My Luck

Well, it happened again.  My computer died.  My second computer died.  Won't even turn on this time.  I can't say I'm surprised, the thing was louder than my car when it was running and it took forever just to load up anything, but still again?!  So now I'm stuck just using my wife's computer and that's it.  Until I get a new computer, which I need to do soon, because I'm planning on going back to school.  There's a Graphics Communications AA program here in Reno at Truckee Meadows Community College that I'm looking to start.  I should be able to qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which will pay for the school in full and give me a $1170 stipend each month.  I only qaulify for about 1 year (if I'm lucky), but I should be able to transfer enough credits to get it by then.

So that's my plan.  Until then, I'm just gonna have to wait.

Insignia

Just a quick render of the three insignias I'll be using. They're my first models in Lightwave and they definitely show. I'm still figuring out the cel-shader and you would not believe how long it took me just to figure out how to get the image files into 3D. So far this transition has been a lot harder that I thought it would be.

Soundwave, Megatron and... Shadowcaster?

I picked up a new sketch pad last weekend since I can't seem to find my old one anyway in the house (it's probably way down my storage hallway), and I've been taking it to work with me and actually putting it to use! I'm astounded. It's not easy to do it when you're working in a hospital surrounded by nurses and buzzers and sick people, but I got a few sketches done and online.


First up is Soundwave. I worked on his the most because I've been trying real hard to give him a new alt mode. I had planned on making him a C-130, but that idea didn't fit well, so now he's a mobile communications truck that controls unmanned aerial vehicles (which will be his minions still). I think I ironed out a realistic transformation for him.

Next is Megatron, who's been redesigned as a G6 (or G8) Howitzer.  Definitely a powerful vehicle, but not his usual tank form.  I haven't been able to draw up a real sketch of the guy yet though, my first attempt turned out super crappy.

Finally, I've got Shadowcaster, an original character of mine based off a Corsair Citation III, I believe.  I've had her planned out for years now so I didn't think a design sketch was necessary.  Yeah, she's a female, it fits the slender body of the plane better than some bulky male body.

Now none of these sketches are made for critiquing anything but the design.  I know proportions stink and the perspective is off, so please don't post that stuff.  just let me know if these designs look realistic enough to be a... transforming robot.  Yeah, just tell me if they suck.

New Software = New Computer?

Last Friday I finally got my last wedding present from my friend Rich - Lightwave 3D. I wasn't prepared however to get the plethora of other programs, including Vue, Poser, BodyPaint, Acid and a few others. Nor was I expecting books on about every program and even some for programs I didn't even get. It was an awesome find and it's more than a little overwhelming. When it was just Lightwave, I thought I had a chance of putting it to good enough use so Rich thought it was worth it to give it to me, but all these programs? That's a lot to learn and try to use together. But I'll try.

There is however, one obstacle to learning practically everything, and that's this noisy little box next to my desk. My old computer, built from the carcasses or two even older computers, which runs okay when you're surfing the net or working in Word, but even Facebook games get it lagging. I've tried a little model in Lightwave and while it didn't freeze up, it was only a dozen polys. I'm scared to see it try a full-fledged Transformer model. This is not to mention the tiny monitor I have, I think it's only 15".

So obviously I need a new rig. I'm just thinking of going for a Dell Studio XPS and keeping it under $800 (not including the monitor of course). My wife just got a job (today's her first day to be precise), so we may be able to afford it. Here's hoping she had a good first day on the job.

Dongle!

There it is, the bane of my existence. My friend Rich had lost the dongle (teehee) used for Lightwave for quite a while and now he's finally found it. Of course, now he's got to send it out and I'm not sure how long that will take.

In the mean time, though, I've downloaded the trial version of Lightwave on my old desktop. First, I wanted to see if my cobbled-together desktop could handle a modeler program. So far it can, but I haven't made anything with more than a few dozen polys and I haven't tried rendering anything at all yet. Second, I need to try learning this stuff so when Rich does get Lightwave to me, I won't be totally in the dark. Unfortunately, I am having the hardest time learning this stuff, even with tutorial videos. I don't know what's wrong with me, Lightwave is set up so similarly to Max, but I am just not catching on. It's frustrating me to no end, and I can only watch videos for so long before I just give up.

This web-comic is going to take forever to make.

Well, crap

It finally happened; my computer crapped out on me. It's not hardware either, Windows is blue-screening even in SAfe Mode. I've given up on it now though, I just need a new computer. Rich should still be giving me Lightwave someday, and I'll just load it onto a new desktop. Worst of all, I never had a chance to back-up OP since I started it, so he's totally lost. Everything else is backed-up though, so OP's my only loss.

So I've got a lot of time before I can buy a new computer, so that gives me plenty of time to work on a script. I should have a few dozen episodes done by the time I can start modeling again.

Almost there...

So Prime is just about done, but still needs a few more details.  I need to rig the back wheels so they'll move down to his feet, I still need to add the head and the hands (which thankfully I've already modeled).  I don't know what other details I can put on him, but I'm better I'll get some decent feedback online when I post it today.

Speaking of posting though...