Beast of Burden - Character - Bakednotphried

#1

Not only is this my first challenge, but it is my first post. I just started to learn 3d studio max about a month ago, so i know i wont win, i’m just joining this contest as a learning experience, I need to know what i’m doing wrong etc… I’ll be happy if i finish before the deadline. Anyways here’s my concept.

Parasitic beings have enslaved a race of gentle elephant-like creatures (minus the snout and big ears). The parasites use these great beasts as transportation, labor and food. The parasite lives on the beasts back. To steer the beast the parasite stabs one of its arms into a shoulder, the left side and the beast will go right. Anyways, here’s my sketch, I almost have the parasite done, i’ll post it later (i’m at work right now). And yes, i know, the front legs are too short, i just screwed up the sketch. Any comments would be greately appreaciated

#2

It’s an interesting idea with the parasites and all. Also, its a well thought out concept with how they will control and interact with the BoB. As far as your sketch…well let’s just wait and see how the modeling comes along :smiley: :p.

#3

So here is what i’ve got so far, i still have a looong way to go, the competetion is already more than half over and i’m not even done my first creature… Anyways, this is what I have so far, please, i need feedback.

#4

Heres a little update, I pretty much just added the spikes on the back :eek:. I was going to put plates there, but i couldnt figure out how to do them, the texture is just a gradient with cellular as the bump and a little bit of noise. I’m not quite sure how it made that camoflage, but it worked out ok. I still have to learn how to make custom bump-maps though.

#5

doesnt anyone have anything to say? I just know that there is something wrong with this creature, it dosent look right, but i cant put my finger on it… Input is very appreciated.

#6

It’s pretty good overall. One thing I’d suggest is to make the spikes on its back more random. Right now they all look the same. Also try to model more detail into the tail section.

Good work so far. :thumbsup:

#7

just a basic wireframe of my beast. I think i’m figuring this out. I can see what i did wrong with the parasite, for it, i modeled a head, then i modeled arms then the body, all seperate peices, it is much easier, and it looks better if i model it from one peice. (i think) Oh, yeah, Thanks ZrO-1 for the input.

#8

Yeah, some people can model each piece to full detail one by one, others model the general beast completely then go back and add details. What ever works right?
I look forward to more details. :thumbsup:

#9

Here is an update on my beast. I think it is comming along quite well. I dont really have any good programs for making bump-maps so, i’m just gonna hafta model everything. I’m not quit sure how to pose any of my creatures either… Anyways, this is what i have so far.

#10

I know i’m not doing all that well on this bob, but i’m not going to get any better unless i get some input. I’m still having trouble getting good details, but i’m slowly adding stuff, have a look. And i need crits please :beer:

#11

Great attitude! I think it’s quite nice considering you are learning 3d studio for 1 month.
His eyes do not transport this sad emotion of your sketch. The legs are ok but the neck is still very boxy.
Hang on!

#12

Very good start! Geez, I remember my early quadrapeds. Looked like a matress had mated with an elephant. Yours is progressing much better! :smiley:

The legs are extremely stocky at the moment. You might consider bulging them a bit.

I like the parasite! Very pointy! :thumbsup:

#13

great parasite :slight_smile:
for the beast U should make the knees bigger. It seams that legs are only cylinders, big knees will break this impression

:thumbsup:

#14

take it easy with those pegs man, thats my steelo! yea for a month this is great. I started when i was like 13 yrs old and i am now 19 and i could never model organic shistuff until i went to a year of figure drawing! keep it up. :buttrock:

#15

Wow, thanks for all the awesome feedback!:bounce: I noticed the legs looked kinda weird, but i couldnt figure out what to do with them. I’ll try bulging the knees when i get home from work. I still need to figure out a way to pose my creatures though, is that what bones are used for, and if so, can someone please point me in the direction of a good bones tutorial. And once again, thanks!

#16

Here is a minor update. I’m going to have to remake the parasite’s body, i messed it up and couldnt undo. Anyways, heres the pic. And i dont want to sound repetitive but i could really use some crits :beer:

#17

mouth update, i think this has a decent look of fear now.

#18

Hey Baked,
Wish I could model like that after only a month!!
Impressive.

Crits for you:

The knees feel odd, they seem a bit unnatural, if when you model you think about the underlying bone structure and where the muscles have to be for the character to be able to move, it will help you when deciding where you need skin folds and muscle definition.

the corner of the mouth is a bit too sharp, if you go back in and add some more poly’s to give you something to work with. Chances are that you can select the edge that defines the corner and chamfer it. While you’re at it i’d put some flab in those lips and thiken up the eyebrows.

Hope that’s good crit for you, personally I think you have done an awesome job for having just started with max.

Cheers

#19

Thank you man, see, it shows i dont really know all that much, but this is the kind of thing i need to learn this stuff. I learned almost everything i know about 3d modeling is from lurking these forums, and participating in this challenge. Anyways, here are some more updates.

#20

The parasite