Character: Ferion General Mon Tai

[NanoGator]

S'happenin dudes?

Some of you may have seen my work over at CGTalk.com or Scifi-Meshes.com. I thought I'd mirror it over here too.

I've been asked by Ferion (http://www.ferion.com, a web-based game like Master of Orion) to design the alien race known as the Ferion. Here's a peak of the design:

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/ferion_alien-body_mockup_complete.jpg

Please note that's just a mockup, a drawing plastered onto a rough 3D model. From there, I've been asked to create a character based on this design. His name is Mon Tai, and he's the General of the Ferion fleet that has captured Earth. Starting with the basic design, I drew this picture:

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/ferion_general_mon_tai_concept1.jpg

I also did this one in order to get a more 3D feel for it:

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/ferion_general_mon_tai_angled.jpg

So, now you know what I'm aiming for, here's the latest update to the mesh:

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/general_mon_tai_construction-1h.jpg

If you'd like to see s'more of the work that went into making this mesh, then please visit my site here:

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/forumtest/viewtopic.php?t=19

There, you'll find more drawings plus some closeups of the more detailed bits.

Cheers all, hope you enjoy. :)

[Kuzey]

Awesome....I just looooooove it!!

Kuzey

[NanoGator]

Alrighty dudes,

He's got a spine and a tummy now!

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/general_mon_tai_construction-ti.jpg (http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/general_mon_tai_construction-1i.jpg)

Now be careful about clicking on the image. It's wiiiiiiiiiiiide! However, it's split up so even on a small screen you need only scroll to the left to see each angle of him I've provided.

Hope ya like the detailing!

Cheers.

[Kuzey]

Ooooooooo!!!!

:p

Kuzey

[NanoGator]

Heh thanks.

Though I'm a little surprised I'm not getting more reaction here. Oh well. No worries. ;D

[sammael]

Great character and very complex.....

Do you find it difficult to rig such a detailed character? Im having trouble with the weight maps for a character with 10000 pollys. This guy looks like he has a good deal more than that.

Anyway great work, but id love to know how you go about rigging him.

[NanoGator]

I'm not at the rigging stage yet. I'm a little concerned about it too. But, I'm prepared to rebuild some of the geometry (i.e. redesgin the joints) if it doesn't come out right.

One thing I do plan to do is use joint morphs to make sure that everything bends properly.

I can give you a tip, though: Spline Guide can be used to apply gradient weight maps. Have a peek at that, it'll probably help ya.

[Titus]

I'm not a modeler so I can't give much advice.

I'm amazed with the detail, how long did it took this fellow to be modeled?

[NanoGator]

It started late in April, and I'm still poking away at it. Problem is that I am doing it in a spare time setting where family gets prioritized above it sometimes. ;)

[Titus]

It's Ok, good things take time.

About getting a response here. You need to model a head or a car to receive feedback :D

[NanoGator]

I been busy. Finally got his neck and shoulders more or less done. They need more tweaking but enough of the form is filled in that I'm quite satsified with it. Enjoy. :)

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/general_mon_tai_construction-1k.jpg

[mega maniac]

wow, the detail is amazing, you only really get alot of resopnce here if there is something to crit about, but this model is great, the detail is absolubtly superb, so nothing i can think of to improve, probably the reason for the little replys.

again it looks superb, what is the model for a game?

[geoff]

Awsome !!!!!
This is the sort of Model that I would love to see a tutorial on (hint)

Best wishes

Geoff Wilson
3D Graphics / IT Manager
MGBTV (MGB Facilities)
Leeds

Tel: +44 (0) 113 2436868
Fax: +44 (0) 113 2438886

www.mgbtv.co.uk

[NanoGator]

Originally posted by geoff
Awsome !!!!!
This is the sort of Model that I would love to see a tutorial on (hint)


Heheh thanks. Well I don't have a tut per-se, but I do have some insight over on CG talk that might be of assistance to you:

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31461&perpage=15&pagenumber=2

The short of it is: metanurb modelling using a drawing as a texture. The idea there is that when the mesh lines up with the drawing, then it looks like the drawing. You should see some hints of that in that link. ;)

[NanoGator]

Originally posted by mega maniac
wow, the detail is amazing, you only really get alot of resopnce here if there is something to crit about, but this model is great, the detail is absolubtly superb, so nothing i can think of to improve, probably the reason for the little replys.

again it looks superb, what is the model for a game?

Thank you!

It's being made for a game called Ferion. (http://www.ferion.com) It's a web based game like Master of Orion. I started off doing tech tree images, but then it came time to market the game. So I pitched designing what the alien race known as Ferion look like. And, from there, I designed and then started building General Mon Tai. He is the guy in charge of the fleet that invaded and enslaved Earth!

The gist of the game is that, for entertainment, the Ferion are having humans fight each other in space. Fun stuff!

[Jimzip]

Yeah, there may not be many replies but just look at the views!
There's not much to crit, it looks awesome! Keep pluggin'!

Jimzip :D

[TEEJAY]

This project is looking awsome, I am glad I came to look at it
today, almost did'nt log on. Nanogator you defnitely rock!

[Remi]

Nano...are you saying you're going to have to build more than one of these? If so....holy crap...when is the game going to be done?:)

[NanoGator]

Originally posted by geoff
Awsome !!!!!
This is the sort of Model that I would love to see a tutorial on (hint)


Hey Geoff,

I found an image that illustrates the technique I tried to describe earlier:

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_web_interface/ferion_fingers_construction.jpg

And here's the final result:

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_web_interface/ferion_interface.jpg

[NanoGator]

@JimZip: Yeah I see what you mean. I'm just amazed that I wasn't the one that cranked up my ranking! hehe

@TeeJay: Glad you liked it! Did you get my email a while ago? You send me one and I responded..

@Remi: The game's already up. Now we're promoting it. Will there be more? Oh yeah! But the plan is to reuse this mesh as much as possible. Truth be told, though, I don't think it'd take a whole lot to rebuild it again. ;)

[mega maniac]

so are you going to convert it to a low poly model for the game, or is it only for super uber graphics cards :)

[TEEJAY]

Yeah Nanogator, I got it thanks, I hope you can post an
animation or at least a walk cycle of this character when you
are finished. Looking really great.

[NanoGator]

@ mega maniac: Nar I don't think this guy will ever show up in a real time environment. If that ever happens, then I'll definitely be using normal mapping. ;)

Ferion is a turn based strategy game, it's not a realtime 3d game. This guy willl show up as stills or maybe in an animation.


@ TeeJay: I'm working my way there. Right now I'm stuck redesigning the shoulders because as they are today, he can't lift his arms! :eek:

[mega maniac]

i wouldnt worry, i frequently cant lift my arms:confused:

[Catmull-clark]

NanoGator- Really nice work! Looking very special!

[NanoGator]

Thanks guys. :)

I'll be back on it soon. Have some issues here at home to sort out first, though.

No worries!

[NanoGator]

S'happenin dudes?

Well, I think I have a new design here that's not only possible to rig, but also fits the rest of the body a little better. Enjoy. :)

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_general_mon_tai/ferion_general_arms_concept_2.jpg

[hairy_llama]

Thats really good work. I wish I could draw out my characters with that much detail, it would make modeling a lot easier.
Thats some amazing detail. Keep it up! :)

[NanoGator]

Thank you!

Yes, it does make modelling a lot easier. It's nice to have something to model against. It's even more useful when you use the drawing as a texture map, that way when you move vertices around, you can see how they effect the map. I would encourage anybody who models here to experiment with that technique.

I have a no-images update here. I did a test build of the arm, and was able to rig it. It worked! It moved like it should. *Whew* More good news, I also affixed the test arm to the mesh and it works there too! Boy I've had a good weekend. :)

[NanoGator]

Hi All,

His arm is progressing, but not in a state to show yet. In the mean time, I created a concept image of what a Ferion starship could look like. Now, it's just a concept. It's by no means a final design. I was just inspired a couple of nights ago and started it. Enjoy!

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/refsol/artwork/ferion_ships/ferion_ship_concept_1.jpg

[LecturerAlan]

Hi NanoGator


Wow man that is some really cool work,

just one comment

Do you think that there might just be too much detail ?

Let me qualify my comments, all life on this planet whist amazing to look at is also functional, ok so the colours of the fauna might not be just for prettying up the neighbourhood you know, attracting mates that sort of thing, the point is this- why does your really cool alien have this mech-armour surface is it because he is a construct ? or is it because he is just a funny lump of snot beneath the suit. what's the reason ?

Please take this the right way, I think that whilst your model is a marvel of lightwave modelling I just wonder with all of the ribs and stuff on the surface he might snag on just about every thing he walked passed would this fact make him inefficient as a warrior class alien ?

Are all of his joints movable, sort of like a carapace ?

Just a thought

Lec-Alan

[NanoGator]

Hi Alan,

The armor surface is artificial. It didn't grow on them as an act of nature. It's something that's evolved over thousands of years as this is a very ancient race.

Your concern about his snagging stuff is quite valid. Rememberr, these guys are not only graceful, but they're very rigid, and their environment is safe for them to wear that kind armor. They build things tough. (also please consider that as the artist, I have to convey the idea that these guys are ancient and scary..)

His body is both flexible and solid, depending on the environment. They have a neat technology that allows them to change the state of their armor from flexible to solid at the touch of a button. They don't want their armor to be vulnerable, even at the joints. They still need flexibility, though. Their armor is intelligent. It can tell when he's walking, and keep the joints flexible. But if something strikes his armor, it'll harden up and absorb the impact, without him feeling it. That sort of make sense?


So, to answer your question, he's very flexible, even in areas you wouldn't expect him to be.

[LecturerAlan]

thats cools man

Lec-Alan