Know any good modeling tutorials ?
by Matthew Langley · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 01/12/2005 (8:27 am) · 9 replies
Ok... currently I suck at modeling... I'll admit it. Right now I'm trying to model a cat. I have an cat anatomy book, with skeleton sketches, etc. So I have good reference, though I need to record some video clips of a cat moving for the animation process. Right now I'm stuck at modeling the cat itself. I did a human arm, it turned out surprisingly nice, but took me about 6 hours lol. Anyone know any good modeling tutorials, general ones too, because I use Blender, though basic principals work on any 3d program I guess. I know Blender fairly well. Also any skin tutorials, for detailing a person/animal after its been unwraped ?
Thanks for those that help.
Thanks for those that help.
About the author
Was a GG Associate and then joined GG in 2005. Lead tool dev for T2D and T3D. In 2011 joined mobile company ngmoco/DeNA and spent about 4 years working game and server tech. 2014 joined startup Merigo Games developing server technology.
#2
01/12/2005 (9:26 am)
Yeah, those are great! I'm fairly used to Blender now... just lacking the human/animal modeling skills... looking for more of a tutorial or reference (maybe even a good modeling book you know of) that helps with porportions... and making them look more realistic, the simple things that make mine look like crap lol 
#3
01/12/2005 (9:47 am)
I don't own it, but I remember that this book from Paul Steed is quite something.
#4
01/12/2005 (2:46 pm)
Matthew, Id go over to Ben Mathis's site and check out his video tutorials. They are AWESOME.
#5
{: )
01/27/2005 (8:02 am)
Matthew, why are you starting with a cat? The simplest thing you could start with and probably the best for or any game modeller is to build a house. Keep the polies low and get familiar with whatever app you are using. By keeping the polies low you'll have less faces/triangles to deal with when you UV map the object. Which is very good to learn too. Trust me. Start simple and work up. If you couldn't draw I wouldn't suggest your render out a detailed sketch of a human. Modelling is no different then drawing. Learn the basics first!{: )
#6
05/07/2005 (9:58 am)
There's also the book Mastering 3d Animation by Peter Ratner. It covers human modelling and animation. Its based on subdivision surface modelling of human figures, and is not specific to any 3d tool. It covers modelling, lighting, surfacing, animation, and compositing. I have it, and I think its pretty good.
#7
I've been learning to model with Wings3D, which seems much easier. The models can then be imported into Blender for animation using the .obj file format, or compiled for Torque using obj2dts.
From what others have said, the best app for modelling detailed organics may be (the definitely not free) ZBrush. There's a vid on there of someone making an amazing model of an angler fish in 27 minutes, nearly half of which is adding fine detail.
05/07/2005 (9:05 pm)
I've heard some negative things about Blender's ease of use, particularly regarding modelling.I've been learning to model with Wings3D, which seems much easier. The models can then be imported into Blender for animation using the .obj file format, or compiled for Torque using obj2dts.
From what others have said, the best app for modelling detailed organics may be (the definitely not free) ZBrush. There's a vid on there of someone making an amazing model of an angler fish in 27 minutes, nearly half of which is adding fine detail.
#8
05/08/2005 (6:54 am)
www.3dtotal.com/ great tutorials go to freebies the tutorials and make sure you click through a the categories. The tutorials are amazing, well most of them, specifically this one 67.15.36.49/ffa/tutorials/max/joanofarc/joanmenu.asp which is considered by many to be one of the best tutorials out there. Keep in mind most of these are geared towards animation modeling but with the way the industry is headed soon that will be all we do with a lower poly version to normal map onto. 
#9
Wings3d is an excellent tool and is slightly easier to get ahold of initially since it is closer to many of the other modeling tools in interface and function, but does not have any functionality above Blender and is lacking animation. As with anything, I would spend some time in the applications before making a summary judgement based on what you hear.
As far as tutes go, the ONLY thing that will get you making the models as you like is practice. I find that doing a lot of pen and paper drawing helps and keeping out of the 3d app as long as possible until you get a feel for the part you are working on. (This doesnt apply to Zbrush...I tend to do my sketching in there since it is so friggin quick and intuitive). Many of the online tutes are nice, but once you get the idea down they are all about the same: cut, extrude, subdivide, weld, etc, etc. Having a strong knowledge of skeletal and muscle structure will bring you much further as this is the guideline for your edges, silhouettes and loops.
For animals, the best ref's on my shelves:
Jack Hamm's 'How to Draw Animals' great book on animal drawing, relationships and proportion.
Ellenberger's 'Atlas of Animal Anatomy' breakdown of common domestic mammals and others (including cat)
And of course for animation drop some cash on Muybridge's Human and Animal locomotion. The third book in the (republished) series contains MANY different animals photographed in motion. The books are worth it just to look at. Amazing the images were created a century ago.
05/08/2005 (8:06 am)
Just to add a word in here: stick with Blender. Ive used and personally own many of the major 3d apps (Maya, 3dsmax, c4d) for years and Blender's poly modeling tools (version 2.34+) work just as well and very fast once you get used to the short cuts. Most techniques shown in online tutes can be handled by blender. Many of the issues Blender had even a year ago no longer exist (undo history being the most prominent and troublesome). A few minutes on blender's site viewing the interface tutes will get you right in line with the 'quirkiness' of the interface.Wings3d is an excellent tool and is slightly easier to get ahold of initially since it is closer to many of the other modeling tools in interface and function, but does not have any functionality above Blender and is lacking animation. As with anything, I would spend some time in the applications before making a summary judgement based on what you hear.
As far as tutes go, the ONLY thing that will get you making the models as you like is practice. I find that doing a lot of pen and paper drawing helps and keeping out of the 3d app as long as possible until you get a feel for the part you are working on. (This doesnt apply to Zbrush...I tend to do my sketching in there since it is so friggin quick and intuitive). Many of the online tutes are nice, but once you get the idea down they are all about the same: cut, extrude, subdivide, weld, etc, etc. Having a strong knowledge of skeletal and muscle structure will bring you much further as this is the guideline for your edges, silhouettes and loops.
For animals, the best ref's on my shelves:
Jack Hamm's 'How to Draw Animals' great book on animal drawing, relationships and proportion.
Ellenberger's 'Atlas of Animal Anatomy' breakdown of common domestic mammals and others (including cat)
And of course for animation drop some cash on Muybridge's Human and Animal locomotion. The third book in the (republished) series contains MANY different animals photographed in motion. The books are worth it just to look at. Amazing the images were created a century ago.
Torque Owner Dirk "dirkk" Krause