brainmuffin

Ooh, a modeling challenge might be fun! We start off with an image of a fairly simple object (Nothing as complex as a car, say, unless it's a fairly cartoony car) and preferably an image that can be used as a rotoscope. Then, whover we pick as having the best solution (Best looking, most usable mesh) gets to pick the next object. As far as learning to model, study whatever wireframes you can find! they help a lot. For advanced creature and human modeling, study Colin Freeman's Cooper tutorials, as well as wireframes of his other creations. Also study Yves' wireframes too. Yves has a wonderfully economical style.

I think youtube gives you code to imbed a video, also photobucket.com gives video hosting now, and lets you imbed it into your site.

I think the sadness is mostly just her default expression. She doesn't have any face poses yet. I'm glad everybody thinks she's cute! I tried...

I did some tweaking on her face, and I rendered this closeup at the resolution I'm going to do the final renders at:[attachmentid=17704] It's not going to get much closer than that. I think she's pretty cute, but she is going to get a better texture, and a new hairdo. She's going to be a platinum blonde...

I do plan on doing some more tweaking to her face to get her to look a bit cuter. I also want to improve the texture map, and I may even redo the whole texture, but If I make any changes geometically, I have to go back and re-map her completely, and I'm not sure I want to do that just to add a few extra splines. I had a pilot episode about half written, but it was for a 22 minute episode. I have some ideas that I was going to use for sub-plots in episodes that I'll likely convert into the first short webisodes.

Ok, here's a hires Wireframe. I toned down the saturation on the texture, too. (There's only one texture map, YAY!) [attachmentid=17689] Here's the template: [attachmentid=17690] As for story bits: The story revolves around four main characters, Flynn, the womanizing theif who is constantly getting everyone into trouble, (Think Bruce Campbell, crossed with Daffy Duck, and a lounge lizard). Hawk, the steadfast, straightlaced fighter. He's the guy who always has to clean up Flynn's messes, even though he really doesn't know what he's doing. (I picture someone like John Cusack for Hawk...) Then there is our elf, who's name I believe is Zanda, but I don't exactly remember. (This was all put together a few years ago, and not everything got written down...) Zanda is the healer of the group, as well as the mage. She and Flynn have a history together that causes a lot of friction between them. Last we have a fairy, who's name escapes me completely. I'll have to come up with a new name for her... She is the illusionist of the group. Now here's where it gets interesting: The Fairy has a crush on Flynn, but Flynn still has it bad for Zanda the elf. Zanda really wants to date Hawk, but Hawk has a secret fairy fetish... It's not a love triangle, it's a square! The series is gong to be called, "The Dungeoneers!" and the first season (Which in web terms I guess means until I get tired of it and decide to take a break) is going to revolve aroundspoofing old-school style hack & slash dungeon crawlers like "Shining in the Darkness" or "Wizardry" or "Dungeon Master". Here's an excerpt from my background notes: The second season story arc is going to be more of a "Final Fantasy" or "Suikoden" style 'we have to save the world from iminent destruction' type of thing. Now, as far as a contest goes: If anyone wants to have a "Hot chick" or "Pin-up" themed contest, I will gladly donate a copy of the book "Femme Digitale: Perfecting the Female Form on Your Computer" for the winner, and a copy of "The Complete Book of Cartooning" to the runner up. Anyone else wann put up?

Thanks, Guys! I'm going to pump up her booty a little, but she IS an elf, remember... And she'll get the thong, but a flap, too, to bounce when she runs...

I've been kicking around the idea of doing a series set in an RPG video game world for a while now. It seems like a great idea for a web series, with low resolution video, low patch-count models, and low res textures. Lower production value all around! I already have a lot of backround notes, and switching to shorter episodes for web-release should make writing a lot easier. I've modeled the low patch figures already, and I've got the female model assembled, mapped, and textured. I just need to rig her. The male model will be next to finish. I'm using basically the same mesh, there's only one extra spline in the female model to make the bust look smoother. Here she is: [attachmentid=17643] [attachmentid=17644]

Well, I can make some suggestions. For sound effects, shop around at walmart, staples, etc. Be on the lookout for big collections of sound effects. I have two single cd collections, an one 3 cd collection. These won't cover everything, however, so you'll probably have to make some yourself, or buy them seperately on the net or something. As far as music goes, I would recommend Cakewalk for music editing, you can buy it cheap at staples or circuit city. Then get some loops. You can buy loops on cd at some music stores, or by searching for Acid Loops or Fruity loops on the net. (Two other editing programs that are way more expensive than cakewalk.) Or just search for music loops... I think Audacity is a free program you can get for doing your own soundFX recording and editing, and Goldwave is an inexpensive one that has some good filters, especially if you want to do robot voices.

CafePress reccomends 200-300 PPI for printing, although they do admit you can get away with less.

I just found this one, but I'm not sure what version it is... Perhaps I downloaded it and never installed it? newtonphysics.zip

YAY! I love having the answers to questions!!! YAY!! I know, I know!! YAY!!!! Here it is, on Steffan Gross's page (Yoda64) http://www.sgross.com/plugins/ Oh crap. Actually, it's not there anymore... That's where it was. Why isn't the V12 plugin there anymore? Was there one? I don't remember. I just checked my V12, and I don't see the plugin... I guess it's V13 only?

John, I watched that thing for a whole tweny minutes, but they just kept doing the same thing over and over again! That's twenty minutes of my life I'll never get back!

Cory, Where are you looking to apply, and what position do you want to apply for? These things will influence what you should have on your reel. For instance, a big house like Pixar or Blue Sky will have a list of things they want to see on a demo reel. They won't be particularly interested in seeing animation if you're applying for a modeler position, either. In general, you can cut everything up to, and including, the stuff of thom swinging a sword. If you're looking to be an animator, you could stick the clip of the ant sidestepping along the wall back in, but I'd suggest polishing it up some more. For Modeling jobs, you'll want to show wireframe, gray, and textured turntable shots of your models. If you're applying for a modeling job, you can include shots of your sculptures, at the end. For TD positions, you can show the wireframes, The rig, and a few shots of the rig in motion. For animation jobs, you'll want to show different types of motion. Blue Sky and Pixar both have lists, but the things that most people agree are most important are showing emotion, and transferring weight. (There's more to it than that, I'm simplifying). Some studios, even big houses, may also want their animators to be able to rig if need be, so check their reel requirements. If you rigged everything yourself (Without TSM or a universal rig like the Eggington or Squetch rig) I'd say put together a combo modeler/TD reel. You could get a job. If you want, tonight I'll look on CGTalk and see if I can dig up some links to some good reels. Make sure you render everything at DVD resolution, so that it looks its best. Pic good music, preferably instrumental.

Cory, this stuff is amazing! A little bit more polish, and your reel will look like one of the VFS reels that they feature on the front page of CGTalk all the time!

Ok, small update: I fixed the crease around the mouth to make her look younger. In doing so, I realized that, yes, Dave, she should have no problem expressing. The crease should look good when it's there. Also, I extruded the back of her head, now I'm up to the ears. I hate ears... I can never get them stuck on right. Also, in the picture I'm using for the profile, it looks to me like her ears are set too far back. [attachmentid=17291]

Do the Advent Children Cloud, then, instead of FFVII Cloud... I still haven't seen Advent Children, either. We bought it, but haven't watched it. Does Cloud have the bike? Do they go to Gold Saucer? I can't wait to find out...

Here's the patch in question: [attachmentid=17229] I'm only slightly concerned with creasing, since it's in an area where there should be a crease anyway...

Thanks, Dhar. It's good to be around again. Here she is after another hour, for about five total: [attachmentid=17215] I'm not sure about her animatability given the five pointers at the corners of her mouth. Does anyone have any suggestions on this? (Even though I probably won't animate her, one never knows, and it's always good to be prepared). Other than that, I'm pleased with how she's coming out so far...

Oh, thanks! Now I'll have Half-Life flashbacks all night long.... Very creepy.

This is all The Black Mage's Fault.... He had to go and model that Moogle. Mogs make me think of Lulu... (and 'Kupo!') Lulu's my favorite video game character of all time, and for the obvious reasons Lara Croft ain't got Nothin' on Lulu! Here's my Refs: [attachmentid=17207] I'm using this one for the front: [attachmentid=17208] And here's what I've got after about four hours: [attachmentid=17209] I'm working on this to pass the time. Things are still up in the air for me. I might be able to get to SIGGRAPH this year, since it's in Boston. If I do, I might be able to afford the upgrade, and depending on that, and how my life is at that point, I might be able to volunteer again on TWO, but I'm not holding my breath. I've been lurking around, here and there, and everything looks great so far with the TWO project. I'm glad to see that the Winkee Village is turning out so nicely, and has a wonderful storybook flavor, but now has quite a lot of 'gingerbread house' style to it too. Looks cool. Make sure the building with the Turret makes it into the film. Every storybook enclave needs a turret...

Fourteen! Damn kids. I'm 32, and already you're better than me.... BM, (Not me, the other BM) You like FFIX so much, Why not model This one: http://www.rpgclassics.com/fanart/FinalFan...rnet3Dfinal.jpg Do a good job, and I'll try Lulu....

Ok, Colin, I've got a nitpick. The cheekbone is really pointy. I can't tell fron the angle, either, does it actually stick out, or is that where it attaches to the cheek? If that point sticks out, then I guess it isn't so bad, but if that's where it blends in with the cheek, you should respline it and try to soften it a bit... He looks really cool with the hairy legs and the bling-bling...

I know a little bit. I've read a couple of books on kung fu, kendo, iaido, and fencing. Never actually practiced though. But I think I could give you a few decent moves for froggy boxing 2... Kickboxing froggies? I really like the frogs.... But then one of my all-time favorite games was this game called Brutal:Paws of Fury which was basically a traditional fighting game (Like street fighter or mortal kombat) with cute fuzzy cartoon characters. It was hilarious to watch. Sometimes games were wone solely on the ability to keep a straight face...

I didn't realize this was your first game, Dennis. If you need somebody to animate some of the froggy punches, I'll volunteer. Sounds like it would be fun.