Machineflesh 3D Challenge Entry: Touko Maksimainen

[DeCoder]

My idea is as follows:

I'm going to make an enhanced, weaponized version of a jellyfish.
While it will have the approximate shape of a normal fish it will have the distinct properties of jellyfish such as transparent skin and threads instead of fins.
It will feature a turbine that goes directly through it. Combined with the principle of hypercavitation it will be able to travel at speeds up to 5000km/h. Enhanced nervous system and small brains will be in charge of delivering the bomb to its target. This combined with a small nuclear bomb inside will make it the deadliest biological weapon in the world. Also the special kind of skin will be able to absorb sonar.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079738187_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079738187_large.jpg)

Here is the sketch drawing for my turbomedusa.
It's very basic with only a limited number of ideas featured (I used some 10minutes in photoshop) but I've already started the modeling process so there will be more info later.

[Pufferfish]

Great, I like this. Your idea seems to have its function and meaning. Scary one too.

ok, let's see some concepts :)


-PFish


EDIT: ok you were faster :)

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079780366_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079780366_large.jpg)

The fin-like thingies on the side will be mostly transparent.
Internal organs and machinery are missing at this point.
The creature will be able to draw eyes and other ledges inside its body during turbo drive.
Tailing will be used as long distance antenna whine front threads will deal with short distance communication and detection.

[mv]

5000 km/h? it'll need a far more hydrodynamic shape! anyway, nice idea. Keep it up..

[Pyke]

For something traveling underwater at that speed, it would need an EXTREAMLY long tail...it could be a rather nice design element...

[DeCoder]

Ok well lets say more like 1200km/h :) Very fast anyhow.
I agree with Pyke that the tail will need some more work and it is definitelly a good design feature. I'll see what to do with it but I'll be keeping it mechanical.

Inside the creature there will be the following biological elements:
Nervous system and small brains.
Something similar to intestines that will deal with powering up the thing by filtering plancton from the water fed in by the turbine. The exhaustion pipe for intestines will be at the top.
Mechanical elements will be the nuclear bomb (the sign will be visible to outside), COMMLINK, Turbine station and metallic spine to keep it all together.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079965944_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079965944_large.jpg)

Further progress. Things that remain to be done are pretty much the bomb, adding more detail to existing objects and probably something else.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079991760_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1079991760_large.jpg)

Here's the almost completed model. If anyone got suggestions or thoughts about it I would like to hear them before starting the mapping process.

[Serial]

i like the design, very unique and stylish. Only thing that bugs me is that tail, doesn't look good imo.

but nice work and keep on modelling

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080164457_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080164457_large.jpg)

Here we can see the more or less completed model. There are still some clitches to be taken care of but as of now I'm officially starting out the mapping.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080164560_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080164560_large.jpg)

Nuclear BattleMedusa from below.

[Serial]

looking good decoder, now you have a really big challenge to make that material look good, glowy and very transculent material is pretty hard to create.


keep on the good work :thumbsup:

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080327035_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080327035_large.jpg)

Main skin texture probably needs a lot less bump so the internal things will be more visible.
I need to come up with several other textures and shaders and apply them.
Ideas and suggestions are most welcome.

[Russel-Nash]

Looks pretty amazing.

But I would add some jellyfish like intestines, so it looks more organic. And may be some more tentacles.

Looking forward to see more.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080422301_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080422301_large.jpg)

This is not only texturing progress. I decided to get rid of the eyes, some wiring and the the parts responsible for digesting food and generating electricity from it. This enabled me to streamline the thing quite a bit.
Some jellyfish-like intestines were added also. Please let me know what you think of the modifications.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080473817_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080473817_large.jpg)

OK now I think I'm finally beginning to feel comfortable about its shape. It is streamlined enough and have several distinct properties of a jellyfish.

Now I'll also start to think about the composition of the final shot. It will definitelly have to be clear from it that this thing is a weapon. So far I haven't had any suitable ideas to make that happen.
What I do know is that it will feature a single medusa (a pack of them would simply be an overkill), sea as environment and probably the target (large military ship or something.)

[ZHAMP]

looks good!!! But for me, I think it's better to keep the eyes... I think it looks more interesting than without it. Just my opinion!!! By the way, I like details on the legs (Is that legs?) Keep go on cool working man... Good Luck

sorry for my english!!!

[airworks]

hmmm, thats really strange.i like it. The tail? those curves just strait forward spirals?

[paladin6303]

Interesting piece, this remind me of a quasi mechanical fish I created for a CG class I took. If I have time I'll dig it up and post...
:thumbsup:

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080673072_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1080673072_large.jpg)

Not much to say about this. Tried out different specular/glossiness settings for the translurent skin.

Any ideas?

[darthviper107]

You said it's supposed to be a jellyfish, It doesn't look like one.

[Serial]

yeah, you should add some more tentacles (organic ones), not a big ones, just some little tiny "worm like". and about that organic shader , it need some more color variaton. something like in this image
http://jellyfish-exhibit-long-beach.visit-los-angeles.com/Leidys-Comb-Jelly-Fish.jpg

mechanical parts looks good so far and the design is nice. :thumbsup:

you have still plenty of time adjust shader and think if there's something to improve, no rush at all

[DeCoder]

Excellent points serial. I'll get right on it! :beer:
The mechanical side is complete apart from potential micro-detail additions.
I'll concentrate now on getting the skin shader just right (it lacks the diffuse channel altogether so I'll just do that first) and get those tentacles done.
That pic is really inspiring :wip:

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081109351_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081109351_large.jpg)

People have been pointing out that it doesn't look jellyfish'ish enough so I'm going to re-design the inside alltogether.
I'll also consider removing the bomb and making the creature a modern carrier pigeon or some sort. This is because I haven't come up with a way to make the final composition so that it will be evident that the thing is a weapon.
Maybe I'll strap a bottled letter to its tail or something.

[grafi]

this one looks much better than the last one! :thumbsup:

[machine-1]

very nice idea...!
the medusa shape can be in future real underwater combat machine... because of its aggillity

[Joebount]

The concept is nice but the model is not readable enough. There's too much much visual elements. Try to focus on the design, refine it and after that build it piece by piece.

TIP : Switch to Black and White to see if your picture is readable.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081782966_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081782966_large.jpg)

I hope this will be it for modeling. The next thing on my list is to paint diffuse maps and possibly some displacement maps too.

[DeCoder]

There are some things that I acknowledge will be needing work.

TODO
-The intestines are too complicated and unfitting. Some will be removed and some replaced.
-Diffuse maps needs to be done.
-Background needs to go (Like it ever was there to stay)
-The sidewings may need work.
-The level of detail is not at its best.
-The outer skin may need to be "thicker" and not just 2-sided polys.

Any comments?

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081884393_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081884393_large.jpg)

Tonights progress. More to come.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081976013_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1081976013_large.jpg)

Spent all afternoon doing this. It is almost completed, just some small things remain to be done.
I don't know if it would be a good to go any more detail since it wouldn't be visible in the final composition anyway.

I will replace the side fins with this.

[Serial]

looks great,

can see that you're going to right direction on your design. that mechanical part looks very detailed and sharp, no crits at all.

Still thinking that the organic part need more work and more detail, especially the "head". it doesn't seem to fit to rest of the model well. Of course that transparent makes it look little bit funky.

yeah try make that organic part more detailed and so on. really good work on mechanical parts

[Gregwid]

machine parts are coming along nice man.But flesh still needs some work.Overall a cool amount of work here man.:beer:

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082308427_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082308427_large.jpg)

Ok change of plans. I'm going to get rid of the bomb inside and replace it with underwater homing pigeon functionality. This thing will be able to transport bottled messages at amazing speeds.
I will attach it at the bottom of the creature.

Please let me know what you think.

[painkiller]

hey !!!! so the fish is belong to u !!!
(i sow it before i joint to the contest and realy impressed !)
great job i have to say .... and good thinking on replacing the boms .... :D

keep it up ! :thumbsup:

[RKurczewski]

Lovely modeling... although concept is not yet obvious when looking at it...

[swadepgh]

This looks cool. How are you going to make the creature's extreme speed visually evident in a still image? I like the messenger idea more than the bomb.

Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

[Tremoside]

Impressive modeling! fine ideas!:buttrock: :buttrock:

You're on the way!

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082737440_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082737440_large.jpg)

Ok this is it for mechanical side. I've also removed the nuclear bomb and next I'm about to finish the intestines and after that get on with texturing.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082752838_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082752838_large.jpg)

Testing out diffuse map for torso.

Modeling ~done.

[harnelbe]

:buttrock:
I followed your thread since the beginning.
Your last update is successfull in the rendering ! I love the colors and it's connect to your first sketche !
Great !
I stay tuned about your next updates !
Keep it up !

[Falcorr]

Hi friend.

Glad to see you have learned more 3D since the times i did some texture work on your old objects.

One thing what i would do for that object is to make it more transparent, but the same time making it more easier to see the structure. Just adding some more structure and transparent muscle stuff or something.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082898183_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1082898183_large.jpg)

Some statistics of the scene:
It has some 1500 objects and 600k polygons. The project folder of almost half a gigabyte mostly due to periodical saving to new scene (scene45 at the moment) plus some obsolete psd files which could and should be deleted.

About lighting:
Apart from dim background light, the threads will be the only source of light in the scene, which will probably look very cool. Stay tuned.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1083010403_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1083010403_large.jpg)

automatic exposure control messed it up a bit.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1083010588_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1083010588_large.jpg)

There are still some objects without textures and those that do have just 3 different materials on them.

I'll add some variation to thread coloring next.

[AtmaX1]

Go deco, everything looks great man. I think it's a big improvement from your last work. It's just as on point, but sleeker and smooother. also there is a better balance between flesh and machine now instead of it containing strange nuclear reactors and such :D.. still though looks like the work of a mad scientist in something of science fiction... which Is pretty cool..

I have but one question for you, what will you name it ? How about XenoJelly :D

[AtmaX1]

Go Deco, Tommy Speaking. Sweet Job so far. It's jsut as on point as your original work for the comp except its sleeker and smoother than the last version. and excludes strange nuclear ractors and such inside of the work :) .. I think there is much more balance between machine and flesh now. I have one question for you though, what will you name it ? I suggest maybe something along the lines of XenoJelly :) Keep up the good works.

[Serial]

material is starting to look good, but it still needs to be little more softer and and... some depth (i know it's god damm hard ;)). And as you mentioned, needs some more colors.

those "pearls" looks nice improvment and gives more mood to character.

still would suggest you do add some detail on the "shell", maybe just simple bumpmap could do the job


but nice job, looking forward for your next update

[pixeljunkynz]

I really like your concept and development. I'm sick of seeing these 3D half naked women.......so so sick of it.......so pathetic. I think your concept stands out from the rest, I hope you keep up the good work.

[peksi]

I like that idea about delivering messages, right after nuclear war that could be handy ;) But I think that bottle is too humorous, shouldn't it be something more modern? If you made it intentionally like that then I apologize for bitching.

Goodluck! Though I need it more.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1083509890_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1083509890_large.jpg)

Here's the new story behind this creature.

In the future the Internet will be bloated with spy and malware, junk email, worms and viruses.
JelEx has been set up to provide near-instant messaging to the wealthy. One delivery costs up to 1000 dollars and there is 1 hour delivery quarantee to any place in the world (coastal regions only). The addressing scheme uses GPS positioning so in order to send a message via JelEx you need to know the recipients location coordinates (or select the closest JelEx office from a list.)
Because a JelEx transportation unit travels at amazing speeds (up to 4000km/h) the message will have to fit on a 0,5 liter bottle-shaped container made out of reinforced glass.

JelEx - Coming soon to a dock near you.

[painkiller]

update ... at last !
looking great great !!

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1084552730_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1084552730_large.jpg)

The main light is now there. Some areas will need to be lit with some auxiliary lights.

Let me know if it's too messed up :)

[Ionized]

Very impressive work. I love the aquatic theme and the design of the ship, although I think that the jelly fish outer shell obscures the internaml machine parts too much.

It s a very good interpretation on the theme though.:thumbsup:

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1084812178_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1084812178_large.jpg)

It's definitelly better now than ever before, at least that's how I see it of course my vision is blurred with subjectiveness.

There are no lights now but I need to figure out how to add some and not lose the look.

Background will get better.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086448496_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086448496_large.jpg)

Here it is. Rendered using scanline with one omni light and no special tricks.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086448610_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086448610_large.jpg)

Duh.

[DeCoder]

It's not actually the final render. I need to think more of its pose and composition.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086515750_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086515750_large.jpg)

C&C please.

[EmpY]

I really like your last post effects.
Nicely done!
And as it emits so much light maybe you could
make some rocks or that long sea grass wich
would be affected by that light - will give it some
space and depth. Just a thouth...
:thumbsup:

[Ionized]

WoW, excellent... no crits. It really looks like a jelly fish. I can;t imagine what else needs to be done. You could make the machine components stand out a little more, but that would mean reducing the visibility of the jelly parts. I think you have a nice balance already.

Nice one.:thumbsup:

[DeCoder]

Thank you for these comments guys.

People have been telling me that I should put something on the background. The reason why I wont do that is because this thing is so fast that it has to travel far away from any obstacles. It needs open water to maneuver properly.

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086633553_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1086633553_large.jpg)

I'm pretty satisfied with this. This was by far the biggest project I've handled so far.

[RRobinson]

Looks great, though I can see what people mean about putting it in a setting. Perhaps you could give the water some substance?, small particles, bubbles or volumetric light ? Either way looks great! :applause:

[Ionized]

Well done, I think you have achieved a lot with this shot. Composition, effects and shading are all very good. I'd love to see a bigger render though...

:thumbsup:

[DeCoder]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1087208220_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/2458/2458_1087208220_large.jpg)

Final .tiff uploaded. All done. Phew.

[peksi]

Congrats for finishing!!! Now you can relax :beer:

[Tremoside]

Hi Touko,

I have to say your final is really interesting and well designed!
Congrats to you!
Cya,:wavey:
Tremo

[DeCoder]

Thanks guys.


These kind of challenges are extremely good for learning. I hope the next challenge will be an work-in-progress challenge. Though I think the theme will be hard to top up.

[Squibbit]

Good Job , Dude !

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