FMX 213 Journey

     When I first imported my Metahuman model into Blender, it was in a default A-pose with no animations, which required multiple changes. I redesigned the skeleton by recreating the bones and changing the root structures of numerous body components to accommodate the intended positions. After merging the animation sequences, I was able to correctly link the data to my restructured Metahuman. This technique was repeated for the second posture, and everything worked perfectly, with YouTube providing essential troubleshooting and guidance. I then exported the models to STL format, ready for 3D printing at the Fab Lab.     Several issues arose during the initial printing attempts. I started with a trial of solid white filament, planning to transition to clear PLA once the procedure was refined. A big difficulty was that the prints were not evenly hollow; Tinkercad tweaks resolved this, making the model hollow from the torso to the head. The most recurring issue wa...

     For my final project, I chose to create a Metahuman light for my residence, taking a more extensive approach than originally envisaged. Originally, I pondered only modeling the head and shoulders. However, I expanded the concept to include the arms and torso, aiming for a full upper-body representation.      I created the Metahuman with Unreal Engine, focusing on two distinct stances. The first posture depicts the figure making a peace sign, while the second shows it displaying its middle fingers, introducing a variety of expressive movements. To do this, I carefully posed the Metahuman model.      After posing, the model needed to be animated. This step was critical because it allowed the sequence to be exported into Blender, where it could be further modified and prepared for 3D printing. This method enabled me to improve the model into a functional and aesthetically pleasing component for my living area.

     Prepare yourselves for something new and amazing! I believe I could be the first person to 3D print a metahuman. My lecturer assigned me this project as a challenge since he said he had never seen anyone complete it before. I began conducting my own investigation, and I was unable to locate anything online concerning printing metahumans. I started by using one of the metahuman presets and exporting it to Unreal Engine. I then had to export the metahuman file as an FBX into Blender. At first, everything appeared strange and incorrect on my end. The body and head were separated, and the bones were not connected to the body. I decided to start with just the head and eventually get rid of all the bones and the entire body. Because this was my first time doing this, I ended up making it into a metahuman head bust. From there, I added a square in blender that attached to the metahuman and removed all the bones in the face.      It's time to 3D print this met...

     The final part of this project is to set up and paint the final results. In light of the recently released Godzilla film, I decided to paint one of Godzilla's spikes blue and the other two pink. Acrylic paint worked best with the PLA that I used to print these off. The Godzilla prints were first sticky, but they simply required more time to settle in and dry. Overall, I am really pleased with the results of this diorama project! Here are the final results on what my diorama project looked like.

     Once I had finished the models, it was time to print. I started with two little Godzillas (using tree supports), which printed nicely on the first time. Taking out the tree supports made things easier because using the standard supports would have resulted in everything being blocky and taking a long time to remove. The village took a little longer to print but it came out perfect as well on the first try of printing. Tree supports was defintely the way to go for printing out these two models!      The last two pictures are close-ups of the results of each model. I am super proud of these models and the fact that these came out perfect on the first print is absolutely amazing. My progess in how to use a 3D printer is definitely coming along!

     To start off this project, I came up with the idea of creating a Godzilla diorama. This entailed a simple japanese village atmosphere and the Gdozilla's batteling each other. I chose this as my diorama because I wanted to touch base with my childhood past of constantly playing with action figures. I first started with a reference for my Godzilla build and this time I ended up using Blender to create my 3D models.      By using this reference I ended up creating a low-poly model of Godzilla. This definitely was a pain to 3D model due to the amount of detail that was needed for giant monster. For the villages I used primative shapes to keep things simple. I wanted the main focus of my diorama project to be on Godzilla.