modernhorse Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Hello - After trying to use decals for facial expressions I decided to go the modeling route. So.... Attached is the star of a short I'm working on. Posting for your comments as to: 1) How does this character's personality read? 2) What is this character? 3) I'm wondering how this simple environment plays? 4) I need to fix his pointy pupils, I know. I'm trying for simplicity and fun. My goal is to animate this fella. Thanks for any thoughts. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jaqe Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 1) "I'm a raindrop"? "A raindrop that likes to dance!". To be honest, he looks kinda goofy in that pose, kinda child-friendly, if you know what I mean. Or maybe he's just a silly person/raindrop? 2) A raindrop 3) I like them, they are simple, yet I'm thinking "Could... Raindrop... Oh! Oh! It's going to rains" aka. I sense a story. 4) Yes you do and yes you know (Sorry for the sillyness of this post, I just hope it helps) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkLimit Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 I think this is a cool character love the simple approach...... 1) the eyes make it kinda hard to read more into his personality; but judging from his teeth etc he looks goofy or dazed..... 2) looks like a raindrop or candy of some sort..... 3) the white stuff looks like clouds, again I like the simple approach..... looking forward to more modernhorse.... thanks for sharing..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Rodney Posted April 20, 2005 Admin Share Posted April 20, 2005 Here's my take Doug: 1) How does this character's personality read? Have to be honest... I'm not reading much. As Robert mentioned the mouth is where he seems to be getting his personality from... usually (and especially with a character without arms and legs) it'll be the eyes. 2) What is this character? I'm a little raindrop. Yup. Yup. 3) I'm wondering how this simple environment plays? The simplicity plays well. It's an interesting... sewn silk pillow effect. 4) I need to fix his pointy pupils, I know. I'd suggest changing his pupils and making them black. This would solve the issue of #1 above. Since none of your colors are really solid a dark grey surrounded by blue might work well. Please post more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 Thanks for the positive feedback guys. I'm glad the character is coming through(at least somewhat). I will definitely spend some time with the eyes and get back to you. Cheers! Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 Okay here's an update. I'm stealing way too much time on this fella ... shhhh ... How do they eyes read now Rodney? Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nf1nk Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 The eyes could really use large black pupils, right now it looks like he has glasses on, but he is a very cute raindrop, or maybe a pudding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xtaz Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Hi Doug ... I prefer to use black pupils ... and I would use some transparency and refraction in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Rodney Posted April 20, 2005 Admin Share Posted April 20, 2005 Doug, If you are going for 'dazed and confused' the white pupils work fine. If not you I think you'll need more definition even if it's a subtle color in a darker shade. Light (and especially white) pupils tend to suggest blindness, confusion or loss of perception. This can be played well in certain characters of course. As far as construction of the eyes and the removal of the pointy pupils, I'd say... "Right On. You've got it!" If you plan on having him blink you'll want to consider eyelids of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Thanks again guys. I forgot that I had wanted to post the one with the black pupils yesterday. Anyway, here it is. Good thoughts y'all. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Hi again - Now that I've mostly settled on the character, i'm moving on to finishing up the set. Attached is my wip. After finally finding the time for Marcel's Treez plugin I'm having a blast. However, I think the trees i've come up with are too 'realistic' looking for this toon-like setting. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. If anyone has a slew of toony trees they'd like to donate I'd owe you a cup of coffee. Thanks again for your opinions. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaryin Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 What I really like are those clouds. They are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Thanks Zaryin! Easy as pie. Spheres (primitives at that) that are just plunked on top of one another. A little transparency, add some glow and voila! I actually studied Artbox's clouds for his short for the look. I had another idear for the trees. I dig this look. Same concept as clouds. I think it's coming together. It has to, I'm low on time. Attached is yet another set test. The tree in the foreground is what I'm talking about. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelmech Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Looking good Doug! I like your clouds better than mine Scene looks good and I like the drop. Looking forward to seeing your entry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jaqe Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Cool scene Doug, my only crit is: loose some of the black in the grass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhar Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Thanks Zaryin! Easy as pie. Spheres (primitives at that) that are just plunked on top of one another. A little transparency, add some glow and voila! I actually studied Artbox's clouds for his short for the look. I had another idear for the trees. I dig this look. Same concept as clouds. I think it's coming together. It has to, I'm low on time. Attached is yet another set test. The tree in the foreground is what I'm talking about. Doug That tree looks good. Reminds me of the work of Eyvind Earl (The Earl) http://www.gallery21.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted April 29, 2005 Author Share Posted April 29, 2005 Thanks for your comments guys. Today's update is to the first scene of the short. I've decided this is final, with the exception of the ground plane. Next week I'll upload some animation. Cheers for now. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jaqe Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 Better! Better! Much, much better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentothemax Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 If i was you . . . i would use the symboyant plugin for dark tree textures, and use a really deep and meeningfull eye . . . then have one (or both of them be lazy). That always gets across a good first impression . . . if you want him to look goofy and dumb (and kind of helpless [big pupils]). My 2 cents ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted May 3, 2005 Author Share Posted May 3, 2005 Better! Better! Much, much better! Thanks Mr Jage. i would use the symboyant plugin for dark tree textures Thanks, but I'm not sure I know what that is. Is this a procedural included with A:M? Or is this a third party thing? I'm presuming that latter. I've pretty much moved on with the character, in the interest of the deadline, but I'm open to revising him for later use or the next character. Thanks guys. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agep Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 Hey. Nice scene. Like the trees and the clouds. But I think the ground is a bit too flat, why not add some bumps or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entity Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 I like it... but the raindrop character needs some shine-- a nice strong thin specular highlight! It would be funny if he cried and the teardrops turned into drops like him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted May 3, 2005 Author Share Posted May 3, 2005 Okay guys, good thoughts. Here's a render that shows all updates as I have them. As I say, I've moved on but I guess I have changed him enough to update the thread. I appreciate all the suggestions and critiques. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbert_Zero Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 WOW i love the update!!! it is a huge improvement! good job! it gives much more of a watery feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 Yeah, nice work overall. I like the expressive potential of the mouth, and I really like your approach to the trees and clouds. I might try to make the tree trunks as bouncy/cartoony as the boughs and clouds, but they're nice as is. I am also working on a project with alien/cartoony trees and it's interesting to see how others approach this sort of thing without getting all Dr. Seussy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishman Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 Thanks for your comments guys. Today's update is to the first scene of the short. I've decided this is final, with the exception of the ground plane. Next week I'll upload some animation. Cheers for now. Doug Just took a look at this and notice one small thing you may want to change. On the right hand side of the frame for this camera angle, the tree in the distance seems to be dangling from the tree in the foreground. You may want to move the one in the background. Love the look! Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted May 4, 2005 Author Share Posted May 4, 2005 the tree in the distance seems to be dangling from the tree in the foreground Hmm, yeah I see that. This won't be a still so maybe it won't really show up. Thanks for all of your comments. Very encouraging. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seven Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 A fantastic, wonderful raindrop! But there is the music? A raindrop having a mouth but saying nothing! Bad teeth! Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jaqe Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 Seven - you really like lip synch, don't you? Cool drop and I agree with seven, he needs to say something, unless you have a master plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seven Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 I think he has to talk with the dentist! Perhaps he has no money to pay the bill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbert_Zero Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 i wanna see some animation with this. it would be interesting to see how you animate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seven Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Yes - not only animation - I will have some sound too - a raindrop - that is really poetic - can be great - and then the realism - this drop has got bad teeth - I just wonder why? perhaps has something to do with water pollution? http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution.htm That would be a great story - poetic raindrops falling down into todays reality... I believe this raindrop can turn into some really nice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted May 5, 2005 Author Share Posted May 5, 2005 Hi all - Yes, i've got a master plan and have begun animating him but I've got no where to post my anim's at the moment. So I'll guess you'll just have to wait until the mini-movie contest is complete before you see. btw - have you all considered entering? There will be no dialog except maybe a couple of grunts and/or guttural vocalizations. At least not for this short. Appreciate your continuing interest. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modernhorse Posted May 9, 2005 Author Share Posted May 9, 2005 Okay - decided to put up a bit of animation to whet your appetites, and to give you a hint of his personality. Comments welcome of course (note - I don't know how much time i'll have to employ your suggestions as the deadline is looming). Doug Sc11testA.mov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve392 Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Nice ,I like the clouds aswell ,looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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