough to withstand bullets/explosions, or does it fall apart easily?

    If you ask yourself questions like these while designing stuff like this, answer them in your design.
  • StormyStar
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    StormyStar polycounter lvl 5
    Thanks! I always have had a problem when not going from an existing design so this is quite foreign to me to make it from my own mind. Really helps! :)
  • mospheric
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    mospheric polycounter lvl 11
    I agree with Kyle. Visualizing a story and the object in use will help with the designing phase. For me, I think a box like that with a lot of angular elements shouldn't be so rectangular. Incorporate some of that design into the silhouette.
  • Jeff Parrott
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    Jeff Parrott polycounter lvl 19
    Visual storytelling and powerful silhouette! You're lacking both of these things.

    Material definition is lacking too. Make the metal read like metal, plastic like plastic, etc.
  • StormyStar
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    StormyStar polycounter lvl 5
    The props sketch is made by one of the people in the class and then theres my overlayed design to try to make it a bit more interesting. Any suggestions?
  • RailbladerX
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    RailbladerX polycounter lvl 8
    Hey! nice "Sci-Fi box" ^.^

    Well, the beauty of boxes is that their only purpose in games is really just too blend in. Boxes are just there to "fill in unwanted space" as a friend would say. So "looking boring" unfortunately just comes with the job of being a box.

    But you know whats cool about boxes? The surprises that are in them! So how do we spice it up? There are a few things.

    Now I don't know the nature of what you are trying to do (modeling it as a stand alone piece, or a scene). But if possible model something in it. If that is not a possibility. Find out WHAT is inside the box, and design the box based on what it is carrying.

    Why? On the Design I am seeing Pipes; but what are the pipes for I wonder? Well maybe its a coolant container. But if that is the case where are the external cables to hook into the walls? or if its an internal box, where is the Built in generator? also how does this box open? does it use hinges, or is it just a huge block of metal. and even then how does one open it? looks far too heavy to just push it. So there has got to be a button, voice command(something to talk into), or even a lever.

    Most of the time you can spice up an asset by just adding "usability" to it. (and bolts, lots, and lots of bolts)
  • mospheric
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    mospheric polycounter lvl 11
    StormyStar wrote: »
    The props sketch is made by one of the people in the class and then theres my overlayed design to try to make it a bit more interesting. Any suggestions?

    Your paintover helps a lot with the silhouette and to break up the boxy look of it. How are you planning on making the details in the final version? Are you going to create a high poly and bake the detail down?
  • StormyStar
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    StormyStar polycounter lvl 5
    Yupp! Worked on the color a bit more and the high poly to make it more interesting, any ideas or critiques? :)
  • RailbladerX
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    RailbladerX polycounter lvl 8
    Looks good man. model in those bolts, and I'd say you are on your way to a spiced up asset.
  • StormyStar
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    StormyStar polycounter lvl 5
    Current WIP of the color. Any ideas on spicing it up color wise?
  • mospheric
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    mospheric polycounter lvl 11
    What happened to the details that were on top? That area is lacking compared to the rest of the model. Also the dark vertical lines that are present on the top of the model don't really make sense. If used to distinguish between separate elements, they should not cut through some of the smaller brown/orange areas. Just paint that out of your texture and see how it looks.
  • RailbladerX
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    RailbladerX polycounter lvl 8
    Yes I agree. put the handles back on it. with more reinforced plating and screws.
  • StormyStar
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    StormyStar polycounter lvl 5
    Sorry guys for not posting for a bit :/ Project leader didnt want the handles on there and I worked more on the textures for the low (after following the concept artists concept again) This time I need to work on a 90 degree corner piece (though one of the ones I posted arent but I wanted to try stuff out.) The idea is to add a pillar in the middle of it with some design choices.
  • StormyStar
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    StormyStar polycounter lvl 5
    (first picture is concept artists work. Left pic of that is also the one with the pillar but I cant really tell what is going on with it. Second picture is more my design but its awfully boring.) Any ideas? :)
  • RailbladerX
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    RailbladerX polycounter lvl 8
    well, you win some and you lose some, just got to do what the boss says right?.

    But for your second piece remember to model modular. Don't build it as an "L" Corner piece. build the one side, and then a center piece (box like asset) for the walls to insert into. keep it flat, and go from there.

    again if a design is ever lacking. Model in usage. Put in vents, access ducts, the vents, and doors will need things to grip onto to open.
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