John Dawson's Thread

[Dawson_John]

Figured since I'm in Character modeling anyways, I'd toss my hat in here.

I'm gonna do Megaman, since noone else seems to be doing him.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/megamanbody.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/GunFace.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/BodyDetails.jpg

[Espiownage]

looks good, and the proportions definitely help him look more recognizable

[spurn]

i think he'd almost be more interesting if the face was also machine somehow. maybe you can tell more, that it's an android face, not a human face. posiby machinery worked into the face, or it's made up of "parts."

[Shon Mitchell]

try searching and posting up some ref, both on direction and inspiration as well as desired art style or look. This might help spark some ideas on how to tackle him

[Dawson_John]

Spurn, I like that idea. It's a happy medium between my two ideas... completely machine looking, and human looking. Kind of like optimus primes face in transformers movie?

Shon, here are some refs I dug up. these were running through my head while concepting.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/refs.jpg

[spurn]

transformers is a good base reference, but then make it more synthetic somehow. not just a bunch of parts that make up facial expressions

[Dawson_John]

Long time no update, I know. So, here's the character sheet I'll model most of him from. Of course I plan to leave myself wiggle room.

I'm still not happy with the face, but I guess I'll figure it out when modeling.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman.jpg

[DrEvizan]

This is looking pretty bitchin, John. I'd really like to see that jet engine thing translated into Megaman's buster gun arm. The one criticism I would offer (take it or not) is that he seems to be comprised almost entirely of sharp edges, which people will consistently accommodate with evil. I'm not sure if this is just because of the sketch style, or your final intent, but I think adding some curves in your concept would help sell it as "our hero". You don't need to completely make him out of curves like the original, but you can round him out and keep him edgy by turning your flat surfaces into gently curving planes that converge in hard corners - like on iron man.

[dabu]

agree with doug, and get some s curve action into that side view...

[Dawson_John]

Ya know... I hadn't even considered that but you're right. I was thinking he looks a tad too mean. Concepting isn't my strong suit, so I really appreciate the input, guys!

[Dawson_John]

Yup, GREAT call Doug, and Dabu. Hell, rounding the head alone made him look WAY less evil, the chestplate just furthered the cause.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman2.jpg

[Dawson_John]

Ack... building this head is a pain. I didn't put enough thought into the design of the face, and now I'm banging my head against the wall.

Any input is welcome.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/emotiontest.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/head2.jpg

[dabu]

save the head for last if its the most unknown in your concept, start with what looks good, like the legs...

[parker]

i like how you made this look more robotic than megaman but at the same time, still kept traces of megaman. looking forward to the rest of the model w\ all the machine parts.

[Dawson_John]

Per Dabu's advice I moved on. And I'm glad I did. Stopped focusing on details, as much as basic shapes. Actually improved the shape of the helmet quite a bit. Still haven't the foggiest as to what I'll do in regards to his face, but perhaps that'll come in time. Right now my Tri count is at 3570. Hopefully what's left is enough, but I've got my doubts. I may have to cut back on the hand a bit, and pull a few strings. The fact that this guy is mostly hollow means I have quite a few plates and pieces that need a thickness, which means more tris.

Progress!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman01.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman02.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman03.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman04.jpg

[Dawson_John]

More progress. I've also gone way over the 10k budget. So I guess this is now the normal map generating model. *shrugs* Got a suggestion on the head to make it a cyclops, and I kinda like it. I mean, afterall, it's my Megaman.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman06.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/AgroAntirrhopus/Rockman05.jpg

[DrEvizan]

This is looking spot on, man. I love pistons.

Making robot faces is just one of those things, y'know... things people usually avoid in most cases. One piece of advice I can offer is to make the face out of larger pieces that will get the job done, rather than the small details you had surrounding the eyes. This way the contours of those shapes will be easily read and the face can be seen beyond all the other details of the head.

[Dawson_John]

Interesting thought, Doug. So, you mean taking, for instance, the face plate/helmet, and deconstructing it down into overlapping pieces?

[DrEvizan]

I hadn't really thought that deeply into it, but yeah, pretty much. Continuing the shapes of the helmet to make the basic shapes of the face would be cool