Xam 2 Finished!

Alright guys!

The updated Xam model is finished.

Take a look...


So, what is different? Well, let's compare...



Of course, you have the same differences between the old and updated Max models. As far as Xam goes, I was able to fix something that absolutely bothered me about old Xam, his cowl.

If you look at the old model, his cowl cut across his face, took a dramatic 90 degree turn up and then turned another 90 degrees to wrap around his head. This was done because I built his old cowl from his models head. It was literally a part of the models head. On the updated model, his cowl is completely separate (as is Power Dog's mask). This allowed me to shape it as I originally meant it to be shaped.

I also gave updated Xam a wider collar, belt and cuffs. They were way to small on his old costume which gave it an odd look.

So, like the Max model, I was never happy with the old Xam model. Truthfully, old Xam was never really very good. I know I started rebuilding the old models with Thomas/T-Boom and Gibson/Power Dog but those old models, although needing an update, were pretty good early attempts at modeling. Max/Xam, however, were simply never good enough for the star of the movie. I am so glad I decided to re-work these old models because I absolutely love updated Max/Xam!

Now it's on to Willow. She will go a little quicker because Willow doesn't have a superhero identity.

I will let you know how that goes.

Later!

Max 2 Finished!

Alright!

The updated Max model is done!

Here is a pic of the old model standing next to the new model...


Man, where do I begin?

I was never truly happy with the old Max model. His ears, eyes, nose and body shape were all wrong. At the time, the old model was the best I could do but I always wanted to go back and start over on Max. He is, after all, the star of the movie and he was the model I was least happy with.

Now I don't have to worry about that. I love this new model! This is the Max I always pictured in my mind.

Here is another pic, this one of only him...


I'm pretty darned happy. :)

So, now it's on to Xam. I've got a lot to do this weekend so I'm not really sure how much I'm gonna get done.

I'll post some pics as soon as there's something to post!

Max 2 Starting to Get Some Color!

Well, this week has been just as crazy as last week!

The sad part is that it doesn't look like it's gonna get any better any time soon.

That being said, I did find some time (about 30 minutes) to start adding color to the updated Max model...


As you can see, I've just started his coloring. He's going to get a lot more detail than that, but this is a good start.

I hope to have some time this weekend to work on him some more.

As always, I'll post something when I have something worth showing.

Later!

Max 2 is Coming Along....

Hey guys,

Well, it's been one heck of a busy week and I'm afraid I'm not as far along on the updated Max model as I would like to be, but I'm still managing to get some work done...


I'm gonna take the next few days to look him over and make any corrections that are necessary. Once that is done I will begin to add fur and color.

I'll let you know how that goes.

Later!

Just Started New Max Model!

Hey guys,

I started the updated Max model yesterday...


As you can see, he's still got quite a way to go. I've been pretty busy these last couple days and haven't really had a lot of time to work on him.

I'll keep plugging away the next couple of days. So far I'm really pleased with way he is coming along.

I'll post again when I'm closer to being done.

later!

Updated Power Dog Finished!

Well, my headache subsided enough for me to get bored from sitting on my butt so I finished the work on the updated Power Dog model.

And, as promised, here's a comparison pic between the old and the new...


Of course, you can see the same differences with the structure of these models as you could see in the Gibson comparison pic. Again, the eyelids, mouth and expression are a little more realistic, but the differences don't stop there.

Updated Power Dog resolved something I was never happy with on the old model and that's the collar. The new collar has a buckle and some left over belt hanging down. It's not the solid band the old model had. Also, the costume colors are brighter. The darker costume just didn't look right on updated Power Dog.

Also, here's a pic of just Power Dog...


This pic is a better quality than the comparison pic. I had to scale updated Power Dog up to be the same size as the old model and that lost some quality in the pic. No such problem above.

So, now what? Well, it's on to Max/Xam. I'm definitely taking the rest of the weekend off so look back here about the middle of next week for an updated Max posting!

Power Dog 2 Coming Along Nicely!

Hey guys,

I had an extra couple of hours so I thought I'd start on the updated Power Dog model.

Here's what I got so far...



All I have left to do is droop his cape down to his side. I know, that doesn't sound like much but I have a killer headache and really need to take a break.

So, I'm probably done for the weekend. I'll finish Power Dog up next week and post pics when I'm done.

Later!

Gibson and Gibson 2 Comparison!

Hey Guys,

Well, I've tinkered with the new Gibson model a little more. I adjusted his color and made his tongue a little wider. I think I'm finished!

As with Thomas and T-Boom, here is a comparison pic...


As you can see, the updates are pretty significant. The updated Gibson has a bigger head and nose. His coloration is closer to the real Gibson (Gibby in real life is getting some gray in his fur) and his details are better in his eyes, mouth, nose and nails. Heck, the old Gibson model didn't even have nails.

Again, the lighting is better on updated Gibson because I'm better at lighting (I hope).

As much as I enjoyed the old Gibson model I really like this new one. He's a little more "cartoony" but more realistic in the way his eyelids and mouth are connected. Before, I cheated by using separate spheres to create those features where in the new model they are modeled directly to the mesh. Plus, this updated Gibson has more of a reluctant hero look about him which is certainly in line with his character.

All in all, I'm very happy with updated Gibson.

So, now on to Power Dog. I'll post pics when I'm close to done.

Later!

Still Working on Gibson 2!

Hey guys,

It's been a long week and I haven't had much time to work on the new Gibson model.

This is what I have so far...


I know, he may look done, but I'm not certain of that just yet.

I'm gonna spend the next couple of days doing touch-ups and see where that gets me.

I'll let you know when I'm done and starting on the new Power Dog model!

Started Work On Gibson 2 Model!

I know, I know... I said I would start rigging the T-Boom model.

OK, so what? I got bored doing that. It's not the most fun thing in animation. Actually, in my experience, it's one of the more frustrating things in animation.

Now, model building. That's fun!

So, I took a break from rigging (funny, if you look at my earlier entries I did the same thing a million years ago) and started the next model. I decided Gibson/Power Dog will be the next model.

And here is the beginning of the new Gibson model...


Not a bad start. He's coming along rather nicely.

I think I'll finish the new models and then move on to rigging. I'm having too much fun creating the new models.

I'll post again when I finish building Gibson.

New T-Boom Model!!!

Hey everyone!

Well, the new T-Boom model is done!

As with the Thomas pics, here is a comparison of the old model with the new...


Now, I didn't purposely make the new model look better with different lighting. Like modeling, I've gotten a little better with lighting as well and the is the reason for the difference. Still, the pic shows you what was and now what is.

Also, since I had a few minutes, I created a wallpaper with the new model...


So, now I need to rig the new Thomas and T-Boom models. As you know, that will allow me to pose them. Then I'll be able to close his mouth and eyelids as well as put his arms down to his side. That will allow me check his proportions better and then I will try a test animation.

I know, I've said all this before. This is all going to take some time as I undoubtedly will find mistakes as I work, so be patient.

I'm taking the weekend off but I promise I will update you when there's something worth reporting.

Later.

T-Boom 2 With Hoodie!

I don't want to beat you to death with so many updates in one day, but I'm gonna post another updated pic of the new T-Boom model. This time, he's got his hoodie...


Only thing left is to add his sunglasses but I need to take a little break to uncross my eyes from staring at this computer for so long.

Of course, once I have the sunglasses added I'll post another pic. :)

T-Boom 2 Work In Progress!

Hey guys!

Just wanted to show you how quickly things move when you've already got the base model done.

This is what I've been able to do on T-Boom2 so far...


As you can see, once you have the base model done adding color moves pretty quickly. Despite the fact a couple of hours have passed since my last post I only started working on T-Boom about 15 minutes ago. I'm now about to start his hoodie.

That is going to take some time since I'm doing the hoodie from scratch, so I better get stared.

See ya!

Finished with Thomas2!

Alrighty!

I am declaring the new Thomas model is finally finished.

I've tweaked him ever so slightly since the last post. I softened up his face and adjusted his smile just a little. I also added some color to his cheeks and eye lids. I now believe he is done.

Here is an updated comparison pic...


And here's a pic of him all by himself...


So, now what? Simple, I now start work on the updated T-Boom model. This shouldn't take too long as I just need to add a hoodie, use the sunglasses model from the old model and color him up. One day, two at the most.

I'll post something when I've got T-Boom2 finished!

I Think I'm Finished with Thomas2!

I say "I think I'm finished" because I always have to look at the model for a couple of days before I make up my mind, but this is what I've got...


Again, the pic compares the new model with the old. I am really happy with this. I think this represents what the old model would look like had I known then what I know now about modeling, but I still am not 100% sure it's done.

So, give me a few days to make up my mind and I'll get back with you!

Updates on Thomas2 Model!

Well, I've been working on the Thomas2 model.

Basically, I've just been working on some of the things I didn't like, tweaking him here and there. This is the updated new model compared with his old model...



I think this is nearly finished. I softened up his face and now I think he's retained some of his old model charm. I'm gonna go over it one more time to see if anything stands out as needing fixed and then it's on to T-Boom2!

I'll keep you posted.