April 2012: The (Other) Very Hungry Caterpillar!

[timeRemapper]

Hello, most radically awesome DT community!

This caterpillar is one popular critter! Eric Carle's stories are great!

I'll be using Maya, ZBrush, and After Effects to complete this project. As far as level, I guess I'd say intermediate? I've started off with a rough cage built in Maya that I then swung into ZBrush for some initial sculpting. As I update this thread, I'll also keep it updated here.

[timeRemapper]

Okay, I've gotten some basic sculpting and polypainting done. Lots more adjustments to make in ZBrush before jumping back over to Maya:

[timeRemapper]

I've got some updated images as well as a few questions:

UVs have been unrwapped, and textures created from the polypaint (also, now back in Maya). My concern is that now that I want to add my legs/feet, that if they are separate meshes from the body (the eyes tongue and teeth are separate), will it be a problem? I was planning on using very, VERY short stubby legs and planting them into the body mesh, and the other end of the leg would disappear into the boot (see reference image of boots below).

Do you think this type of modelling will be a problem? I was planning on building all of the pieces, and then making a simple rig for posing. I also had planned to make a very simple set for the final pose. Does any of this pose any technical problems?

Also, I'm curious in regards to polycount. I'm guessing the higher the count, the more detail goes into the model (the 3D equivalent of DPI/PPI). Is there a cap, or a recommended polycount?

All input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[dan]

Also, I'm curious in regards to polycount. I'm guessing the higher the count, the more detail goes into the model (the 3D equivalent of DPI/PPI). Is there a cap, or a recommended polycount?

It's never a good idea to add polygons just for the sake of adding polygons as that can make your model overly confusing, but as far as the 3D printing process I do not believe there is a polygon limit. You can reference i.materialise's support site here: https://getsatisfaction.com/imateria...riangles_count

[Jota]

I would suggest you, If you don't mind to revise the model's face. I think is too planar.
However, nice colors and overall shape of the body!.
Good luck!.

[timeRemapper]

Thanks, Dan & Jota!

@ Dan, I understand. Thanks!
@ Jota, Good point, thanks! I'm actually going back and recreating the entire mesh with clean and proper topology, fully connected. After I have it's cage remade in Maya, I'll post screenshots. Then, I'll likely add some more curvature to it's face (along with other modifications) when I take it back in ZBrush.

[Shifty]

Super sweet! This totally tubular creature has a lot of character. Can't wait to see more.

[timeRemapper]

Thank you, Shifty! Radically radial is this rascal indeed!

I've got some more updates. I went back and rebuilt the mesh as a single piece (eyes, teeth, feet, arms, hands) and built the basic set. In addition, I set up a very basic skeleton and rig for initial posing (not final!). All comments are appreciated!

Thanks!

[Alexandre]

Cool pose. Looking forward to see how it comes together. Just a thought, If he sleeps with his mouth open, shouldn't gravity take over his tongue?

[timeRemapper]

Thanks Alexandre! Yes, I plan on making the tongue drop, but I wanted to keep it floating until I finished the texturing (easier to paint it that way). I think instead of sleeping, I'm going to try and make it look like he's uncomfortably full after polishing off all of that pizza!

The pose is still rough, and I'm going to be adding lots more detail to the mesh as well as more expression to the face!

Thanks again!

[timeRemapper]

Note that the hands, face (including eyes and tongue as well as the expression), and antennae are still in rough posing.

This update shows some more sculpting on the Caterpillar and the couch. I also have done some painting on the Caterpillar. I do have more that I’d like to do in regards to the Caterpillar's sculpting as well as the sculpting on the couch before painting it (it’s current color is a placeholder). Also, I have not returned to the set (table, pizza boxes, etc…) yet, as those pieces can wait until these two elements are in better shape.

[Alexandre]

looking good, interested in seeing what the texturing will look like, this is a difficult concept to transfer to 3D.

[JSpoon]

Lovin' the little legs. That's great stuff!

[timeRemapper]

@ Alexandre, thanks! I hope to get more to post as far as texturing soon!
@ JSpoon, ahhh...the legs! Hindsight is 20/20. I certainly have learned a lot from my experience with making/customizing them, and will modify my workflow for expedience in the future! :P

[DjVoyager]

Very nice!