Maya experimentation problems

When making my experimental bridge, I came across a few obstacles, while try to create the shape and applying the texture also rendering.  While trying to create the shape and aligning the geometry, I encountered a very bothersome problem which occurred, whenever I mirrored the other half of the bridge. For some strange reason when mirrored, every polygon would have two or more layers of polygons under it, which became severely problematic when it came to texturing parts of the object. Unfortunately I couldn't find the answer to this problem so I started the bridge again.

The other problems were to do with the rendering. Apart from my own computer, I seemed to have difficulty rendering out any images at all, because of the problems to do with the hypershade, I THINK. This problem is still ongoing for the university computers, so may have to use my own computer more often for this particular model.

Warnings
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// Error: No object matches name: defaultLightSet.surfaceShader //

environment ideas - bridge

Researching environments & analysis - CITY ENVIRONMENT

For types of futuristic environments I wanted to go for a scene/scenes which my character could fit into. I wanted to go for a look which was possibly dark, but also included neon lights. In these examples of research, I have explored various options such as environments in a jungle setting to underground, space/other planet and a earth city.

 

There is also the option for making the city environment more industrial looking

Researching environments & analysis - JUNGLE ENVIRONMENT

Researching environments & analysis - UNDERGROUND

Train station,similar to games like 'Metro 2033' 

Researching environments & analysis - SPACE & OTHER PLANET

As well as being on another planet, the scene could be set high up into the planets atmosphere. This environment could be set for military use also. 

It could also be a landing port on the planets surface.

Final product aim

At the end of this project what I aim to create is a full set of concepts for my character/s and environments and have a insight of what the game will look like with them both together. This final product will involve the use of Zbrush and Maya for most of the character builds and Maya & Cinema 4D the environments. Also by the end I intend to have created high resolution poly models my character/s & and their environments, but also may go down the cell shading route.