Character Volan Texture

While I'm continuing to work on other areas of the project, here's a quick update on Volan with his textures finalised. I'm pretty pleased with the results as the final outcome achieved the original concept faithfully with only minor adjustments.






Original Concept

Isle of Cirrus Interim Presentation

We had an interim presentation this week, so its a good way to recap on the project thus far which you can find in the scribd presentation below. There's still a way to go so I'll be giving it my all in the remaining weeks left.
Isle of Cirrus Interim Presentation

Below are some larger still images of the island as it continues to take shape. The clouds are currently an expermentation with using maya fluids which I hope to be able to take further.



The main priortiy for now is to complete the texturing while getting lighting into the mix. I also aim to get a new version of the previs up in light of feedback and the development of the island.

Character Volan Model and Rig

Over the past week of the Easter break, I've been predominantly getting the character Volan up to speed with his completed model and rig in place. All that is left is to complete the texture which I will carry out in conjuntion with the texturing of the environment.




A system of skin weights and follicles are used to keep the various layers of props in place, where IK/FK switching is also avaliable for the legs. UVs are also laid out, allowing for the transfer of texturing in the near future.


Blendshapes have been created for facial movements, with a squinting expression shown below.


Testing the capabilities of the rig with some quick posing helped to expose any errors and allow for refinements where necessary.


With Volan predominantly complete, he can now move into the world of the environment which will help to realise the design of the island as a whole.

Character Volan Modelling #01

With the environment taking shape in the background, I've also begun to model the character of Volan, blocking in his overall form while starting to refine details. Its still a work in progress, but is hopefully coming together nicely.

Home/Island Design #04

Update on the home and island as more details continue to be resolved. Of particular note is the balloons and their fastening; the new side 'wings' which can tilt resectively to turn and bank the island, additional props, and the slight mound given to the surface of the island as a whole, raising the house and providing a much more organic feel to the island.

Home/Island Design #03

Just a quick update - things are starting to come together with the major shapes and elements of the island and house. The second ring of balloons not only provide further lift to the island but also help unify the island in its quirky nature.




Details are also being resolved in the background with props such as crates, barrels, lamps and a naval style search light which Volan can potentially use to signal to others.



Otherwise, there's still a way to go with refinements to the home and island, namely the island is feeling a little flat at the moment - so back to work.

Home/Island Design #02

After much feedback, I've revisited the house design to better emphasise and reflect the quirky nature of the island as a whole. It may still require some finer tinkering, but I feel much more confident with this current design, where more ideas and details continue to be resolved as I've taken the design into 3D.




I am currently continuing to resolve the model of the house as well as turning my attention to the island as a whole with the system of flight and array of props. More updates soon to come.

Home/Island Design

Resolved concept focusing on Volan's home, experimenting with some additional details over the base previs image. I distorted the proportions slightly to give a more quirky impression to the house overall.




Next, I will likely continue to develop the previs refining camera movement and specific elements, while also kick starting production with modelling.

Character 'Volan'

Here is the resolved design of Volan. Coming of age, he has adapted to the new conditions of the world and is determined to find signs of any other survivors. The style and aesthetic should be ideal for the whimsical tone of the piece, where I imagine finer details will be resolved when translating the design into a 3D space. Additional props include pouches, a compass, telescope and case.




Soon things will be moving into production as I wrap up the ends of preproduction.

Storyboard + Previs

After putting ideas together as a quick storyboard, I went straight ahead to put the piece together as an initial previs, particularly in the light that it would be difficult to convey the clear camera movement that is needed within a 2D animatic. As such, we are presented with a moment of flight with Volan and his island as he searches and soars the skies.






The piece relies much on tone and atmosphere which is slowly built up with the reveal of the island and the openness of sound. These initial sound effects and camera movements will undoubtedly go through further refinements, but they begin to capture the right tonality of the piece that I am trying to convey.

Building a quick mockup of the home and island has helped to resolve and generate new ideas to the piece and designs as a whole. I am eager to resolve these elements with the character of Volan being of next priority.

Character 'Volan' Initial Ideas #01

Initial ideas with the character design of Volan. As before: My initial thoughts for Volan is to be of a 'coming of age' male, reflective of a pioneering spirit. Originally a farmer, he had a variety of tools and equipment at his disposal to adapt to the flooded world. But now alone and isolated, he roams the skies in search for land and signs of any other survivors.

I've experimented with a range of different ideas to help determine the best direction to pursue. It's a bit tricky finding the right level of stylisation, as in some cases, it gives a strong youthful impression which will need to be balanced.



They are by no means final designs with their clothing or faces, but a manner of getting ideas down on paper and start determining elements that work. As such, I've picked out the ideas that seem to work the most. It feels that these ideas work better with their stylised proportions and various details with straps and pouches.



With this in mind, I will try to combine the successful elements of these initial ideas to progress with more resolved designs.

Home/Island Ideas #02

Some more development with Volan's home and island. These early sketches attempt to capture the idea that the home has been adapted and modified to expand the space of the house and power the flight of the island.




While the earlier idea of having a ring of propellers built into the island remains an interesting concept, I felt it would be too impractical to the island as a whole.




From the two more refined designs below, I am leaning towards the designs found in house B, with its practicality and overall form. A small number of gears protrude from the left side of the house to power the propeller below, where Volan can use the roof balcony to search the skies.



Applying the house design to the island below, the large balloons maintain the lift of the island where the propeller and rudders provide the forward momentum, turning and pitch capabilities respectively. The island is further shaped in an arch fashion so as to further amplify the force of wind through the propeller. Some ideas to items and props around the island include; an area for growing vegetables, fishing rods on the edge of the island, an array of buckets to collect rain water, as well as crates and barrels for storing food and materials.




To wrap up this post, a point of reference to the eccentric nature of the house and island is similar to the themes found in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Check out the video below with the opening scene of the house, and around the 3:30 mark with the variety of quirky contraptions.