What I'm Going To Work On For Dawn
What I'm going to work on for Dawn
November 6th, 2023 - started writing at 12:47 AM
*text marked with an asterisk indicates an update as of November 19th as I had this draft for some time)
(going to start logging more stuff, kind of practicing writing the dates even if it does that for me already :P)
Some unnecessarily lengthy and probably pointless context, you can just skip to the blue header
I worked on a LOT of my personified spacecraft. They just aren't here because I've been doing this since mid 2021, so they're on my DeviantArt account.
(I have a lot of fun posing. Not so much fun rendering for eons hehe)
But, it's almost 2024! And with the experience I gained since I started on the first ones (Perseverance/Curiosity; they used the same model) and a few other non-spacecraft, why not do it all again?
Honestly, really from scratch. Not only would it be difficult to add onto, change, or reuse previous content, but I also want to preserve the original files as they were + I work using procedural and manual rigging with Cloudrig now.
(There is an exception where I may use Perseverance/Curiosity (just the mesh parts). I updated them in 2022, and they also still share the same model. I archived their older models.)
I have practiced Cloudrig with Scorpius, who I finished not too long before I started working on Dawn.
Continuing on that, I decided to settle on a new land and began chipping away at Dawn. This time I've got a lot more considerations to keep in mind and I'm taking all the time I have.
In fact, she's not actually finished by the time of writing, hehe aren't I a little procrastinator /lh
so, what next?
WELL I'M GLAD YOU DIDNT ASK :D /j
1. Extra facial options for conveying expressions
The older rigs have options for stuff like creases and a sort of "tint". I call it a tint, but it is really just blushing. An important thing is that it functions as a color-changing mood indicator for intense emotions
Dawn, for example, would blush (or tint) yellow in a very happy state, or from platonic feelings
Then there's blue for an intense state of sadness
A new thing I could is stuff like. Agh I don't know what theyre called but yknow how angry characters may have those red lines to represent a vein, or scared/shocked characters have those pale blue/white lines around their heads???? whatever thats called, yeah I might do that lol
2. Closing/opening the eyes
A LOT of the eyes are done within procedural texturing. Her eyelids are not actually masked by any mesh. I currently have a few bones to close the eyes but they kind of crowd the layout and I don't really see a point in using them.
The eyelids are a texture via math nodes, and it is just a parabola. However, I am unable to get a more stylized curve without making things more complex
Before I reuse the rig itself in any way, I want to update the eyes so i can have a slider to toggle a hidden curve that I can use for the closed eyelids.
*UPDATE: THIS HAS BEEN ADDED
3. Possibly making the mouth more versatile.
This is something I am not sure is possible with my knowledge or just really in general? it probably could be but I may have to add in a lot more nodes and stuff.
The mouth is also done through procedural texturing. There are no actual image files used and all the shapes are solely from math nodes.
So my main problem is "curving" teeth so if I have a more curved mouth the teeth can kind of follow along, and it will look better. i may have to play around and experiment with vector stuff
4. making a pose library
As an animator myself, a pose library to add basic expressions and, more importantly, lip sync, is TOTALLLYYYYYYY NEEEDEEEEDDDD I mean I think you can apply poses mid-animation? I have soggy memory
5. Overall, making sure I can reuse the rig
Unlike the new rigs, reusing a rig and adapting it to a new character was a big pain in the antenna dish. With procedural rigging its much easier because the constraints will be aligned with what i tweak in the meta rig.
Because of that, i have to make sure that Dawn's rig is something that will not require too much tweaking when I get to reuse her rig for others. I'm working on Psyche, and by the time i can rig her, Dawn's rig should be good to go.
So again, making sure i have all of the above ready for reusing YEAAAH
November 19th, 2023 - finished writing/posted at 10:33 PM
More Posts from Rollie-rolerson and Others
I understand that perhaps not many people watch me, but any sort of action and increasing awareness and education about this situation is super important. Please check this out and help/take action in any way you can ^^
will not be posting art today (march 2nd) in participation of the 1 day strike for Palestine. posted here is some resources + ways to help.
BFDIA 10 has also released today. it is encouraged that you avoid talking about it today and talk about Palestine.
-- educational --
- Decolonize Palestine, an in-depth educational resource about Palestine's history, Israel's rainbow washing, as well as myth debunking.
- Advocating For Palestine, a booklet including how to effectively communicate and advocate for justice, important terminology, and in-depth myth debunking.
-- donation --
- Arab.org , each click donates a small amount. no money necessary!
- Care For Gaza (PayPal link in their bio) trusted organization directly providing aid to Palestinians.
- Funding esims is incredibly important to keeping Gaza connected to the world, and keeping eyes on the atrocities committed, in light of a complete communications blackout.
- UNRWA's funding has been cut by countries in support of Israel. They are short on funds as a result and need help to continue their operations.
- Many Palestinians have started individual GoFundMes or similar fundraisers for help. Here is a document compiling them.
Always be aware of scams, and double check before donating!
- action -
- Official boycott from the BDS Movement. These (the consumer targets) are the companies you should avoid more than any others in support of Palestine, and let it be known why you are avoiding them. The website also explains what the different types of boycotts mean, and some things to keep in mind when boycotting. I'd recommend reading the whole thing. if you want to boycott other entities, that's fine, but FOCUS ON THESE COMPANIES!
- For contacting representatives from a selection of countries
- United States Campaign for Palestinian Rights. Provides more ways of contacting your reps (in the US) as well as resources on other things you can do.
reblog posts, talk about Palestine to anyone who'll listen. keep going until Palestine is free.
Silly sketches #002
space stations™
happi pride month
in case if i cant make art (just came back from vacation and im low on energy...rargh) i wanna pop in to add to this from my last post
dawn and kepler are lesbian-coded...that's really it lol (also kepler is non-binary coded woohooo)
I recently learned that October is ADHD Awareness Month
I do suspect I have the combined type but regardless I would like to help spread some awareness by providing some resources (linked at the bottom) + sharing stuff about my Spitzer Space Telescope OC who's ADHD-coded
Spitzer himself has the Combined type, so he has a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. He takes pride in his hyperfixations and the hobbies/activities he loves that keep him stimulated. Drumming keeps him moving, and infodumping about astronomy gives him joy. It's especially exoplanets and the infrared side of astronomy that grabs his attention. Listening to noisy breakcore while cleaning up works like a charm. But he also has to find ways to manage troubling symptoms.
Spitzer is prone to being overwhelmed, and that had become more problematic later in his life when burnouts became more apparent and debilitating due to executive dysfunction. He has trouble getting tasks done by himself as he can overlook details or rush/skip steps and often gets distracted and doesn't even realize it. He also has trouble regulating the stress that comes, among other stressors.
His family was able to help him in those aspects. Kepler and Hubble both spent time to help him follow a daily schedule he liked, gave him reminders, and helped to break tasks up into smaller bits. Kepler was there for Spitzer to make sure his observations were on track, but the two took part in a lot of body-doubling, support swapping, and especially infodumping. Hubble wanted to make activities more engaging for Spitzer, and tries to make sure that, when they both hang out, it's something they both can enjoy.
Stargazer did the most when it came to emotional support. She was very comforting, very open, and taught him techniques to ground himself. Spitzer personally thinks that her hugs are the best hugs. Deep pressure helps when he gets stressed; his family knows how well hugs do, but Stargazer's hugs in particular made him feel safe and secure.
Whether or not you have ADHD, there's plenty of ways to support and help someone you know who suspects or has it, and if done, it can go a long way! ADHD has its positive sides but it can also be an actual struggle to live.
ADHDAwarenessMonth
ADDitude
CHADD
(These websites come with plenty of resources, activities, and additional information)
My personal advice and this is something that I think goes a long way: if you're stressed out, take some time to try meditating. It's a good way to ground yourself and has personally helped me with my racing thoughts, and sessions don't have to be long. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water and take steps to get yourself on a diet that can help with your symptoms. ADHD also involves a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can be affected by what you eat. If you do your body good, you can also do your brain good.
And plus, drinking some nice cold water feels refreshing!
