Reason for choosing the project

I chose to do the shuttle because I wanted something that seemed pretty exciting to render and possibly animate. I have always wanted to see a space shuttle launch up close. The shuttle had the potential of moving in my visualization as opposed to something static.

Goals

I was hoping that this visualization could provide even the average user a basic understanding of a shuttle, as well as a very graphic site. People have a tendency to read less on a computer and look at pictures more, which is why my site is graphic intensive.

My goal was also to provide a 3D animation of a shuttle lift off and return. Although the simple animations provide just as much information, if not more, I wanted it to feel like you could watch an actual launch with sound and everything. It would have also allowed the viewer to look from angles that they couldn't typically view from, even in film on TV.

Another goal was to learn alias really well. I hope to go into design and possibly 3D design and I figured this project was a step in that direction.

What was learned

A lot about the Alias Wavefront program

I learned a lot about the components of the space shuttle. Typicall they only show the launch information on TV and never really a breakdown of the machinery or processes involved.

I also learned that NASA will never release all their information. It was extremely difficult to construct the images from their diagrams since they are somewhat obscure.

Overall Evaluation

I was somewhat disappointed that I was unable to get to animation even after countless hours working on this project. As time consuming as it was, it was fun and wish I had more time to render the 3D animation of it just for myself to view.

I think that people are able to walk away from this layout with a better understanding of the space shuttle quicker than if they were trying to scan a textbook and its images. Although the detail is not as great as a textbook about the shuttle, I feel that people are drawn more to the images and animations which can assist them in understanding