Folding Robot

For a recent school assignment, I worked extensively in Maya to design and develop a unique character featuring six or more limbs. This project encompassed the full 3D production pipeline, highlighting my versatility and proficiency in multiple areas of 3D art.

I began by creating concept art to define the character's appearance and functionality. From there, I modeled the character with attention to proper topology for efficient rigging and animation. Rigging the skeleton came next, where I implemented a robust system to manage the complexities of animating additional limbs.

I also performed UV mapping to prepare the model for texturing and set up a custom controller to streamline the animation process. Finally, I brought the character to life by animating it and assembling all components into a cohesive, polished presentation. This project demonstrates my ability to combine technical expertise and artistic vision to bring creative concepts to fruition.

One aspect I’m particularly proud of is the controller I created, which allows the character to curl into a ball and move its eye independently. This controller significantly simplified the animation process and added versatility to the character’s movements.

From the start, I set out to challenge myself by designing a character that could transform by curling into a ball. This required careful planning and problem-solving, particularly for the shell construction. My solution involved separate plates that functioned as armor when the character was walking and formed a cohesive wheel when curled up. This design not only enhanced the character’s functionality but also pushed me to think creatively about animation and rigging mechanics.

Throughout the semester, we had classes where our teacher introduced new techniques in Maya, walking us step-by-step through the process of creating an animated model. These lessons provided invaluable guidance as we worked on our characters.

Each week, I received constructive feedback from the teacher, which helped me refine and improve my character at every stage. This feedback was instrumental in identifying areas for enhancement and uncovering errors I hadn’t noticed before.

My teacher’s encouragement and positive remarks about my work—especially his comment that he was very happy with my character—were both motivating and affirming.

In the end, the dedication I put into this project, combined with the insights gained through feedback, resulted in an A grade. The experience not only deepened my understanding of the character creation process but also strengthened my skills in problem-solving and attention to detail.