~Irvy

After far far too long without one, I've finally replaced my old wacom graphics tablet that died of old age and over use, with a brand spanking new one that looks so much cooler. I'm itching to get going with some lovely computer drawing stuff!

Well I made my first skeleton for the model, and deyamn but it's not as easy as it looks!

It looks like I got my zoning very wrong, so I've tweaked the model a bit more, moved the base of the penis and testicles down a bit, because they were too high, and I'll do the zoning again. I need more segments in the main shaft, and I was trying to get the testicles working separately, but all that seems to accomplish is splitting the scrotum in half (which looks really painful!).

If anyone knows of any really good boning tutorials, please link me!

OK, so a few of you are watching the progress of my genital model for Poser, so I thought I'd give you an update.

The basic model is coming along nicely, I think. A few people have commented that it's too "small", but once it's in Poser it is much easier to make it bigger than it is to make it smaller, so I think it's a good base size.

I'm struggling with the bone structure at the moment, but that's because I'm learning as I go. The skeleton determines how a model can move, and what relation is has to the other bones in the structure. For example, if you move the model's neck, the program needs to know to move the head as well.

I think I've worked out how to create a realistic looking foreskin, but it looks like it's going to be easiest to make a set of them, and then allow the user to decide which to use. So, basic model would have no foreskin, then you can choose to add from a list of "types" of foreskin which would be in the library. Of course, getting the motion settings right for it will be a bitch, as it also has to interact with the base model.

I'm still looking for reference pics, esp of foreskins in different states; forward, back, natural, for each of the different styles (short, medium, long).

I've already made the texture map, which was a key part of the colour zoning I did to split the model up into sections. Once I've got everything a bit more sorted I'll work on making up some different texture maps for the model.

Then, once that's done, I'll make a pubic "wig" for the model. Anyone got a comb handy? LOL

I've decided that it's always a good idea to start small. I'm working towards my sci fi series idea, but something smaller, less amitious would be a better first step. Then I remembered that a few years ago, I wrote a short story outlining the history of the civilisation the series is based on. Not only would it be a good project to start on, but it would be helpful and informative to those watching the series.

What I'd love is to put together a group of other 3d/sci fi enthusiasts so that we could make the project even better. If anyone's interested, or would like to hear more, drop me a line and we can chat!

OK, don't know how long I'll keep this up, but I thought it might be fun.

I'm working towards putting together a cgi sci fi series, to be put on the web. It'll be a mix of cgi stills and snippets of animation, put together probably as a flash animation.

It started out as a hand drawn cartoon, then I thought I might cheat and make up poser models of the characters, and then trace over those, as quite a few modern comic artists do either that, or trace photos taken to illustrate the story.

I realised that if I put a bit more effort into the models, and created cgi sets, I could do the whole thing in the computer, with a lot less effort in the long run.

So it went from hand drawn cartoons, to as photo realistic cgi as I can possibly get it.

After I'd designed a few characters, I realised the flaw in my plan. Just as with drawing characters, making cgi people can start to begin like they're all related, as you end up putting the same kinds of features in. So, I decided to base most if not all of the characters on real people, and using their photos to create the skin. This meant the characters were less perfect, more random, and it's also a lot of fun for the people who've asked to be in the series to see this little 3d version of themselves on the screen.

So, at the minute I'm working on the concepts. I'm working through, making up the characters, designing the clothing and styles, designing space ships and sets, and trying to get everything working together.

I'll try to keep up these journal entries, it'll be fun to look back over them when it's all done (which is hopefully going to be some time before I retire!)

I'm very interested in collabaration, so if you enjoy discussing ideas, give me a shout!