Day something and rather (11 and 12)

Oh my head! Thursday was my personal hell night and this time it had nothing to do with nodes or learning basic maths. I spent my night watching 5 to 11 years olds singing and playing the recorder. My mental synapses were completely shot after watching 100 untuned voices mimic something that some might call music. Right after this explosion of sound I made a bee line to the closest pub for a long cold beer (and a place where children were not allowed).

Friday did not go much better. After waking up to find my tongue stuck to the top of my mouth, I had to head back to work. After spending my day finding a magnitude of different ways to entertain a group of tired children I tried once again to get my head into learning Maya.

As drool dripped from my lips as I slept on my keyboard I slowly began to realise that the video, intro to advanced shaders, that had been playing on my computer was not even penetrating into my thick skull, I decided that Maya learning in this state was pointless and headed off to bed for a power nap. Of course, this power nap turned into a full nights sleep.

Quote of the day (after explaining about my need to take all 4 of the advanced courses 3DBuzz has planned) “Do you think you will remember who I am by this time next year?” – Julia Roos, my lovely girlfriend (referring to the hours I spend with my headphones on not talking to her)

Lets hope Saturday brings better fortunes for learning.

Day double figures (10)

Last night I didn’t manage to get much done. I finished off the basic shaders videos and my scene. I was meaning to start the advance shading section but I became preoccupied with … buzznet chat.

It started like most days, when I arrive home I kiss my girlfriend and tell her that she looks lovely (this get me on her good side), next I log onto Buzznet and fire up the Maya chat room. I often stay here for 5-10 minutes at a start just to run a few errands like insulting cleaner and make fun of any silly Belgian’s. The off I go to the Video and learn stuff. After every hour I log back into the chat area for my rest time.

Yesterday was different. It all started the same way as normal, I kissed my girlfriend and told her she was lovely, logged onto the chat and insulted cleaner but then it all went pear shaped. I couldn’t stop! I found myself insulting, being made fun of, talking hockey with csfer, discussing my point of view of American women and British women; both ugly but I think American women are fatter. Basically, I wasted a good two hours chatting away but I enjoyed myself.

I listened to Buzz’s radio message. He is having a hard time with injuries and by the sounds of it, the American medical system. When talking to the Buzz community, they were very supportive and I for one am hoping that his body will heal without surgery. Buzz, you have given us more time now so take a rest or you will end up with bung body parts like me, stupid knees. Sir (and mighty good looking) Zak said he might have to take over for Buzz while he is healing. Zak is just the best and …. Insert other butt kissing comments here.

At about 10pm my time, after countless hours of trying to get away, I started working on the Maya course. I finished the basic shading. At the end of the videos Buzz mentioned that after the advance shading videos I will be able to improve the yard scene. My goal this weekend it to improve everything I see. I will take that challenge.

There won’t be much of an update tomorrow as tonight I am busy watch my student sing badly for their concert. Afterwards I will need a drink.

Until next time,
JWR

Day 9

I have finished making the back yard and added some colour in the back yard scene. As there were no more videos I stopped there for the night and went to bed.

This morning I have noticed the next set of videos are ready so I'm looking forward to learning how to use adv shaders.

In the next two days I won't be able to do much on my scene as I have school work to do. Firstly, I have stupid school reports to finish writing and then on Thursday night I have to be at the school concert watching my class sing a few songs. I feel I need some Red Balls to keep me going.

When this course is over I think I will have to go over many videos again. I feel some information is going in one eye and floating out my ears after 10 minutes. I do remember when I look at my notes but things like softbodies just hasn't fixed in my piddly little brain yet.

That is all I have to say today, back tomorrow with an update and some pictures. Thanks maharzan

edit: I showed my students what I am doing today. Even though I am not impressed with my efforts of the bouncing ball they thought it was cool. I am going to make that bouncing ball again when I find the time. Of course I will post it here. Now I just have to find time!

Day 8

Tonight I finished my alien and his (na, screw it, HER) spaceship model. It was a fun exerise. To complete the model wasn't like normal 3DBuzz VTM's where you learn everything by making the model. The first thing we did was go over some of the main tool sets that we were going to use. Buzz amd Mr Zak gave a quick run down on how the tool works. I am sure they did this just so I would fill more pages of my note book. I have found the way I like to work which is through the shelf and the hotbox, mostly everything else is turned off.

Once those videos had been watched it was off to using the tools to build my little alien and her spaceship. I added a little more detail just for fun. I didn't know much about how to add detail to NURBs before this but I am starting to learn now.

I have handed the model in and have passed. Next I have to model the playground on Earth. I am already thinking about how I can change this to make it look better. I have something in mind that I might add to my final scene but I am keep it under my hat (can't have Neelz stealing my ideas).

Loving the course as I feel more a part of a community now. The Buzznet ap helps out so much with this.

Buzz will need to send a letter with my CD's saying sorry to my girlfriend. She isn't a happy camper that I am spending all my hours enjoying myself. She is German so she believes that having fun is wrong, and of course I am writing this when she is not around cause she would beat me up (please I need the letter) :).

I need to learn how to add pictures to a blog. If the guys who know can drop me a line I will start adding pictures of what I have done to my blog.

well, time for work, until next time.

Day 7

I have now started project 2. Buzz and crew go through NURBS in this project. It seems like a very good project to do, much harder than the talented ball.

I worked very hard on the course during the weekend and my brain feels a little fried so I won't write much. I finished the Colour Wheel which took me a day and a bit to do. Understanding the nodes was the easy part, remembering basic maths was the hard part. BUzz has now put up 3 more projects on nodes which I wil have to try out.

So far I have watched all the videos for project two up to the modeling part. It was full on trying to remember all the things they said but since I am writing notes as they talk it makes it much easier later.

My workflow is speeding up. I am comparing the tools from Max to Maya a lot. If anyone knows how to hinge from an edge in Maya let me know.

Other than that, I need a sleep.

Day 6

the Colour Wheel is out the door. I understand the nodes but when I have to use them oh god it was hard on my poor little brain. You have to remember simple maths for this to work. It became my problem as being a primary teacher you forget the simple stuff like -1 * 1 = a negative!!! oh god, I will need a good sleep after this one.

The buzznet community is great. everyone helps each other out and keeps you motivated during the hard times (damn nodes).