In 1988, I wrote a short story about a world turned upside down by a mysterious Back-Ground noise. Ten years later, I published a web site, and started an online comic loosely based on said story entitled The Infra-Project. Four years into the web comic, I changed the name to Code-Infra. I have since settled on NETERS™.

In this universe of mine, there are an artificial race of humanoids known as The Tamahu. Those familiar with the story; as well as ancient Kamatic (Egyptian) history, should be familiar with the term. I made the Tamahu to resemble powerfully built zombies. They wear jump-suits in various colors; depending on their station, and have transparent craniums. They are highly intelligent, and are totally obedient to their creator, Dr. Kek Sol'm.

When I originally published what was then, The Infra-Project, I used two fantastic and effective programs called Poser and Bryce. Poser is a program that comes chalk full of pre-fabricated human 3D models. I simply had to morph and modify the figures in Poser, paint their textures in photoshop, and that was it. Bryce was even easier. It took little time to compose all manner of landscapes in which to tell my story.

During the process, I've needed to use various 3D applications such as Lightwave 3D; to make all of the buildings, vehicles, and props for the online series. I've played around with Maya, Cinema 4D, and I'm currently re-visiting Lightwave 9.3.1, as well as XSI Foundation 6.0. The goal is to build all characters from scratch. I still haven't completely given myself over to any 'one' application - mistake - but I find myself using Lightwave more and more ... but XSI is nice. Problem is, I own a Mac. And I have to use Parallels (emulation software), to run Softimage XSI.

Anyway, starting with the Tamahu, I am going to build all characters featured in NETERS™ from the ground up. I'll probably go with Lightwave, because I am familiar with it's interface, and it will allow me to do the things I want to do, without going broke in the process. I will also be using it's built-in 'toon' rendering capabilities. This will give NETERS that kewl toon/cel shade look found in 2D animation and some comics.