Lone Wolf Drafting, Down, But Not Out

Once again, it has been some time since my last post.  These past few months have been both challenging and rewarding, and things remain fluid even as I write this.

First, the challenges.  As some of you may or may not know, I have been struggling to keep my little company, Lone Wolf Drafting and Design, afloat in these hard economic times.  Eventually, the company went further under, and I had to stop servicing my clients.  Between the failing economy, aging hardware and out of date software, I could no longer continue my business as it was.

Lone Wolf Drafting and Design - It's not over yet, I hope.

So, it was time for some real soul searching. Do I want to save my company?  Do I want to continue being a sole proprietorship in an economy that punishes you for your hard work?  Do I want to really invest in new equipment as my client base shrinks due to their own economic struggles?  Can I justify the expense of new software just to keep up in a market that is changing day by day?

Well, the short answer is "yes, maybe, sort of".

However, in order to do any of this, I was going to have to divide and conquer; I was going to have to call in favors, pull together resources, and when none could be found, I would have to create work-arounds to get the job done. 

So first, new equipment.  Toward the end of 2012, it came to my attention that my old Mac and PC just were not up to the task of supporting new software, the hardware was just too old. 

My Mac is not this old, but in the face of new software, it felt like it!

This will run Windows 7, right?

The first option was to spend a RIDICULOUS amount of cash on a new Mac - around $13,000.00. 

It's a beautiful machine, but at 13 large, it was not an option.

That was just not going to happen.  I needed a new plan.

Enter in my tech guru, Rusty.  I have mentioned him before - Rusty has been instrumental in keeping my hardware running, and has helped me with all computer issues, great and small.  But this was a doozey.  We were going to have to build a brand new machine from the ground up.  We needed a new motherboard, new processor, new heat sink, memory, hard drives, the whole thing.  The only thing salvageable from my old machine was the case and the original hard drive - and that was to be for on-board storage only. So, I gathered up all my pennies, and old equipment (routers, hubs cables, keyboards, antennas, whatever I had that I thought he could use) and went to Rusty's to build a new machine.  Yep, Rusty didn't build it alone, I helped.  I wanted to know how it worked and why we were using specific components.  We salvaged a BioStar motherboard with 8 gigs of RAM from another of Rusty's machines, and from that, we were going to build this thing.  We included a Solid State 128 gig drive to hold all of my programs, and installed a Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card. This machine is a beast; it works amazingly well, with dual monitors - fantastic.

Super Graphics Card

Massive new heat sink.

The BioStar Motherboard.

The super processor.

Next, the software.  Fortunately, Autodesk is the maker of both new suites of software that I wanted to learn - Maya and 3DStudio Max/ Design Suite.  Autodesk offers both programs for free under their student licensing program.  The only restriction is that you CANNOT use the student versions to turn a profit.  No problem, Autodesk, and thanks for making that available.

Maya

Max

Next up, a tutor.  For my readers that have been with me for a while, you may remember me working on a project called MegaTokyo - a video game concept that is being developed by Steve Lundberg and Jade Phoenix - examples of my work on that project can be seen here.  Over the course of a year, Steve was showing my work to others, and offered to put me in touch with someone that could teach me new software.  Steve is a creative visionary with true heart and passion for what he does.  His game will truly be a work of art as he completes it, and I hope to have a small hand in helping him develop it, especially as I continue to learn new software.

But first, I have to learn it....

Enter in Bruce Buechner.  This guy is amazing at what he does.  A self taught 3D artist, an expert modeler, rendering artist, animator and rigger.  His work is really something to see.  He has also spent time as a studio recording technician, and has won 3 Grammies.  This guy is the real deal!  He is so talented at what he does, universities have used his work to teach their classes.  I came to know Bruce through Steve, as Bruce was one of the people Steve forwarded my work to. Without Steve's introduction to Bruce, I would have never come this far in my education.   Bruce has been kind enough to get online with me via Skype, Google Hangout, and even through text messaging on Yahoo on IMO to show me the ins and outs and what he knows.  You can see Bruce's tutorial videos here, on YouTube.com. His knowledge seems never ending, and I am forever grateful to both Bruce and Steve for all they have done, I am in their debt.

Here are a few of the models I have created since Bruce has taken the time to tutor me.

Train platform.

Fire hydrant based on Bruce's tutorial on his YouTube page.

Oil rig.

So, as of right now, Lone Wolf Drafting and Design is on hiatus.  I hope to maybe obtain some additional software that will allow me to continue my business, or I may start looking for employment using my newly acquired knowledge.  Either way, the start of 2013 is a rebuilding period; I will figure out what I am supposed to do, and what my next step is in the evolution of Lone Wolf Drafting and Design and in my professional life.

I will post again as soon as new developments arise.

Thanks for reading!

I’m Geeking Out, You Monster…..

As I have stated before, I am a video game junky, although, now that I think about it, I think I’m more of a video game snob, as opposed to anything else.  Modern Warfare and GTA/ Liberty City are two of my all time favorites; Modern Warfare because of its fast action and amazing attention to detail and GTA because of its beautiful gaming environment specifically as it relates to their version of New York City.   Recently, my father in law, Dan, introduced me to Portal 2.  He described it as a cool 3D puzzle solving game, to which my initial thought was “ehh, I’ll give it a try”.  Dan’s description of the game really didn’t do it justice (sorry, Dan).  From the moment is started playing, I was hooked.  The environments are so beautiful and grand, the characters and fun and memorable (with some pretty funny dialogue), and the amount of thought put behind each challenge is staggering.

The entire game is based around an evil super computer named Glados that is forcing a captive human (you) to perform in a series of mentally challenging tests.  Each test takes place in a room of her design, and you, as the test subject, have to use what is available in the room to complete the challenge.  The only thing that you have with you as a constant is a portal gun – a device that creates a temporal gateway from one location instantly to another. 

The Portal Gun

One of the many test environments

Glados - She makes life very difficult for you....

The catch is that only certain wall types will hold a portal.  Along the way, you meet Wheatley, a small “core” that helps you here and there during the course of the game and, well – you’ll see.

Wheatley

Throughout the game, there are a bunch of other little characters each with there own unique personalities - my favorites, the turrets....

Searching.... There you are...

The game’s maps range from ultra cool, futuristic and minimalistic settings to vintage environments ranging from the 1950’s to the 1980’s; all with unique details and challenges. 

The co-op part of the game is just as fantastic.  The characters, Atlas and P-Body, are test robots designed to carry out the constant testing of Glados.

Atlas and P-Body on a mission...

Each test will challenge you and your partner and will either create a stronger bond between the two of you, or possibly tear you both apart, making you bitter enemies to the end.  I am happy to say that my wife and I did not fall prey to the latter.

So, if you haven’t noticed by now, I love this game, and has definitely earned a spot in my top 3 favorites.  I spent a week straight playing it to its conclusion, simply loving every second of it.  I loved it so much, that I was moved to design my own Portal 2 inspired room.

My room inspired by Portal 2

For those of you that noticed, you will see the back round of my blog has changed.  It is, in fact, my Portal 2 inspired space.  Yes, the ultimate geek-out. 

I plan to get the first Portal game in the very near future, as I have a serious need to keep testing.  Thanks for reading!

Resting.

Jade Phoenix and Mega Tokyo 2041

Hello all – This is just a quick a follow up to the original Jade Phoenix and Mega Tokyo post.  Here is the Hugh Geit Research and Development Facility at night.  Thanks for stopping by!

For more information on this project, please follow these links:

http://jp-studios.com/news.php

www.lonewolfdrafting.com

http://www.indiedb.com/company/jade-phoenix

http://www.indiedb.com/members/lonewolf1211

The facility from above.

Central atrium.

Central atrium with bridge and elevator cores.

Front view.

Side view.

Rear view.

Jade Phoenix and Mega Toyko 2041

Hello all – I have been away for awhile working on some very exciting projects.  First off, I will be adding a couple of new garages and a layout for a private, in home theater lobby.  I have also been working on a new dining concept and most recently, a new video game concept.

A while back, I was working on a video game concept for a group called “Always Beyond”. I really enjoyed working on the concept art work, but unfortunately, do to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the project has been put on hiatus. 

Always Beyond: The Pavilion

Always Beyond: The Cathedral Hanger

Always Beyond: The Tower

So, after that news was relayed to me, I got back to work doing my usual stuff – images for clients and promo work for my portfolio.  Then, out of nowhere, I got a call from Steven Lundberg, a gentleman that had contacted me a few times through my page on DeviantArt.com.  Every now and again I would see a post telling me that he liked a particular image that I had created, and we spoke through messages on a few occasions.  But this time, he actually called me, on the phone – which was a bit of a surprise, to say the least.  He called to invite me to work with his team, Jade Phoenix, who is currently developing a new video game based on some classic Anime TV shows, such as AD Police and Bubblegum Crisis.

 

Who? What?  Yeah, that’s what I said.  I love the Sci-Fi genre, but I have always leaned more toward the Blade Runner, Firefly and Star Trek side of the Sci-Fi spectrum.  I have a few friends that really got into the Anime scene, but I just never got into it, so I was a little baffled as to why Mr. Lundberg would want my help…with anything.  Apparently, Steve liked my design style and wanted me to bring some of architectural expertise and graphic vision into his project, and I said okay.  So, after getting a crash course in Anime, watching a few episodes of AD Police as well as researching some of the other shows mentioned, I got to work on the “test building” – a simple u-shaped structure that didn’t have all that much to it.  There was a basic blueprint in the “Bubblegum Crisis” handbook that had the layout for me to use as a guide. 

The basic layout concept of what would become the Hugh Geit R+D Facility.

Steve wanted to see it more of a doughnut shape with an atrium in the middle, and that was it – after that, I was on my own to create.   So, off I started coming up with a basic geometry – continue scrolling to see the black and white model evolution.

The under-roof supports.

The environment.

The roof shield from above.

The roof shield from below with additional supports.

At this point, the building started to get a bit more complex, and after sending these latter images to Steve, the building was given a name: The Hugh Giet Research and Development Facility.

HG R+D from above.

The front of the facility.

The inner lobby with elevated decks.

The central atrium with lateral bridge and elevator cores.

Back end of the building showing the roof and truss system.

The landing pad for VTOL aircraft.

The landing pad with a VTOL aircraft from above.

The front of the VTOL aircraft on the pad.

At this point, Steve started sharing images with his colleagues and as well as www.indiedb.com – an independent gamer/ developer site, as well as on the Jade Phoenix blog and website: http://megatokyo2041.wordpress.com  and http://jp-studios.com.

Over the past couple of days, I have been rendering the model in daylight conditions.  I plan to render them in nighttime conditions at well.  Here are some facts about this model:

- Modeled in Google SketchUp Pro.

- Rendered in Artlantis Rendering Engine v 1.1.

- Contains over 1100 individual points of light.

- Has a file size of 800 megabytes (and continues to grow as more items are tweaked and added).

- The trees alone account for 300 megabytes of information.

- Building footprint is approximately 20,000 square feet, and the roof shield stretches out to approximately 100,000 square feet.

- The Hugh Geit building has multiple elevated walkways and 4 exterior elevator cores.

I will share more images and designs as they are created - thanks for reading!

Always Beyond the Ordinary

I love my job.  The love the fact that I work for myself and only myself.  I love the fact that my morning commute starts in my bedroom, stops in my kitchen for breakfast, and then goes down the hallway across from my bedroom to my office; my only traffic consists of a speed bump that I loving call “Jack” (Jack is my dog, not an actual speed bump). I love the fact that I get paid to create computer generated images.

However, my real passion lies in wanting to create 3D environments for video games.  I was never what you would call a “gamer” – my first system was a Colecovision. 

Then, a decade later, we finally got Nintendo. 

Then, another two decade later, I finally got into the big leagues with an awesome Xbox 360 Live.

I love this thing – seriously, I’m on it just about every day (My gamertag is LW DiVincenzo for anyone that’s interested).  Sometimes my morning commute takes me to the living room instead of my office.  Anyway, the first game I started playing on the 360 was “Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 2”.  Wow.  I mean really, wow.  While most people were playing online and trying to figure out how to level up, I was running the game in private mode just so I could look around and stare at the complexity and beauty of the gaming environment.  I found myself doing the same thing while playing Bioshock, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Split Second, and my favorite from an environment point of view, Grand Theft Auto, Liberty City – just amazing. 

I have so many ideas in my head for a digital gaming environment; I could spend the rest of my life creating them. However, I soon realized that I do not have the background knowledge necessary to work for a gaming design company.  While I have the imagination and static modeling talent necessary to create cool images and backgrounds, I do not have the slightest clue as to how to make it work in a video game.  Therefore, I have not had any luck working for a gaming house.  So, when a friend of mine told me that he had a friend looking for environmental designers, I jumped at the chance to show off to the best of my ability. 

I have never had so much fun.

The company, Always Beyond was looking for people to help them develop a new video game concept.  Due to the fact that the game is still under development, I wont give away any of game’s details.  The images that I created were for concept only – a way to start kicking around some ideas, and they all have a copyright.  Anyway, I was tasked with coming up with some environment ideas based on the following requests: a fort/ marketplace, a hanger, a sort of religious/ worship center, a central tower and an encampment.   Here is what I came up with:

The Fort/ Marketplace:

The Pavilion (the worship area):

The Cathedral Hanger:

The Tower:

Other aspects of the gaming environment, such as the encampment, are currently under development, and I will be posting them as I complete them.  Check back for updates!