I thought I'd go ahead and post some images of the recent test I did that got me the interview I recently had. This fellow was modeled and textured by me based on a concept image the studio provided. Check it out in the 3D Stills page.
12-24-2002
MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)
12-18-2002
I'm back! :D The interview went really well! They still have another fellow they want to talk to before making the decision, but they said I was looking pretty good. So, hopefully it will work out. And if any of the folks I talked to happen to read this, thanks for the great time! :)
12-15-2002
Well, tomorrow's my big interview! I've got an early flight and will be coming back late Tuesday. I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes! Wish me luck! :D
12-14-2002
Sorry for the long drought, but a new video has been uploaded tonight! It's a video going further over Nurbs attachment. I have to say, though that my bandwidth could be drasticly increased from it... if that happens, I may have to forgo the video in favor of text again unless donations pick up to help pay for it.
Anyway, I hope you like it! It's in the Newbie section of the tutorials page.
12-10-2002
Great news! One of my tests was well received, and they're flying me in for an interview next Monday! :D I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes. Wish me luck!
12-07-2002
Howdy, folks! I've been a little side-tracked lately because I've built up some interest about possible jobs! So, as par the course, I've been working on tests. I hope to put up a couple new tutorials soon. I'll be sure to let you know how the art tests' results go. :D
12-03-2002
I've reformatted my tutorials page! Also, I've recieved word that my new microphone should be delivered tomorrow or the next day, and I'll be able to catch up on my tutorials.
12-02-2002
Happy Birthday to Me! lol :D
11-29-2002
Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving Holiday. :)
I've updated my Living Toon project in my 3D Stills page. Also, you may notice I've got a new personality: Mini-Toon!
11-26-2002
I've plugged in an image randomizer so that the character to the left will be generated by random from some different variations I have... so, refresh to see them! :D
Also, I wanted to point out that I've received a HUGE influx of spam email from people using Yahoo's email service, and was forced to block the domain. So, if you use Yahoo, please try to use a different email to contact me. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Out of every 100 yahoo emails I received, 99 of them would be spam, and it's just not worth wading through it anymore. Please feel free to instant message me, however.
Yahoo: mtmckinleynet
AIM: mtmckinleynet
ICQ: 168308656
MSN: big_mac_77
11-23-2002
Some more of the new design has been implemented, obviously. I hope you all like it!
11-22-2002
Sorry for the delay for this month's tutorial. I'm waiting on a new microphone so that my videos won't have so much static. :) Thanks for your patience!
11-18-2002
As you may have noticed, I'm beginning a bit of a redesign of my website, starting with the splash page. I realy enjoy the look of "Toon Mike" and am planning on incorporating him in the page. Not too much, but to add a little bit to what I consider a fairly bland art site. lol I hope you enjoy it. :)
11-08-2002
Alright, the project I'm working on right now is my entry in a monthly 3D challenge put on by www.cgtalk.com. This month, it's "Living Toons" and the object is to create a cartoon/caricature version of yourself. :)
My work in progress has been posted to my 3D page. And before you ask, no, I'm not a lumberjack. :D Also, note that I've divided my 3D page into 2 pages, as it was getting a little long.
Thanks!
11-05-2002
Hi, folks. Hope those who celebrate the holiday had a Happy Halloween. :)
I've been busy this past week or so applying to a few studios that are hiring at the moment. Wish me luck! Gert Jan Venema's Mountain Bike Challenge is in final programming stages. I'll be sure to let you know how it does. I'm also working on the box art they're thinking of using. It's not confirmed yet, but that'd be pretty cool if they decide to use it. Here's a preliminary version if you're interested: Box Art. I'm just using some old Mario Sunshine screenshots as placeholders at the moment. ;)
I'm hoping to start a new project soon... I'll be sure to keep you posted.
10-16-2002
There's a new tutorial up, but this time, it's a little different... I'm playing with the idea of doing small video tutorials for some of them. Please let me know what you think. If most of you seem to like the movies, I'll do them, but only if donations pick up... the major increase in bandwidth would require it. But, in the meantime, I hope you like it. It's a small video going over how the process of converting nurbs objects into polygons efficiently. Thanks!
10-09-2002
I put up a small animation done for the mountain bike game in the Reel section. More to come!
UPDATE: New animation up! This 2nd clip is an animation test, seeing how all the different character animations blend together. There are still some tweaks to do, but it's coming along nicely. I've also added a little character montage of the different racers in the 3D Stills section. :)
10-07-2002
Put up some pics of the model being created for Gert Jan Venema's Mountain Bike Challenge. Animation videos to come soon! :)
Also, expect a new tutorial soon as well.
10-05-2002
I've accepted a small freelance gig with LaFond Entertainment as a Character Artist for the upcoming game Gert Jan Venema's Mountain Bike Challenge, published by Magnussoft. Resume is updated. More details to come.
09-28-2002
Added new Work In Progress to 3D Stills page. Don't worry, Hydrolock will be worked on also. :)
09-27-2002
Well, as predicted the site went down yesterday from exceeding bandwidth. I upgraded again, and this time, I got over twice the amount of bandwidth I had, so it shouldn't go down again for quite a while. However, this also makes your donations that much more important! Details can be found in my Tutorials page. Donating is not mandatory... my tutorials are and always will be free. But for those that can, it is much appreciated, especially during my time of unemployment. :)
Speaking of which, any developers in need of 3D or 2D conceptual work? I'm available! Email me the details. Paying opportunities will be given preference... ;)
09-23-2002
Well, I didn't get the job. The art test is now in my 3D Stills page. It was for Pandemic Studios. Back to work...
One of these days, one of you developers are going to give me a chance, and wonder what in the world those other guys were thinking! lol :P
09-21-2002
I know it was expected to get the low-poly Hydrolock up this weekend, but I've gotten some interest built up about possible work, and I've been busy doing art tests. :) Of course, I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes. Eigenocity, unfortunately, had to pull the plug on their game in development, but I managed to get some work done for them. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), because there is a possibility of the game starting back up, I'm unable to display the work I did for them here. Thanks for your patience! :)
09-17-2002
Well, I've received notice that my bandwidth is projected to exceed my monthly allowance this month, so unless donations are able to meet the costs, I'm afraid the site will be going down at the end of this month temporarily... depending on how steady the traffic is, and I don't want it to go down! Believe me when I say, the more, the merrier! If it does go down at the end of this month, please be patient as it will reappear at the beginning of October. :)
Also, I've a new sketch in the 2D section.
Just to keep you up-to-date on the Hydrolock project recently posted as a WIP in the 3D Section, the project will consist of three models: a low-poly, mid-poly, and then the high-res model as you see I've started. I've decided to put the high-res on the backburner for now, and get the low-poly and mid-poly models done first. They won't take near as long to do, and I'd like to get as much on there as possible, as quickly as possible. So look forward to the low-poly version of the Hydrolock by the end of this week. :)
09-13-2002
New 3D Project in the works... Work In Progress in 3D Stills section.
09-11-2002
New drawing up in 2D Art section! :)
09-09-2002
I'm attempting to improve my sketching ability, so I've been drawing. :) Two new ones are up in the 2D Gallery. I'm kinda liking the one called "Aqua_Morlock" right now... Considering possibly bring him into 3D. I'd definitely appreciate any comments from you folks who are more 2D artists than I am! Thanks!
09-02-2002
Sorry for the delay in the planned update for this weekend. I let the holiday get to me. :)
But never fear! I've updated the UI Tutorial as well as added a small tutorial going over Rigid Binding with Flexors! I hope you enjoy.
08-28-2002
I've recently joined up with a really cool Maya site called Simply Maya. I struck up an agreement to work on some video tutorials for them. The only catch? They're in their Member's Only section! It's not too expensive, around 10 British pounds a month (I think that's like $14-17 US), and new content is added on a monthly or sooner basis. I'd recomend giving them a try! I'll still have free material here at my site, as well. :)
08-27-2002
Just to keep everyone in the loop, I'm still working with Eigenocity and have gotten a good start into one of the projects for the book I'm collaborating with. To let you know what kind of projects you can expect in this book, it is tentatively titled "Modeling and Texturing Characters and Creatures." I'm pretty sure that name will change, but hopefully that gives you a good idea as to the kind of tutorials you can come to expect from the book! :) This weekend, I'll try my darndest to get a new tutorial up AND update the Maya UI tutorial. The new tutorial I have in mind is a character setup tutorial using rigid binding!
Resume updated!
08-13-2002
PayPal link up on the tutorials page. Once again,a hearty thank you to those who are able to donate!
I am available to answer questions or just chat on AIM and Yahoo! Messenger, but I warn you... I won't tolerate indecent behavior! I'm doing this purely for amicable Q/A and general chat about the 3D biz. :)
ICQ: 168308656
AIM ID: mtmckinleynet
MSN: big_mac_77
Yahoo! ID: mtmckinleynet
08-12-2002
Today, I'm happy to announce my official contract with Eigenocity begins. All tests and preliminary work is complete, and the ball will be rolling for a ten week period, upon which final decisions regarding my continued employment will be decided.
08-11-2002
Hi, folks. I thought I'd run something by everyone before it's implemented: I'm getting ready to put a PayPal link on my tutorial page... yep, for donations. I'm not requiring a donation; the tutorials are still, and will always be, totally free. I just hope that those of you who maybe find them useful might find it in your hearts and wallets to throw a buck or two at me. My goal for this, is literally just to pay for the monthly cost of my bandwidth, which has grown rather astronomically over the last year (which is great!). So, this isn't some kinda scheme to get rich or anything. Simply between $5-10 a month will cover my bandwidth and hosting costs. I'm not looking to make a ton of dough off my tutorials, lol. I'm thinking that if 1 out of every 50 people threw 80 cents at me, it would more than cover it! (Remember though, that the folks at PayPal do take a small % of the transactions.) It's not up, yet, but a good, hearty "thank you" in advance to those who are able to donate when it starts. If you can't, believe me, that's fine. The tutorials will still be here, and I'll still attempt to put out at least one or two a month, free of charge. Thanks again!
08-02-2002
I know that updates are getting fewer and further between, but I hope you folks understand. Over the past year or so, I've simply had the occasional freelance gig and was able to work more often on personal projects and tutorials. Now, though, I'm actually starting to work full-time, and the time for other projects just aren't there. This site will always remain MY site, and I'll definitely continue to add to the galleries and tutorials as much as I can, but the updates will more than likely be less frequent. Even so, I'll push to try to have at least one tutorial a month! Thanks so much for everyone's support, and feel free to email me your questions!
07-17-2002
Alright, my first actual update! It's not a big one, but I've added a section to the Maya UI tutorial, going over the Status Line. If anyone has any preferences as to what section I go over next, feel free to let me know.
I've also been told that I can now tell you all about the "other" prospect that has come up. As it turns out, a gentleman who is publishing a Maya book is interested in using my tutorials in a new Maya book in development! They wouldn't be exact copies, however, as I will be expanding on them to include more content. For example, instead of just showing how to attach the arm, I might go over how to model the whole thing... but those details haven't been worked out yet. I'll, of course, keep you all posted!
07-14-2002
Wow, it has been TOO long, but I finally got my computer squared away. I look forward to working on some stuff to show very soon, starting with adding to the Maya Interface tutorial.
Let me tell you what's going on. The job has been decided: I win! In a way... let me explain.
Now that everything's over, I'll let you know that the company in question is Eigenocity located in Portsmouth, NH. I have been chosen to receive the job, however, first I'll be working on a contract basis to ensure that I work out ok. This will be starting in early August. After a couple of months, and once they see what a great choice they made ;), I'll be moving up there to New Hampshire!
I've also got another really cool prospect in the works, but I don't have final word on it yet, so I'll stay quiet about it for now, but if it does go through, I think you guys who enjoy my tutorials will be VERY pleased. ;)
So, now that everything is cool again, expect more frequant updates until I start working in August. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the work, I won't be able to display any of the work I do for Eigenocity or the "other" prospect until the "product(s)" are complete, so it may be difficult for me to find the time to again work on personal projects. But I'll try to keep tutorials coming, if nothing else.
So, until next time...
07-01-2002
I realize that it's been FOREVER since I've done any sort of updates to this page, but please bear with me! I've been having a lot of computer troubles lately that have really put a crimp in my scheduling plans...
Also, YES, the job is STILL in deliberation!!! :P
06-19-2002
I've updated The Republican Candidate... it's coming along very slowly...
Also, the job I've been pining over is STILL in deliberation! I guess this is a good sign... but I still hope it comes to some kind of conclusion soon. :)
06-15-2002
I've added the animation clips of the hamster character from the 3D Stills page. You'll find them in the Reel section!
06-12-2002
Good news! Do It Yourself Hunter has been picked up for a January 2003 time slot, airing Sundays at 6pm on The Outdoor Channel! I hope all of you outdoor enthusiasts tune in!
06-11-2002
I've gone ahead and added my latest project to my 3D Stills gallery. I'll put up the animation soon. The job is still being deliberated... it's taking a bit longer than I had anticipated.
06-09-2002
Bonus tutorial! Tornado Effects! Hope ya like it!
06-08-2002
Once again, sorry for the lack of updates. I'm still in negotiations for this current job offer, so that's a good sign! I have put the first section of the Maya UI overview tutorial up! (You can see a preview of my current project on there, too!) Hope you nubies out there find it useful as it progresses!
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