0090: 3D Character for Animated Series WIP

[Scazzino]

Many of you may have seen my previous thread about my first 3D animated short film - BlastOff!(TM) That was really just a limited dry-run test project to see if I could create a 3D animated short, from concept to completion with off-the-shelf technology. With the BlastOff! test successfully completed, I've begun production on my actual intended project, The Autiton Archives(TM).

The Autiton Archives is a 3D animated series of shorts to be released on the Web. It will follow the adventures of a couple of 3D characters, NineOh™ (0090™) and ThreeBeDee™ (03BD™), who are object-oriented software Autitons™ (Awe-ti-tawns) in search of meaning in a digital universe.

Here are a few samples of the previous 2.0 version of the 0090 model, as I begin redesigning the new version 3.0 0090 model. Click them for a larger view.






Since the current 0090 model (seen above) was originally designed with 1998’s technology constraints, with only a minor update in 2005, I’m currently in the process of redesigning 0090 in modo 2.0.3 and LightWave 3D 9.2 to more fully utilize the current state-of-the-art technology. I’ll post new samples of the updated model shortly.

I've posted these existing samples of the 0090 model from 2005 done in modo 1.0.3 and LightWave 3D 8.5 with FPrime to get some feedback as I begin working on the redesign/update. I already have a list of things I'm changing about the character, but want to make sure I don't miss anything.

I've also started an Autiton Archives WIP Blog for the entire project on my site which has some background information so far.

I'm also interested in any additional feedback positive AND/OR negative about my previous BlastOff! limited test project. I have a list of things I liked and disliked about how that project turned out, but I don't want to miss anything. Even though that one's done and won't be updated, I will of course consider all such feedback as I begin working on this next project.

Thanks for looking!

[MiWi Graphics]

Wow, man! Cool character. I dunno what you could possibly do to improve this character - it's pretty killer as is. Can't wait to see your updates. I really like the texturing on those head flaps - and the eyes are really cool too!!! Good luck with your project...

Later - Mike

[Scazzino]

Thanks Mike!

Here's a shaded wireframe of the current model. Click it for a larger view.



I'm mainly working on the transitions between the organic portions (face/hands) and the synthetic portions (body, joints, feet). I think they currently seem somewhat pasted together. I'm thinking of reworking the synthetic portions of the head to be more of a helmet with the organic face only in the front. I'll also be adding more detail overall to the model and trying some of the new LW9.2 nodal textures...

The character is an intelligent software Autiton. Primarily synthetic, with organics for the face and hands (the Autiton's interface).

[cineartist]

Cool so far.

I think if you did some kind of indent at the hands to create a concave socket around the ball joint that would be one way to tackle that. Same for the neck, shoulders and hips too.

[Scazzino]

Thanks cineartist

Yup, I'm making the ball joints fit into actual sockets. I'm making more substantial and detailed synthetic parts that will hold the ball joints and the organic components together better. For instance the back part of the head will be more of a helmet and the organic parts of the hands will fit into a synthetic sheath which will also house the joint.

I've been tied up on a few client projects as well as moving all my stuff onto the new 8-core 3GHz Mac Pro and installing/testing all my software to see what needs to be upgraded for Intel. I'll post some new images when I get a chance.

[Scazzino]

Here's a rough sketch of the new helmet design. I'll continue refining the design once I start modeling it in 3D. I typically like to start the 3D phase with only a rough 2D sketch so that I can explore and experiment even further in 3D rather than just modeling something that's already finished.

Click the thumbnail for a full size version.

[Elinewton]

Very strange character but very good too!
I like the floating concept!
It's a Ray-Man inspiration!?

[Scazzino]

Thanks Elinewton

I'm not sure what Ray-Man is, but I originally designed the initial version of the 0090 character with floating components to make interactive animation easier to control with object oriented programming, as used in Quipples: The Internet Game Show of Satirical Riddles. It's based upon a simple 3D character named 2K that I had designed way back in 1991 with Swivel 3D and Mac Renderman. There's more background information about the history of the character on The Autiton Archives WIP Blog.

Here's a new screen shot of the head/helmet model redesign in progress. Click it for the full version.

[Scazzino]

And here's a hand model study... click for full view...

[pablogrca]

This guys cool. Simple yet very effective. Keep up the good work.

[Scazzino]

Thanks pablogrca!

Here's a model study of the new body so far... click for full view...

[Scazzino]

Here's the full model study so far... click for full view...
Colors are just to show the different surfaces.
C&C Welcome of course!

[Scazzino]

OK, as I review the model for further refinement, I'll start the critique myself...

I think the weakest part of the model as it stands now is the lower portion. I think from the belt down could use more work. I'm also not completely sold on the ball joints yet, particularly the elbows. I think they need a little more model detail rather than just relying on the texture maps to define where the connections are. I'll probably try more of an elbow assembly with a thin socket and two interlocked balls. There are no knees since I'm thinking of it as a sort of telescoping tripod. I'll let the distances between the feet and the body change a bit as it walks and three knees would be more of a distraction than they would be worth.

I considered using beams of light or hard modeled arms and legs, but I like the floating aspect. I like the effect of having motion itself tie all the parts together as the character moves. It also helps convey the concept that it's a purely digital 3D character, rather than a real physical character.

I think the overall model could also use a few more small details to help balance some of the larger plain surfaces.

The character is an Autiton(TM), sort of a software robot... He's an object oriented software utility program in a digital world. I want the bulk of it to be synthetic looking, but not overly mechanical since it's not supposed to be a real physical robot but rather a software robot. The face and hands are organic looking since that's the Autiton's interface with other Autitons and the real world. I'm also thinking of a sort of mime approach (though the character will speak), where the face and hands are the most important visual elements to help convey emotion and are typically highlighted on a mime while the rest of the body is typically muted.

Please chime in if there's anything else you like or dislike about the model while I'm still in there refining it... I don't want to miss anything with the model before I bring it into LightWave for texturing...

[Scazzino]

Here's the revised model. Click for full image.
Color is only intended to show different surfaces so far.
Next stop LightWave 3D 9.2 for nodal texturing and some new render tests...

[Cesar Montero]

Nice improvements!
I specially like the body and hands of the model.
It feels as a space pop-star, it maybe be the hair and color selection.
The guy feels very dynamic