Head modelling question

[mouj]

Howdy !

being no expert, i still can tell you that if you're aiming at low poly for say, gaming environement, you should be using triangles rather than quads, for the simple reason that a quad is made up of 2 tris, so to get approximately the tri count on a quad model you have to double your face count (which is not accurate but gives an idea).

There is something about triangles strips, which is a way to optimize a model made of tris for, say, Opengl environement, i dont quite know how to do it except by exporting to proprietary formats like md2 (which you have to pay to use).

that would apply for the body also.

mouj

[Ashe Tie'skar]

Great! Thanks for the reply...

one quick question...

What is the technique to useing triangles? some kind of flow or something... or is there one?

Thanks,

Ashe

[EricChadwick]

There are two basic techniques I use. One is for quads (edge-loops), the other for pure tris (edge-turning).

Edge loops: Digital Sculpture Techniques
http://www.izware.com/news/indexa446.html

Edge loops: Subdivision modeling resource page
http://maxrovat.sns.hu/subdiv/

Edge loops: This guy has some good tips, but the edge loop flow is not optimal for deformation, especially around the lips.
http://www.hippydrome.com/

Edge turning: Poke around in here.
http://www.planetquake.com/polycount/resources/general/modelanim.shtml

I use edge loops as much as possible, then if I am going out to real-time 3d, like games, I convert the quads to triangles (Editable Poly = quads or polys, Editable Mesh = triangles), and start turning edges until the form looks best.

[Ashe Tie'skar]

Good stuff!

keep it coming please!

Thanks,

Ashe

[EricChadwick]

I'm going to reply to your private message here, in the spirit that perhaps the info might help someone else too.

You asked about workflow. Many opinions on this, but I work in Editable Poly first, get all the flow issues worked out (edge loops, deformation divisions, material divisions, etc.). Then when I'm ready to apply UVs, I convert to Editable Mesh and turn edges as needed. Then sometimes back to EP for more work, back to EM for turning. When the model is pretty solid, then I work on UVs and materials.

About edge loops, just read those links I posted. Tons of info about why edge loops are worthwhile.

Hope this helps.

[Ashe Tie'skar]

When you turn edges, is there a pattern to the way the edges are facing? like should all the edges slant towards the middle of the body, or something like that?

[EricChadwick]

Not really. Some say you should turn edges so that tri-strips will work better (search for it on CGChat).

More importantly the edge should be turned so the silhouette/form of the surface will work best. Some edges produce valleys where instead you want a peak, so you turn the edge there. Here's a visual example (kinda old tho)...

http://www.ericchadwick.com/portfolio/glossary/examples/polygons.html

[Ashe Tie'skar]

You are a handy person to have around Posm. :)

Thanks again,

Ashe

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