oh I wish I was good at modelling as I wouldn't be sat doing web programming as a day job ;)

cheers for the comments Joopson, mmoore5553 and THX1138 :D
It was fairly easy to get blocked in with the samurai body as a base and the sketches I had. Starting from scratch would have been harder (and there are some unresolved areas in the head you can't see)

I still need to finish the other models for the challenge though :eek:

Not much time to do things recently and I'm still learning about rigging (how many ways to do similar things??)

Here's a rig setup based on a few tutorials but I still need to finish it off and stop the mesh deforming in mad ways.
I also started modelling some detail into the metallic dragon's feet to generate some normal maps but dont think I can get it all completed in time.

Other people's models are really starting to shine now :)

http://www.flash-fx.net/images/3D/samurai/rig_1a.gif

http://www.flash-fx.net/images/3D/sa...emodelling.jpg

Hey T1ck135! Cool lookin' rig ... but looking at rigging is like looking at Chinese calligraphy to me ... looks beautiful, but I don't understand a thing! Ha ... well almost like that.

The foot is lookin' smart. I'd love to see your model normal mapped. Keep on truckin'!

Dave

Cheers Dave :) To be honest I dont really know much about rigging. At the minute its like voodoo crossed with UFOs :eek:

I'm just moving onto learning painting weights as the rear of the leg deforms really badly. Dont think I'll get the models completed up to a decent level for the competition end but its been a fun ride so far.

good progress man. :beer:
great job on uv texturing and it seems you have been able to keep the poly count quite low as well. nice.

cheers utpal :) its a big learning curve getting this far! It'd be good to see a game model calvin or hobbes if you ever get the time ;)

Anybody know why mirroring painted weights doesnt work? I've got a smooth bound skin and have been painting one side. When I try and mirror it nothing happens :(

Anyways here's a quick walking pose from the left (as the right is still not properly painted ;) and his left arm wont bend well)

http://www.flash-fx.net/images/3D/samurai/pose1a.jpg

and a quick example pose of the two models together

http://www.flash-fx.net/images/3D/samurai/pose1b.jpg

tick135=my favorite:attn:

Finially, the warrior on the dragon! :beer:

thanks Joopson & THX1138 :beer:

final todo's (with limited time)
1) Dragon - finish texturing horns and bits on his tail, have a try at creating a slightly mottled scale effect for some areas. Play with contrast/highlights (especially on his toes). Add a rig??.
2) Samurai - add bones for his hands (only up to wrist so far). Add backbone rig controls. Re-paint the mesh weights for when he's sat on the dragon.

would likes (but not likely till after the competition):
1) Dragon - finish normal mapping the metallic version, add specular map and any other maps that are needed. Increase contrast.
2) Baddie character (finished modelling it) - texture and rig.
3) Samurai - create some facial expressions (blendshapes?)
4) Create an example game background.
5) All - animate some basic movement patterns as if in game.

hope you have time to do all these things, awesome model and texture :bow: :bow:

Very good! The pair togheter looks very nice. I don't remember to have problems with mirror skin weights. It's just decide the correct plane of simetry and check or not the box for x mirror. Before inserting IK handles though, you must verify if all your joints are 0 0 0 in rotation. If not, modify>freeze transformations will force them to go to a neutral rotation.

cheers clericuzzi :) I need to push on and get the textures finished now

thanks for the info jramauri :)
I've tried playing with the mirror settings but to no avail. If its related to not freezing the transformations then that could be the problem. While learning I cant remember if they were frozen or not :(
Things are deforming a little better now though, and I might have some time to play tonight :)

tidied the geometry around the horns slightly today
here's a quick play with a pose and a software render with raytracing on (I have no idea if it helps)

http://www.flash-fx.net/images/3D/samurai/pose2c.jpg

Nice work