Character Design Models Character Design Models from Alternative Sourcesfrom Alternative Sources

Using our resources wiselyUsing our resources wisely

Maya!Maya!

Alias is now offering free versions of Maya 7.x for Alias is now offering free versions of Maya 7.x for download. (Mine is in progress.) download. (Mine is in progress.)

They say this program is going to be as full They say this program is going to be as full featured as the real program – we’ll see. featured as the real program – we’ll see.

Anything created in this version can *not* be Anything created in this version can *not* be used in commercial programs. used in commercial programs.

The program can be found at The program can be found at www.aliaswavefront.com under their media and www.aliaswavefront.com under their media and entertainment tab. (Registration will be required.) entertainment tab. (Registration will be required.)

Maya ModelsMaya Models

Character models for Maya are certainly available Character models for Maya are certainly available for download, but not in as large a population as for download, but not in as large a population as in other programs, i.e. Poser and DazStudio.in other programs, i.e. Poser and DazStudio.

Poser and DazStudio are 3d modeling programs Poser and DazStudio are 3d modeling programs that, while not being as powerful as Maya in that, while not being as powerful as Maya in animation, nevertheless have gathered very large animation, nevertheless have gathered very large followings in the artistic community for their followings in the artistic community for their ability to render both animation and stills very ability to render both animation and stills very well. well.

Many regular people sell their own objects and Many regular people sell their own objects and textures they have made. textures they have made.

Daz ModelsDaz Models

Pre-madePre-made Often available free Often available free Can be converted to Can be converted to

Maya!Maya! When not available for When not available for

free, may be free, may be purchased for very purchased for very small amounts.small amounts.

Conversion methods?Conversion methods? Poser can be converted via a program called Poser can be converted via a program called

trinity.trinity. Available on the web at trinity.rendermagix.comAvailable on the web at trinity.rendermagix.com This will allow us to take the cr2 files directly from This will allow us to take the cr2 files directly from

Poser/DazStudio and convert them into Maya – Poser/DazStudio and convert them into Maya – without owning either!without owning either!

There are also methods to save in Poser and There are also methods to save in Poser and move into Maya, but this requires a purchase move into Maya, but this requires a purchase which is not needed. which is not needed.

Trinity is a free conversion program.Trinity is a free conversion program.

Poser vs. DazStudioPoser vs. DazStudio

Poser is a more powerful program than Poser is a more powerful program than DazStudio, but Poser, unless they are running a DazStudio, but Poser, unless they are running a special, costs 260 dollars or more.special, costs 260 dollars or more.

DazStudio, however, is a free program. DazStudio, however, is a free program. www.daz3d.comwww.daz3d.com

There are many sites, www.daz3d.com , There are many sites, www.daz3d.com , www.runtimedna.com , www.renderosity.com , www.runtimedna.com , www.renderosity.com , www.contentparadise.com , which offer free www.contentparadise.com , which offer free models. models.

All of this is well and good, but why would you All of this is well and good, but why would you want to import these characters?want to import these characters?

Movies!Movies!

Though I still need to experiment, the movies I’m Though I still need to experiment, the movies I’m linking to have all been made with the conversion linking to have all been made with the conversion utility listed earlier. utility listed earlier.

Each one is using a basic character and Each one is using a basic character and something to match music. I’m assuming the something to match music. I’m assuming the dialogue is using MimicPro, also available from dialogue is using MimicPro, also available from Daz3d, though I have no proof. (This is the best Daz3d, though I have no proof. (This is the best for Daz figures because it is built into each one. )for Daz figures because it is built into each one. )

Enough of the Info!Enough of the Info!

Though this is a still Though this is a still picture, all of the picture, all of the elements in it, (save elements in it, (save hair and glow in hair and glow in postwork) are already postwork) are already 3d objects!3d objects!

More picsMore pics Don’t forget the Don’t forget the

males! We need to males! We need to have just as much have just as much texture and attention texture and attention to detail in these to detail in these characters as well. characters as well.

While we may not be While we may not be able to render all of able to render all of this detail, its easier to this detail, its easier to remove detail than remove detail than attempt to add it attempt to add it where it did not exist!where it did not exist!

Start with the bases – free at Start with the bases – free at Daz3d!Daz3d!

Each clothing set is made of multiple Each clothing set is made of multiple

objects:objects:

Even the Hair can be changed:Even the Hair can be changed:

Since many of these are advertisements, Since many of these are advertisements, you can really see the detail:you can really see the detail:

A few more examples:A few more examples:

What about other objects? A boat.. What about other objects? A boat.. Maybe?Maybe?

Check out the detail!Check out the detail!

Even More…Even More…

A final note A final note Even if we don’t wish Even if we don’t wish

to purchase to purchase commercial licenses commercial licenses on certain characters on certain characters or to use what they or to use what they have available, there’s have available, there’s no reason not to learn no reason not to learn from it. from it.

There is a ton of free There is a ton of free graphical stuff graphical stuff available, if we’re available, if we’re willing to look for it!willing to look for it!