Dressing Table

I know that I must create all of my models simply in Maya before transferring them to zbrush for detail. This will help sort out what will work and what needs to be changed before being too deep into the detailing.

I started off with the base of my model which in my case would be the dressing table it's self.
These are the first front and side images that will help me model my table:

I created planes in Maya to place these images on using a Lambert material file.

Unfortunately this caused a problem with the plane and the image couldn't be fixed. Therefore to solve the problem I changed my initial image by 'squishing' it. I later realised I had to sort out my UV's.

And thus I have my plane sides to start modelling on. (the front one being a later version that I shall explain how it came about further in my modeling process.)

I then started out blocking using the front view and using cubes and arranging their vertices.

I also used extrude to help define other parts of the table, like the mirror round the back.

I then remembered to half my model so I only had to focus on side.

I then changed the topology and cleaned up my frame around the mirror.

I then extruded this frame out.

I followed this by starting on the draws, making sure I have the correct topology for them and the crowns on them.

I extruded this out on top of the crowns.

I extruded what I wished to be the curtain.

This is the final idea for my first table model. However after looking at this I realised that the table looked too clunky and needed legs.

And therefore I redesigned my model

And once again I halved my model.

I created legs that I duplicated so that they would be identical.

I then added an extra frame, and checked for hidden faces.

I then started to bevel my edges as they seemed too sharp and would fold in ZBrush. I also, on the other edges that needed to be kept sharp, added an extra line to allow the correct collapse.

After bevelling I had to clean up the topology.

I then had to make sure my new smaller curtain was a separate object to help change its material.

I was then able to change the shape to emulate a curtain.

And this is the first final Maya dressing table.

I again didn't like my model again. It wasn't elegant or ornate enough for my use. Which is why I went back the a mood board and started to redesign it.

I took photos of a table I found in House or Fraser.

From this I started to create my table:

 The detail at the start in my simple curves and leg pieces:

I finished one quarter and mirrored it to the other side.

 This is the side of my piece:

 I had a problem with some of my normals and therefor had to go through and harden/soften edges.

I was then able to move on and start building my piece upwards.

To UV I didn't do this throughout unfortunately. So i had to work out how to do each section to a good enough quality. This is when I separated each section that I felt needed time to accomplish and using Roadkill, I separated my UV's out.

And this is my final textured half table.

I've mirrored and combined the table.

I then created a mirror material for the specific sections needed. Using this tutorial:

"If so create a phong or blinn, change the colour to black, up the reflectivity to 1 and assign it to the object that you want, make sure that you have an environment for the mirror to reflect either by connecting an image to the reflected colour or by putting the object inside an environment and enabling raytracing, otherwise you wont get any reflections (since there wont be anything to reflect)."

from: http://simplymaya.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24087&highlight=Mirror+reflect

I placed a wooden texture on my model, but the map was too harsh. I also managed to get a wooden a colour on my table.

This is the corrected version of my map which looks significantly better.

Ontop of the Diffuse and normal map I managed to get a nice specular map on the table, which shows really well on the mirror. I tried to create a lived in look.