This project was born out of my desire to expand my skill set in design. The government imposed isolation period was the best opportunity to challenge myself with a 3D modelling and rendering project.
I’d initially begun by looking at what resources were available to me. Photoshop CC offered a basic level of 3D modelling and I initially began practicing on it in order to get an idea of what designing in a 3D space felt like.
However, I soon hit a bump in the road. Photoshop lacked the flexibility that I was after. This was specifically true in regards to efficiently sculpting my 3d shapes. At the core of it, it didn’t cut the mustard (I’ve always wanted to use that phrase, by the way).
This was when I started looking into Sketch Up. Although it is mainly geared towards architecture and civil engineering, Sketch Up provided a higher level of flexibility and a larger range of tools than Photoshop could offer me at that time. Additionally, there was an abundance of online resources for understanding, practicing and streamlining the 3D design process using Sketch Up.
Thus, I embarked on my Sketch Up journey and began making progress with online video tutorials. However, I soon started questioning the suitability of Sketch Up as an all round 3D modelling software. Having witnessed, first-hand, the effects of using the wrong tools to create (think designing graphics with Photoshop as opposed to Illustrator), I was determined to avoid falling into this trap on my first foray into 3D design. This is where Blender jumped in.
Blender is an all round 3D computer graphics design toolkit. This little open source powerhouse took things to the next level for me. A very steep learning curve, I’ll admit, but the power you get at your finger-tips? That must have been what Peter Parker felt like when he first discovered his powers. I digress though.
Armed with a large online community and a heavily documented release trail, dating back to 1998, I began work on my first 3D design project with Blender. The donut was a no brainer, really. I mean, who doesn’t like donuts? It took practically forever and I met with more than a few hiccups on the way, but I eventually did it. There it was in all its resplendent glory; my chocolate icing donut with colourful sprinkles, sitting on a green plane.
“Wait, is that it?” That’s what I felt at the end of it all. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I was proud of the final outcome. I just couldn’t help but think: “this is not a living, breathing thing though. Just a pretty picture. But it’s so much more than that”. Unravelling that thread and thought process led me to the world of AR. Adding a layer of interactivity to this project made all the sense in the world. The final push came from a super late (or super early) video call with Mariam (in Cairo) and Ricky (in Madrid). Whilst expressing my desire to enter the AR arena and showing them my donut (can you tell I’m extremely proud of the donut?), Mariam said :”can you make me a chicken nugget filter? Make it float on my head”. That was it. That’s all I needed.
Spark AR was the logical choice. It is native to Facebook/Instagram and the online resources are endless. The end result was a constantly spinning donut which expanded as the user opened their mouth.This I liked. This was a fitting end to the project.
Today, the filter is available to all across the globe, from the comfort of your homes. Enjoy: Spinning Donut Instagram Filter