Character Creator - Progress Shots

[SuperStar]

Hi All,
I am working on a character portrait creator called ComicArtist. It's similar to Hero Machine but in a more DC Animated style. Here are a few progress shots:

http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a040903_01.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a040903_02.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a040903_03.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a041603_01.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a041603_02.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a041603_03.jpg

I have setup a discussion list here for beta testing:

http://alastor.ultraservers.net/mail...raventower.com

( Thoughts, comments, feedback appreciated. )

[Bill_CCHKK]

Originally posted by SuperStar
Hi All,
I am working on a character portrait creator called ComicArtist. It's similar to Hero Machine but in a more DC Animated style.

Nice pix. I like the DC Animated style, and these pictures have a similar feel. Thanks!

[Fedifensor]

Ooh! VERY nice! I'd certainly spend $30 on a program like that, if it performs as advertised...

[Trebuchet]

Looks very promising, especially for the "artistically-challenged" like myself. Any schedule as to a release date and pricing?

One suggestion, if it doesn't already allow for it: Provide a way to export/reimport the image as a BMP or JPEG to allow the player to edit the picture in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or other image-editing software. That will allow the player to fiddle with minor details to really make the hero image his or her own.

I'd be more than willing to act as a beta tester if you need one.

[Captain Obvious]

Make it an option to print out a whole page of these characters in 25mm scale (or better yet, varying scales) and I'm up for it.

[SuperStar]

Hi guys! Thanks for the kind words. I am getting close to an alpha release very soon.

I like the idea of the 25mm sheet - you mean like cutout character standups, right? I am putting a utility to do this with all your saved characters on my to-do list!

Cost - the basic engine with at least the standard male and female will be completely free. Expansions, extra models and add-ons will be released for a small fee and I am toying with the idea of a membership. The membership would give you access to all the releases, a certain number of custom requests per month, and possibly some webspace to host your character images. All of these options would be low cost - a few bucks.

Ok, here's the screenshots from the beta list:

http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a052503_01.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a052503_02.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a052503_03.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a052703_01.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a052703_02.jpg

Large screenshots:
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a053003_01.jpg
http://raventower.com/images/comicar...a060103_01.gif

[Tclynch]

This is flat out great!

[Derek Hiemforth]

This is awesome!

[Nato]

Superstar, interesting. Are you using Poser to do the basic character templates? If so, nice use. Interface looks promosing. Keep up the good work.

[SuperStar]

Originally posted by Nato
Superstar, interesting. Are you using Poser to do the basic character templates? If so, nice use. Interface looks promosing. Keep up the good work.

The entire program is designed in flash. I love the vector drawing interface! The eventual release will be a stand-alone flash application.

I will also be documenting the character model which will allow anyone else who is familiar with flash to create their own characters that will work with the interface.

[Nato]

Yes, I figured you were using Flash for the design of the interface and perhaps the line art. But are you using Poser renders as a basis for your figure designs? I ask because many aspects of the figures look like the Michael model by Daz3D, for use with Poser. Neato.

[SuperStar]

Poser is a neat tool (I have a friend who loves it) but the basic character designs are my own. I have used a few of her paintings as references for clothing.

[dei1c3]

I only have one question...when when when?

As much as I like Hero Machine, I like the looks of your tool much better. I'm ramping up for a brand new Champions campaign at the end of the summer. Any chance it'd be done by then? Or at least have a Beta version available?

Chris

[SuperStar]

Hi.

I hope to have an alpha release with the default male ready in the next few weeks.

[Agent X]

Another suggestion, just in case. Please leave the basic background blank so we don't kill our printer. I have a devil of a time remembering what to do for that on Heromachine. Your stuff does look great!