Uplift Universe - Image Entry: Paul Hume

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206608344_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206608344_large.jpg)

I think I might give this idea a try...and use that XSI6.5...

...some alien dude, a neo-chimp and a human...sitting on and around some sort of vehicle/aircraft...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206608583_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206608583_large.jpg)

base model for big alien dude done in XSI and then detailed in Zbrush...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206655271_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206655271_large.jpg)

Adding some gear...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206674534_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206674534_large.jpg)

Textures to go...

[LightSovereign]

thats looking fantastic, paul..quite comical. whats the learning curve for both programs like?...im seeing lots of modeling lately and really want to get into it :)..

take care

Marley

[Blachart67]

Marley,

2d painting is much easier...quicker...and potentially more creative.

If you get a basic tutorial Zbrush is simple...but the controls are not so intuitive - thus the need for a tutorial...the working is basically like sculpting so pretty cool once you know how.

XSI with a couple of tutorials is pretty simple modelling wise...animating is apparently fairly simple but I am struggling with that...mainly an issue of time...then there is the lighting and rendering...given that you can get a copy through this comp its worth it...

I'd be doing a wee bit of practice outside the comp before using it "publically" though...if you can remember my aborted 3d model in the Eon comp you will understand why...but its all learning.

But of course I am still learning so take my thoughts with a grain of salt!

Cheers,

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206825173_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1206825173_large.jpg)

quick render to make sure I can...reflection is obviously an issue...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207083318_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207083318_large.jpg)

Putting the scene together...hope it works?!?

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207086777_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207086777_large.jpg)

Slightly different angle...and basic weapon added...aaah the joys of an airport lounge...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207297093_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207297093_large.jpg)

playing with some colours...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207353226_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207353226_large.jpg)

bit more modelling on the human...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207470080_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207470080_large.jpg)

bit more work...

[grooshka]

Hello,
Nice work with your ZBrush character - it looks very natural... as for an alien of course :)
I don't know what shaders you'll use but I'd definately opt for cel shaders (to make that comic-look like in Appleseed). What are your thoughts about this?

Keep it coming!

[Blachart67]

Grooshka,

I think that is a brilliant idea...but I have absolutely no idea how to do it! With XSI I am really only familiar with the modelling elements. I applied a "toon" pass to the render and just got a brown and white image...then I applied a "toon" node to one of the models with a different colour and it gave me a red and white image...very confusing....:argh:

...or can you do it in zbrush...:hmm:

[grooshka]

...or can you do it in zbrush...:hmm:

Nope - as for me, I can't unfortunately; never had a need. I'm using Lightwave and ZB. And I can say it's pretty easy to make such shaders in LW. Try to look for XSI tutorials - sorry for demagogy.

Good luck!

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207727737_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207727737_large.jpg)

next model done...ish...time for the neo-chimp next

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207805844_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207805844_large.jpg)

neo-chimp...and yes I know the hands and particularly the thumbs ain't that great but since he/she is at the back of the image it won't make much difference...I will probably tweak it later anyway...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207810012_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1207810012_large.jpg)

just checking the composition...comments at this stage would be greatly appreciated....

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208075787_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208075787_large.jpg)

next stop...texturing

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208299437_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208299437_large.jpg)

I renderd this to work out whether to just paint over it or put more work into the models...I am leaning towards putting more work into the models...any comments?

[OZ]

cOol scene. I like a lot the poses of the characters!:)

[Blachart67]

Thanks Oz...appreciated. I am still on a seriously steep learning curve and restricted a little in what I am doing as I am on a laptop (power wise) but I was pleasantly surprised once I worked out how to render shadows....unfortunately I can't render it any bigger than 3000 x ? cause it keeps crashing.

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208495771_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208495771_large.jpg)

I think is basically the image I am going to paint over etc from here...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208585585_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208585585_large.jpg)

oops...this is the one I will finish painting over...finally got it to render at 4096...no idea why it worked this time...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208644949_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208644949_large.jpg)

character details...

[Ferx]

Hey Paul, cool concept :D Like your idea mate !! The models are looking really good. Perhaps the girl needs a more loose pose, now looks a bit rigid, only a comment :) . Again nice work and looking forward for more updates! Cheers mate! :beer:

[Blachart67]

Hey Ferx,

Thanks for the comment...I might try tweaking the pose...but I am running out of time as I have a few papers due at the moment (plus nI work plus I have kids)...i will give it a go tonight!

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208822163_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208822163_large.jpg)

As Ferx suggested I have tried to relax the human by changing her pose a little...and the gun has changed position as a result...also added a backlight and changed the camera view slightly...

Any thoughts/suggestions before I get down to the nitty gritty?

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208861449_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208861449_large.jpg)

discovered the power of "glow"...other than reducing the glow on the alien's cigar and the rear button on the human's gun sight that is pretty close to all I can achieve...certainly on a laptop anyway...

[OZ]

HEY! looks like everything is going better and better here! to render in a very hidef u can try rendering the image in multiple areas. i got the same problem and i solved it (in 3dmax 6) by dividing the image in 4 orizzontal areas of rendering. this make the memory to be assigned in a better way. Then u have to use a painting software to make all the parts toget her.
hem....sorry for my spaghetti english!:D

[Blachart67]

OZ,

I am not sure that I need to as there is not a lot more (if any detail) that isn't displayed. The original is 4096 x 3000'ish.

I know I could add heaps of detail if I re uv some elements...but I just don't have the time...

...but if I do get my papers finished before the end of the contest I will give your idea a go...

...thanks for your help...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208892380_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1208892380_large.jpg)

This might be the final image...unless I can work out how to extend the XSI license...which runs out in 2 or 3 days...

...anyone know how?

[Gephoria]

i'm having hte same issue my xsi lisence is going to expire before the contest, followed their directions but no luck on it. good luck to you in the contest love the way your image is turning out.

[Blachart67]

well that's weird it now appears to be a full license...i.e. no countdown...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1209293596_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1209293596_large.jpg)

turns out xsi is now on a 50 day countdown...added goggles on alien...which shows me that I need to add a sky for relection...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1209370962_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1209370962_large.jpg)

Alright...changed the alien goggles to something decent...added a few smiley's...improved the alien's nostrils...added an overcast sky and rap around building for reflection...cheek rest on human's rifle...and I think that is it...

Any comments would be really appreciated at this point cause I am close to just wrapping it up!

[OZ]

Ok...your final ....is great!! there a better light...and some little details that...DAMN! WORKS SO WELL!.
NIce NIce NIce NIce work!...:applause: :applause: :applause:

[LightSovereign]

I am totally impressed with how your piece has turned out, Paul. It truly is a solid piece of work..As for a crit, yea the human still doesn't look too comfortable..i don't know how difficult it is to move characters around but i'd perhaps have her sitting atop of the wheel. but that might open the composition up a little.

Anyways, i thought i'd grab a copy of xsi, that was until i discovered it is a whopping 400+ mbs..Not to ideal on a 56kmodem..(near coupla days nonstop i think)..Owell.

Great work anyways, paul..the lighting is very nice!

Marley

[Blachart67]

Oz,

Thanks dood...after not looking at it for a week I am pretty happy with it. I might just paint a little detail on the hair and lips and tidy up the scrapes on the vehicle...but thats it. Not bad for a second ever textured model and the discovery of shadows and glows...btw the lighting improvement was accidental!:surprised

Marley,

Thankyou also...mate too late for the pose change...but your right could well have been a better option. Actually came out of some skeleton sketching I was doing a wee while ago...so I was pretty keen to try the pose out.

Image came out better than I expected actually...

it will be worth the download...after the knowledge curve of course!

later...

[Blachart67]

http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1209790433_medium.jpg (http://assets.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/20/14882/14882_1209790433_large.jpg)

Background: Three Bounty Hunters posing for a "photo" prior to embarking on a mission. Nothing more...nothing less.

Lessons learned: Second textured model(s) I have done. Discovered a whole heap of things re uv'ing, texturing and rendering. Made a whole lot of mistakes but that is half the fun. Once again I should have done some more detailed planning before jumping in and developing the detail organically.

I am pretty happy with the end result given my other commitments and level of experience.

Thanks to LightSovereign, Grooshka, Ferx and Oz for your comments.

Hope you like it...and best of luck to everyone.

[OKMER]

HI paul!
Great work man!Like the goggled guy!
Wish you all the best.
:beer:

[Blachart67]

Remko,

Thanks man. BTW I luv your DWIII painting. Awesome as usual! Best of luck with your judging!

[Ferx]

Hey Paul, terrific job!! Love the bounty hunters ! :buttrock: The smilies patches are a ultra cool touch!!! hahahahaha for sure a really dangerous team :D Nice lighting and atmosphere on the whole image! Congratulations for this cool image!! And yes!! Time for cold beers and a lot of tequila shots !! Cheers my friend!! :beer:

[Blachart67]

Ferx - thanks man. Love your image too. Would have loved not to have also had four papers due today! then I could have properly uv'd the wheels etc. But it was fun...thanks for your words during comp.

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