This is a log of posts related to the resurrection of an old character I started some time ago in Cinema 4d. As I go along I will keep adding the posts in here as a semi log of how I’m getting on.

MOARE Mechanicus

Last modified on 2011-09-16 09:29:07 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I’ve added some more texture work to the axe and have been thinking about adding a page to the blog which shows the work in progress. I’ve added a random page to chart the films i’ve watched this year and have been tinkering with some of the settings and plugins on here.

Finished axe

Last modified on 2011-09-16 09:29:22 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I’ve finished the axe textures in bodypaint and overall I’m happy with it. Some of the specular looks a little off but that could be the basic lighting in the scene.

I’ve also found some of the old render files on my HD so may post them on here.

Another early render…

I’ve also found a rather interesting WP plugin which allows you to place posts into a page on the blog so I am going to put all the Mechanicus related posts in there.

The joys of a nicely pressed UV map

Last modified on 2011-10-17 12:37:56 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Buggeration.

I thought I had got the hang of this mapping lark. There I am, happily trolling through the feet when I did a quick test render and found a load of seams which (for some reason I have yet to fathom but i’m sure there is a good excuse) don’t appear close up.

Can ya see it? yes? no? don’t care?
Its running along the toe area and up the plate above the foot and when I checked the UV I had laid out it looks like I hadn’t joined them up properly.
*grumble grumble*
A quick scan of the axe I did the other day is clear, its just most of tonight’s work wiped out as I’ve had to redo the mapping. Its not a problem and, like most of the blunders I’ve made, its taught me a lesson. Quit being lazy and stop using the basic mapping tools in bodypaint. :p

Legs 11

Last modified on 2011-09-16 09:29:41 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

Updated test render. The mapping is working properly now and i’m building the textures up. The base metal is finished and I will dirty it up once it’s textured.

End of Jan update

Last modified on 2011-09-16 09:29:43 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Legs all textured and now in place.

This is a quick test render without any major lighting effects going on so I could have a look at how he is looking now his legs are textured. I’m pretty happy with his progress so far and now just need to pick the next part to texture.

Anyone know a good dentist?

Last modified on 2011-09-16 09:30:50 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

I’ve started back on the servo skull and begun to do his teeth. I’ve blocked out the set with primatives and have started to form the front six. What has struck me is the state i left the mesh in. The skull itself is rather dense (much like my own) and the nurnies are not the best ever as well. Its been 2 years but i can’t have changed my habits that much, could I?

Some quick renders but minus the bigger textures:

Glass jaw

Last modified on 2011-10-17 10:49:58 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Prompted by a tweet last week I signed up for subdivision_modeling last week to take part in a contest to model a humanoid head with a metal jaw. As I have often tried to get into zbrush (only after owning it for 5 years) I figured it would be a good place to start. I modeled a quick head in c4d then, using GoZ, plopped it into zbrush and set to. Sadly Wednesday was a bit of a write off as was Sunday, but I managed to get something together which came out pretty well for me. I wasn’t too happy with the metal jaw (shades of 40k ork having an offspring with Trapjaw from MoTU) but the head has given me the Idea to put it into the mechanicus model. voila! instant head. I was always a bit iffy over the head for him as I didn’t know how to tackle it so this is perfect. The jaw is hidden by his collar thingy so no problems there and his eyes can be done with the mass of bionic eyes I started.

These are some test renders to try out material and displacement transfers from zbrush to c4d. Its not perfect but its pretty good. I didn’t expect c4d to produce 100% perfect results but i’m happy with this so far as I have never textured anything in zbrush before. I will spend a bit of time on finishing the textures but not too much as the head is hardly visible under the robes.

Zbrush

C4D

Zbrush

C4D

Full Mechanicus lovefest is here:http://www.kirkd.co.uk/blog/?page_id=298

He’s not pretty…

Last modified on 2011-10-17 10:46:29 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

…but he sure is starting to look good.

Between zbrush crashing about half a dozen times and a memory error on c4d (must remember to not use such big textures) i’m shocked I got anything done on him. Arms next? Or maybe his mouth guard thingy. The head robes need a good texture to help it get picked out against the body robes. Must remember to move his head up and to the left slightly.
Bit narked that some of his texture work on the head can’t be seen but such is life.