htp (peace)

Been having so much fun blogging my adventures in building my characters from the ground up, that I decided to create a new category - from the ground up - just for that. It's basically a very specialized wip(s) thread that I will use to chart my progress in re-imaging already existing NETERS characters, etc.

htp (peace)

Okay, so the basic texture is complete; that is if I am going to use a feature in Animation Master called 'decals'. Decals are a quick and fast way to apply an image to your model. And it will work for comics and still images, which is what I plan to use Animation Master for. So I'm satisfied with that part.




The cel shading in Animation Master is in my opinion, the best in the business ... or at least second best. I mean the above image looks like a cartoon ... hard to believe its the same model in the previous entry.

Now check out the back...



Textures. Some of the control points aren't textured correctly, and it's hard to line them up when using decals. That sucks if and when I produce animated films. For the fast and messy, decals will work. But If I want that super polished look, then I'm going to have to 'flatten' the model, then paint or attach the texture(s) directly onto the splines. That will give me more control over the texture and how it covers the model. Animation Master has a lot of power under the hood. And I'm learning more everyday. Again, haven't played with this program in six years, but it's coming back to me. As quiet as it is kept, Animation Master is very much like Softimage/XSI.

Next I'll add the bones, and we'll call it done.

htp (peace)

Tentacles added. I fixed the proportions ... looks truer to the form and function found in the comics. Gave the tubular "hair" some personality. Still need to finish adding the bones, and texture him.

Earlier this week, I made a vow. I promised myself that I would basically grab four to five software applications, master them, and begin to produce on the level I know I'm capable of. read more

From the Ground Up -

... where I will build all primary NETER characters from scratch, using mostly Animation Master. No more jumping from program to program. Time to get it done!

So I thought I'd start with the Nommos. They are an enigmatic race featured in the NETERS story arc. I'm familiar with Animation Master. I've "played" around with this app for almost ten years. It's one of the most intuitive 3D apps around, and I generally enjoy working in it.

The following pics are preliminary stages of the Nommos. I'm adding bones to the main body. I still have to add the tentacles, and texture the body. Having fun...



Adding "bones" to a 3D model can be time consuming. I'd forgotten that. Oh well ... better get used to it...



... the difficult part is when using the bones to move the 3D object, causes all kinds of unpredictable behaviors as a result of the object twisting and turning. Animation Master has a great solution. I can enter into "muscle" mode, and tweak the control points and splines to get a more natural look and feel. More to come...