Sorting Engine - Marble Machine

This project was the final project after a sequence of exercises made while learning the Unity game engine. After gradually building my skills with:

• importing models

• creating materials

• honing lighting

• incorporating particle effects

• setting up physics

• attaching scripts

I planned a cumulative undertaking that would showcase what I learned and challenge my abilities. I was especially interested in simulating 3D physics in the engine, so I started brainstorming how to utilize them in a creative and conceptual way.

I landed on the idea of a marble machines because they create a complex system based on a primitive sphere. I made the following proposal to explore my conceptual and aesthetic inspiration, while also stating my project goals.

I then began modeling assets in Blender and bringing them into Unity to test. I would assign physics collisions and test how they interacted with the marbles. I worked from the top of the machine down, designing parts that created visual interest while remaining functional.

I tried to create as many different paths for the marbles as possible in order to vary their paths. I used different randomizing structures such as funnels and plinko boards to create unpredictable results.

I created C# scripts with AI-assisted coding tools to manage special interactions and events within the simulation.

Along the way, I experimented with materials, lighting, and post processing effects to refine the Frutiger Aero aesthetic I was aiming for. I chose this visual identity for its nostalgic ode to the marble machines from my childhood in the early 2000s.