New Project: Dragon

[DMerchen]

Here is my new project. I am probably going to try and texture him a little different. I was mainly just messing around and playing in Texturemaster. I wanted to try and recreate some of the great renders I have seen here lately to debut this guy. :( No, I am not happy with it. I would love it if I could figure out why the edges are so jagged. I used the pixtest light settings I downloaded earlier for this render. Any ideas for improvement would be greatly appreciated. I will of course place this guy into an appropriate setting. Something is just wrong. :( Please let me know what you think.
Thanks, Dave http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1031289823sdj.jpg

[DLee]

He looks great to me.

Did you try turning the rays on to about 9? That sure cut out a lot of jaggies for me.

I hope someone does a good tut on these neat lighting tricks. I'm still struggling to figure them out.

[Stonecutter]

First I think the work is great! :tu: :)
Second, how large a size document do you work in? I usually do at least 2000 X 1500 as a minimum, and then resize the image down...If you do that, jaggies are definitely history! ;)

Great lil' dragon! :tu: :tu: :tu:

[DMerchen]

Thanks for the tip about resizing. I have done that with other apps, but I haven't done it with ZBrush yet. Don't know where my brain is sometimes. One other thing I wanted to point out, and see if anyone else has seen this. Look about 3/4 down the picture on the edges. Do you see the slightly darker and wider items on both edges? Anyone else seen these before? Thanks for the compliments guys! I've been struggling with this one trying to achieve that look. Not sure which look that is, but trying to achieve it. :)

[Tag]

He looks really cute and the modelling turned out very well! I picture a baby dragon breaking out of his egg or with his position he may be happily playing with something unseen. I look forward to seeing updates on this one!

SC already gave great advice about the jaggies. I usually do my modelling and texturing at the default 640 x 480, hit double twice when I start a new document to place everything, then resize down to 1024 x 768 after render/export for the final image.

Where the darker shadows are looks like areas where he is closer to the canvas. I not really good about lighting and shadows yet, but would recommend trying with ZMode on for shadows and with ZMode off, to see which looks better.

[Slosh]

Way too cute! Much better than my dragon, which I just posted.

[JOHNVQ3]

:) I was waiting for his appearance 'D' ITS a really cool dragon, sometimes after I BAKE the image with jaggies and all I USE the blur brush with low intensity to smooth them out, hope this helps :tu: :tu: :tu:

[aurick]

The trick to getting "that look" is actually in two parts. The first is the lighting, which you already have. The second part is your material Diffuse Curve.

Try changing the curve so that the left side dot is about 2/3 of the way up the side. The right side dot should be all the way at the top. Connecting them should be a straight line. As a result, the graph is almost completely filled with white except for a triangle in the top left.

The material looks awful in the preview, but when the Global Shadows are rendered it ends up having that trademark high end "look".

[DMerchen]

Thanks for the comments and tips. They shall be used well! Thanks, more to come. :)

[DMerchen]

I had to work all weekend, so there was no Z time. Glad the weekend is over. Now that sounded odd. I am just working this guy over a bit with a few noticeable improvements, I hope. Many people to thank for their help, so it might sound like an awards show.

Tag- -for the idea of the different colors! :D
Stonecutter- -for the basics, render big, resize small
Aurick- -for "the look" assistance
Mentat- -for the material posted yesterday

Thanks all, and now I can contiue with my project. :D
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1031657906flb.jpg

[Digits]

Heh, makes me want to tickle his belly :)

[KingSalami]

I like the teeth

[Tag]

I really like the lighter shades on the update. He has more of a babyish cutsey look. The material has a lighter softer look as well. Can't wait to see more :tu:

[rhom]

I think we've got an extreme case of cuteness-well done!

[ed_the_atom]

Hell I see models like this and I wish I had the time to try and be as good....excellent. :tu: :tu: :tu:

[DMerchen]

The responses from all of you guys are overwhelming. I have to admit I look at all of your drawings and think the same as Ed. Someday I will be as good. Thanks! More to come. :)

[juandel]

joy!!!! i am too curious to see where you will put the - err - puppy? gonzo? :D :tu: :tu: :tu:

- juandel

[Grub]

Too cute indeed! impressive modelling Dmerchen you're on to a winner. :) :tu: :tu: :tu:

[DMerchen]

Hello again! I haven't posted in a while since I have been working my butt off at my real job. Boy, to have a job doing this! Anyway, I am finally coming back to this guy since I have had this idea in my head for quite some time as to what I wanted to do with my baby dragon. I am working on the background, and here is something I put together. Don't worry, this will of course change because I am not happy with it. But, I am looking for feedback as always. Thanks again for the help from so many! :) http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1032763133khn.jpg

Dave

[drjjwow]

wowzer these guys are really cute.. and they look like their having fun.

[DeeVee]

Very well done. You got very good advice from everyone. Especially about working at a large size. It make all the difference in the world.