Barrel

The second task given to us in 3D was to create a oil barrel. This concept was something that seemed simple enough but knowing minimal amounts about 3D it was outside of my limits (with the amount of detail we went into). The concept was to create a cylindrical shaped oil barrel just like the ones we use everyday. I was curious if we were to create a futuristic version, knowing we didn't have to saved me a little bit. The process was simple, make a cylindrical shape (Shown below).

The second step was to cut out a ring shape within the barrel, then add in a indent into the barrel so that it gives off a curve form. This allows for a more detail, realistic view on the barrel itself. Not only that but creating the indent using the edge loop tool was a good way of me learning how to add in detail to a model.

We then took the cut out ring and created the same style of detail onto it. Using the same tools to create the indented detail and marking more detail on our actual barrel model. The best way of forming the barrel from this point onward was to discard the main part and using the extrude tool and creating the size, shape and dimensions of our barrel themselves. 

After completing the extrusions and adding all the detail and shapes that we needed, we then used the low-poly barrel to create a high-poly version. The way we done this was by smoothing off the low-poly and adding a slight bevel to it, this adds a bunch of tris to the model adding more detail allowing it to round off more and for it to be able to bake over the top of our low-poly. 

Low-Poly

High poly

A few weeks later we then went onto texturing the barrel and using the baking process. The best way to bake is by creating a 'cage' from the low-poly object and then wrapping it around both the low-poly and high-poly. The best way to think of this is the cage being the oven, the low-poly and high-poly being two metals melting into each other creating a detailed piece of metal but instead it's a detailed object. This also allows for texture and detail to be put onto the low-poly but also keep the tri/polly count low. 

Cage & Low-poly