Background
For the second part of the time capsule, we had to build either a physical prototype or a 3D rendered time capsule. I decided to go with the 3D approach and leverage my background and skillset. I wanted something that looked like a washer machine mixed with a bank vault door for my time capsule.
Questions
- What’s something different than the generic time capsule?
- What appliances or everyday tools could be used as a time capsule?
- What are some unique shapes that are specific to a time period?
- What kind of texture should be applied to the model?
- What is it going to look like?
- Does it lock?
- What kind of door?
Tools Used
- Pen & Paper
- Eraser
- Internet
- Cinema 4D
- Redshift
Research & Sketches
I started browsing around Pinterest and Google Images to find different time capsules, washer machines, and bank vault doors. Washer machines gave me a good sense of how rectangular and boxy I wanted my model's base.
Next, I started sketching a few rough ideas of what the model could look like. I started with the base and drew the door separately.
Afterward, I started modeling the size of the hole with a sketching eraser. This helped give me an idea of the curvature I wanted to see in the model.
Early Modeling Phase
I boxed my time capsule with a single cube and split the reused and split the geometry a few times to make the different layers.
The last image on the bottom right I didn’t end up using. I ended up not liking the indent on the side of the box. I thought it would be nice to add variation to the box but decided to erase it.
A few sketches of the hinges and the door lock.
Final Renders
I wanted to stick with a cartoon look and added a few coins to add them to my time capsule.
Conclusion
It was a fun project to work! Looking back, I probably would change a few things about the time capsule's appearance, but I am satisfied with the final look. It was good to use different techniques, both drawing, finding images on the internet, and using an eraser clay for a quick model. I wish I had clay to build a model, maybe next time!
