Kevin Leong
Computer Science (B.S.) & Creative Computing (B.A.)
Pirate Flag
Combining all my skills with modeling (and some animation/VFX), I wanted to try something a little more “real-world”. This project, I modeled a pirate flag (and flagpole), then create some nCloth dynamics to make the tattered flag fly in the wind (just like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean).
The first thing I did was create the flag itself. Using a simple image of a torn pirate flag (shown below) as an image plane, I modeled the basic shape/outline of the flag (including the rips and tears). I did this by deleting entire sections of the flag and manipulating vertices to match the shape from the image almost exactly. By evenly inserting edges and rearranging vertices, I was ensured that the model of the flag had clean and organized geometry (which would later on aid in making a good looking nCloth simulation). Afterwards, I selected the entire flag and created an nCloth object; specifically, using a basic shirt preset to give the flag simple cloth properties.
| Flag Reference Image | Flag Texture | Final Product |
|---|---|---|
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Now, a pirate flag is just a random piece of cloth if it can’t fly in the wind - so the next thing I created was the flagpole. This consisted of modeling 3 cylinders of increasing width layered on top of one another. Next, I took a torus shape, scaled it, and copied it down the middle section of the pole. Grouped together, this gave the flagpole some weight, as well as a more interesting design than a simple long rod. In order to constrain one of the flag’s sides onto the pole, I selected the vertices on the far left side of the flag and created a constraint, then grouped the constraints to the pole.
This was the finished flag:
When running the simulation, the cloth simply folds along the constraint, dangling beside the pole. That’s no fun! So, selecting the nucleus, I added some wind to the scene, bringing life into the torn pirate flag. I also added the texture of a basic pirate flag (shown below). With a little bit of editing to the friction, thickness, and stickiness of the cloth, I managed to get a beautiful simulation of a pirate flag bellowing in the wind.
Afterwards, I imported a nice sunset skydome light from HDRI Haven and captured a wonderful rendered image as well!
This project was a great combination of a lot of skills I had learned (plus many new ones). I got to model 2 items completely from scratch, and play around with their materials and designs. I also got to use skydome lighting to create a beautiful scene. I also learned how to create nCloth simulations - a tool that is used in almost every blockbuster film these days. This project was really eye-opening to how realistic these simulations are becoming. If an engine like Maya can create such fantastic looking cloth simulations, I can only imagine what amazing simulation software is yet to come!