So with the Transformers movie coming out this summer, I figured it would be fun and to my advantage to do a G1 Optimus to throw on my demo reel.
That damned contour drawing and two tone shadding are a real bitch to do in Maya, but I think it turned out decent. He's all rigged and ready to animate, but I figured I'd throw up a shot of him to see what my fellow Flarites thought.
There's no photoshop cleanup except for throwing the logo in the corner.
Tech info:
Model/Rig/Toon done in Maya 8.0 Three weeks from start to finished product
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
nice job.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Y'know, all the Transformers have those short stocky legs- no wonder they transform into vehicles! Also, how can Optimus run with that big metal..er..thing between his legs? He'd be all bowlegged and wobbly.
Posted by bX (Member # 419) on :
What Jason means to say is nice job. I'm assuming you have a transformation animation. If nothing else, I'd love to see the vehicle mode.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Yea, I did mean to add "nice job" to that ramble.
Also, what are those yellow things on optimus' crotch anyway? Ashtray? Cup holders and change box? A power jack would be funny...
Posted by Krenim (Member # 22) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: Also, what are those yellow things on optimus' crotch anyway? Ashtray? Cup holders and change box? A power jack would be funny...
Considering where they are in vehicle mode, I'd wager they're headlights.
Posted by Josh (Member # 1884) on :
Thanks for the comments
bX - That's one of my goals to do with this type of character. The process of getting a character rigged to function independantly and a working toon shader is a nightmare.
It's done with set-driven keys which are something I haven't had a whole lot of experience with but intend to look into. The biggest problem with having the two modes is the black ink outlines (you can't see the contour all that well on black)are created in select intances of the way geometry meets.
Getting the exact patern in one mode is one thing, but making the precise pattern of subdivision and flipped UV's for two is a whole other ball game.
My best bet would be to cheat it like was done on the Beast Wars/Machines series where the robots could Transform, but in a single frame they swap the transformable character for the fully utilized other mode.
Anyway, now I'm just rambling.
Jason -
I think that's the secret compartment where he stores his trailer everytime he transforms.
Either way it pisses me off because that whole torso section is another animation cheat that's hard to deal with in 3D, as it isn't flexible and looks bad when done that way in 3D.
When they had him on Beast Wars the shorts were done as so you wouldn't see him getting up/sitting from the front.
Here's a high-res (1280X1024)close up if anyone wants it.
I'll be sure to post some cycles when I get them done.
Posted by FawnDoo (Member # 1421) on :
For the transformation sequence you might want to check out the Masterpiece/20th Anniversary Prime toy that was released a while back - that combined the cartoon accurate robot mode with the boxier truck mode, and involved some clever trickery with the torso to make it all work.
Also, and this is just a minor point, but I think Prime only had one Autobot symbol on his shoulders...I think it was his left one.
Posted by Josh (Member # 1884) on :
I love the 20th anniversary Prime, couldn't have done the head without it
You're pretty much right about the logo. It's generally drawn only on the front left on his shoulder. When I did the logo, I looked at my reference:
Cartoon : (Left most of the time, occasionally on right and sometimes both)
Takara's Cartoon accurate PVC's: Both
Beast Wars : Both arms, on the front AND back (weird..)
Also it is both portrayed as being a decal and a raised/indented pattern.
In the end, I opted for the decal look one both front arms since I find it more aestheticaly pleasing.
But yeah, you're right:)
Posted by bX (Member # 419) on :
It looks weird even if it's only the abdomen that flexes or stretches a little?
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