3D Modeling / Project 3 (Character Modeling)

July 03, 2024 - July 24, 2024 / (Week 12 - 14)

Anandya Dewi Saputra / 0354651

3D Modeling / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Project 3 (Final Project) / Character Modeling 

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LECTURES

All lectures are completed in Task 1 Exercises Task 1,2,3 and 4 Exercises

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INSTRUCTIONS

In this project, we were required to create a 3D model of any character we wanted using all of the lectures we learned from week one onwards. As with the other exercises and projects we have already completed, we have to use some of the polygon tools and techniques. Decide on the appropriate material and roughness to endow its outlook with. Use three points of light and do the rendering. Choose Eevee or Cycle rendering for the final output. The video format is in PNG with dimensions of 1280 x 720. For this project at first, I wanted to go for human characters or modeling for the game Valorant but due to the deadline for this project, I decided to go for a simpler character. While I was searching for inspiration, I stumbled across an old pajama of mine that I got for my birthday. 

Fig 1.0 Bat pajama onesies
https://kigurumi-shop.com/bat-kigurumi

I then plan on doing a bat character. I then created a mood board based on the character I wanted to sketch so I could do the modeling later. I began gathering some pictures/drawings from my favorite shows and some colors that I wanted my bat to be. 

Fig 1.1 Moodboard

I wanted to go for a short cartoonized bat, and for the color scheme, I wanted to go blue, like the endangered species of parrot called sphinx macaw. I then began sketching the model sheet in Photoshop. 

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This sketch will help me identify what I want to go with, especially when the angle is changed from front to side or back.

Fig 1.3 Blender modeling progress

After that, I started modeling the head followed by the ears. The next step was to use the mirror subdivision tool to make sure that the sculpture on the  left side was identical to that on the right side. When observing them side by side, the references show that bats and mice have some similarities in head proportion. At some point, the bat looks like a wingless mouse or a sphinx cat. 

Fig 1.4 Blender modeling progress

After I felt that the general form and size of the head was drawn to my liking I proceeded to sculpt the mouth. I then incorporated the fangs that are a distinctive feature of a bat. I quite like how it turns out so I then proceed to sculpt the body to then connect it with the neck.

Fig 1.5 Blender modeling progress

Regarding the body, I made it to have the belly slightly pop out as a way of being a little chubby. At first, I had imagined broad shoulders and a slimmer waist for the character so that the latter is more masculine. However, as it went on, I went to make the stomach slightly bigger to switch the character’s essence to be cute, which resembled many of my loved pets like my cute chonky cats. About feet, I decided to make them penguin-like shapes, at first, I received an idea to make feet even more realistic and make them resemble the claws of a bat but it did not fit the character at all.

 

Fig 1.6 Blender modeling progress

Then, I added the wings to the character. I did not give the wings detailed features like hands, which is common with bat characters in movies and other related media as this did not suit the art style I took. I also carved a tail but which I failed to remember to carve alongside the body of the character.

Fig 1.7 Blender modeling progress

Next, I added a scarf to the character. It covered the unconnected parts and provided the character with a piece of clothing, aligning with some of the references I chose where characters are dressed.

Fig 1.8 Blender rendering progress

I then rendered the modeling. I wanted to go with blue since it is my favorite color and I chose the sphinx bird as a reference. I noticed it is not as blue and lively as the sphinx bird. the texture of the hair is also too thick for it to be put on a bat, and the red color for the scarf is okay but I then later changed it to orange since orange and yellow contrast with blue than red. 

Fig 1.9 Blender rendered character

Finally, after the adjustment I made, I rendered the character to an Image. I like how it turns out and the character's color looks lively like the endangered species the sphinx macaw. I also changed the fangs to black to be able for the fangs to draw attention. I also didn't forget to put 3 lighting points as what the assignment required. I then rendered all of the angles for the character which is the front, quarter side, side, and back view.

I like how it turns out and how the character is based on every aspect that I like in my life. This may not be the best work I have done compared to the other project I did for this module, but still with the current deadline given I'm proud that I can finish it in time.

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FEEDBACK:

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REFLECTIONS:

Overall, this project helps us to create the main and most important focus of every animation or movie which is the character. It level of difficulty depends on the character we chose, a more realistic approach will definitely make the modeling more challenging. This assignment (final project) helps me to use all of the knowledge we learn throughout this module from week one onwards. I would say this is the hardest module I have ever taken but also a module that I know would be one of the most important modules that would be very useful in my future career.