CGTalk - Rider and Mount

necromancer120

06-09-2009, 08:24 AM

Hello all,
I am planning my next model to be a rider on a horse, but not completely sure on the best approach.
I have no problem doing the modeling in Maya as that is my primary 3D program. In recent months i have been learning Zbrush and this is a great opportunity to use them together considering my rider with have a cloak and z will allow for some great folds and detail that would be tough to duplicate in Maya.

so here is where I am looking for input.
box in the horse, saddle, bridle, etc... , block in the rider on the horse THEN take the entire model into Z brush? or do the pieces separately such as block in the horse, detail in z brush, then build something like the saddle , detail in Z, build rider, detail in z. Then after that bring it all back together in Maya? sword and armor as separate pieces in maya and detailed in Z?

Also, best to use displacement maps in this case on to the low poly?

thanks for any thoughts on this.

Doug

Cnine

06-11-2009, 12:32 PM

i personally think it would be a hell of a lot easier in a lot of aspects if you modeled the horse first. a base in maya then ZB. I would finish the horse almost 100% before tackling the dude also; This way, you will get a much better idea for the proportions of the man - you'd just be creating problems for yourself down the line, I feel, if you did it the other way around. - just my opinion.

necromancer120

06-11-2009, 09:43 PM

I am definitely looking for opinions so thanks.

I think i am going to build in the bridle and reins onto the horse in maya that way i can sculpt it in zbrush at the same time and I will be able to know where the leather falls against the skin.

I am definitely torn on the rider, but am taking your opinion and considering it. Maybe blocking in maya and then, after the horse is near complete, working the rider into Z. One of my concerns on that will be getting the cloak to lay properly on the horse body.

thanks,
Doug