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Dragon WIP
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These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
Dragon WIP // Work in Progress
Post by Dragneye // Dec 31, 2007, 12:35pm
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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I realized that I haven't done any 3D dragon models (as befits the name :)), so for the new year I have started this. Hopefully the full scope of this project will come to fruition in time (animation short film, outside vista, additional character [my daughter in 3D], cave environment, etc), but for now, I'll just concentrate on the dragon.
The 'spikes' are strategically placed (symbolism again) to cover his eyes (my most important feature I have decided), and his head (brain; 2nd most important). The rest are basically fluff.
The neck 'bulges' (colored area) will change in color, exposing his feelings, from moment to moment. My daughter has pointed out that the head looks a bit feminine. I know; another symbol. Dualism will be the thematic play in the short film (I tend to live, and create, with the yin/yang concept in mind).
Anyway, this is what I have so far... one pic shows a rough guide to the 1st section of the cave floorplan. One shows what the body started as and then progressed to (will update occasionally), and the other is a head close up.
So whatta ya think?... and please give any critiques for improvement. |
Post by Dragneye // Dec 31, 2007, 12:42pm
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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For the record, this was the last piece I was working on before I abandoned 2D (for now). For year end, I was reviewing 2007 works I had done and came upon this, so it became the inspiration that started this model |
Post by kena // Dec 31, 2007, 2:06pm
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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Not a bad start... the proportions look about right so far. |
Post by butterpaw // Dec 31, 2007, 2:17pm
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butterpaw
Total Posts: 831
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Fetching dragon! :D got a nice lively spark ^_^ |
Post by 3dfrog // Dec 31, 2007, 6:25pm
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3dfrog
Total Posts: 1225
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dragon is looking real nice. I think you got the proportions and form down quite well. How about a wireframe to check out its construction?
I found this great program today that I think you'd like since you are a painter and it would make texturing your dragon easier:
http://www.3d-brush.com/
Try the demo, its cool. |
Post by jayr // Jan 1, 2008, 1:05am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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Good start dragoneye, he looks ike hes going to be a good, large heavy dragon.
I thought the neck bulges were like high altitude "gills" to help it take in more oxygen when flying or beathing fire, i guess i should have read you post before skipping to the picture.
Nice one 3DFrog that looks like a great program, even more so seen as it only costs £36! Like a cheap ZBrush or Mudbox, probably not as good as those but what can you expect for a 10th of the price! |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 1, 2008, 8:03am
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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I'll check that out 3dfrog; thanx.
As for the wireframe, the basic body is abt right. I'm glad to hear so far that you guys think the proportions work (opposing views are welcomed also :)). Hmm... it really is abt visual esthetics huh? I mean, what are correct proportions for a non existent animal anyway? We do go with what we're used to, don't we?
Originally I just wanted to do a dragonhead only, but then I added the neck idea, and then I had to add a body didn't I? Then it snowballed into scenery, and animation, and characters etc. Man, do I love this world called 3D.
The foot was more a test of finished smoothness, so has one SDS layer and then attached. The neck was a fast and dirty job to see the viability of the idea, and how I'd go abt modelling it. Jayr, never thought abt that concept; good one. The point for throwing that idea into the mix was purpose-specific. Was thinking abt where can I place his emotions showing, and, being able to have it visible to all, except to him (psychology stuff/concepts. Whatever. Dang it, I can't disengage from my favorite subject. Aww nuts; now I came up with another idea; a bio of the whys of the idea and his past. STOP Drew Stop! Arghhhh!... lol)
The head is mostly finished (unless I get more input), next being SDS and finalizing the verts.
Question: can I render a pic within tS showing only the wireframe? In the past I only found a screengrab with another program worked.
brb with wireframe. |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 1, 2008, 8:27am
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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Yup, have to work on rendering proficiency. Sorry abt the degradation of the wire. Haven't figured out yet how to keep the clean-ness of the original lines, cuz when I resize using PaintShopPro it ruins the purity of the lines.
Any input on that concept?
I screengrab in jiff, then to PSP to resize and change to jpeg to show in thread. Is there a better way to keep the original clarity? |
Post by jayr // Jan 1, 2008, 8:28am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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yes, using one of these buttons:
http://www.lothissen.co.uk/wire001.jpg
use them to set your render quality to 'wire' or 'hiden line' then you can render your wire frame |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 1, 2008, 8:50am
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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Thanx Jayr... headin' to try it out |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 1, 2008, 9:02am
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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Hmm... once again under my nose. Thanx Jayr |
Post by kena // Jan 1, 2008, 11:38am
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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I'll check that out 3dfrog; thanx.
As for the wireframe, the basic body is abt right. I'm glad to hear so far that you guys think the proportions work (opposing views are welcomed also :)). Hmm... it really is abt visual esthetics huh? I mean, what are correct proportions for a non existent animal anyway? Whatta-ya mean non-existent?
;) |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 1, 2008, 11:46am
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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Uhhhh ok... I just got a new video camera. Show me kena; where do I look? Whatta you know? I've looked for Champy (Lake Champlain, NY. Nessy wannabe) but so far outta luck. C'mon bud, do tell. Where, where do I look? I need texture maps.
:D |
Post by butterpaw // Jan 1, 2008, 12:02pm
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butterpaw
Total Posts: 831
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Who says we're non-existent!! ignorant humans!.....................
oops... now I'll have to kill them >_<
Uhm.... I didn't notice any dragonish comments, honest! ... did you? :D
Proportions of dragons are variable... not all alike you know :p I'm enjoying watching you build this cool creature... I do like her .. er.. his eyes .... keep on.. I watch ^_^ |
Post by kena // Jan 1, 2008, 1:55pm
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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Um... er... Um.... I've never seen a dragon... Yeah, that's it! I've never seen one! so there, and you can't make me show you one! HA!
Then again.... http://www.usq.edu.au/users/weppner/Heidi/real_dragons.htm
hehehe
But for textures...
http://www.filterforge.com/filters/category42-page1.html
They have some nice ones - like this one.
10312 |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 1, 2008, 7:19pm
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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Kena, I stand corrected... there ARE (other) types of dragons. I should have known better, and remembered. A friend's fieldname who just returned from overseas is Dragonfly. A slip of the mind I guess. btw... if I DO get any pics of my type of dragon, I'll be posting it here first, then to the highest bidder. I do have loyalty in my blood ya know? Oh, and thanx for those links. Good job bud.
Butterpaw... you are definitely the most pleasant inspiration round here. Thanx... I'm glad you're here. |
Post by jayr // Jan 2, 2008, 12:52am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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try this for textures too;
http://www.mapzoneeditor.com/ |
Post by Nez // Jan 2, 2008, 3:35am
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Nez
Total Posts: 1102
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Kena, I stand corrected... there ARE (other) types of dragons. I should have known better, and remembered.
Well, you may not be into Harry Potter, but they give som egood descriptions for differing dragon species in that if it helps give some inspiration! Best references - book 4 (Goblet of Fire) and the Comic Relief extra 'Fantastic Creatures and Where to Find Them' - describes about 7 species if I remember...
Of course, plenty of other 'reference' sources....
NB - with the screen-cap issue - if you're using PSP to resive, why not just use it to screencap too - provided you're using at least version 5 you should be able to do that. Try to avoid shrinking the captures though as the lines are too fine to reduce cleanly...
Nice job so far... |
Post by butterpaw // Jan 2, 2008, 5:55am
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butterpaw
Total Posts: 831
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Thanks Dragneye, I'm very happy if I can lend a little inspiration! ^_^
... someday I will also be able to offer concrete advice, but it's going to be a while yet... :D
btw... to this day.. I cannot resist snap-dragons... I must always give them a gentle squeeze to see their mouths open up, and I love showing this to little kids too :) |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 5, 2008, 10:41pm
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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Nez, I didn't know I could screencap with PSP. Will have to figure out where to look. Thanx.
PS: Would you believe... I have never read a Potter book? (yea I know; some dragon I am :)) Come to think of it, I haven't read a fiction book in, man, abt 15 yrs. Here's a funny coinkidink; the last book of fiction I think I read, was by a guy called Hunter I think. Found out last week that it was made into a movie... called "the Shooter", which I liked. When I read the credits, Imagine my surprise - As for reference, I tend to avoid looking at any examples of an item, unless I am modelling a specific actual object like my gold wreath entry. I feel that way (hopefully) I may be able to come up with a fresh idea, or at least not be blamed for stealing another's image. It does lead sometimes to technical representational mistakes, but at least my soul stays pure. |
Post by butterpaw // Jan 7, 2008, 10:24am
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butterpaw
Total Posts: 831
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File / Import / capture ... you'll find settings .. then when you've got it how you like it... shiftC and PSP automatically minimizes .. (well that's the 8.1 version :D ) |
Post by Dragneye // Jan 9, 2008, 1:00am
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Dragneye
Total Posts: 602
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Thanx Butterpaw. I now have to see if it renders any better. |
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