Armando Juarez 3D Artist

Tree on a Hill

2010-07-07T10:48:00.005-05:00

Here is the finished scene. The human-like figure was used for scale reference, I may go back and add a texture to it. I created all the UV maps in Maya and the textures for the materials in Photoshop.The texture size for each material was 512 x 512.

Tree on a Hill

2010-07-07T10:27:00.013-05:00

Here are some more images of the tree on the hill scene. I was almost finished with it at this point, the only thing left to do was texture the set of rocks behind and on the side of the tree.

The top image shows the rocks that were to be textured and the bottom shows them already textured.

Tree on a Hill

2010-07-07T10:14:00.006-05:00

Here are some WIP images of a small environment scene of a tree on a hill. At this point I had completed the plant and the grass cards that were around the tree.

Body Sculpt in Mudbox

2010-01-09T13:57:00.013-06:00

This is my first full body sculpt using Mudbox. I wanted to do something vey human-like although he is not supposed to be human. He is more of an Alien-like creature. Modeling something like this is a good way for me to study anatomy. He is still a work in progress ... I still want to add more skin detail and I am still working on his face.

Head Sculpt in Mudbox II

2010-01-05T21:11:00.008-06:00

Here is my second head sculpt in Mudbox. I wanted this one to be different from the first one I made. So I give him more rounded features, something reminiscent of a character from Star Wars or Star Trek.

Head Sculpt in Mudbox

2009-12-21T20:57:00.007-06:00

So I decided to create a sculpt in Mudbox and here it is. This is my first scuplt using this program and I think it came out pretty good.

I was not trying to do anything specific, just whatever came to mind. I will do some more to fine tune my technique.

Old Building in UnReal Editor

2009-12-03T05:47:00.006-06:00

Old Building walk-through in UnReal Editor from Armando Juarez on Vimeo.

This is a walk-through of an old building using UnReal Editor 3. The section with the main staircase and the bathroom in the back section are essentially complete, I may add more debris in the future.

The other back sections are almost complete. All the assets where created using Maya and the textures in Photoshop. The resolution (due to Vimeo's compression) in the video is kind of low and the motion kind of choppy in some parts. The UnReal in-game play is smooth and crisp.

This is still a Work In Progress (WIP), I will add more videos as I complete more sections later on.

Bathroom in UnReal Editor

2009-11-18T07:41:00.006-06:00

Here is the completed bathroom in the UnReal Editor. I may add more debris in the future but for the most part it is complete. I have added in-game screenshots along with some from within the editor. After I have completed more sections of the building I will add a walk through video of the building interior.

Blitz the League II Video

2009-11-04T10:51:00.003-06:00

F-14 Raw Footage Sequence Blitz the League II from Armando Juarez on Vimeo.

Bathroom in UnReal Editor

2009-11-03T04:20:00.003-06:00

More images of the bathroom, added debris and I'm continuing to work on the ceiling.

Sitting Room

2009-10-30T04:08:00.008-05:00

Here is another section of the building that is more complete. This is how it appears in the UnReal Editor. To see how it looks in Maya scroll down, this is part of the Staircase scene I created a while back. It includes the bathroom below, a basement, a staircase and this sitting room so far. I just thought I put it in UnReal and build upon it. Comments welcomed as always.

Bathroom in UnReal Editor

2009-10-26T22:30:00.004-05:00

Another image from my work-in-progress scene using the UnReal Editor.

Bathroom in UnReal Editor

2009-10-23T03:00:00.008-05:00

This image is of a work-in-progress scene I have been working on in the UnReal Editor. For modeling the assets I have been using Maya and for creating the textures Photoshop CS4. Still have to complete the walls as you can see and add more accessories. This is part of a larger scene I have been working on in UnReal. Comments welcomed.

1968 Mustang Fastback - Update

2009-07-17T14:36:00.018-05:00

I recently decided to re-visit an old piece of my portfolio to improve it and bring it more up-to-date. Thanks, "anonymous", for the comments on the Mustang. I completely agree with you in that it is a good piece but not quite finished and that it could be more. The suggestion for a BG and an improved lighting was great and so I did just that. I also added/modified some parts. I hope it is more satisfactory now than before. As always thanks for the comments and if there is anything more that you would like to see or anything that I missed let me know, critiques always welcomed.

Environment Scene: Staircase

2009-02-27T19:44:00.011-06:00

Here are some images of the basement level. I have added a few accessories along with changing the lighting. I still have to texture some more items and perhaps add a few more accessories. I am trying to keep the scene as low-poly as possible. It's coming along.

Environment Scene: Staircase

2009-02-24T05:31:00.006-06:00

Here are some images of the staircase, I have added some furniture. I will post some more later in the week.

Environment Scene: Staircase

2009-02-13T15:47:00.002-06:00

Here are some more images of the staircase scene.

Environment Scene: Staircase

2009-02-12T14:06:00.010-06:00

Here are some images of the Staircase scene I had been working on. Along with the initial view of the staircase from the picture I also modeled what the lower level and upper level could look like. Here are the totals for the work completed:

Mesh file size: 1.28 mb

All textures size: 4.40 mb (5 mb limit, low-res-2048 X 2048)

Polygon count: 17,268 (30,000 limit)

Time of completion: 2 Weeks

Since I put a good amount of time into this scene I would like to add more items to it. I will do so over the next few weeks. Like any other scenes or items that I have worked on it seems like I could keep adding things onto it and still never be finished.

Environment Scene: Staircase

2009-02-12T13:54:00.006-06:00

Over the past two weeks (from January 26 through February 9) I have been working on an environment scene that was supposed to be based on this picture. I was only supposed to create the environment and not the people in the picture.

The scene is now complete and I will post pictures soon.

Environment Scene: Neon Graveyard

2009-01-24T06:18:00.004-06:00

For a future environment project I wanted to create a scene based on this concept art of a Neon Graveyard.

Batmobile - Work in Progress

2009-01-24T05:04:00.007-06:00

Here are my latest Work In Progress images of the Batmobile. As you can see I have been working on the background a little more now. For now however I am putting this project on pause for a few weeks to complete an environment art assignment. After that is complete I will come back to this and put the finishing touches. I think its good to take a pause and step back from this project for a now because when I come back to it I should have a good fresh perspective on it. I can't wait to get it finished though.

Batmobile - Work in Progress

2009-01-21T07:32:00.005-06:00

Here is my latest work in progress, I have added a specular map, a normal map, added more detail to the wheels and wings along with tweaking a few areas here and there. Also I have begun to work on a background. I will include as much detail as my slow computer will allow. :)

Batmobile - Work in Progress

2009-01-17T05:25:00.003-06:00

Here are the images of my work in progress so far. I have textured almost all of it except the nose. I also want to add more detail to the Batwings and fix a few other parts here and there. It is almost complete.

Batmobile - Work in Progress

2009-01-13T22:10:00.005-06:00

Here is the texture of this Batmobile so far, I have the wings and hood to take care of still along with other odd peices.

Batmobile - The Wheels.

2009-01-09T04:40:00.008-06:00

Here is a quick work in progress; I have been so busy with UV-ing and texturing the Batmobile that I have not had much time for posting anything. Here is a quick render of the back wheels, the color of the hubcap will be different.

-Mando.

The Vault

2008-12-30T06:29:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone,

I recently created a new blog which contains pictures of all my work and I also included my resume. Please take a look, the web address is:

http://3dmodelingmaniacvault.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by.

-Mando.

Batmobile - Work in Progress

2008-12-26T21:08:00.013-06:00

Here are a few different angles on the Batmobile including a requested one with the hood open which shows all the engine detail. There are still a few more parts to model on the engine.

Batmobile - Work in Progress

2008-12-23T04:09:00.004-06:00

Here is the mesh of the body so far; I have to add a few more small details but for the most part it is complete. I have also been modeling some of the engine components. The chassis is almost ready to be UV-ed and textured.

New Project: Batmobile

2008-12-23T02:08:00.009-06:00

Here is the latest project I have been working on. It’s the Batmobile from the graphic Novel, Batman vs. Judge Dredd: Judgement on Gotham. Simon Bisley who also illustrated other Judge Dredd comics and graphic novels created the original artwork for this Batmobile. This Batmobile predates some of the more famous modern ones including the one from Tim Burton’s Batman and the subsequent series of films from the 1990’s, and the one featured in Batman Begins and Dark Knight. Unlike the one from the latest series of films, this Batmobile is not humvee, tank-like vehicle, which is opportunistically used by Bruce Wayne as his crime-fighting vehicle of choice. It is instead a highly stylized vehicle featuring oversized bat-wings and a front profile that resembles an angry demon with yellow headlights that look like eyes and lower front vents that remind you of teeth. All of which Batman uses and are designed to intimidate and bring fear into the souls of the criminal underworld of Gotham City. And not to take away from the other incarnations of the Batmobile, including the one from the 1960’s TV series and 1940’s comic books, in my opinion this is one of the coolest and my most favorite Batmobile.

My F-14 in Blitz II

2008-12-17T01:45:00.004-06:00

Here is another screenshot of the F-14 from the game Blitz II by Midway.

My F-14 in Blitz II

2008-12-17T01:39:00.004-06:00

My F-14 was used in the game Blitz II by Midway. Here are some screenshots of the F-14 from the game.

Second bottom view of F-14

2008-12-17T01:35:00.003-06:00

Here is the bottom view of the F-14, this time with the wings retracted.

My favorite angle of the F-14

2008-12-17T01:31:00.001-06:00

This is my favorite angle on my F-14.

Bottom view of F-14

2008-12-17T01:26:00.002-06:00

Here is the bottom view of the F-14.

My F-14 vs a real F-14 Take 2

2008-12-17T01:24:00.002-06:00

Here is another picture with my F-14 and a real one (mine is in the background). I would have placed mine in the front but the real one is too big. I might do it in the near future and see how it comes out.

Top View of F-14

2008-12-17T01:05:00.007-06:00

Here is the top view of the F-14.

My F-14 vs a real F-14

2008-12-17T01:05:00.005-06:00

Here I have my F-14 (on the top) and a real F-14, there are some small differences between the 2 but overall I think its pretty good.

I'm back ...

2008-12-17T01:00:00.001-06:00

Well let’s see, I have not posted anything since June of last year. Needless to say I have been very busy; recently a friend of mine asked why I have not posted anything since last year. And I told him that well I just hadn’t, so after that I decided to post again. What has kept me so busy? Work; I am currently working as a Technical Artist at Midway games in Chicago and due to the amount of work I just have not had much time to work on my modeling much less post anything on my blog. By the way I am not much of a blog posting person to begin with, if you see my older posts they are straight forward and to the point. So I would say this entry will probably be the longest one I have typed and will be for a long time to come. But back to the modeling, even though I have not modeled a lot of things since my last post I did not forget and do want to keep on modeling, and so I did. So being that I love aircraft of all kinds I decided to model and texture as realistically as possible an F-14a Tomcat. I think it came out pretty good although looking back on it I know I could do much better. Honestly looking back at some of the work I previously posted I think I can do much, much, much, much better than what I did. I think that’s how everyone feels about their work, they see older stuff and say “oh no I did that?” and I am not different. But don’t misunderstand me, I am very proud of the work I did and stand by 100% but I can now see all the mistakes and what I could have done better. And I think that’s what its all about, doing something, learning from it and then come back later and do something even better. Well enough blogging (blah, blah, blah). Here is my F-14a Tomcat.

New Project: Environment Scene - Alley

2008-12-17T00:59:00.003-06:00

Angle 2 ...

New Project: Environment Scene - Alley

2008-12-17T00:57:00.003-06:00

Sorry I have not updated in a while, here are some new pictures of the Alley. I also decided to include the Mustang in this scene.

1968 Mustang Fastback. Work in progress IV: The new paintjob and wheels! More Pics...

2008-12-17T00:40:00.001-06:00

Occlusion plus normal ... better shadows ...

1968 Mustang Fastback. Work in progress IV: The new paintjob and wheels! More Pics...

2008-12-17T00:39:00.004-06:00

Here are more pics for your pleasure. Enjoy.

1968 Mustang Fastback. Work in progress IV: The new paintjob and wheels! More Pics...

2008-12-17T00:39:00.003-06:00

More pics .... I just can't get enough!

1968 Mustang Fastback. Work in progress IV: The new paintjob and wheels!

2008-12-17T00:38:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone, here is a new pic with the new paintjob and wheels for my '68 'Stang! Sweet! I have changed the paintjob to black from the original forest green from the "Bullit" Mustang. I love the color black but I might just change it back to the forest green.

Up next for the 'Stang: Baked shadows to incease realism and perhaps a very subtle bump map to give it that "real paint feel. I may put stripes on it, I don't know. Also it has been suggested that I make another version with rust, dirt and body damage. Sounds cool. I hope you like it and comments are always welcomed.

1968 Mustang Fastback. The Process...

2008-12-17T00:35:00.003-06:00

One of the toughest parts to model was the wheels. I modeled these after Cragar wheels although they have some features of American Racing wheels.

New Project: Environment Scene - Alley - Session 1

2008-12-17T00:34:00.003-06:00

A close up to show detail on the lightpost. Will add wires and textures next.

People whose work I think is really cool.

2008-12-17T00:32:00.000-06:00

Surfing through the web I have found many people whose work I think is really cool. Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order). I hope you guys like their work. Enjoy!

1. Hyun Hee Lee
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=466166

2. Jeremy Engleman
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=449040

3. Marek Denko
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=451732

4. Olivier Ponsonnet
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=440280

5. Stefan Morrell
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=399743

6. Kim Hyong Jun
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=255737

New Project: Environment Scene - Alley

2008-12-17T00:30:00.003-06:00

I decided to create a new environment scene. I wanted to pick something that had a lot of detail that was also dark and gritty. I did not want to do a clean city street, an alley is dark and hidden, makes it interesting. Here is a picture of an alley in Chicago.

People whose work I think is really cool.

2008-12-17T00:16:00.001-06:00

Here is a link to someone whose work I have been keeping an eye on. I hope to one day I can create work as great as this. Enjoy!

Alessandro Baldasseroni

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?threadid=461079

-Mando.

1968 Mustang Fastback. Work in progress.

2008-12-17T00:12:00.001-06:00

Here is my 1968 Mustang Fastback. It is a work in progress, I modeled it using Maya 7. Comments? Let me know what you think.

- Mando

Old Blog content ...

2008-12-17T00:05:00.003-06:00

Ok so I know this is my new blog but since my old blog contained so many images that I cared about but cannot be seen I have decided to move all my old posts to this blog.

For now I cannot retreive all the old images because the goofy drawing is there, but once I can get a hold of them I will update all the posts with the correct images. So for now it will be text only for the old posts.

Once this transfer is complete I will begin to post pictures of my current work in progress. Thank you for your patience.

-Mando.

My New Blog! :)

2008-12-16T23:26:00.000-06:00

Everyone,

To all who have seen my old Blog and are looking at this one, thank you for coming and following me from my old one to my new Blog. I really appreciate it.

To all of you who are new to my Blog, thank you for visiting and I hope that you keep coming back. Welcome and I am glad you are here.

So then the primary purpose of this blog is to post pictures of my work as a 3d-Modeler. I welcome and appreciate all your comments so please feel free to critique my work. only through your critiques can I become a better artist.

Again thank you all for coming and I hope you appreciate my posts.

-Mando.