U:66 - LO3. 3D Environment Techniques/Methods

In the process of making and creating my underwater 3D environment there were a wide range of techniques, methods and software interfacing used in order to manage and edit my project. Firstly I think files are the starter of any project as file formats are crucial to manage as they operate, save and load all your saved work. There are various types of file formats, common types of file formats used in 3D Max are; .jpeg, .bmp, .3dsMax etc.
Here is an example of my 3D Studio Max Underwater Laboratory untextured -

Texturing Techniques - The most common formats used when texturing and environment is JPEG and BMP. Using the coulour palette within 3D Max makes texturing relatively basic. It is a simple matter of saving an image created or edited from the interenet or photoshop and using keyboard shortcuts you can simply apply and assign individual textures to objects. Shortcuts are useful as it saves you having to do everything the long way, for example: F9 - Render Screenshot, M -Texture/Colour Palette.


Here is the finished textured laboratory using different JPEG's and BMP's, with careful configuring and merging the end result looks more realistic -

Lighting techniques - In my 3D Environment I found the lighting controls and effects essential as it adds to the atmosphere the sense of sunlight beaming through adding to the overall realism of the environment. I used ambient lighting over my 3D environment as the light spreads out evenly which blends and draws out certain contrasting colours from the textures. As my 3D environment is underwater, lighting was a challenge because light has to travel threw volumes of water, so with that in mind the background lighting effects are distant but direct. Lighting provides shadows meaning the buildings, tress and landscape look more atmospheric as if they are really there. I also used spotlights in order to get a more direct beam of ligting over a certain areas of my area, with simple modification I was able to adjust the intensity and range of the spotlight giving me control over the amount of lighting I intend on having over my environment. Note the shadows in this environment -

Virtual Camera - I used a free type camera to do a panoramic view over and around my environment. The focus and aperture were set clearly as a wide angle shot so that the whole landscape could be seen through the lense. Various angles were used when in camera mode to capture and record the environments main features and capture in best quality possible.