Low modelling skills need advice

[Affuso]

Hi , after some months of try out with Hexagon I am able to model (then animated ) some humanoid figures (1000-2000 poly) that I used for a demo game ( a fps) .



The models are unwrap in Little Unwrap and animated in Milkshape.
for example : some monster models with simple walk attack death animations

http://media.putfile.com/monster-models-44


I really wish to model human like figure but I can't use the facets as primitive , only estruted cubes.
I tryed to follow the tutorials online but it is still too difficult for me, I mean the whole facet modelling issue
Surely I miss something
after the new humanoid , that is good just for another monster , I guess that I have to re think my tecnique . Any advice? Modelling simple forms ? The giant ogre tutorial looks awesome but is too hard to follow, for me , need some else , more basic.

[Affuso]

46 visits and NO ONE REPLY? This is sad

[Nate Owens]

I don't know about gaming or exactly what you are wanting to do... so my reply would not be of any help.

The animation is pretty dark and a bit hard to figure out - anyway, I hope that you get some info that will help.

My experience with facet (edge) modeling is that you ctrl+drag an edge to make more facets that are connected. There is some welding of edges and points as you continue. Anyway I don't know about low-poly gaming animations...

[mwgrafx]

Im not quite sure what your asking either. Are you talking about box modeling methods? Your poly count depends on what game engine you are using. It also depends on the purpose of your model. If it is a character in unreal2 engine 2 to 4 thousand polys are good enviromental is arounnd 500 to 1000 or so. Really depends on those two factors.Try this site http://www.3dtotal.com/ they have several good tutorials on modeling and painting. There are no tutorials on Hexagon but the same principles apply. Its just learning the different name that other applications call it. You could also post your question at http://polycount.com/ that is a huge game art community. You could get more "gamer" advice there.

[jbshorty]

Edge modeling is only using a few tools, so there is really not much to learn. Fast extrude, use manipulators, target weld, bridge, etc... So the most important thing is you need a really good understanding of toplogy for your object before you start. This is something learned from experience, not sure you can learn that except by practicing many times...

[Affuso]

Well, I need some tips about modelling using facets but perhpas is just a matter of exercise\ experiment
I mean using facet modelling for obtain something like this

[E-Z]

See if this is what your looking for
http://montagestudio.org/Site/Tutorials.html

Modeling a Lowpoly Character

Instructor: Jonathan Williamson

[Affuso]

Thanks
it is still a little above my current skills

[rickei]

so go get some skills

try to model something different. try to make a gun or other prop for your game characters. then you can apply whatever you have learned to you next model. I'm still an amateur, and I tend to get stuck in certain areas of modeling, but I just move on to something else, and eventually, i'll think to myself, "hey, I know what I was doing wrong before" and then I can go back and finish what I had started.
just keep learning

[Wesgraphics]

You may want to look at these videos. It is for GameSpace ( a trueSpace product,) but the concepts are basically the same for polygonal modeling.

It is very instructional and very thorough for those wanting to get into the game model business.

http://caligari.com/gamespace/tutorial/video_3DBuzz.asp

It was made by 3DBuzz, a superb video instructor for 3D programs.

[Affuso]

Thanks , I'll check also those tuts.

[Affuso]

My latest creation, an head , still looks like the damn frankenstein monster

[E-Z]

if your going to use facets as primitive
dont start off with a facet or you will end up with a symmetry problem.

1 start off with the grid primitive
2 set X symmetry on
3 attach the facet to the grid.

to attach the facet to the grid
hold the shift key down put your mouse cursor over one of the grid points
this will snap it to it and a white cross will show up letting you know your over a point
when your done double click to close the facet.

click the image below

[sailor-ed]

EZ how did you do that animated gif?

Affuso, sorry for the OT and the best of luck with your learning/project. Start with something simple and build from there....it WILL come to you!

[Affuso]

Yes, I wil start making a head ..I can create an ( almost) humanoid body with box modelling but the head and the face are still too difficult to model.
Thanks for the gif

[jbshorty]

affuso - Have you tried placing a well-made humanoid mesh in your model file, and then creating a low poly model around it? That might give you a really good example of proportion and basic toplogy. Try to pick up a freebie model from DAZ or another site...

shorty

[Affuso]

Originally Posted by jbshorty

affuso - Have you tried placing a well-made humanoid mesh in your model file, and then creating a low poly model around it? That might give you a really good example of proportion and basic toplogy. Try to pick up a freebie model from DAZ or another site...

shorty

Uhhhhhhhhhh could be an idea