3d art

Artist
Showcase
Michal Kwolek
Michal was born and lives in Poland, and is 32 years
old. He’s been a computer graphics professional for
eight years, previously interested in it as a hobby. For
six years he was working for an advertising agency
using 2D graphics. Currently he is working in the studio
as the general graphic artist. He mainly deals with
modelling and texturing, though from time to time
does simple rendering and animation.
04
Modelling the vehicle
Creating the sleek lines of the craft
I made a model of the ship using
the poly modelling method. I started
from a simple tube shape with a small amount
of polygons. The tube was converted to
polygons on the object and I removed the field
along the y-axis. Next I added the modifier
‘Symmetry’ to the shape of the tube. Now,
the shape of the two halves was a mirror so
the second half was a reflection of the first.
Modifying the first section modified the second
as well. This allows you to obtain a symmetrical
shape which saves a lot of modelling time.
05
When I was happy with the
balance of the preliminary modelling
of the ship, it now looked liked a perfect tube.
At this stage the most important point was to
capture the correct proportions. I then cut a
hole in the middle and modelled the edges so
that they formed a basic cockpit outline. Then
the front and ends of the hull were modelled
so that the geometry bent inwards into a
distinctive air inlet shape.
Kids 3ds Max, V-Ray, Photoshop CS3 (2008)
The work of Kids was created for a competition organised by the
Polish portal, max3d.pl graphics. This work took first place. I really
like this picture; it brings much joy to me, especially the modelling
of the kids and their parents. It was completely created in less than
two months. It also qualified for a CG Gallery Choice Award.
Minotaur 3ds Max, V-Ray,
Photoshop CS3 (2009)
Minotaur was formed in a free
moment at work. The model took
quite a long time, probably nearly
three weeks. Originally intended
to be a hero without a shirt, it was
to be realistic. But I went away
from that approach to a more
cartoon style. Unfortunately,
because a realistic weapon
remains, it detracts from the
whole image. Maybe someday I’ll
improve it and make the Minotaur
a realistic figure.
Andrew 3ds Max, V-Ray, Photoshop CS3 (2007)
Reviewing the work of Daniel Frost, I had the idea of making a
steampunk plane named Andrew. It’s an amazing idea with large
chimneys on a plane – I like this type of invention. Creating it in 3D
(originally it was a simple bar sketch) was a pure pleasure. The
background and water were created in Photoshop. This image
qualified for a CG Gallery Choice Award.
06
In the next stage I created the main elements of the ship. Not bothering too much about
the details, I focused on the shape of the vessel and the proportions between different parts.
All the elements still used the same Symmetry modifier so that only half of them had to be modelled,
with the other side being created automatically. When I decided that it had the correct proportions, it
was time to start the fine-tuning.
07
When I was aligning the engine
I didn’t really care about the technical
validity of the construction, I just wanted you
to be able to see it at first glance. Therefore
I modelled a simple block, pistons and valves.
All kinds of tubes, ropes and cables made lines.
It has (like the hull) been completely treated by
the Symmetry modifier to make it faster and
easier to finish.
08
When the ship was initially in place
it had metal-strut feet, but at the last
minute I decided to put them on wheels, which
were modelled from cylinders. The cylinders
were distorted at the bottom edge so as to look
as if they were subjected to a load. The chassis
design of the undercarriage is a typical light
aircraft arrangement. I made it with appropriately
matched tubes that look like pistons.
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