Lightwave Evaluation

We were asked to create an environment, which we thought the world would look like in the future. I started by researching on different futuristic cities other artists and designers had created. I liked the idea of creating an island which was floating on the water with other islands connecting to it but could be disconnected at any time; my idea was that the reason why the world was now like this was because of the rise in water levels where humans were forced to live on the sea and this was the easiest way.

However when we were given a tutorial on weight maps I decided I wanted to do something a little more challenging, I decided I wanted to create a waterfall with the cities inside of the cave behind the waterfall.

I then researched various different waterfalls to determine which type I was going to use I decided I wanted to use a high cliff type where the water flowed straight down in one continuous river.

The software we used was new to me so I experimented with lots of different tools just to see what looked right. I used the booleen tool many times for the inside cave as well as using the surface editor which I found interesting to change the different textures and surfaces. I also used the magnetic drag tool, which I found useful when creating the terrain as well as the drag tool to tie up loose ends.

I found it quite difficult to use the software, at first I strived to make everything look the best it could and experiment as much as I could but I feel for my first project in Lightwave I took on a difficult design in hindsight I wish I had made sure I asked for more help on the practical work as I struggled to get the design done.

I think my enthusiasm for this area helped me a lot as I didn’t want to give up because I wanted to get it right as I wanted to do well in this field in future I will make sure I ask for the help I need and not try so hard to figure it out myself and cause myself to panic and thus make mistakes.

I feel by project is quite weak compared to what I imagined it to be the end result is a rough around the edges and looks unfinished which I am disappointed with as I really wanted this to the area I strive in but for the next project I will make sure I know exactly how and if I don’t know how do something I will ask for assistance. I also want to improve my timekeeping as I feel I was poor at keeping at the time period given as I was experimenting with the tools.