[Suggestion] About HEAJ members posts
polycounter lvl 18
Hello everyone !
I'm a member of the HEAJ (Haute Ecole Albert Jacquard, which could be translated by Albert Jacquard High School), a high school specialized in computer graphics, localized in Belgium.
We have a video game section, and as many of you must already have seen, our teacher asked us to post our work here, on the polycount boards.
We are 30, so the board will soon be flooded by posts from HEAJ members.
I suggest then to all the HEAJ students that we could make a convention for the formatting of the subject of our posts, to make life easier for everyone.
We could for example use this template:
[HEAJ]Q3Character - Name of the Character
or maybe
[HEAJ]Nickname -Q3Char- Name of the Character (if there is enough space)
so it would be like this:
[HEAJ]Bentic -Q3Char- PeruArmy
(yes I know, I gave him a stupid name)
And we could later replace the Q3Char by UT2k4Char, for our next work.
I'm really sorry to post that here, but we are all in a hurry for this work, and I doubt we (the students) would take a look at an other section of the boards for the moment, so I made it here to give it a chance to be seen by HEAJ students.
I hope this makes sense for you, we could maybe discuss about that with our teacher.
(I suggest to those who already have posted their work that you edit the subject of your thread, if you agree with my suggestion)
Keep up the good work, guys
See you later.
Bentic
I'm a member of the HEAJ (Haute Ecole Albert Jacquard, which could be translated by Albert Jacquard High School), a high school specialized in computer graphics, localized in Belgium.
We have a video game section, and as many of you must already have seen, our teacher asked us to post our work here, on the polycount boards.
We are 30, so the board will soon be flooded by posts from HEAJ members.
I suggest then to all the HEAJ students that we could make a convention for the formatting of the subject of our posts, to make life easier for everyone.
We could for example use this template:
[HEAJ]Q3Character - Name of the Character
or maybe
[HEAJ]Nickname -Q3Char- Name of the Character (if there is enough space)
so it would be like this:
[HEAJ]Bentic -Q3Char- PeruArmy
(yes I know, I gave him a stupid name)
And we could later replace the Q3Char by UT2k4Char, for our next work.
I'm really sorry to post that here, but we are all in a hurry for this work, and I doubt we (the students) would take a look at an other section of the boards for the moment, so I made it here to give it a chance to be seen by HEAJ students.
I hope this makes sense for you, we could maybe discuss about that with our teacher.
(I suggest to those who already have posted their work that you edit the subject of your thread, if you agree with my suggestion)
Keep up the good work, guys
See you later.
Bentic
Replies
Glad to have you guys here by the way.
Our teacher wants us to participate in a community, learn to communicate with other people instead of working alone on our projects. It helps us to have an external point of view on what we do, because there surely are many things we won't see if we stay all the time in front of our work.
So we will try to take advantage from comments and advices of experienced poeple.
(at least for our next project, because for this one we only have to post the finished work, but the next one will be a WIP)
The board will soon be filled by posts from HEAJ students
We have great teachers here, and Renaud is the living proof that HEAJ can make good artists
I'm glad to see you in Level Design classes. Do you know when it is planned ?
See you soon.
Bentic
I think I heard it would take place on saturdays
We never had anything on fridays since the beginning of the year, and they put it on saturdays (I guess it is made to fit your schedule)
Well... better get back to work
See you soon, then
I hope we'll have good things to show soon (and good advices
But time to work, now... the deadline approaches fast...
...a high school specialized in computer graphics...
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Damn, that's cool!
It's been mentioned before but if you post a model and want feedback then post a picture of the model from the front and side both skinned (100% self illumination) and wireframe. That way people can comment on the model structure and the skin.
Seriously tho, i think you should put them all together in a pak for us to download. It would be kind of fun having lots of amateur models to frag with!
So there are a lot of problems and imperfections...
For the next work, which is an UT2K4 Model, we'll post all the differents steps (Concept, Mod, Texturing,...)
Thanks a lot to all of you who give their opinion
I've noticed some striking simalarities between some of the geometry. Was a base model used by the class?
We all had to create our model around the biped of Visor (an existing character from the game, but I think you all already know that
So, depending on the proportions of our model, it would more or less fit the existing skeleton, this is why some elements were difficult to place correctly. (they seem correct in rigging pose, but when the character is put in the standard pose of the game, sometimes the shoulders go trough the chest, the hands aren't well positionned to hold the gun, ...)
We did our best, but the modelling was already done before, this time, it was more focused on the texturing (and the look of it in the game)
Perhaps they should all be consolidated to one thread.I've noticed some striking simalarities between some of the geometry. Was a base model used by the class?
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no, but for this very first work we had to avoid using skin, so I imagine that's why same structures come often (and 'just a box' is 'just a box' ahem...). Making one thread would place us in a 'group', experienced users won't even take time to read our posts (that's your purpose I think :P). Saying "hey hey we are from the same school!" was a mistake, level and strenghts and wiknesses are very variables.
It is a little iritating seeing that every other thread basicly has been flooded away by Quake 3 work of which I wouldn't have been amazed to see 6 years ago.
I know we aren't specialists (yet), but if our teacher asked us to post here, it was for bringing us the possibility of having an external point of view, and help about our work.
If you don't want to help us, you don't have to, you just have to click on threads that don't begin with [HEAJ].
Was your first model perfect ? I don't think so. If it was, congratulations, then. Everyone has to go through this training period. We have the chance to get some help from experienced people. Why would beginners not have the right to communicate with those people ?
As I said, if you don't want to participate, just ignore us, but don't deprive us of this experience.
Now, for the idea of the merged thread, it could be good, because 30 students posting is like an invasion, but as for our next work, we'll have to post WIPs, I think 30 WIPs in the same thread would be a little messy. We should think about it.
Well at this moment the whole first page has your posts in it.
''but if our teacher asked us to post here, it was for bringing us the possibility of having an external point of view, and help about our work.''
Your teachers should be the ones to learn you all about the things you want to know. At this moment your teachers are using other people to help you and crit your work. That is THEIR job! I find it weird though, this way your school isn't building up an image of highly skilled teaching. Why would somebody wants their first grade students to promote their school on a forum with a lot of industry people on it.
''Why would beginners not have the right to communicate with those people ?''
Everyone has the right to get help from people here at polycount. But even people who are willing to help everyone can't help 30 guys at once. It's like you guys have your own community in the community of polycount, which I don't like.
Guess I'm the only one who's having problems with this all. So please ignore me, then I'll ignore you.
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Perhaps they should all be consolidated to one thread.I've noticed some striking simalarities between some of the geometry. Was a base model used by the class?
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no, but for this very first work we had to avoid using skin, so I imagine that's why same structures come often (and 'just a box' is 'just a box' ahem...). Making one thread would place us in a 'group', experienced users won't even take time to read our posts (that's your purpose I think :P). Saying "hey hey we are from the same school!" was a mistake, level and strenghts and wiknesses are very variables.
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No isolating the student post so they could be ignored wasn't what I intended. The same thing has been done with contest in the past. Also when SDKs are posted everyone keeps thier work in one thread. It's just easier to organize and easier to read. Also the feedback could be read by all just by checking one thread instedd of thirty.
Or maybe you're school can help in hosting your own forum for critiques.
If this forum is too crowded with eletist snobs, perhaps your class should try CGtalk's Game Art section. They're usually more helpful and polite.
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Ouch, as someone who has given critiques (hopefully helpful ones) to the HEAJ members already, don't let one or two peoples opinions speak for all of this board. I bet similar reaction would be had at Cgtalk from a vocal minority. Keep posting, and keep having fun. Hopefully we at polycount can help you on your journey.
I do think a consolidated thread is a good idea. Anyone who wants to help you guys out will still look at it, and will address you by name or your models name so that you know who they are talking to. I think the big complaint is that for the people who do not want to look at the thread, or have already looked at them once or twice, it pushes the other peoples threads who don't go to your school down or off the page.
I would be glad if you could make some comments on my work, JBoskma (when I'll post something more consistent, for our next work, for example). I don't want to make ennemies. I agree that we're a little invading the board for now, but don't be afraid, we won't post every work we do at school, only the Quake 3 (which is finished) and UT2004 characters, and we'll talk about a HEAJ UT2004 thread with our teacher, where we would all post in. I'm pretty sure your comments and advices would be much appreciated by everyone
Thank you for your support Mr. Mathis
- BoBo
I think seperate threads would be better btw. It may become too confusing when referencing each others work. Besides, everyone started their initial thread. Most wont' be updated as much as others
I agree with Bobo, though - while many of these models have a cool style, and were obviously limited to only using segmented meshes, the anatomy and proportions need more work. And if people say "but it's a style!" then I will ask to see their previous figure work (either life drawing, or 3d modelling) - you need to KNOW the rules of the human figure before you can bend or break them.
This sort of community interaction is exactly the sort of thing that should be encouraged, though. Ignore the few who are bad-mouthing you, all of you have just as much right to post here as anyone else.
More diverse critique will lead to more rapid learning, I think... plus it's probably good for learning English, too!
MoP
The forum does feel swamped, but its not entirely a bad thing. I think the idea of a single thread might lead to some individuals work being entirely neglected (as often is the case with huge threads).
Maybe it would be usefull if a few links to relevant tutorials were posted here for the guys
Seeing all these high quality postings gives motivation, and the will to reach this level of quality in our work.
Is it OK if everyone has his own thread for his work, then ?
(we'll try to keep it clean
Yes, we had to make image planes to help for the modelling, but we had to draw them over screenshots of the Visor skeleton, to make them fit (this is why several thin characters look broad, because of the armor of Visor)
But thanks for the advice
But for Clarity's sake, get one of the mods to put your stuff in one thread. people will visit it and still give you guys meaningfull crits. Mostly on the models that are interesting enough though..
And it's always a problem trying to design characters based around a very limited skeletal structure... Maybe you could have got more variety with something like Sarge or Bitterman as the animation set, since they're more "standard" human proportions?
Maybe we should make a poll
There are going to be 30 WIPs of UT2004 characters. It could be messy if everything is in the same thread... If everything is separated, it should be easier to follow (and everyone won't update as often as the others, so I think the HEAJ threads won't stay all the time at the top board)
Thanks again for your support
I'm sure he has some experience and doesn't teach you based on theory and tutorials. At least I hope
Can you tell more about the school program and what they are teaching you? Is it only technical skills (what button does what etc.), how to lay out polys for good deformation, modelling techniques, mapping etc.
Or does it go into the artsy side of things too?
I'm a hobby home schooled person so I don't know how one learns to make game art in a classroom environment.
I agree with what some folks have suggested in terms of subject matter...doing characters while learning the basics of 3d is probably not a great idea. I would encourage new artists to make somewhat simple objects (like furniture) while learning how their software works, and learning general modeling, texturing, lighting, camera work, etc.
Don't read to much into it if you don't get large amounts of comments on the work you are doing. It's nice to post stuff on forums, but focusing more on criticism and help from fellow clasemates and your teacher is probably a good idea if you don't get lots of comments from forum members.
Have fun!
outcast-thegame.com
Outcast 2 was planned, but, due to financial issues, was never released.
Outcast 2 first look
They're all talented professionals, and very friendly.
They are teaching us both artistical and technical aspects of 3D in video games. We have concept design lessons, where we make concept drawings of what will later be modelled in modelling lessons. (You might have seen several students posting the concept drawing of their Quake 3 character along with the screenshots)
We have modelling lessons both in 3ds max and maya, animation lessons exclusively in 3ds max for the moment (bones and biped (and of course animation of other things than characters) ), but we'll have some in maya.
We also have the chance to work with the 3d engine developed for Outcast 2, on the PS2. We learn how to create an environment, how to divide the elements (ground, houses, ...) to be able to build a world with instanced pieces, which will take less space in memory, we also learn how to quantize textures for that purpose.
For the end of the year, we'll have to make an environment with animated objects, particles, water, and it will run on the playstation2.
We of course have drawing but also sculpting lessons, and will soon begin level design lessons. (and game design and sound design lessons later)
I hope you got a good overview of the school program, lkraan
See you soon
Too bad Outcast2 got canceled though, it looked really nice back then.
Back on topic... I think the HEAJ guys (and girls?) have as much right to post on this board as anybody else has... so no "concentration camps" for them
Thanks for your support, JKMakowka
(and no... no girls in the video game section...)
I'm not really a representative of my schoolmates, I just proposed a nomenclature for our posts, I didn't expect so many answers... If people encourage us, all I can do is at least thank them.
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you definately do not come across as a highschool kid
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I'm sorry, but english isn't my mother language, and I didn't understand the expression. Could you explain it, please ?
You talk about groups of newbs pouring in... just to be sure... are the polycount boards reserved to experience people ? Do we have to have a minimum level of skills to be allowed to post ? (or maybe is there a section to help beginners ?) If it is the case, I guess we won't post any more work (at least we will do our best to be allowed in the community).
If not, I'd gladly thank you if you could give us a piece of advice or two for our next work (and I think the last one we'll post (at least as a schoolwork)), the UT2004 character.
he's saying that you seem older than you are
as for the heaj influx, it's more than welcome, but we simply don't see this sort of thing everyday, and i doubt many communities do.
my first thought on opening pnp was that i'd missed the boards for a few days, a second glance led me to think that this heaj thing was a clan or a mod, [HEAJ] does look a lot like a clan tag, wasn't until i'd looked through a few threads that i realised what was going on
if any of you were to drop by the irc channel (#model_design on irc.freenode.net) you might get some... blunt... crits, but you'll be greeted with open arms
either way, stick around and post work that's not just for school
Greeted with blunt crits ? Some kind of baptism ? (I'm kidding
I guess 30 new members posting at the same time could be a little scary, but the post on polycount was in our briefing, and it sure could be useful if some of you could make some comments. We didn't want to disturb the forums.
Well, for the "not for school" work, I don't think we have much time to do something else until the end of the year, but thanks for the proposal.
Well... I'd better go to bed, now. It is almost 5.00 am, here, I begin to be a little sleepy
Thank you everyone, and sorry for the inconvenience we've caused.
Ouch, as someone who has given critiques (hopefully helpful ones) to the HEAJ members already, don't let one or two peoples opinions speak for all of this board. I bet similar reaction would be had at Cgtalk from a vocal minority. Keep posting, and keep having fun. Hopefully we at polycount can help you on your journey.
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What he said.
Like death-camp skinny.
lkraan-"Sounds like a very cool high school program Bentic! "
When I when to HS all they taught us was C and it mostly went like this- teacher-"now semi-colon DO NOT HIT ENTER YET!."
Painful, you kids are lucky.