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Monument

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  4. Superhero Images

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: Superhero Images

     

    While I'm here, I ought to post something I just completed the other day. I've posted the black and white version of this piece in this thread before, and now here's the color version. The original had a few "speedlines" to denote motion. Here, I"ve erased those in favor of the backdrop. I found a picture of the New York skyline that was at a perfect angle for my needs, and motion blurred it. Looks pretty decent if I do say so!

     

     

    Loraleap2-color.jpg

     

    Very Ben Dunn-ish (did the cover of Red Doom for Champions as well as tons of stuff at Antartic Press and R Talsorian's Mekton). And being a fan of his I'd have to say this is very well 'Dunn' :)

  5. Superhero Images

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: Superhero Images

     

    Wow very nice.

     

    And having read the Elementals (The rhyme and verse issue w/Thor vs that demon woman and the fat, alien telekinetic was the coolist) I can say you did them justice.

  7. Superhero Images

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: Superhero Images

     

    Again, depends on your skills and abilities there.

     

    If you have the time and know-how then edit the textures to the outfit. Add a different prop to the suit. etc.

     

    Without knowing what exactly you want it makes it hard to answer that question.

     

    Ultimately though, you as the artist will end up deciding on whether to pay for an item, find a freebie, or make it yourself.

  9. Superhero Images

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: Superhero Images

     

    Thanks. . . . BTW, if you have any suggestions for improvement of my 3D work, they would be much appreciated.

     

    I still have a little bit of uncertainty about the concept of reliance on 3rd party models; isn’t it sometimes a problem?

     

    Here is a small excerpt from a discussion on the RPG.net Freelancing and Freelancers Forum ( I’m adding the URL so you can read the full discussion if you want to). The discussion is about using Poser to create images for character portraits, and the problems involved in finding specific 3rd party models to go with a given character. It would be interesting to hear your take on it:

     

    http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=116868&perpage=10&pagenumber=2#post2276663

     

     

    IMO Sacrosanct is making some unfair assumptions about CG art on the whole, but it seems that the point might be valid in relation to Poser generated images. It would be nice to have the perspective of somebody who has some specific experience in this area.

     

    Ok I'll tackle this individually.

     

    1)"I still have a little bit of uncertainty about the concept of reliance on 3rd party models; isn’t it sometimes a problem?"

     

    It can be. But again if you have a -good- model, there isn't much you can't do. In laymen's terms: If you have shotty pencils and paper and little imagination, you will turn out shotty work. If you have quality tools and the right mindset with technique, there isn't much you can't do.

     

    I'll use to models found in or purchased for Poser. Posette (which is the nickname for the Poser 4 female model) and Victoria 2. Now with Posette you had -some- things you could do. And for what it's worth people have cranked out some awesome images for Posette. But the lack of model manipulation hinders greatly. Posette is decent if you put a lot of work into her.

     

    Now Victoria 2 is all kinds of model manipulations. If Posette had a total of 10 (just an example) Victoria 2 has 30+. Anything from model height (which they both have) to improved breast, chest, face, and overall body. With Posette you run into the problem of most of your figures carrying a similiar "look". Anyone who's used Poser can almost point them out without batting an eyelash. And it's that look that keeps it from crossing the treshhold IMO. With Victoria, it's harder to pick up on. The look and feel of the model in question looks more unique.

     

    Think back to how many comics carried that Rob Liefeld or Jim Lee look? And how few carried the Todd MacFarland, Brett Booth, Frank Miller look? In the end, let the popularity of the model carry some of the weight. If you look online, one of the most supported Poser models is the Victoria series.

     

    So yes, sometimes it can be a problem but only if you let it.

     

    2)Poser for characters and Sacrosanct's comments:

     

    Actually I think I've achived a moderate amount of success in designing character pics using Poser. And I know I'm not the only one. I'd point you to http://www.animotions.com as a site almost solely dedicated to 3d/super hero art. And while not apart of that community I can say that some of those artists have done wonders with Posette. Let alone the Michael, Victoria, Stephanie, & Freak models.

     

    Now as for the problem finding the right model: Remember my comments about Posette and Victoria? If you're having problems finding the -right- model, find one thats close and then look for model morph packs. Or do it yourself in Poser outright. Another MAJOR point to raise is texturing. Always always always use a skin texture for your characters. As that can be the difference between night and day for your model. Photorealistic ones tend to work best.

     

    And they are discussing cost: True, in some cases modelers already have what you want. And like any vendor it will cost some. But depending on what you need you just might be able to find what you need for free. Legally free. Renderosity, 3dcommune, Animotions and others all have free props. And some are incredibly professional.

     

    http://www.giovanni-wod.net/images/rapierman1a.bmp (careful, it's a large image)

     

    This is a prime example of a quality character pic that cost virtually nothing. Michael 3 figure (which I got for free for being apart of the Platinum club at Daz 3d), the texture cost me and so did the hair. The outfit complete with swords and all was free.

     

    The statement of $15 a prop and up is fairly misleading. While some do indeed charge that, there is always the free options available. As is joining certain clubs or memberships. Daz3d has some awesome props, textures, and figures with their Platinum club. And http://www.poserstyle.com has a great deal for their club membership as well.

     

    In the end, you are only limited by your own limitations. Sacrosanct sounds like he knows what he's talking about but (based purely on what I read) might have a jaded viewpoint towards Poser. You always have the option of creating your own model. Even in Poser.

     

    Hope this helps a bit

  10. Superhero Images

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: Superhero Images

     

    Thanks for answering my questions. And I really like the images in your gallery. Very nice work, even the stuff you weren’t happy with looks pretty good to me.

     

    3D art is very interesting to me. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to Poser or any library of pre-built models, I have to make everything from scratch myself. I know that my stuff may not be as good as the Poser models, but I keep learning and getting better.

     

    Here is a sample of my 3D work. . . .

     

    Well thats definately better then when I first started :) My thing was I was envious of those who could draw. Seeing as I couldn't I was always hitting up my friends to get images of my characters done. Most of those hand draw pics I still have to this day.

     

    I'm probably a bit too picky with my artwork though. As one of the reasons I avoided Champions originally was the horrible interior (my opinion of course) artwork they had for their heroes and villians.

  14. Help with newbie super team

    in Champions

    Posted

    Ok I started running a Champions game last night and two of the characters do not have "super heroine" names. Both characters are new to the whole super-shtick and have joined up together due to better paying offers.

     

    The one character is a fitness instructor who's super human strength, durability, and resiliance came narually (mutant). Slightly insular and more headstrong with a bit of self reliance in her personality.

     

    The second character is mutant as well, however she has powers of the mind. Telekinesis, flight, TK shield. Her daytime job (prior to joining the team) was a freelance photographer. Friendly and outgoing type of personality.

     

    I know I'm going to get stuck having Joe-Q public read a news article in game and come up with their alter IDs. Was wondering if anyone had any ideas.

  15. Superhero Images

    in Champions

    Posted

    Re: Superhero Images

     

    Thank you.

     

    I seem to have taken to Poser much faster than others have. I'm not sure why but a friend of mine was able to teach me a couple of the basics over ICQ and I ran with it. Others haven't been nearly as lucky.

     

    With that being said, sometimes it is very easy for me to get the desired results.

     

    Case(s) in point:

     

    Both of these pics can be found in my gallery @ deviant art http://prophetx.deviantart.com/

     

    http://www.deviantart.com/view/3991163/ and http://www.deviantart.com/view/3513825/ These were fairly easy for me to crank out and I was happy with the results.

     

    This one would be an example of one that didn't turn out as well as I would have hoped

    http://www.deviantart.com/view/4408162/

     

    So it can be hard or easy, depending on my level of skill and what I have available to me.

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