Art: What Tool to Create 3-D-ish Graphics With?

General (non-technical) Off-Topic
#1

This is a question about the artwork, not coding: what tools do artists use to create the 3-D-ish figures?

I have artistic talent and experience but not in creating games.

How can one create graphics like the fish in Koi Pond? I have in mind an animal that is only slightly more complex, and would have just certain parts of it animated, like the fish (with only tails and fins that move). I don’t want to do cartoon caricatures, but something more realistic.

A 3-D graphics program would be too complex for such a relatively simple task. Is there a simpler way to do it?

Thanks

Eric [import]uid: 128346 topic_id: 24487 reply_id: 324487[/import]

#2

Hi.

I would personally suggest 3d studio as it’s a solid, relatively intuitive package and will meet requirements you have.

You don’t really give much info about exactly what you’re trying to achieve. For instance, what parts of your creature will be animated? Will there be any secondary motion, What is the animal and will it require a deformable skeleton? How realistic are you aiming for, (for instance do the eyes follow the player?) In terms of it being 3d-ish, do you mean it would be cel shaded or something else?

If you’re trying to do something in 3d, I’d recommend just using a 3d program from the outset. Trying to fake 3d on anything but the simplest of objects is going to give you a major hearache, (though you may be able to simulate fins and secondary motion with physics in Corona).

Hope that helps. [import]uid: 67933 topic_id: 24487 reply_id: 99085[/import]

#3

The fish in Koi Pond are actually 3D models with fish texture, and their movement is animated by animating vertices (points) on the 3D model, that’s why it’s so smooth (and same goes for the lighting).
If you want to achieve this effect in 2D, I agree that using 3D program is the best, rendering image in 3D program and then adding more effects in photoshop (like shine, rust, etc…). If you never used 3D program before, not sure which one to recommend you. SketchUp is easy to pick up and free, but not sure if it has tools to make nice smooth objects.

However if you are not doing very much perspective (like if you only want to see animals from the top), I would advise working in photoshop completely, it will save you time if you’re not comfortable with 3D modeling.
Try making basic outline of your animal and use it as a mask on layer group. Then adding texture to this shape by pasting the texture into the layer group as a layer, and then add more layers. Experiment with blending modes. Multiply will give you good shadows, while overlay will give you both shadows and shining bits.

Also, if you plan to animate, it might be very good to keep separate parts of body in separate layer groups (ie. torso in one group, each leg/arm in each own group), so you dont need to redraw all frames for animation. Instead you can make animation frames by simply rotating/moving layer groups in photoshop.

Hope this helps
Nenad [import]uid: 80100 topic_id: 24487 reply_id: 99093[/import]

#4

The fish in Koi Pond are actually 3D models with fish texture, and their movement is animated by animating vertices (points) on the 3D model, that’s why it’s so smooth (and same goes for the lighting).
If you want to achieve this effect in 2D, I agree that using 3D program is the best, rendering image in 3D program and then adding more effects in photoshop (like shine, rust, etc…). If you never used 3D program before, not sure which one to recommend you. SketchUp is easy to pick up and free, but not sure if it has tools to make nice smooth objects.

However if you are not doing very much perspective (like if you only want to see animals from the top), I would advise working in photoshop completely, it will save you time if you’re not comfortable with 3D modeling.
Try making basic outline of your animal and use it as a mask on layer group. Then adding texture to this shape by pasting the texture into the layer group as a layer, and then add more layers. Experiment with blending modes. Multiply will give you good shadows, while overlay will give you both shadows and shining bits.

Also, if you plan to animate, it might be very good to keep separate parts of body in separate layer groups (ie. torso in one group, each leg/arm in each own group), so you dont need to redraw all frames for animation. Instead you can make animation frames by simply rotating/moving layer groups in photoshop.

Hope this helps
Nenad [import]uid: 80100 topic_id: 24487 reply_id: 99094[/import]

#5

Hi,

I always use a 3D Program called Google sketchup (It’s not that hard) and export it to another complex 3D program (like blender) and export an image. Sometimes I use GIMP.

Those software are all free.

http://sketchup.google.com
www.blender.org
www.gimp.org

Not sure if this helped.

Good Luck! [import]uid: 44110 topic_id: 24487 reply_id: 99120[/import]

#6

You inspired me to look into some solutions that are getting me going in the right direction I think.

As always, the choice is pick two: CHEAP, GOOD, or FAST. Being a starving artist/programmer who demands quality, I’m going to have to invest time to make graphics.

Regarding the animal: I don’t want to give the idea away, but I can tell you it will have three basic postures: sitting, moving about (no legs), and an attitute of up/ahead/down, wherein the tail and head will arch up or down. But again, it can be very basic - enough animation to tickle a 5-year old, but beautiful enough to impress an adult.

It will only be seen from the side.

Regarding tools: I have experience with Infini-D in the 90’s (ancient history). More recently, I worked/played with Bryce 3D a fair amount (yes it does allow one to create objects and not just environments). I’m fairly conversant with Photoshop and can get by in Illustrator.

I notice the company Daz 3D (http://www.daz3d.com/), which has picked up Bryce, also makes something called Daz 3D Studio, which evolved from infinit-D and Ray Dream Studio. It’s free now - probably because they make most of their money from models. It looks like it’s used mostly for character creation and animation.

I should be able to find a model for my critter and start with that, manipulate it into the poses, lighting, etc., export 2D graphics into Photoshop, work on them there, and create a sprite sheet from those images. [import]uid: 128346 topic_id: 24487 reply_id: 99137[/import]