References and Annotation of artefact

References & Annotation

Sound Effects

Cannon, A. (2011) Murder Mystery Music - Background. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i9u_hucAUs [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

I found this music suits my background sound when the scene of the story changing to tense situation. The sound express to a mysterious, nervous and horror feel.

Cupelli, M. (2012) Emotional Sad Beautiful Modern Piano Solo - "Lullaby". [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H6CUWsOPXA [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

I am mixing the first background sound with this background sound to form out my overall story sound tracks. These sound effects bring out the mysterious feel which will play in the beginning of the story and the failed and succeed scene.

CMIUC100. (2014) Wood Crack 03 Sound Effect. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQVnRlC4UzE [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

I found this sound effects very suit for the story situation, which will be play in the middle of the story to enhance the user experience.

Engel, R. (2012) Spooky Sounds - Witch's Laugh. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFAf_xgNjpE [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

I found this sound effects very suit for the failed story scene which the granny going to catch the boy and laughing spookily. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

FunSoundTube. (2014) Five Door Knocks Sound Effect. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOl_Qjel__Q [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect is use in the scene when the brother knocking the door in the beginning of the story. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

Joeyboy680. (2010) Breaking Glass Sound Effect. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc1cN7FE-pk [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect use in the succeed scene when the brother got the treasure box and he accidentally dropped two of the potions on the cat. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

Jojikiba. (2011) Electric shock sound effect. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrGuXePHJV4 [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect use in the twice of the succeed scene when the granny son using a wand to change the granny to a squirrel. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

Jorden D. (2013) Jungle Sound Effect. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6mpFcccI3g [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect is use in the beginning of the story when both brother and sister were lost in the jungle. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

Sound Jay. (n.d) Door Knock Sound Effect 2. [Video online] Available at: http://www.soundjay.com/door-sounds-1.html [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect is use in the scene of the granny trying to bang the door when she realized some one in the secret room. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

Sound Jay. (n.d.) Door Open Sound Effect 3. [Video online] Available at: http://www.soundjay.com/door-sounds-1.html [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect is use in the beginning of the story when the granny opened the door to the brother and sister after they knocked. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

SoundBible.com. (2010) Cat Scream Sound. [Video online] Available at: http://soundbible.com/1509-Cat-Scream.html [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect is use in the beginning of the story when the granny opened the door and the cat jumped out. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

SoundEffectsFactory. (2012) Door Kick Down. [Video online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6dz1XqVdBA [Accessed: 1 Feb 2014].

This sound effect is use in the both scene of successful and failed when the granny successful to bang in the secret room. This sound effect is to enhance the user experience in the story.

Inspirations & Assets

All-free-download.com. (2014) Download Green Leaf Icons free Vector misc - Free vector. [Online] Available at: http://all-free-download.com/free-vector/vector-misc/green_leaf_icons_310597_download.html [Accessed: 9 Feb 2014].

I download this asset and used one of the leaf vector which suits to my graphics. I only use the leaf outline and modified it to my brush then color it in adobe photoshop.

Anatomically Incorrect Creatures. (2010) The Creature Specialist. [Image online] Available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aicreatures/with/6329456340 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I found this flickr album is very interesting as contains a lot of handmade animal taxidermy by using non-woven cloth. With those images it inspired me to draw the animal taxidermy scene in the house.

Bennett Taxidermy. (n.d.) Bennett Taxidermy Photos. [Image online] Available at: http://www.bennetttaxidermy.com/Photos_Tiger_1.htm [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I use this tiger taxidermy as a reference to trace out my tiger vector in adobe illustrator.

Bev21blue. (2014) The Gray Flippen Squirrel Mount Taxidermy Decor. [Image online] Available at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Gray-Flippen-Squirrel-Mount-Taxidermy-Decor/171233756797?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222006%26algo%3DSIC.FITP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107083349%26meid%3D4623715990913472912%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140107083349%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D281246941948 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I use this squirrel taxidermy as a reference to trace out one of the squirrel in the failed scene.

Bluedarkat. (n.d.) Funny Fierce Black Cat Cartoon Sticker. [Image online] Available at: http://www.zazzle.com/funny_fierce_black_cat_cartoon_sticker-217388448984283364 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This image is very useful as a reference that show how cat angry pose. I use this image to trace and modified my cat character when it saw both brother and sister in the beginning of the story.

DAILY MAIL REPORTER. (2012) It's a real animal house! The $15million Texas mansion filled with dozens of stuffed polar bears, crocodiles and lions. [Image online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254880/Texas-mansion-sale-15million-filled-hunting-trophies-bears-deer-rhino.html [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

DAILY MAIL REPORTER. (2013) Who lives in this animal house? Shocked dinner guest reveals images of home FILLED with with taxidermy trophies. [Image online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2258826/Pictures-home-stuffed-taxidermy-hunting-trophies-posted-shocked-dinner-guest.html [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

Both the links above has inspired me how animal taxidermy house is and what has contains inside. I has use the both image to think of what animal should I put inside and helped me to draw out the angle of the animal.

Flickrhivemind.net. (n.d) Cottage Florida. [Image online] Available at: http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/cottage,florida/Interesting [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This flickr album inspired me on drawing the French house.

Graham, J. (2011) Campfire clip art. [Image online] Available at: http://www.clker.com/clipart-campfire.html [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I use this campfire as a reference to trace out the outline of the fire and the wood. Then I modified it and place it in to the chimney.

Keshet, A. (2013) Cartoon Old Granny. [Image online] Available at: http://www.toonvectors.com/clip-art/cartoon-old-granny/50703 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This image inspired me on the character of the granny.

Kindersley, D. (n.d.) Creative Image #:75489133. [Image online] Available at: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/illustration/cartoon-selection-of-foods-on-round-tray-royalty-free-illustration/75489133 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I use this image as a references to trace and modified the outline. This image is use in the scene when granny prepared dinner to the brother and the sister.

Lauranar. (n.d.) Little Boy. [Image online] Available at: http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-model-cartoon-character-little-boy/566534 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This image inspired me on the character of the brother.

Love, C. (2011) Miami Artist Accused of Smuggling Animal Parts for Taxidermy Projects. [Image online] Available at: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/field-notes/2011/11/miami-artist-accused-smuggling-animal-parts-make-taxidermy-art [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I use this image as references to trace out the bird taxidermy. However it  is a mixture form from several animals so that I only trace the upper body part and I modified the lower body part by myself.

Maestri, G. (2006) Digital character animation 3. Berkeley, CA.: New Riders.

This book is very useful for a beginner to learn how to draw and form a 3D characters, how to rig the character and some tips and tutorials are very knowledgeable. The reason of choosing this book because its teach clear instruction and easy to understand.

Marcus, K. (2012) Create a Sketchy Hand-Drawn Camera Illustration in Illustrator - Tuts+ Design & Illustration Tutorial. [Online] Available at: http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/create-a-sketchy-hand-drawn-camera-illustration-in-illustrator--vector-38 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This website has inspired me on my 2D graphic’s art style. This website is very useful as it has clear instruction.

Nwwings.com. (n.d.) Western Canada Goose. [Image online] Available at: http://www.nwwings.com/galleryview.php?imgid=45 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I use this image as a reference to trace out the goose taxidermy in the house.

Nytaxidermist.com. (n.d.) Taxidermy Gallery - Trophy Room. [Image online] Available at: http://www.nytaxidermist.com/new-york-taxidermy-GALLERY-TROPHY-ROOM.html [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This taxidermy gallery inspired me to draw out my animal taxidermy house.

Parmar, B. (n.d.) Any Truth To Hindu Superstitions?(Part I). [Image online] Available at: http://www.rethinkhinduism.com/any-truth-to-hindu-superstitionspart-i/ [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

In this website, I use the granny image as an inspiration to draw out my granny character.

Salt1231. (n.d.) Small animals,taxidermy Mount,Duck Taxidermy,Albino Squirrel,AnimalTaxidermy, NR. [Image online] Available at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-animals-taxidermy-Mount-Duck-Taxidermy-Albino-Squirrel-AnimalTaxidermy-NR-/281246941948 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

Stoney Hills. (n.d.) Stoney Hills. [Image online] Available at: http://www.stoneyhills.com/ [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

Thetaxidermystore. (2013) Two Fox Squirrel Taxidermy Mount on Branch. [Image online] Available at: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10488-N-Two-Fox-Squirrel-Taxidermy-Mount-on-Branch-Grey-Red-/160851951185 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

I use the squirrels taxidermy as a reference to trace out my own squirrel taxidermy with both of the links above.

Thoman, C. (2012) Cartoon Boy Sad. [Image online] Available at: http://www.toonvectors.com/clip-art/cartoon-boy-sad/3354 [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This image has inspired me on drawing the brother character.

Wikipedia. (n.d.) Granny (Looney Tunes). [Image online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Granny.png [Accessed: 12 Dec 2013].

This image has inspired me on drawing the granny character.

Working progress

In the following weeks, I had done my 2D graphic as fast as possible before the deadline. To form my 2D graphics, I had traced out the outline in Adobe Illustrator then move to Adobe Photoshop for coloring. After that I export my graphics in Adobe Photoshop to Adobe After Effect for compositing and adding animation. After export all the 2D graphics, I had export my 3D character in Cinema 4D to image sequences. Due to time limitation, I had cut down some of my 3D character animation and change to still image. Moreover, I had consult Kelvin and Zui on how to export files from Cinema 4D to After Effects. To export the 3D into After Effects, first I had to adjust the pose and the angle according to the scene that I want. 

In the interaction part, I had done the simple mini game in Adobe Flash. In this mini game, user may need to collects 3 objects to open the treasure box which contain a key to save the sister. With using previous knowledge of coding in Yi Wei class, I used simple code for this game and timer. 

The mini game works as user have to collect 3 items to get the treasure box open. If user successful to get the treasure box open then they will led to the next scene which I name it successful scene. The successful scene will continue the story to a nice ending. However, user will be given 60 secs to find the three objects. If times runs up, they will led to the next scene which is the failed scene. The failed scene will continue the story to a sad ending.

After done all the animation compositing the the mini game, I proceed to finding background sound and some of the sound effects. I edit the sound in Adobe Audition to cut and mix with two sound track which I found in Youtube to form out my background sound.

In the future, I will keep refining my artefact. 

Learning Progress 7: Rigging Character

To rig my character, I found it tough and challenging. 

I had gone through severals tutorials to learn how rigging works in Cinema 4D and I found the link below has simple, short and clear instruction. 

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn3-RjgZB30

After watching the tutorial , I had gone through severals of practice to get the rig perfectly. To rig my character it actually tooks me 3 to 4 days to complete it with two of the characters which is brother and sister. After rigging my character, I had use the weight tool to smoothen out the polygon so that my character will not distorted when it's animated.

Rigging my boy character.

It's very tough to weigh-ten up the character hands and the legs. I had spent a long time to smoothen up the area which has formed distorted.

However I still unable to get my girl character bend the lower body part perfectly, it still has some distorted part.

Alpha test

During alpha test, I had distribute the alpha test form for my classmates. Then I showed my artefact for each of them. The following is my screenshot of my artefact.

The landing page for my artefact. User may click on the play button to start the story.

Story start.

Until the end of the story. User able to play some mini game. From the instruction, user may find out 3 objects to open the treasure box in 60 secs. There are two endings depends on the outcome of the game play. If user success to find out 3 objects, the story will link to the successful scene while time's runs up the story will link to the fail scene. 

After user click "Ready" button they are direct to this scene. They may click start to play the mini game in 60 secs.

They are asked to find out 3 object to open the treasure box in 60 secs.

In this case, the user successful to find out 3 objects.They may click the treasure box to view the successful scene of the story.

The successful scene of the story.

Else,this is the failed scene of the story.

There are 8 questions in the alpha test form.

I will be listing out the questions and 8 of the feedbacks from my classmates in below.

Question 1: Broken links ?

Feedback:

User 1: Haven't link the gameplay to the story.

User 2: There's a broken link at the mission section.

User 3: Interaction linkage have not done.

User 4: None.

User 5: Connection between SWF is still not connected.

User 6: Yes. Not connected.

User 7: Haven't link the ending part -fail and succeed. 

User 8: Link the wrong scene when success in the game play but link to the fail scene.

Question 2: Glitch of programming ?

Feedback:

User 1: -

User 2: Nope.

User 3: None.

User 4: None.

User 5: Don't have any.

User 6: Yes.

User 7: Replaying the "success scene"

User 8: When fail, succeed.

Question 3: Error of instruction ? (Is it complete and clear?)

Feedback:

User 1: The tips for finding key not really noticeable.

User 2: Nope. Lacking for user feedback.

User 3: Game instruction not clear. Unable to refer to hint anymore after clicking "ready".

User 4: The game instructions and tips not clear, a bit abstract.

User 5: For the game, user might want to skip the introduction and they will not know what to do.

User 6: For the gameplay part,without instruction of what to do at the finding 3 objects. Can add another line of instruction.

User 7: The game play scene is abit confusing.Does not has any tutorial to lead or tips user for their directions.

User 8: There is no instruction yet.

Question 4: Design issues?(Graphics, layout and animation)

Feedback:

User 1: Background can be refine(eg: the staircase)

User 2: Collect items to unlock treasure box - (i)Items are no designed into clickable visual (ii) can make the item stronger by adding drop shadow or outline?

User 3: Perspective of the characters and background can be improve.

User 4: The character of sister body size looked abit too small compared to the brother.

User 5: Interesting layout of mixed 2D and 3D.By the way all the character can be all in 3D.

User 6: Overall artefacts are cute. Spotted floating elements and grammar mistakes.

User 7: Cute character.

User 8: Very easy to understand the story. Grammar can be fixed tho.

Question 5: Audio component issues? (missing soundtrack, overlaying soundtracks, inconsistent of audio track qualities)

Feedback:

User 1: Can add soundtrack at main menu.

User 2: No major technical error at sound solution. Lacking of mood background music to contrast the reward of accomplishing task or fail task.

User 3: None.

User 4: None.

User 5: Nice background music.

User 6: Can add more sound effects.

User 7: No issues. Suits with graphics. Mysterious feel.

User 8: Nice music, can add more sound effects.

Question 6: Proper action and feedbacks?(clear navigation messages, rollover animation, button clicks)

Feedback:

User 1: Clear navigation.

User 2: So far ok.

User 3: Navigation is clear.

User 4: None.

User 5: For the games, the rollover can be more obvious.

User 6: -

User 7: Clear message.Only the game play there abit confusing.

User 8: Put animation when rollover would be nice.

Question 7: Proper navigation?(Able to finish the game, button for replaying the game, button for quitting the game)

Feedback:

User 1: Can't replay the game (replay button)

User 2: Not completely linking.

User 3: Broken links unable to lead from the beginning to the end.Make sure the interactivity and story are link.

User 4: None.

User 5: Only game can be navigate.Obvious hint can give the user better experience.

User 6: Yes.

User 7: Able to finish the game.

User 8: Not yet.

Question 8: Overall performance(satisfaction of gameplay / experience)

Feedback:

User 1: Interesting story.

User 2: Pace of the animation is slightly too slow. Lack of excitement for user to look forwards to what's gonna happen next.

User 3: The audio and storyline are well merged. Grammar mistakes for narrative. Overall experience is very impressive. 

User 4: Interesting story telling. Succesful gameplay.Different ending for winning and losing scene.

User 5: Nice storyline and background music, complete flow.

User 6: Good.

User 7: Mostly complete. 95%.

User 8: Ok.

Therefore for further refinement, I had jotted down what should I improved from the alpha test.

1. Improve grammar of my story.

2. Try to link all the component into one and make sure it is run smoothly.

3. Putting clear instruction before the game play.

4. Adding more sound effects in my artefacts.

Week 9 - Presentation of working progress

This is the presentation slides of week 9 working progress.

In this slide, I explained about what is my Plan B on my artefact due to the time limitation.

(If you want to know more about Plan B , I had listed out in the previous post , which you could see here )

In this slide, I listed out what I had learn so far in this several weeks.

Then , I also found out the procedure to export the files to the platforms.

Last several slides, I explained how I sculpturing my character head but then I had remove the face feature such as eyebrow,eyes and mouth due to convenient of changing face expression later.

I had learn how to UV map on my character heads.( For more details, previous post I will explained more detail on my working progress on this)

Same procedure that goes with the girl character

Therefore, the current progress on now is rigging the character, as it still failed because the rig is not really bind with the character yet.

In conclusion, I've done my character modelling to 100%, however I might change of refine on some character polygons later such as the fingers. Then, I will try to learn how to rig the character as fast as possible and proceed to compositing and interactive component in Flash. 

Learning Progress 6: UV mapping on character

Learning UV mapping on my character is quite difficult to me. As a fresh user in Cinema 4D I have no idea on how to do UV mapping although I had learnt the UV map in 3D max before. I tried to find out online video tutorial on UV mapping on character, however I only found one that useful. 

The video tutorial teaches some of the basics of putting UV mapping in a simple object such as a cube. Then , following by putting UV map on a complicated object. I very appreciated on this video as the 1st part was giving me an overall idea of applying UV mapping in to my object, 2nd part was giving me an idea of applying UV map on my character head.

Link: http://www.itsartmag.com/features/uv-mapping-in-c4d/#.Us5OmmQW1n9

By referring on the video tutorial, I stuck with modeling my character head as it was not a fully polygon. Therefore I hardly proceed to applying UV map on it. However, I went to research some of the tutorial, I found out I had to bake out the sculpture therefore are able to apply UV map on it. 

This is an link about an detail article of baking the scupture: http://www.cafedownloads.com/reviews/r14/sculpting5.html

Link:  http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/sculpting-cinema-4d-tutorial-new-in-cinema-4d-r14/

Another that about sculpting the object but in the last part having a basic information of how to bake the object.

Then, I also found out a clear tutorial on how to export UV mapping to PSD file.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4d2pR-aczo

Export the UV map to PSD is very useful, as it is linking together, therefore I am allowed to change the face expression on my character easily.

Below showed printed screen on my working progress:

By referring the tutorial, I had successfully baked out my character head. Then I have to use the Selection tool to select the middle path of back head so that easy to peel off the head UV map into half.

Had successfully to peel off the head UV map which able to view in the right panel, then I use brush to make a guideline by painting where is the location of eyes, the hair, the eyes, the nose and the mouth.

Then I export the UV map to PSD file and putting the color inside.

After that I revert the UV in to Cinema 4D and here is my character head.

Almost same procedure of applying UV map on my character body, it's quite simple compare to the character head.

Same goes with applying what I've learnt to the girl character.