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3D Modeling Tips?   
sarako

sarako


 visit sarako's website: Zenzoa
  8/2/2006

I've been learning Blender, but it's a bit tricky to make the rendered sprites look right in Creatures 3 and Docking Station. Do those with experience have any tips for 3D modeling? Specifically I'm looking for what types of lighting to use, where to place the lights, and how to position the camera.

. . .

Sarah Gould
(once known as Moonlite)

Visit Zenzoa

 
Jacob

Jacob



  8/2/2006

Heya! Welcome! The blender expert in the CC would be Spook, I'll direct him too this topic for you. :)

Not really active around these parts anymore.
 
Moe

Moe


 visit Moe's website: Creatures 2 to Docking Station
  8/2/2006

Excellent! More 3D modelers! :D
I'm no blender expert but there are some simple interchangable techniques.

A tip of the trade, make sure there is no pure black on your textures, or in your shadows. This sounds like a given, but you'd be surprised how many people don't check and end up with holes in their sprites. Also, good way to help with black outlines in your sprites is to put a light behind the object so the edges are clearly distinguishable from the background.

For lighting, I prefer to start with a basic light in the upper right corner of the scene moved forward slightly. A secondary light in the lower left corner of a different and interesting color that compliments the object. And a light behind the object as mentioned earlier.

 
Julia

Julia



  8/3/2006

I want to too!!!



 
Jacob

Jacob



  8/3/2006

Want to what, Julia?

Not really active around these parts anymore.
 
Spook

Spook


 visit Spook's website: Moose In Cake Form
  8/3/2006

Hi, Sarako!

I'm glad to see more people interested in Blender. To answer your questions, as far as lighting, Usually I use a similar setup to what Moe just said. I use all regular lamps, one up in the top right corner, one slightly below the center towards the back on the right, and another also below the center on the left, with a color. I usually use blue or orange for a color, but it really depends on what you're modeling. Oh, also, the lamps shouldn't be any brighter than .50 on the intensity slider. To make agents that look right in any of the Creatures games, you'll need to have the camera render orthographically. (which means without perspective) To do that, place the camera directly in front of your model, and then, with the camera still selected, go to the edit tab. There should be a big button that says "Orthographic" on it. Click that, and then go back to your camera, and see if it needs to be adjusted more. I hope that helps. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. :)

 
Wup

Wup



  8/3/2006

Mmmmm, never heard of Blender. I use Anim8or.

ps. I haven't played Monster Raannnrrrnnchhdoggy
 
sarako

sarako


 visit sarako's website: Zenzoa
  8/9/2006

I finally got around to testing this lighting setup with new Home Spray graphics. However, it still doesn't seem quite right in game; perhaps too shiny. I'm trying to do as little post-render editing as possible. Do you have a Blender file, Spook, so that I can see more exactly how you placed the lamps?

. . .

Sarah Gould
(once known as Moonlite)

Visit Zenzoa

 


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