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Modelling from a picture

by Tim Lang · in Artist Corner · 08/03/2007 (5:05 pm) · 9 replies

Hi all!

I'm new here...just bought the license for TGE today. Haven't even installed it yet and I already have a question...

Is there any tutorials out there on how to model a character from a photo? I can't seem to find anything anywhere. I plan on putting some friends into the game, so being able to model them is pretty important. (especially since I'm not the best modeller already).

A 3ds Max tutorial would be the best, but I could learn a new tool if I had to.

Thanks!!

-Timbecile
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Ben Immel
#1
08/03/2007 (5:09 pm)
I know you can insert an image reference, not sure how to on Max, but on maya, when you have it has 4 viewports, you can select view,image plan, import image, find the file its in, and import it in as reference. As for how you should go about modeling, thats personal preference id say, I like to place vert by vert, but I use milkshape and without a cut tool to add in the extra faces i need without making each face, thats easiest for me.

Torque Owner Derry Bryson
Default Studio Name
#2
08/03/2007 (5:25 pm)
There are some pretty good tutorials on this site:

www.psionic3d.co.uk/page.php?3

The zombie ones, for instance, show going from a drawing to a character model.

Ben Immel
#3
08/03/2007 (5:27 pm)
I was gonna mention that but I didnt have a link, I like his stuff.

Torque Owner Tim Lang
#4
08/03/2007 (7:19 pm)
Wow! Them is some fast replies! Thanks.

I did some more searching after checking out the zombie reference and came across this tutorial:

www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials_3/low_poly_character/low_poly_01.asp

seems to be exactly what I need, and for 3D max too!

Ben Immel
#5
08/03/2007 (8:47 pm)
If you havent, id check out Psionics tutorial, good stuff there, even if its only to see other ways it can be done.

Torque Owner Derry Bryson
Default Studio Name
#6
08/03/2007 (8:56 pm)
@tim: I just happened to click in at the right moment. The tutorials you found look great as well. I don't have 3D max, but they look like they might be helpful anyway. If you run across any lightwave tutorials on this topic, I would be interested.

Torque Owner Tim Lang
#7
08/04/2007 (10:25 am)
Man! I haven't seen anyone in the game industry use lightwave since like 1996! I did do a quick search for one using "lightwave image reference", but couldn't find anything. I'll keep my eye out though!

Torque Owner Derry Bryson
Default Studio Name
#8
08/04/2007 (11:05 am)
@tim: I purchased Lightwave 3D as a student and really haven't used it much, but it is the only "professional" modeling program I have. I'm thinking I should get a copy of 3ds max to use instead, since most of the stuff I see seems to be either that or Maya.

Torque Owner Tim Lang
#9
08/04/2007 (6:49 pm)
Yeah, like I said, most companies in the game industry use Maya or Max for all of their modelling, which gives two good reasons to pick up one of them:

* if you're looking to break into the industry, companies like it when the people they're going to hire already know the tools
* since maya and max are standards in the industry, there's tons of game related support for them already out there.