Gas Station Random Project

Recently I have been working on a Gas Station. Didn't really plan to do this, but it's already pretty far on in development. Here are some screen shots:

The model is built in high-res with the aim of its surface data being baked down to a low-res game mesh for the final scene. With the gas pump and some items around it being finished, I have already started to construct the low res geometry, which the last image shows.

Also, just a random update on the helicopter model from my previous post; this model is still being made, and has progressed a bit from where it is shown there, but not by enough for me to bother posting any news on it yet I don't think. I also have an urge to make a kitchen scene for some nice interior design renders, but I probably shouldn't start a 3rd project on the side....

Karma Akabane - 3D Print Material Possibly Chosen

So after doing some research, I think I will go with the company 'Shapeways' to produce my model of Karma Akabane from Assassination Classroom. It sounds like I will use this plastic in the end too, opting to print the model in smaller separate parts, and then paint them using spray paint base colours.

Shapeways Material 'Strong & Flexible Plastic'

The model is currently at the stage of creating the joints to bind the model together, however in doing so, it seems the high-res sculpt information may not work so well anymore in the end. This is due to the meshes being significantly different now, and so the re-projection will get a lot more things wrong and messed up. Essentially, the model should have been built this way from stage 1. Whether or not this proves too much work to be worth the end result at this stage is yet to be seen. I'm still in the stage of just getting the model set up, and I'll see what ZBrush says later on when the meshes are brought back in. 

I'm sure it will do that silly scaling bug it loves to do so much, and I'll never even get the meshes to go over one another again...

Karma Akabane - Final 3D Sculpt

Today I finished the first stage of sculpting Karma. This was then decimated using Decimation Master in ZBrush, then brought back into Maya for retopology. I soon figured that I could just speed most of this process up using ZRemesher in ZBrush, and bringing those models in too, which worked well for the most part. Then things stared to go wrong.

The final retopology would need to be built in a way that came apart, with the joints all modelled internally ready for 3D printing. This was already proving to be a lot of trouble to make properly, especially from a high res mesh. Then getting the original mesh to re-project its details onto the new geometry in ZBrush also didn't appear to be going as smoothly as I had hoped either. 

The upshot is that there is now a full, high resolution sculpt of Karma, all posed and set for good renders, but not suitable for 3D printing.

The downside is trying to figure out an efficient way of creating his internal structure while maintaining all of his sculpt information, and have every piece of the final mesh completely 'water-tight'. It can be done, but it looks like one hell of a lot more work than first anticipated, mostly probably down to the way I created him in the first place, which is unfortunate. If I continue down this path, it may mean having to re-sculpt a lot of his from scratch again.

For now, I will fight on to see where this goes. Until then, I at least have a perfectly renderable character, which could be basically coloured with some ease too.

Karma Akabane 3D Model Update

Today I have the model of Karma Akabane complete, and fully rigged (or as much as its going to be for this). He also has one of the 'Koro Sensei' killing knives, and a re-purposed Glock handgun as a pellet gun, of course filled with 'anti-Koro Sensei' bullets. I'm not sure if both of these items will be used, or just one or the other, if any at all. However, I know that the knife at least can be quickly retopologised to a much lower res version, and given to the previous 'Nagisa Shiota' project.

His hair, while done, will most likely undergo a lot of alterations once its in ZBrush.

Next is the most important part of the entire project: posing. I guess it might take a few attempts to get a good pose down, and I may do some preliminary 2D work to figure some ideas out first too.

This figure is designed to fit in with his friends from 'Assassination Classroom' that already have models, such as Nagisa Shiota below. I was upset that Karma doesn't seem to have his own version, so that is the reason for making him.

The base of this figurine was copied and built to measurements in Maya for Karma.

Japan Panorama Photobook Update

My friend and I have been working hard on the Japan Panorama Photobook. The text is now past its first draft and we're slowly going over it, correcting and making alterations to it as needed. The photos are being selected as we come to each day, but we hope it won't take too long!

We also have a general book design and colour-scheme idea too. So as we move along, we'll incorporate these ideas into the pages.

桜田通 - Sakurada Dori-san Cat Outfit Complete

Finally got around to finishing this piece of Sakurada Dori-san! His shirt design was inspired by his own during 'Sakura da Festa'. 

And if a cat outfit isn't your thing, but you're still a fan of Dori-san, then here's a cat-less one.

Cat Sakurada Dori-san Update 「猫ー桜田通」

I've continued work on the drawing of Sakurada Dori-san with cat ears and a cat tail. quirky, no? Somehow I think it kind of suits him though. I guess that't why I'm drawing it.

The lighting is in its first stages still. From here, I will go in to blending the tones more, and adding other things like reflective light and sub surface scattering on his skin etc, etc.

桜田通 Cat Artwork Remake

So after ruining my last attempt at this, I finally decided to give it another shot (and save a backup).

Still needs some correcting before final inking > colouring, but the idea is down again. I actually also have another artwork of Dori-san on the go too but for now I will just see where they both go. I want to get back onto my 3D graphics work soon too. I've been learning far too much Japanese and obsessing about travel lately! Japan Panorama Photobook is still in progress too of course.

Japan Panorama Photobook

If you're wondering where I've been, lately I have been developing a new photobook to display the times my friend and I had on our last journey: Japan!

The book is going well, and I hope to have it finished by the end of next month at the latest! 

We will be returning to Tokyo, Japan at the end of November to see the autumn colours too!

Random 2D Piece

Been learning Japanese a lot lately, but decided to do some artwork last night. Here is the result, and naturally after learning Japanese and watching looooads of Japanese dramas lately, its a Japanese dude.

Not completely happy with it, but I like the colours. After not drawing in months it was fun though.