Action Hero - Gorgonna

[Marsyas]

Artist: Geoff Priest

(Thought I'd try to have some fun even if I don't finish. :P)

Gorgonna's bio-blurb:

Crippled during an attack on her lab by super-powered villians, the brilliant neuroscientist Norina Nassos sought revenge the best way she knew how: by becoming a cybernetically-powered hero. Using state-of-the-art implants of her own design, Norina transformed herself into Gorgonna, a real-life "Gorgon" fashioned after the protective deities of Greek mythology. Swapping the Gorgon's trademark head full of snakes for a vast array of sensor devices, Gorgonna's built-in tactical computer constantly feeds her detailed information on her surroundings while simultaneously tracking and predicting the motions of all hostile targets within range. The tactical computer also links directly to her nervous system, improving aim and reaction times enormously. Her arsenal consists of a high-powered bow and a wide variety of specially-tipped arrows suited to most any combat situation. To replace the legs she lost in that fateful attack, she designed a powerful snake-like tail equipped with an electric 'stinger' and additional sensors (vibration and heat) which augment her tactical computer's input. To top everything off, she implanted a powerful strobing flash in the forehead of her mask to blind opponents during battle, giving her a modern equivalent of the Gorgon's 'stony' gaze.

gorgonna_sketch.jpg (http://javascript%3cb%3e%3c/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27121361%27,%27gorgonna_sketch.jpg%27,1,0%29)

No, those aren't her boobies sticking out... those are metal cups. ;P I'll probably change her armor so that it looks more sci-fi.


Good luck all!

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wow,,,I like the articulate joints you designed on her....Very interesting and unique.. I look forward to this progression. :tu:

[Marsyas]

Made a few generic sculpts without ref just to get started.

I also recorded the sessions as zscripts so I could play them back to record them as movies. I learned two important things:

1. Zscripts don't always seem to record when you go back up to a higher subdivision level, and...

2. Always duplicate your folder with your saved files before running your zscripts because they will overwrite your files while they play!

I had to manually stick in a higher subdivision command to get my model back, hehe...

Anyways, I needed the practice for figuring out how to upload things to YouTube which I'd never done so I embedded them below.

gorgonna1.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27121497%27,%27gorgonna1.jpg%27,1,0%29)

And some play with the helmet:

gorgonna2.jpg

Generic Head Sculpt:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cBZSJjLhamo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cBZSJjLhamo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Generic Torso Sculpt:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5iigHoggtqw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5iigHoggtqw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Generic ZSphere Hand Sculpt:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cOwdcSrMfeA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cOwdcSrMfeA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

---------------------

Thanks, SolidSnakexxx! I might go with a more snake-like tail though.

[SolidSnakexxx]

Looking real nice so far..and man..without a ref... :tu: Also I really dig the helmet you have.. Nice :tu:

[Harmonic]

Nice design! I really like the helmet too, it has a great silhouette.

[luis2008]

great start. i agree with harmonic. i really like the helmet

[Marsyas]

Some retopo work on the torso so I could add more detail, and armor designs.

I tried the original Roman-inspired design first but I don't think it looks very superhero-ish, so I'm also trying something more sci-fi (she is a 'borg after all).

gorgonna3.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27121759%27,%27gorgonna3.jpg%27,1,0%29)

gorgonna4.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27121760%27,%27gorgonna4.jpg%27,1,0%29)

And some work on a more serpentine/mechanical-tentacle-type tail design:

gorgonna5.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27121768%27,%27gorgonna5.jpg%27,1,0%29)

I started with a zbrush primitive so I could use the row masking options. A neat thing I found out is that you can save the masking as an alpha and then use that alpha to reapply the mask after you've converted the primitive to a polymesh.

---------------------

SolidSnakexxx, Harmonic, luis2008: Thanks! I'm still not satisfied with the visor part of the helmet so I'll probably play with that some more.

[maxinkuk]

Nice progress, very neat use of the initialisation of ZPrimitive. It's looking very good so far. :tu::tu:

[SolidSnakexxx]

Nice update. I think the top looks voluptuous and nice.. The tail looks like its coming along real well. :tu:

[Drakelot]

Fantastic so far ... xcellent concept and great work on the body and tail !!!

[Marsyas]

Putting stuff together...

Tried a new helmet design too.

gorgonna7.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27122127%27,%27gorgonna7.jpg%27,1,0%29)

gorgonna6_arms.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27122129%27,%27gorgonna6_arms.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Will have to retopo and clean a lot of things up though.

---------------------

maxinkuk: Thanks! The primitives have a lot of hidden power.

SolidSnakexxx: Thank you!

Drakelot: Thank you!

[jp_smith]

Very nice work, this is coming together really quickly! Good job. :tu: :tu:

[maxinkuk]

Great and fast progress here. And a very strong personal touch too I'd say.
That ZSphere hand is one of the best seen here also, and there have been quite a few different solutions on display.
Will you sculpt those joints that you have in the sketch or have you decided for that other solution for the lower body instead?

[Harmonic]

Great work Marsyas, I am loving the costume design! Cant' wait to see more

[gregoconn]

This is looking really nice. I like your hard edges work, which is something that I've always struggled with personally in zbrush.

[AVTPro]

Really nice helmet and head dress.

[SolidSnakexxx]

Nice update..I like when all the tools combined. Very cool use of primitives and masking as well :tu:

[Marsyas]

Just been refining and polishing stuff for the most part. Took me a long time to figure out a satisfactory way to clean up the metal areas to my liking. I've got a method now which seems to work okay. I'll try to go into it if I have time.

Gorgonna8e.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27123100%27,%27Gorgonna8e.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Retopos for the torso and head:

Gorgonna8c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27123101%27,%27Gorgonna8c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna8d.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27123102%27,%27Gorgonna8d.jpg%27,1,0%29)

---------------------

maxinkuk: Thanks! I used to go through a lot of zsphere acrobatics to make hands but now I find that the simplest solution is easiest (I can always retopo later anyway). Also, I'm going for a more tentacle-type tail now (kinda influenced by Doc Ock's tentacles in Spiderman 2).

Harmonic: Thanks!

gregoconn: Thanks! I wrestle with hard edge stuff still too. It's taking me a long time to polish.

AVTPro: Thank you!

SolidSnakexxx: Thanks!

[skullbeast]

Sweeet update! freaking awesome! :tu: :tu: :cool:

[Moni-Poroni]

YES REALLY AMAZING !!!!
Where should I start...:)
great concept...great topology...cool details ( I love the way you´ve made them )
can´t wait to see more :)
Best wishes

[nacho_grande]

You achieved a solid topology there. Looking forward for more progress on this one.

[sirquadalot]

Excellent use of Zbrush! Looking forward to your finished sculpt.:D

[SolidSnakexxx]

Really nice retop work there, Marsyas. The Gorgonna's going to be one gorgeous entry. :)

[maxinkuk]

That's a wonderful retopo-job. Topology made with love. Do you find retopology relaxing? I do sometimes actually.

[Hex0254]

Man I real like the armor... it's like Gladiator meets Stargate. Keep up the great work.

[jp_smith]

Very solid, clean sculpt and wonderful design, I love it. :tu: :tu:

[Marsyas]

Progress was pretty slow this week. Did a retopo and cleanup on her arms and started the stinger. There's a good chance I might not finish by the deadline but I'll try to finish anyway.

Gorgonna9a.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27124131%27,%27Gorgonna9a.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna9b.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27124132%27,%27Gorgonna9b.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Turned to good ole' Z2 for the stinger:

Gorgonna9c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27124133%27,%27Gorgonna9c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

---------------------

skullbeast, Moni-Poroni, nacho_grande, sirquadalot, SolidSnakexxx, Hex0254, jp_smith: Thanks all for the encouraging words!

maxinkuk: Thanks! Retopo-ing is fun until I hit snags and the brain cloud takes over... ;)

[SolidSnakexxx]

Nice Stinger.. I like the creative use of ZSphere to create the cool stuff. and your Retopo work's amazing. :tu: :tu:

[Harmonic]

Wow beautiful retopo work. Ah good old Z2 back in the day when the box modeling tools worked. :confused:

[Moni-Poroni]

Fantastic work indeed ! I love the way you´ve used the Zspheres for the stinger :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Marsyas]

Got some detailing done on the upper body. Still have lots to go though...

Gorgonna10.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27124244%27,%27Gorgonna10.jpg%27,1,0%29)

---------------------

SolidSnakexxx, Harmonic, Moni-Poroni: Thanks, guys!

[Harmonic]

Wow that is looking beautiful. You are doing a great job with the details.

The shape of her breasts seems off to me though, they seem a bit to scrunched up onto the top of her chest. I think it would look better if they where shaped a bit more naturally.

[Nattawat_OBBI]

Great work, I really like your sculpting style :tu:

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wow, just love the clean/crisp lines and details on this model. So beautiful and elegant looking. :tu: :tu:

[Marsyas]

More stuff...

Gorgonna11.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27124400%27,%27Gorgonna11.jpg%27,1,0%29)

---------------------

Harmonic: Thanks! The suit is actually supposed to be somewhat rigid and is restricting her boobage. ;) I went ahead and tried giving them a bit more sag though (as well as some junk in the trunk, lol) Thanks for the suggestion!

Nattawat_OBBI: Thank you!

SolidSnakexxx: Thanks, SolidSnakexxx!

[spaceboy412]

so glad to see you entered, i had thought you were not going to this time, love the design and look, so damned clean argh! very sexy, i love the detailing even down to the palms. can't wait to see what you're going to do with the hair/snakes. love those shoulder pads as well.

my only crit is that the transition from the tail to the stinger seems weak/abrupt, its just strange to me and does not flow as well as the rest of the design.

[Captain Sensible]

Wow... that's real nice. Somehow this is the first time I've looked at this! It's certainly not gonna be the last! :tu:

[Marsyas]

A bit of work on the tail... trying to soften the transition from the torso. And a test with a Zsphere 'rig' in ZBrush 2 for the hair (I really don't want to transpose each and every one...).

The hair will be problematic... polycounts will soar. I'll eventually add more connecting zspheres to smooth out the bends and import the base mesh for each strand into the full subdiv versions in Z3...

If you're interested in how to 'rig' stuff like this with zspheres in Z2, I have some zscripts in this old thread: http://www.pixolator.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=38188 They won't work in Z3 though.

Gorgonna12c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27124980%27,%27Gorgonna12c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna12.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27124981%27,%27Gorgonna12.jpg%27,1,0%29)

---------------------

spaceboy412: Thanks! I wasn't going to enter originally but had fun sketching out ideas a few weeks in. And you're right about the stinger--I still have work to do down there.

Captain Sensible: Thanks!

[skullbeast]

Cool update!!! Maybe some more focus on her weapon of stone. :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :D

[SolidSnakexxx]

Just love the hair rigging with ZSphere....It's so beautiful the to work's so clean too. Simply awesome :tu: So you are using both Z2 and Z3.1?

[KrakenCMT]

Very clean and cool! Love how you did her eyes!

[therasoft]

Fantastic design and use of line and hard edges.
One of my favorites. I really like the concept a lot.
How long have you been at zbrush??

Keep u the great work.

[Marsyas]

I've been playing around with her arsenal. Lots of edge-loop modeling and ZBrush's 'unique' box-modeling methods for the quiver and arrow. Drove me kinda batty so I decided to return to sculpting for the bow (which also drove me kinda batty cuz it took so long to cleanup...).

Gorgonna14c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27125806%27,%27Gorgonna14c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna14b.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27125807%27,%27Gorgonna14b.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna14d.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27125808%27,%27Gorgonna14d.jpg%27,1,0%29)

These are the quiver and arrow before I adjusted them to fit the character model. Probably would have help if I'd sketched them out on the character first.

Gorgonna14.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27125809%27,%27Gorgonna14.jpg%27,1,0%29)

The quiver kinda makes me think of a banjo as it is now... Which I find kinda funny but don't know if it's a good thing.

---------------------

skullbeast: Thanks! The 'stone' weapon is in the middle of her forehead. It's just a really powerful flash though, to blind people. Her arrows have a variety of abilities however.

SolidSnakexxx: Thanks! Yeah, Z2 is so much nicer for zspheres and box modeling so I still turn to it every now and then.

KrakenCMT: Thank you!

therasoft: Thanks! I got ZBrush shortly before version 2 came out (though I got it in anticipation of v.2's release).

[jp_smith]

Very nice a hi tech Medusa masterpiece....Green Arrow would be envious of her arsenal of archery. :)

[sirquadalot]

Awesome, Awesome, and a Awesome! Love the hard edge modeling! :cool:

[JUPITER]

I love your geometric forms,the sculpting is Awesome!!Look's great ;)

[maxinkuk]

Unbelievable. Bravo!!!

[Harmonic]

Wow those accessories look incredible! Really clean beautiful work. I love the bow, it is fantastic! :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: I think the arrow holder could use a bit of spicing up, it is a bit plain.

[petekasim]

!!!!!!:eek:


The work on her accessories, especially that bow is AWESOME! I literally just involuntarily said "WOW" out loud! That doesn't happen very often!

I love this character, so meticulously done, it's just stunning

Eager to see the pose, Marsyas! Best of luck :)

[SolidSnakexxx]

Wow, the accessories and how you created them are just spectacular. :tu:

[piz]

Awesome Design Dude!!! :cool: :tu:

[Marsyas]

Just an update on the quiver and the back of her neck.

I used a technique I seem to remember Meats Meier using--I selected some polys on the quiver, masked the rest, saved a morph target, used a deform (inflate), and then created a difference mesh, which I then added to the base mesh. I also played around with the gear primitive and made a small 'bolt' with a few zspheres.

For the diagonal slashes, I only subdivided those particular polys using Local Subdivision (to keep the poly count low), and then used the Slash brush.

I'll probably make some straps for the quiver next.

Gorgonna14e.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27126022%27,%27Gorgonna14e.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna14f.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27126023%27,%27Gorgonna14f.jpg%27,1,0%29)


---------------------

jp_smith: Thanks! :)

sirquadalot: Thank you!

JUPITER: Thanks! I like using simple geometric forms.

maxinkuk: Thanks! I'm still blown away by that grapple gun of yours.

Harmonic: Thank you! I agreed and worked on it more. :)

petekasim: Thanks, petekasim! Don't be fooled by the small jpgs though--I'd still like to clean that bow up some more. :)

SolidSnakexxx: Thank you!

piz: Thanks, piz! :D

[spaceboy412]

totally loving this, can't wait to see it posed and painted. i always loved the gorgon from mythology.
i use that morph/difference technique all the time too.
do you plan on getting this 3d printed?

[wethand]

woah! nice one!
ask myself how i could miss this entry until now...
so nice! the armor looks awesome! like it very much!

[SolidSnakexxx]

Really fine works on the quiver... man I can't imagine how much planning you went through to get to this stage! :tu: :tu:

[Harmonic]

That is looking absolutely incredible! Really top notch work! :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

[piz]

Great Update Man! :tu:

[Moni-Poroni]

Oh oh oh!!!
Can´t believe my eyes. :) :) :)
GREAT! AWESOME! EXCELLENT! :tu:
Superclean work!
Kudos to you!

[MINTY]

This is superb. I would love to know how to get hard edges like that.:tu:

[Marsyas]

Some more details and doo-dads:

Gorgonna15a.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27126739%27,%27Gorgonna15a.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna15b.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27126740%27,%27Gorgonna15b.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna15c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27126741%27,%27Gorgonna15c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Progress has been really slow... Doubt I'll finish in time. I'm not really interested in rushing things though so I might just let the deadline pass by.

---------------------

spaceboy412: Thanks! Would be cool to get a print but I'm not really thinking about it at the moment. I'd worry about having to clean up the geometry too...

wethand: Thank you!

SolidSnakexxx: Thanks! The real problem is that I don't plan enough--and end up going back and forth on a lot of things.

Harmonic: Thanks!

piz: Thanks, piz!

Moni-Poroni: Thank you!

MINTY: Thanks! Mostly it's just a whole lot of work... :P

[threetails]

some of the best box modeling on here, i'm taking notes, good work, look forward to seeing it posed up.

[wethand]

mindkicking technique.... nice detail... nothing more to say!

[Captain Sensible]

Looking awesome! Great to see your use of ZSpheres! :tu:

[raguyarts]

Very clean modeling :tu:

[Marsyas]

The dreaded 'do... and mask tweaking.

Way too much work... had to use a lower rez version to keep poly counts low too. Even tried retopoing the base unit but ended up selectively dividing certain areas with local subdivision.

The last pic is the zsphere rig I made in Z2 to position the strands.

Gorgonna16a.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127171%27,%27Gorgonna16a.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna16b.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127172%27,%27Gorgonna16b.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna16c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127173%27,%27Gorgonna16c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna16d.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127174%27,%27Gorgonna16d.jpg%27,1,0%29)


---------------------

threetails: Thanks! Dunno if I'll finish posing before the deadline...

wethand: Thanks you!

Captain Sensible: Thanks!

raguyarts: Thanks! It's been quite a challenge...

[gtiber]

Sick zbrush detailing ! Very inspiring.

[piz]

Rally Great Buddy!

I love how you model all completely in Z!!! All my respect!
When you are ready just a little posture study, render and... Top Row (I hope...) !!!

Ciao! :tu: :cool:

[jp_smith]

Dude you are the absolute master of zspheres! You've done things with this model that I didn't think possible in zbrush, very impressive! :tu: :tu:

[SolidSnakexxx]

Very cool technique of ZSphere rigging.. the strands are looking marvelous...certainly you are the master of ZSphere like JP stated! :tu: :tu:

[Juggertha]

Wow, massively impressive.

[Etcher]

Awesome technique! :tu: !

[Marsyas]

Just some renders.

I won't be finishing the contest so I thought I'd goof off. Dunno if I'll work on this character anymore--I kinda feel like I got what I needed out of it. All in all, I'm pretty content, even if I didn't finish.

Anyway, good luck to everyone else! And thanks for stopping by.

Gorgonna17a.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127619%27,%27Gorgonna17a.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna17b.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127620%27,%27Gorgonna17b.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna17c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127621%27,%27Gorgonna17c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna17d.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127622%27,%27Gorgonna17d.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna17e.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27127623%27,%27Gorgonna17e.jpg%27,1,0%29)


---------------------


gtiber: Thank you! Glad to inspire.

piz: Thanks, piz! I was just trying to have fun and get some practice, but thanks for the encouraging words.

jp_smith: Thanks! I just hope they fix zspheres in the next update so I don't have to keep using Z2.

SolidSnakexxx: Thanks, SolidSnakexxx!

Juggertha: Thank you!

Etcher: Thank you!

[jp_smith]

wow i'm really sorry you won't be finishing her, she's totally amazing. :D Fantastic character and execution.

[industripop]

wow, this is beautiful---no need to rush it for a contest! any chance of getting you to do a basic zbrush hard modeling tutorial?

[spaceboy412]

no!! you have to at least pose this awesome model. btw nice to see someone else who makes use of the low poly box modeling techniques. your sculps are always so beautiful.

[SolidSnakexxx]

Oh..man..oh..no...you've been doing so great...It would be ashamed not to complete it :cry: ...at least in your own time... Please...I'd love to see Gorgonna in full action...and in color!

[Moni-Poroni]

I was so glad to see an update of her in your other thread! :)
You did some amazing things with Zspheres and the deformation palette.
And your work is so clean. Great!

[Etcher]

Hi Marsyas! I'm so glad you're finishing her in your thread, she's cool man! :tu: !

[Marsyas]

Here's an update with color. I was posting updates in my sketch thread while the Action Hero threads were locked.

Congrats to the winners!

Gorgonna23a.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27131544%27,%27Gorgonna23a.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna23b.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27131545%27,%27Gorgonna23b.jpg%27,1,0%29)

---------------------

jp_smith: Thanks! I decided to work on her some more. :) Congrats on your win!

industripop: Thank you! I've been thinking of doing tuts if I ever learn how to use some screen capture software first--getting tired of writing things out. :P

spaceboy412: Thanks! I dread the resculpting which goes along with posing but I'll probably try it out.

SolidSnakexxx: Thank you! And congrats!

Moni-Poroni: Thanks, Moni-Poroni! I learned a lot from this contest. :tu:

Etcher: Thanks, Etcher!

[jackdaniels666]

That looks great, I'm glad you kept working on this character after the contest. :tu:

[jp_smith]

Beautiful work...I'm so sorry you didn't finish in time.

[pitchepuck]

wow!
too bad that you didn´t finished this in time !!!!!!!!! it´s phantastic sculpting!
I like the mask! realy cool design :tu:

martin

[Marsyas]

Started posing... Still have a lot of massaging to do though. I need to paint and finish up the bow too.

Gorgonna24a.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27131803%27,%27Gorgonna24a.jpg%27,1,0%29)

I changed the pose from the sketch because the original pose seemed to fit a closeup better than a full body shot.

---------------------

jackdaniels666: Thank you! Me too. I thought plenty about giving up.

jp_smith: Thanks! I don't really mind though--I just used this contest as an excuse to get my motor running again.

pitchepuck: Thanks, pitchepuck!

[jaystein777]

This is so nice, thanks for sharing all of the techniques.

[Benjw703]

Excellent work on a unique and beautiful character! I'm also glad you keep going on it. I really like the pose so far. Keep up the awesome work!:tu: :tu:

[SolidSnakexxx]

Marsyas, this is getting more and more amazing..glad you keep updating Gorgona

[spaceboy412]

looking amazing! normally i don't say this but i hope it makes top row, especially for your use of all zbrush, zspheres etc.
really too bad about not making it by the contest deadline.

[SalmonGod]

I love your texturing on this character... it seems very rare to me that adding color to a model actually enhances its sense of form without drowning out details, and you've accomplished that here

[Moni-Poroni]

Great update! Whom is she going to shoot? :)

[Etcher]

So cool Marsyas! Again, lookin' forward to the update! :tu:

[Marsyas]

Still plugging away... I want to finish up already but keep seeing little things that bug me...

Gorgonna26f.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27132810%27,%27Gorgonna26f.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna28a.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27132805%27,%27Gorgonna28a.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna28b.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27132806%27,%27Gorgonna28b.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna28c.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27132807%27,%27Gorgonna28c.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna28d.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27132808%27,%27Gorgonna28d.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Gorgonna28e.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27132809%27,%27Gorgonna28e.jpg%27,1,0%29)

Thanks for looking!

---------------------

jaystein777: Thank you!

Benjw703: Thanks!

SolidSnakexxx: Thanks, and congrats! Hope to see a pic of your print some day.

spaceboy412: Thanks! It's kind of you to say so. I really need to start taking advantage of my Modo license after this though...

SalmonGod: Thanks! That probably comes from my history painting fantasy miniatures as a kid (mostly Games Workshop stuff). With miniatures you have to enhance the details through your paint job (using washes, drybrushing, and blacklining mostly...).

Moni-Poroni: Thanks! Maybe Perseus. ;)

Etcher: Thanks, Etcher!

[GregStrangis]

Wow, Everything is so well done, and extremely clean as well, Looks great:tu: :tu: :tu:

[Moni-Poroni]

I´m an ego -- as long as it´s not me, everything´s fine. ;)

Great update! Very impressive as usual! :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Etcher]

Hi Marsyas! Again, an impressive update! The bow looks awesome. quote"Still plugging away... I want to finish up already but keep seeing little things that bug me..." ... the eternal struggle of an artist between his work and his mind... . You're not the only one with that problem I guess :) , but take your time man, the sculpt is coming along fine! I hope you're gonna' put her against an opponent :tu: ! ( Hey, thank you so much for checkin' out my latest sketches, glad you like :) )

[Marsyas]

Well, I think I need to move on now so here are some final renders. :P

I ultimately decided not to do any post-work other than resizing and sharpening, to keep it all ZBrush.

Gorgonna32a.jpg

Gorgonna32b.jpg

Gorgonna32c.jpg

Gorgonna32d.jpg

Gorgonna32e.jpg

Gorgonna32g.jpg

Gorgonna32h.jpg

This just shows how I control perspective, in lieu of ZBrush 2's global perspective. Nothing fancy--just some extra subtools to change the midpoint of the whole model. I usually like the midpoint to be around eye-level for characters. The only problem with this method is that it increases the draw size of the whole model, preventing uber large renders. I used to use global perspective in ZBrush 2, as shown in this thread: http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=27413

Gorgonna33a.jpg

Anyway, thanks for watching!

(Yeah, I skipped the turntable and stuff--mostly for technical reasons. :P Basically I couldn't produce a satisfactory result balancing compression/size/gamma... I did learn how to use some screen capture software though, so I might use that to explain techniques later).

---------------------

GregStrangis: Thank you!

Moni-Poroni: Haha, thanks!

Etcher: Thank you! Yeah, I'm a perfectionist to a fault. :P At some point I think it's best to move on and just continue to learn on the next piece.

[ncollings]

sweet i like your design :tu:

[maxinkuk]

Fantastic result Marsyas, it really looks so beautiful, the painting is very tasteful. All completely balanced, in all senses.

[jp_smith]

She looks awesome, nice work. :tu: :tu:

[SalmonGod]

really neat character... very creative... crisp modeling... and the coloring is so pleasing to the eye and enhances the details of the model... I love it

[pitchepuck]

too bad you couldn´t finish it in time!! it´s realy fantastic :) :tu:

[spaceboy412]

really great, i'm so glad you finished it, lovely, wish i had it on my desk.

[Marsyas]

ncollings: Thank you!

maxinkuk: Thanks a lot, maxinkuk! I'm always chasing after perfect balance--drives me loopy sometimes.

jp_smith: Thanks, jp_smith! Your entry was an inspiration during the contest.

SalmonGod: Thanks a lot!

pitchepuck: Thank you, pitchepuck! I was stunned by the realism of your final entry first time I saw it.

spaceboy412: Thanks, spaceboy412! Would be cool to make a print if it came out with all the colors and materials... Probably some day soon, considering how fast the technology is developing.

[- FoOD -]

She looks awesome...great work on the texture man ..top notch:D:tu:

[Etcher]

Hi Marsyas! Congrats on finishing the sculpt! It is a beautiful piece. Thanks for the perspective tips :tu: !

[Marsyas]

- FoOD -: Thanks, - FoOD -! I really want to get all loose and sketchy now and do stuff like your cool 'quick noodles'...

Etcher: Thanks, Etcher! I hope they bring back Global Perspective... :)

[Captain Sensible]

Wow! I really like your updates and well done on continuing your work after the deadline! Looks damn great! :tu:

[Marsyas]

A Turntable! :) With Perspective Shift!

I had an idea how to animate a shift in perspective with a turntable so I thought I'd try it out on Gorgonna. Basically, I used a cylinder the same height as Gorgonna and animated it's movement on a 3D layer to change the bounds of the entire model, thus changing perspective. Also, I applied an all-black texture to the model, disabled UVs on all subtools but the cylinder, and activated 'Texture>Transparent' to make the cylinder invisible.

The second video shows the animation of the cylinder--I simply started each element on separate sides of the document and then had them travel across to the other side, thus keeping the horizon in the middle.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5_-xoOYxHKU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5_-xoOYxHKU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dOq2QmFsF5k&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dOq2QmFsF5k&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

On a separate note, I fiddled around with compression, size, etc... and found that PNG video compression actually worked pretty well when posting to YouTube. Also, the document size has to actually be 1284x964 to yield a 640x480 video at half-size; apparently ZBrush clips a few pixels when rendering videos at 'AAHalf' size.

Thanks for looking!

---------------------

Captain Sensible: Thanks! :)

[threetails]

that look great, nice work. and by the way some of my favorite hard surface work form the contest...

[Captain Sensible]

Simply wonderful work! Thanks for the vids :tu:

[Moni-Poroni]

Hey Marsyas, cool video! Thanks for sharing! And I agree -- you´ve some awesome-nifty hard surface skills!
Are we going to see some cool new things from you soon? :)

[dustbin1_uk]

VERY NICE MODEL!!

Shame this one didn't make it to the deadline. 5* from me!

[maxinkuk]

Great tips as always, I must try this one.
And Gorgonna is so stylish, really nice to see him turning down like that. Would do a really great print.

[Marsyas]

Thanks, guys! I attached a brush I made while working on Gorgonna which helped me make some of the clean lines. It's a sorta variant of the Slash2 brush which pinches on one side. Here's a description:

edgepinch_brush.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:zb_insimg%28%27144253%27,%27edgepinch_brush.jpg%27,1,0%29)

The pinch flips sides and carves inward when you hold the 'alt' key so it's easy to refine both sides of the stroke.

Also, as I mention in the image, you can simply sketch with the brush--no need for lazy mouse or anything. In fact, the lines in the image above were built up with multiple strokes.

The reference to a macro is simply to make sculpting easier--like with the Slash2 brush, the direction of your stroke controls the shape of your brush.

---------------------

threetails: Thanks! It was a good learning experience. :)

Captain Sensible: Thank you!

Moni-Poroni: Thanks! :) My output of 'cool things' has slowed a bit as of late. ;)

dustbin1_uk: Thanks, dustbin1_uk!

maxinkuk: Thanks again, maxinkuk!