Making Cartoon characters

SHAHEEN · 30 Jan 2009, 17:51

what a nice effort man !!

really they r incredible >>

jchau2007 · 11 Feb 2011, 23:30

SOLO,
Are all yours cartoons done with the Artisan plugin only? Nice work and you are the master of the plugin.

All the best to you,
James

solo · 11 Feb 2011, 23:57

James,

There are some made with Artisan and the balance with SDS (previous version), SDS was great, but Artisan has so many new tools that making characters is now easier and faster than ever.

Without Dale's (whaat) tools these would be almost impossible. (okay, Blender may be done without it)

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2011, 15:45

Brilliant work Pete. I don't know what to say!

Is it possible to animate these? Put 'bones' in them?

pilou · 12 Feb 2011, 15:58

Sure, in Blender 0 $ or Messiah 10 $ for example

solo · 12 Feb 2011, 16:04

I dunno Pilou, I'm yet to find an app that can import a SU model and interpret the chaotic mesh in order to insert bones and joints without almost having to redo the entire thing.

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2011, 16:30

That's a very useful answer. Thanks. (stops me being lead up that garden path, rather than a better one!)

I've got Blender and Cheetah3D, which both do bones (but would rather use my fave modelling app ). I found this site trawling through loads of stuff about Unity. I don't know whether SketchUp would work though. If anyone has had success, please let me know.

Mixamo

(www.mixamo.com)

Tom

solo · 12 Feb 2011, 16:37

Tom,

I've looked at Mixamo before and it supports a wide range of formats, Sketchup is not one of them unfortunately. Sketchup mesh is to messed up IMO for any app to use.

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2011, 16:40

Wow! That Messiah software looks amazing! I'm trying to figure out the catch though?

$40 for the pro version, but you can't have a copy if they don't reach their goal?

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2011, 16:42

Okay Pete, thanks for your reply. That's good to know.

I've got to model (or find someone who will model) a whole load of characters from the victorian period. But I haven't a clue where to start.

solo · 12 Feb 2011, 16:45

I'd suggest Poser or Daz, quick and easy with period appropriate outfits available from their stores.

Unless you need to import them into SU that is.

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2011, 17:09

I don't want to use their texture maps. I want to use those of an illustrator.

Could something be illustrated in 2D, scanned and then applied to a model- via say a UV map?

solo · 12 Feb 2011, 18:24

Tom, I'm not sure I understand your request.

Regarding rigging, I still have hope that one of our plugin geniuses will entertain my wishes and devise some sort of rigging plugin that will allow us to create modifiers, joints and bones to our characters in order to animate. Maybe even be able to use .bvh movements.

tfdesign · 13 Feb 2011, 17:10

Don't worry Pete, I was probably just confusing myself!

I was trying to apply an image to a face, then manipulate the face, to make a body. Usually, modellers start with the mesh first, then apply the texture (I was trying to do it the other way round!)

I most certainly vote for bones though!

solo · 13 Feb 2011, 18:21

@unknownuser said:

I was trying to apply an image to a face, then manipulate the face, to make a body. Usually, modellers start with the mesh first, then apply the texture (I was trying to do it the other way round!)

Something like this?

tfdesign · 13 Feb 2011, 21:20

Yes. But when I say "trying", I meant trying in future tense- ie I'm more trying how to work out how to do it rather than having a go at it, because I haven't the foggiest idea where to start!

It's the final image map on to the model which I'm most interested in. But how are you doing that in SketchUp?

solo · 14 Feb 2011, 04:37

That's just a standard projected texture.

tfdesign · 14 Feb 2011, 12:43

@unknownuser said:

Sure, in Blender 0 $ or Messiah 10 $ for example

It was a 'no brainer' to go and order that Messiah software. Thanks Pilou!!

MikeR · 21 Mar 2011, 02:41

ooops what i meant was sketchy physics. does it work in making cartoon characters? thanks

Whiteowl77 · 25 Mar 2011, 00:37

Hi Solo,

Like many SketchUp 3D Digital Modelers on this forum, I am amazed by the results you are able to acheive with SketchUp and her PlugIns. Can you list the PlugIns, in addition to Artisan,(Paint on Surface, Curviloft?) that you may have used to compose your Organic Character Modeling of our well known Pink Friend above?
I was hoping you would put together a Video Tutorial (fee or free), and outline some of the Techniques you utilize. I am puzzled as how you merged the Geometric Mesh of shapes to get things seemless, without too many polygons or surfaces. It looks like you are using a consistent center reference point, and making some neat geometry. I watched some of Chips Video on the Tron Bike, and saw his use of SubDivide applied to a Simple Geometry, and found this interesting and insighful. I watched all the YouTube Videos I could find on Artisan and several YouTube Videos on 3D Organic Modeling PlugIns for SketchUp.
In addition, I checked out your WebSite, it is Inspiring and Intimidating.

I was wondering if you are Mirroring any of your Geometry (w/ PlugIns), or copying the shapes and then using an inverse scale function. Everything looks seamless. Very Nice work. BTW what is FFD?

Well, I am using Artisan and some other PlugIns for a Concrete Dome Project I am working on, particualrly on a FinTop Ridge on the exterior. It is some weird geometry in certain areas. I am exloring techniques & PlugIns that will accomplish this. Any feedback would be helpful.

Thanks,
Andrew Telker
http://telkerdesign.com/