{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-project-js","path":"/portfolio/avatar","result":{"data":{"markdownRemark":{"html":"<div class=\"sketchfab-embed-wrapper\">\n    <iframe title=\"A 3D model\" width=\"400\" height=\"480\" src=\"https://sketchfab.com/models/cc7e4596bcd145208a6992c757854c07/embed?autostart=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; vr\" mozallowfullscreen=\"true\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"true\"></iframe>\n</div>\n<p>The concept of your born identity versus self-representation is pretty fascinating to me. I don't necessarily identify with my physical appearance as it feels more like I'm a persona that just happens to be driving this assigned body. I love the idea of people customizing their physical appearance and the boundlessness of that in digital spaces.</p>\n<p>Still, I chose to represent myself virtually as my actual appearance because it's easier for people to remember the things we've done together if my visual appearance is consistent.</p>\n<p>Originally, I scanned myself for a 3D print. I put my hands in my pockets to print without supports. Some friends took 3D prints around the world tagging #adventuresofminimike and #miketravelstheworld on Instagram.</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/instagram.jpg\"></p>\n<p>For getting an avatar, I tested some different methods of capture. Manual, photogrammetry, and laser scanning.</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar08.jpg\" alt=\"3 types of avatar acquisition\"></p>\n<p>I had a friend scan me to get a point cloud</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar09.jpg\" alt=\"Scanning\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar10.png\" alt=\"Point cloud\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar11.jpg\" alt=\"Colored point cloud\"></p>\n<p>Aligning and cleaning up the scans takes a while</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar12.jpg\" alt=\"Aligned meshes\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar13.jpg\" alt=\"Cleaned up meshes\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar14.jpg\" alt=\"Mesh wireframe\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar01.gif\" alt=\"Rotating body\"></p>\n<p>I tried rendering the head with different materials</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/montage.gif\" alt=\"Head rendered with different materials\"></p>\n<p>Here's what it's like to decimate the head down to 500 triangles</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar17.jpg\" alt=\"Low poly head\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar18.jpg\" alt=\"Normal map\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar19.gif\" alt=\"Light response to normals on the low poly head\"></p>\n<p>I did rig it and turn it into a VR Chat avatar. Later, I also got scanned by Doob and High Fidelity optimized and rigged the mesh.</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/self-avatar.jpg\" alt=\"High Fidelity avatar\"></p>\n<p>Which means I can do super important productive things with both of them...</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/dance-troupe-small.gif\" alt=\"A dance troupe of Mikes\"></p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/dancingloop.gif\" alt=\"Dancing\"></p>\n<p>I also made a Ready Player One version including a Geordi LaForge visor with Chums, Thriller jacket with Tron lights, Ninja Turtle Leonardo light saber, sequin Power Glove, Nike AirMags, Nintendo light gun, Bowie bolt, and some other references.</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/ready-player-one-avatar-small.jpg\" alt=\"Ready Player One avatar\"></p>\n<p>I made it into an AR Snapchat lens</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/snapchat-lens.gif\" alt=\"Snapchat lens\"></p>\n<p>And in 2017, I found some of my coworkers' scans, too:</p>\n<p><img src=\"/uploads/danceoff_small.gif\" alt=\"Daydream dance off\"></p>\n<p>Anyway, the rigged model is <a href=\"https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/rigged-t-pose-human-male-w-50-face-blendshapes-cc7e4596bcd145208a6992c757854c07\">free for download on Sketchfab</a> for any normal or weird thing you or anyone wants to do.</p>","frontmatter":{"title":"AVATAR"}}},"pageContext":{"id":"5ec72943-11ca-5856-8376-dbf358fc1637"}},"staticQueryHashes":["1946499362","2606206317","3275389545","3649515864","4249971475"]}