First Organic

[Karikoga]

This is my first organic (attempt number six) and about my 5th render. ALL critisms and comments are welcome.
I have put in more than 18 hrs into this one and I feel it's taking too long....
Also can someone please tell me how to render a wire frame ...:o :D.....(and animate change from wireframe to solid) or where I can get such a tutorial

[MonteCristo]

Listen buddy, there is no such thing as too long. If you are learning, then learning takes time. I think this is a promising start to your 3D career, so keep at it. There are a lot of things wrong with this model, but there are a lot of things right with it too. So don't worry, keep practicing. As usual, most of your problems here come back to anatomy. Pay attention to the shape of the skull and how it attaches to the neck. But keep at it. 3D is not a race, and if you view it as such, you will never finish anything. So keep practicing. Work on this piece, and get what you can from it.

[MonteCristo]

Assuming you are using 3D Studio max, to render a wireframe image, go to the render dialogue and check the force wireframe box. :) See diagram below.

[Borg]

Karikoga, if you think your model is taking forever just look at my thread, i'v been tweaking that head for hours and hours....But as Monte said it pays to take your time when ur learning, the problem i had on earlier models was rushing too much and stuffing it up. its very hard but you have to learn to take it slow and steady:D

[Luc@s]

Hi, if you are using max 5 or 6 try to use symmetry option to mirror the half part. It´s perfect, the symmetry weld everything automatlically :*poly: , you don´t need to weld after you finish your model. You just have to collapse all and that it

[Karikoga]

Thanx a lot guys for the encouragement and the advice...I am using Max 4.0, but I hope to get 6.0 soon.
MonteCristo-3DT I will definately check out the skull thing.
The mesh (without the Meshsmooth modifier applied) is a bit of a mess though. I have the feeling that if ever I try to animate this guy he is going to turn inside-out....:D, but that is not a major concern right now.

[Jason-Lavoie]

HA HA, if you want ti perfect, time is what you need, you learn on the go, thats what happened to me... and i am STILL learning (plus i have only been modeling for liek 2 weeks now)

SO HAZAA, its a great start... but it seems weird to me, i can't explain it... i will try later :)
________
roor bong (http://roorbongs.org)

[DeadSquirrel]

Hi :)

There's two problems I see in the face so far:

The eye socket is too pronounced and too large. It seems the eye is drowning in the guy's head ;).
Don't think about the eye socket, make it a flat surface around the eyes... then just concentrate on the eyebrow, nose bridge and cheek bone.

The jaw seems odd from the profile. Seems too thin. Give it more of an angle :)


Nice model for a first one though!

[Karikoga]

Wait!!! I see it. The elephant trunk-type nose. I am workin' on that. Like I said, this guy is prone to turning inside-out. Could it be because I am box modelling a sphere and I end up with vetices in all the odd spots?
After an all-night tweak-a-thon this is what I got Thanx for the hints DeadSquirrel. I am still working on the eyes though. From the front the guy looks like hell.

[Karikoga]

I decided to rewind and redo my charactor again, mo slowly, using my new found knowledge and mo detail...
Pls note I still haven't welded the 2 halves. What do u think so far.

[mat]

hey man, nice going on the head, and like everyone said, dont sweat about the hours, the fact your still tweaking and playing means you are still learning things, but one thing i suggest is leaving it for a few hours,get outside away from the box, just so when you are looking at it you are looking at it with fresh eyes.

on a more specific note, i dont like the nose, from the front the bridge looks too flat and from the side the nostril doesnt smoothly join the rest of the nose

keep at it brother, you will get it, but also set yourself a deadline, either time or model detail, and let it go. i reckon when i first started i spent too long tweaking one model and not enough time applying what i had learnt to something new and interesting

mat

[Karikoga]

Thanx Mat for the advice. I will work on those......U wouldn't happen to know a nose-job specialist would u?? :):)

[rubberduck]

Originally posted by MonteCristo-3DT
Listen buddy, there is no such thing as too long. If you are learning, then learning takes time. I think this is a promising start to your 3D career, so keep at it. There are a lot of things wrong with this model, but there are a lot of things right with it too. So don't worry, keep practicing. As usual, most of your problems here come back to anatomy. Pay attention to the shape of the skull and how it attaches to the neck. But keep at it. 3D is not a race, and if you view it as such, you will never finish anything. So keep practicing. Work on this piece, and get what you can from it.

I agree;)

[Karikoga]

The latest update.
I decided to give my guy a more rough look as opposed to rounded and well-fed looking. He is a Shona (African) warrior. On the side are his "surgical" instruments.
I am off to do the body -
P.S I will do the ears last - they scare the living daylights out of me...:D

[Karikoga]

Didn't know previwing would remove the attachment :roll:

[Karikoga]

The latest update....Somebody please say something -

[Karikoga]

Here is my latest update......Next - appendages and the dreaded ears. But before that I plan to spend more time tweaking here-and-there - I wanna see how far I can make him look good....

[Stuh505]

hey, it looks pretty good

i would tone down the calf muscles also

[Karikoga]

Thanx Stuh505...
This little piggy went tweeking...

[Iron Boot]

In my opnion you could cut down some of the polygons in the lips. it looks like there is way too many there that dont really need to be there. If you plan on animating him it will make it a whole lot easier. Even if it is a meshsmooth, thats alot of poly's
I like the body though, its not too bad for your first organic

[Karikoga]

Thanx Iron Boot - you are absolutely right about the polys in the lips. Actually that was my first port of call and I am currently working on them. I have done the nose and I also plan to better the cheek and jaw structure. And yes I do plan to animate him - so if you have any other pointers - please keep them coming...

[Cyrenn]

This is starting to look really good.

Wow! This is just an opinion. Maybe you should give him a big head dress. The one Like Shaka Zulu wore in the movie.

I love that movie. as well as Zulu and Zulu Dawn. I believe Zulu was Micheal Caines first appereance. If you haven't seen those movies, I highly recommend it.

I tried to find a good picture of the actor who played Shaka Zulu. but couldn't. I remember he had this giant head dress with lots of feathers and it had horns sticking out I think. Its been awhile since I've seen the movie Shaka Zulu.

But I did find this picture of a Zulu warrior.

Cyrenn

WIP
http://forums.3dtotal.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16717

[Karikoga]

Hey, Cyrenn you should also try to get your hands on a movie called "Dingaka", If you can still find it... An old-old thing probably made in the late 50s - early 60s can't tell - it's like watching the Seven Samurai. The story is really cool.....
Thanx very much for the comments. I am still pondering the attire. The feathers are usually worn during ceremonies - you don't wanna get them dirty and spend all day prooning :).
I also found a pic of the guy who played Shaka Zulu (Henry Cele)....but not full body :(

[Cyrenn]

Hey. You know I just watched the Seven Samuri's for the first time like 4 weeks ago. I can't believe I never seen that movie until now. That movie rocks.

I can see why its known as a classic, and so many movies have been modeled after it.

Great Pic of Henry Cele. I was always fascinated by the hair that was wrapped around there arms and calves. Is that supposed to be lions hair?

Cyrenn

[Karikoga]

LOL - If it was lion hair there would be a lot of hairless lions out there :). Imagine finding enough hair for the entire Zulu army. But do think they do use lion hair - if available. I assume they mostly use sisal fibre, and if available animal hair, like the kind you get at the tip of a cow's tail. But I am not 100% sure.
After the lazy easter break I found it pretty difficult to get back to work. Here is an update...I also did the face - nose, lips, cheeks e.t.c - This guy has had so many different faces....

[hells angel]

wow...really nice model for a first time!!:)....really nice model if its not a first time too!!...take ur time dude...go nice and easy...and dont rush it......waitin to see more...wont crit as of now.....although the last pic seems unsmoothed....cheers.

[Karikoga]

Thanx Hells Angel. Actually I am having probems with the smooth so I decided to reduce it - for faster rendering.

[Karikoga]

One question - is it better rig a charactor for animation first then apply the textures or texture then rig?
Long time no update....I am going through a number of rigging tutorials so I can give my guy a pose. But this is just a temporary thing coz I ain't done with the tweaking - just got a little tired of it and I am giving it a rest.
I had a heated debate with my dad - whom I am using as a consultant on the factual aspects of the charactor. My charactor is from a book about a loner born an orphan and is only left with a bow and 10 arrows and basically goes through life with these - makes you wanna cry huh???.. :( :roll:
Anyway I plan to use him for a little animation - "The Ambush". I already have a story board for it. Since my guy is poor he cannot have the feathers and hairs - Sorry Cyrenn!!
However the guy he will be going up against will have the feathers - he is not in the book.