Hi all,

This thread is to show some components that make up my entry for the Fantasy Contest, The Leopard Queen.

The final render had 23 model shortcuts and 22 lights, all kliegs, some raytraced and some z-buffered. The raytrace lights had specularity on and the z-buffered had specularity off. I used the z-buf lights to softly illuminate most things at vaying intensities. I used the raytrace lights to add hot spots and draw the viewer's eye to certain areas, much like I would if I was painting the image.

Here's a wireframe of the final chor.

This is the color map for the front upper half of the barbarian character. I was fortunate enough to do some work for Avalanche on the Tak2 game, doing textures for Tak's different costumes and a few minor characters. I saw how beautiful and painterly Tyler Lybbert's decals were. So I tried to emulate that with these characters, since I knew I wasn't going to be doing any extreme close ups.

I really like the way they turned out. To me, I'd rather see a texture that hints at more detail than actually showing all the detail. Seeing all the pores of a character may be impressive, but it's not appealing. I want my work to be beautiful, even if the story of the image isn't beautiful. YMMV.

Here's a wireframe shot of the queen character. The hair is just geometry with a cookie cut map applied. Since I had to use raytrace lights for the shadows, I couldn't use the particle hair because it would still be rendering now. I don't know if that's a Mac-only slow down, but it's a killer for me. To be fair, I don't have the fastest Mac in the world.

Congratulations Jim. Great stuff as always.

And the decal for her face. Pretty simple stuff.

A look at the leopard character.

Great competition entry Jim, really admire your modeling, lighting and composition skill.
I notice with the map for the Barbarian character you paint the shadows as well as the skin colour, is this your normal approach.

Ian

A beautiful image. Is it a reference to a specific Frazetta painting?

And a look at the barbarian mesh. His loincloth is just a cookie cut map.

Jim, you're a very dangerous man with this software!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing all that stuff. Wireframes of the models alone are educational pieces!


Mike Fitz
www.3dartz.com

Oops, sorry. I didn't see the posts as I was adding more images.

I noticed that the Avalanche characters had form (lights and darks) rendered on the maps, so I added it here. It's not something I had done before. It probably is best to use it on objects that won't be shown really close up. Or video games.

Not based on a specific Frazetta image, just influenced by him. I have been influenced by his work a LOT. Even though the work I do for a living (children's illustration) is nothing like the fantasy work he did, I learned a lot about composition, limited palettes, telling a story, etc. from studying his work.

The characters I made are more like Boris' characters with more realistic, although exxagerated, proportions. Frazetta did what he wanted to anatomy, but still made it work for the image.

Thanks,
Jim

Excellent image, Jim. So the side muscles and ribs were just bump maps? THey looked like geometry to me. Impressive.

Jim-

Congratulations on hands-down the best entry, and the post-info...very informative...I had to go back and look at the final image again

Here's a quicklink for others:
http://www.hash.com/imagecontest/Mar05/30.jpg

I like your lighting method as well and hope to soon follow experiment like that.

Now--- that it is all said and done...I would LOVE to see a moving image of this scene-I'm not talking animation or moving characters- rather just a slight 'Mickey Rooney' (a little creep) with the camera....maybe 4or5 seconds...

AND---- I want a pony...

Jim - fabulous image - very powerful - masterly lighting, texture, superb modeling, fascinating composition - knew it was an instant winner - and it was terrific of you to share the "innards" - there's much to learn from it.

To be brazen - the one thing that disturbed me was that the cats eyes (expressions ?) did not look or feel intent enough - their postures were terrific - but the gaze was just that - gazes - I felt they needed that special piercing look that wild cats (and domestic) get when really ready for the kill- some appear to be not really focusing on anything - should be absolutely fixed on the guy.

Thanks again for sharing and Congrats!

Zaryin,

Yes, the ribs were just bump maps. And I think I put in a couple ribs too many.

John BigBoote,

Thanks. And thanks for posting the link to the final image. I think I can quickly do that "little creep" (ha!) with iMovie or just zoom a Camera in A:M on the final render. But that wouldn't show the changing perspective that actually moving the camera in the scene would produce. I'll see what I can do, but no pony, Mister.

Nancy,

Thanks. I agree, the cats expressions are bland. I wanted to add a snarling expression to a couple of the cats, but I had already spent way too much time on it. Plus I had never modelled the teeth for the leopard. I know the focused stare you are referring to. It's got a lot to do with body stance (almost a straight line) and enlarged pupils.

Jim

Jim....tell me you didn't model all of this from scratch just for the contest! If you did, damn you're commited. If not, it makes sense to recycle your models.

Oh no, I didn't model everything from scratch!

The Leopard Queen model is a variation of my African Queen model from a year or so ago. The barbarian is a more developed version of a generic male model I made when the stitch tool was first added. The leopard model I started last year, but didn't rig or texture until the contest. The jars were from another image I created years ago. The only things completely new are all the texturing and the basic background set.

If I made everything all from scratch, I should be commited.

Jim

Jim,

This is your best ever. At least from those I saw from you using A:M. You must be a very good painter too. Did you do a painted sketch first to guide you through the composition, texturing and lighting? I particularly appreciated how you used the 3 side stairs and the jars in the composition. Very effective. And the caracters are superb.

And another thing I appreciated, and I want to emphasize that, There is a story in this image. Something is happening between those two characters. They are not just standing there. We can read what's in their mind. Leopards included.

Bravo.

You should submit that to CgTalk.

And thanks for sharing your work process.

Thank you very much, Yves!

I did a couple very small and simple thumbnail sketches to work out composition, but no color rough. The composition got more involved and complex as I started putting models in the chor. I would see an area that needed something to fill it and then I'd have to light that area better, which would make another area seem lifeless so I'd add more to that area, and so on...

Adding lights was made easier by copying one lights keyframe and pasting it onto a new light, then just translating the new light to the position I wanted. It kept the lighting consistent.

Thanks especially about the story part. That's what creating images is all about to me.

I submitted it to 3DTotal for their Fantasy Gallery. We'll see if they accept it. I can try CGTalk, too.

Jim

If you put it there, you might think about modeling teeth for the leopards? Just to make it pixel perfect. You know how they are over there.

Well, I submitted it to the finished 3D gallery at CGTalk, as is. I really submitted it only to plug A:M. And I probably won't go back into it and change things.

Jim

Awesome work Jim!

I'm a big Frazetta fan too ........ that was my first impression as I looked at all the thumbnails.

Super Models, Great Lighting & Mood!!!

Did you rig it all yourself?

Congrats again!!

Thanks, Mike.

The human characters I rigged with the 2001 rig. The leopards had a very simple and incomplete rig, just enough to pose them.

If you mean the lighting rig, yes I did all the lighting, too.

Jim

Jim we need to compare notes on Modeling sometime!

I really like the mapping work on the faces!

I don't have much to add that others haven't said.
I am enjoying your "Making of" Jim.

One of the reasons I like the image so much is its painterly quality.
I love scenes that reveal the artist more than the tool and this image hit that mark with me.

If you ever master animation to the level that you have still imagery... look out!
Your team ups with other animators are truly impressive as well (i.e. Schiltzy with Stephen Milligen)

David,

I think the balance was probably more like 80% modeling, texturing, and staging vs. 20% lighting. The lighting was pretty quick once I determined my light source and light colors.

Yup, one light at a time, but since I was using similar lights in different parts of the set, there wasn't too much experimentation needed after the first main lights were set up.

I did spend a lot of time texturing the models so they would render faster. I had to eliminate all procedural textures, especially any using the dented or crumple materials. I like to render my images to a file and set them as my desktop to study during the day, even when I'm not working on the project. That way later, when I have time, I know what I want to change or add. So I didn't want to have to wait too long for each revision to render.

Jim

Jim,
Have to agree with Yves, this was definitely your best work in AM. Any chance you could show us the shaded wireframe view, the wireframe is nice but there is a lot going on there. Or do all those lights cause problems? Also, about how long was it taking to render out the final image? Again, beautiful image and thanks for sharing how you accomplished it.

Kevin

Jim

Congratulations on finishing in first place! I was surprised to hear that it was your first first.

Your entry was a beautiful piece and masterfully executed, as always. I can't fault it.
The follow up is excellent but I was surprised to see that you had painted shadows and highlights on you texture maps. Okay for still images but would create an unnatural appearance in an animation, I would think.

So, now we must turn our attention to knocking you from your stool. Tough at the top isn't it.

Thanks for all the inspiration and insight.

Kevin,

Thanks. Here's the shaded wire of the scene. There may be a limit on how many lights the shaded view can display.

Thanks, Paul. I don't intend to hold this position for long. I'm not entering the toon contest, so the way is clear for a new winner.

Jim

Nothing to add, just thanks again for posting all the cool insights into what you do!

Hi Jim!

Your entry is very fantasy. I like your composition, may was very difficult to do.
Congratulation, Jim! Nice work!

Best regards, Sharky

Smok'in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jim you never cease to amaze me.

*jaw drops to the floor* I'm... I'm... I think I just lost control of vital organs...
Amazing, truly amazing!

Jim...much as I hate them, this is a me too post
Superb image and a great thread on creating the image. Congratulations

Thanks, John and everyone.

Is there anything I didn't show that anyone wants more info about?

Actually I sent the whole project to Paul Daley to be included on the 2nd CD. That may answer any questions better than I can.

Thanks again for all the nice comments,

Jim

Fantastic! I love the lighting and saturation of color!
Its 3D meets the Romanticism!

-Noah

Here is an example of a great mastery that has nothing to fear and looks down to us mortals dropping some crumbs hoping that some of them might grow a bit bigger and better in what they do...

I guess envy is a sin, but I am envious!

Nothing short of amazing, and in the moment when I think that this guy could not get any better, he decides to share his knowlege and even scene with others... sniff... sniff... I am getting a bit emotional here...

GREAT WORK, can't wait to see that little animation...

Drvarceto

Great work, Jim! One of the great things about this (mentioned earlier) is that it captures a story. Even if you'd only done a single character on a much simpler background, though, I'm sure that some impression of story would still be there. That's one of the great things about your work. When you present a character, you're not just presenting a sculpted, textured, and lit 3D creation. You always find some way to convey a sense of character and personality, and it makes your work stand out from the crowd.

There are a few things that could still be punched up on this, but I realize this isn't the place for crits, so I'll refrain.

Keep up the great work, sir!

Thanks, guys!

Justin, please, I'm open to hearing any thoughts you have on it!!

"No crits" is really more of a guideline.

Thanks,
Jim

Awesome work, Jim. Simply gorgeous lighting and texturing. Damn it, stop being so damn good!!

Congrats on a job well-done...

Cheers, Noah

Thanks!

I submitted it to CGTalk's finished work gallery. Here's the link:


http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=228489

Jim

Left comment and 5 star rating.

Jim,
Thanks for sharing the behind-the-scene look at your work--It really is FANTASTIC!!!
This was one of the ones I voted for (of course!). I am a bigger Frazetta Fan than Boris, But I think you have totally captured the genre.
I often think of A:M models as just posable 3D canvas, and I think you must think that way too. I'm always impressed by your models. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thanks, guys!

William, yes, I think of the 3D scenes as being like a painting, too. I'm glad you think I captured the look, because I am well aware of your knowledge of the genre.

Jim

Jim:

I'm just awe struck! I agree with Ives in that this is one of your best pieces (that I've seen anyway). Now, let's get back to decals. I loved what you did in photoshop with the decals for the characters, especially the guy. You can actually see the brush strokes!! Can't wait to try it myself.

You also mentioned you do children's illustrations. Where can I see some of the stuff you've done? Have you been able to use AM for this?

Once again, Great Job!!!

This just reminds me, Jim... Are you gonig to finish more tutorials in facial texturing?

I just posted a reply and a star rating. I have been waiting for you to put some work up there and it is a good candidate.

Zaryin,

Those take quite a bit of time. I can't say if I will or not. I'd rather have real work to do in the time it takes to do those. I'll have 2 kids in college in the fall.

John, thanks for your comment and rating at CGTalk. I posted my response there.

Jim