Machineflesh 3D Challenge Entry: jon clayton

[StayFrosty]

The snail with no name:
Dr Grumbot, the eminent scientist, sat eating a ham sandwich at his lab window. He spotted a small snail on the window ledge being pecked to death by a pair of crows. The soft hearted genius took pity on the humble snail's plight and shooed away the vicious birds to rescue the snail. Using his immense brain power and skills in nanoengineering and biochemistry he designed an integrated self-defence system for the tattered snail so he wouldn’t be troubled by his natural predators again. After many hours of surgery the snail emerged from Dr Grumbot’s miniature operating theatre battle scarred by the crows and radically altered by the doctor’s implants. He made a slow recovery and the doctor taught him how to use his new (and most un-snail like) capabilities. Now he's leaving the doctor’s lab and he’s out looking for crows with one thing on his mind….revenge.

I'll post the first first concept image in the next few days

[CLONEOPS]

mmmh snails aaaaand graaavy!
kill little snail kill kill.....:thumbsup:

[StayFrosty]

not this little one, he'll be too fast to catch (and too well armed)!

[mduclon]

Good story, original. Can't wait to see the little bugger...

[StayFrosty]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1079726071_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1079726071_large.jpg)

just a few biro doodles to get my initial thoughts on paper

[imscifi]

revenge... slow and painfull... mwhahahahahahha!!!!! (spoken a little more slowly of course!)...

:D

[EmpY]

it's huge, gigantic. Is it not?

:thumbsup:

[StayFrosty]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1079744808_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1079744808_large.jpg)

Yeah, this latest sketch makes him look even more massive. I had thought of him as life size (ie small). Part of the concept is that the snail is really small but really powerful. Then again I may go for a more cartoony look rather than the realism I was originally thinking of. That may mean facial expression and human eyes though?
I think I'll do a bit of modelling next to see how it feels in 3d.
(PS apologies for the shocking perspective on the sketch!)

[CLONEOPS]

Just give him a SNARL like he is ready to kik some crow ass.
it'll look funny.....and he has to have a goal or aiming at something..maybe just rage focused on a crow target poster.
stick with the antlers eyes and keep em soft an snaily?
-war paint? army style .

[StayFrosty]

Good idea, "Born to Kill" or "Death to Crows" graffiti and camo paint on his equipment might look good, like a Vietnnam soldier. I've also not put any scarring or damage on him yet. He will aslo need to look a bit more home made with bits of kit scattered higgledy piggledy over him, some recognisable parts that the docotor has found lying around.
I was thinking of having him taking off from a leaf so the viewer is certain he is not some huge monster but a normal size snail with mods. Maybe with a couple of crows circling in the background sky?

[CLONEOPS]

-gotta have a crow in there somewhere maybe just a big crow head kinda glaring but the snail is zipping up just at that moment getting ready to attack just as the crow is giving snail a good look??
hell maybe just a crow shadow over snail ...shadows
-like a big bat signal overcast thing...
-rip off an eyeball ,needs more mech
how about waldoes-mech arms? or a tail tip laser....

[mv]

that last concept sketch kicks arse! looking forward to your progress :thumbsup:

[CLONEOPS]

once he is done killin crow
he can start a fedex
S- CARGO


kill snail kill kill kill....

[Dorram]

Now this is a concept I like. The sketches are really coming along. With jets like that he needs some round aviator goggles. Also, wouldn't his backside be blackened all the time from using those things? I'll be looking for more from this.

[ssloan]

Now this is interesting!

the last sketch is verry cool, clean as well

maby have it so the crow is towering above him, meanwhile the snail has a crazy grin across his face ( in a snail sort of way ) lol

thissll be something to watch

[pigwater]

love it .. the story is fab ... gonna have to follow this you as you go

have fun and happy modeling:beer:

[StayFrosty]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1079866276_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1079866276_large.jpg)

Basic model to check on the design and work out any flaws in the character concept.
The jets will look cool but I think I'll need to work on integrating them more with the organic.
C&Cs please!

[DaVee]

Great imagination.

A rocket-house for snail. Very good.

I love it

[BOY1DA]

It would also look kool with nice big fat wheels with sweet rims on the side instead of rockets......

[AgentTwitch]

hahaha, I love it! The last drawing you did really makes me excited for this little rocket-snail--Keep up the good pace, I will check back on this one often!:thumbsup:

[Dorram]

What kind of personality are you planning on giving this guy? He's got great potential.

[mikepolizos]

Sweet guy!
Keep us updated!

[CLONEOPS]

just so you know-
a snails shell is a full part of the snail -not separate-
it is not something it picked up off the ground.
-it is a part of its biology-
-you do not need to over- mech it has lots already.
just stick with the drawing because it looks good like that.
why is he modeled laying down flat? -can you change it?
software you use?

[StayFrosty]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080085157_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080085157_large.jpg)

Modelling for one of his jet engines, probably about half way done, with just a basic metal material at the moment.
Started modeling a realistic jet but realised it didn't suit the bodged together look that Dr Grumbot's home made engine would have. I've oversized the details so his human sized hands would still be able to assemble the components.

[StayFrosty]

Dorram: well he's just aquired turbo-snail powers and he's out for revenge, I'd not really though about his personality much beyond that yet.

Cloneops: I agree with you about the shell and don't worry I've no intention of over mech-ing him. I'll probably try some different things later but at the moment I'll just attach the jets with cables and stuff, put some armour plating on the shell and some sort of targeting gismo for one of his eyes. I think some sort of weapon as well?

he's modeled flat to make him easier to texture, the snails I've looked at for reference have fiendishly detailed skin and I'm going for absolute realism at the moment. I'll deform him with bones later, this also leaves open the potential to animate him. (I'm working in max6)

[CLONEOPS]

Everything is going great here! nice update.
i guess real snails do not have any other natural defense other than the shell..... or do they?

just as a sidebar-
check out sometimes some other snail pics
,like amazon jungle type ones they are freeeeeeky.!

[madmac3d]

haha.... you should copyright this idea before Guinness uses it in their next advertising campaign!

[Phugative]

Coming along great!
Are you going to make it realistic, or go slightly cartoony?
Cartony might fit the concept and allow for a more humorous final image.

[creativer]

Looking Awesome dude!

[harnelbe]

:buttrock: :buttrock:
Excellent original idea !!!

Do not forget to install a system of cooling of snail dribble, because at the speed to which it will evolve/move that will heat:)

I am in a hurry to see the effects of translucidity through the body of snail which mixes with mechanics.

:drool:

[DaVee]

harnelbe
Do not forget to install a system of cooling of snail dribble, because at the speed to which it will evolve/move that will heat

You're right harnelbe . And don't forget and elmet and solid glasses.
:beer:
You made a lot details in modeling,.. really good. Next,Next!!
:thumbsup:

[daemienwrath]

Nice work, I love the idea its a very humorous paradox. And the engine is damn cool.

[ivo D]

kick ass, super snail.. eej give him some flight glasses, that would be cool.. over those big dreamy eyes

[CLONEOPS]

i wanna see combat snail wreal havok man!
-go for total all out Armegeddon!!!!!
nuke them crows.
hates them crows.
crows gonna die.
they gotta feeeel the pain.
Snarl!!!

[CLONEOPS]

you heard me!
double pop.

[StayFrosty]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080516998_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080516998_large.jpg)

A couple of views of the snail body texture so far. The bump is working ok but it looks a bit like a plastic turd at the moment.
It works quite well for the medium shot at the top but I'll need to work on the translucency/inner glow for print res. I'm pretty sure the answer lies in the Falloff map somewhere but initial tests haven't been too promising, any suggestions?

[ParadiseFlyBird]

NitroSqueel.... wow man.... you concept is really original...
and you're model is looking great... loving that snail skin asell
.. i cant make any critz .i just cant wait to see the finished work

rock on man

[pissaro]

Great! Idea and work! When I imagine it with "SSS" ... .I'll be back

[Borro]

Great idea man, i like your modeling so far and hope I'll see even more of it in the future.

P.S. I totaly dig the snail texture!

[CLONEOPS]

-in your sketch book, far right center pic
those are the eyes ya need here,
-only way to give him intent of expression is throught he eyes...and mouth.
-big eyes in sketch are perfect!
.
needs a more fatness in body bulk.
,more bulbous so he looks pumped and primed !
keep going with it

:thumbsup:

[harnelbe]

I llike a lot the great render of the skin
it's very realistic. The modeling of the engine is very very impressive.
it could be a good idea to see by transparence through the body of
the snail the connection of mechanisms,
why not micro-wheels which could
support the speed of the snail, see
renforcements of the (structure) of the
snail. What could be interesting could be
generators of super-lubrifiants on the side
with bubbles.

[Schun]

what a nice idea (hurry to see up' with the shell)

I really like skin texture too which is already realistic (you're right the bump
is great I think) .

:lightbulb
Perhaps to do some transparency on edge you can use some falloff mat on opacity map ?

[StayFrosty]

cloneops:-big eyes in sketch are perfect!

I'll definitely give them a try but I'm not sure they fit in with the realistic effect I'm after all if the snail already had eyes, nose, mouth he would be pretty special already without the need for mech upgrades? Besides with 4 eye stalks and a rubbery face I should be able to get expression out of his face somehow? 2.5 months still to go so it's not like we're running out of time to play about with a few ideas!

harnelbe:

not sure about wheels but little nozzles on his base that squirt slimey lube would stop him getting friction burns as he speeds about the floor. You're definitley right about seeing some mech parts beneath the surface of the skin.

others:

thanks for the complements and ideas.
Has anyone a link to a decent sized movie of that Guiness ad madmac3d mentioned a few posts ago, I've only found a very low res realplayer movie so far.

[painkiller]

super snail !!!! cool !!!! :applause:

[jddog]

so cool ! :beer:

jdd

[Phrenzy84]

excellent concept, and shader on the snail, cant wait to see where this goes. About the story...ummm cant he be the one to find baz hehe.

kepp it up mate. :thumbsup:

[StayFrosty]

who's baz?

[StayFrosty]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080854697_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080854697_large.jpg)

Done a bit more modeling on the jets.
Tried out a few test renders from different angles of what I've done so far.
I'll move onto modeling the shell with all the wires and connectors for the snail to control his engines. Then back to a bit more texturing I think....
jon

[dlofgreen]

I laughed out loud when I saw your concept. Great job on the engines too. Keep up the good work.

[airworks]

lol, me too, laughed out loud, thats great, lol. I guess he beats the hair and the turtle!nice tex on the snail body and great modeling

[airworks]

it almost looks as if the engines should be on the body the other way though, thats my only peeve, engines usually bigger in front than the back

[Joebount]

Really nice ! The snail's shader would gain to be more slimy :)

[arLutiK]

Very nice :applause: , would love to see those reactors in action :bounce:

[ParadiseFlyBird]

Hey NitroSqueel... wow man... your entry is lookin sweet... nice going....one thing though... i would love to see somesort of slime shader on the snail skin.. ... rock on...

[Russo]

haaaahahahahaahhah very cool :beer:

[jddog]

:eek: powerfull !! looking more and more cool and good !
jdd

[EmpY]

hahaha, looking great!!!
I'm looking for more...

:thumbsup:

[StayFrosty]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080950935_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2271/2271_1080950935_large.jpg)

I've boned him and tried him out in a hovering pose, I must get back to modeling and textureing though.
I should be able to get plenty of facial expression with his 4 stalks and the lip like edge to his head, I'll try some of that in th enext few days.

[Yann1ck]

Very good job! :thumbsup:

I like the shader on your snail. You should soften the bottom of your snail as it is a bit sharp or round the edges.

[Ric535]

ha ha - i like the funny entries best - (watching this space) :thumbsup:

[painkiller]

great job !
i think u sould do the shell from metal too ...

keep up ! :thumbsup:

[VOO]

Ming the Molusc. I Like it.

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