sketchbook

[fj8e5la]

Here is some base mesh I imported by using a surface modeling application:



when exporting to a polymesh, a surfaced model, stitched will not be processed as a single polygon mesh but just some seperated surfaces processed to appear as a polygon remodeled surface. Now, when dividing or working in zbrush, it sometimes happens, that the original surfaces do not stick together as a polygon basemesh but are drawn apart from each other (as shown on the crown images on the last page). Is there a way to have them stick together or remelt without detail loss for further detailing in zbrush?

[fj8e5la]

I now faced the same problems in my 3dsmax trial version when not applying the "crease" button on a polygon base mesh. Rigging was as far as I have seen successful.

[fj8e5la]

Here's some more of my getting started with hard surface work:























maxilla of miscellaneous (fictive) ornithopod:

[bomoh]

I really like where you're going with arachnobot. Love the size of that thing!

[fj8e5la]

Size is necessity for driving it by a human. The hard surface is a bit difficult to handle with masks in my second robot (not finished yet). Looks a bit organically-weird. I'd prefer zbrush's next version coming with a 4 window working area option as featured with (almost?) all CAD applications what makes it easier to work with technical structures. Nicholson was best Joker. Nice bust.

[fj8e5la]

Upload of turntable.mov failed as invalid filetype:

[fj8e5la]

Here´s some new work:

A penguin:



seals:



Image is showing a seal (left top), a manatee (left bottom) and a human (not done by myself) to scale (right).

balaenturus - an amphibian open-sea dwelling creature growing up to 15 meters in length and wing span. Balaenturus are semi-aquatic to aquatic and feed on plankton. During mating season, female balaenturus come ashore in order to lay 5-30 eggs as we are used to observe in terran sea turtles. Hatchlings are 25-30 inches in length and move like a caterpillar when heading towards sea, where they stay till maturity at the age of 10-12 years. We assume that balaenturus specimens can reach ages beyond 100 years.



This is some kind of climbing bird and the first time, I ran out of memory when placing the zsketch. I had to restart zbrush. It was quite tricky to place all the limbs and claws without using different subtools. So one can see that the toes look more like crossed roots of a tree. It is thought to represent a creature climbing tree trunks:



The brown mantosphyrna is an ambush-predatory insectoid species hunting at night when it can benefit from it's body-heat vision:



It preys on species like resting birds:



green mantosphyrna - about the same size as brown mantosphyrna, green mantoshpyrna lives in the higher regions of trees, where it stays hidden as an ambush predatory insectiod creature preying on monkeys and flying-by birds. Other than the brown mantosphyrna it sometimes hunts during daytime hiddden between leaves piercing incoming birds. Except for mating season, it is rather solitary and cannibalistic and will attack specimens encountered, whereas the brown mantosphyrna can sometimes be found peacefully resting next to another on a tree trunk. Like all matosphyrnas, the green mantosphyrna is able to visualize bodyheat.
Both, the brown and green mantosphyrna are not capable of flight but will be able to outrun any human or creature of a human's velocity. Mantosphyrnae hereby can reach about the speed of terran horses at short distance (about 100 meters).
Scientists assume that mantosphyrna, which is the largest predatory insectoid creature in the eco system, has reached that size praying on mammals such as mice and deer later on, when hanging with it's head facing downwards on a branch or tree trunk.
During evolution, mantosphyrnae have become the tree dwelling apex predator which is mainly subject to their insectoid origin and climbing abilities.



praying mantosphyrna - the praying mantosphyrna is a mid-sized species living in the tree tops. Due to it's size, it is a rather common appearance.
Some consider it harmless for prey of human size but we recommend not to approach when encountered as mantosphyrnae can get quite ferocious. Some individuals might have disappeared during an attack by this species which can be observed resting or hunting in packs of usually 3-5 individuals on larger human sized prey.



ghost mantosphyrna - the ghost mantosphyrna is a mid sized species capable of flight. One to two months before mating season, they grow wings to search for their sexual counterpart. Ghost mantosphyrna usually rests and preys inside or on the blossom of the high rain forest trees, totally adapted to their white color. Usual prey are formiculavians seeking nectar. Those blossom make a superb shelter, growing 2 meters in length and about 40 inches in diameter. Sometimes, during a storm or lightning, ghost mantosphyrna is burned or carried away in it's habitat blossom what results in a high reproduction rate. Ghost mantosphyrna spends it's entire life insinde or on a blossom when not striving for copulation. Ghost mantosphyrna has developed powerful aft limbs for jumping short distances (about 10-15 meters) hunting prey. Ghost matosphyrna lives solitary and cannibalistic except for mating season. Therefore, it may cause serious, sometimes deadly injuries on humans but will in general not consider them as prey or hunt them outside the blossoms.



mantosphyrna stick insect - mantosphyrna stick insect is a small- mid-sized species of mantosphyrnidae that is sometimes found in the outer regions of tree tops where it pretends twigs. Mantosphyrna stick insect is a very social species, often found to live in colonies of up to 50 individuals. It preys on samller birds, mammals and insectoid species. Same as ghost mantosphyrna, the mantosphyrna stick insect is capable of flight.



common formiculavian - an insectoavian flying creature feeding on nectar of giant rain forest trees. The common formiculavian lives in colonies of up to 100 individuals. Usually, their shelter consists of a nest in an excavated tree where predatory creatures, such as the large mantosphyrna species cannot follow them. However, smaller species are able to do so and usually face the formiculavian's acid spray. All formiculavian are able to spray acid from their abdomen, a reason, why scientists decided to name them formiculavians. Formiculavians do not have a queen or working form as is common in terran ants, bees and wasps, so they can relocate individually by simply splitting the swarm or fly somewhere else after copulation in a time of famine.



decorated formiculavian - a larger species of formiculavian with a more recognizeable decoration. The decorated formiculavian lives in colonies of up to 100 individuals. Usual shelter consits of a nest in an excavated tree. Due to the decorated formiculavian's size, predatory creatures, such as small specimen of mantosphyrna are able to enter their shelter but are then attacked by formiculavians spraying acid.



roundtail formiculavian - another of the various species of formiculavians.



formiculavian beetlebug - the formiculavaian beetlebug is a very bulky version on formiculavian and a close relative to the roundtail formiculavian.



wedge-tailed formiculavian - another of the various species of formiculavians.



soft-winged formiculavian - an almost humanoid looking species of formiculavian.



variations on cattle:







six limbed pig:



cerocasuarius - herbivorous cerocasuarius has setteled the ecological niche of the terran rhinoceros. Almost same size, it does attack rivals or predators by ramming with the boney front of it's skull. Male cerocasuarius, as the species was named for, carry a horn for decortaion which will appear in bright colors during mating season. Having reached maturity in the age of 6-8 years, the horn will start to grow till it has reached the final stage. Female cerocasuarius do not carry any horns. The animal is hexapod although it will raise on 4 aft limbes for fighting or in order to reach leaves. The species is rather bird than mammal, rated by it´s skeleton and skin. Cerocasuarius lives in herds of 5-15 individuals with chicks. When attacked, like terran buffalo, the cerocasuarius arange in circle formation with their heads facing the threat.



endemic hippo - endemic hippo is a close to terran hippo mammal with a great shovel-shaped nose for building burrows. It is herbivorous and lives in herds up to 10 individuals with calfs. When not resting in it's burrow, the endemic hippo will stay semi-aquatic. Sometimes, it uses the shovel-like nose for uprooting plants the species is feeding on.



giant slug - unlike anything else, invertrebrate animals such as slugs have grown to an enormous size (as was seen in terran suropodomorpha) in the eco system and are the only nimals of it's size that can climb trees. Scientists think that one reason is the early development of legs in such a simple organism. Unlike terran slugs, theese slugs have another tissue arrangement that con not or hardly be pierced.If something penetrates skin, the rubber-like tissue closes wound and heals within a remarkably short time Giant slugs are semi-aquatic omnivores that will feed on plants or carcasses. There is no report yet, of a giant slug hunting living animals. Giant slugs are slow but will accelerate in open water where it can benefit from a strong tail. Although an invertebrate organism, it is using soft tissue bones and muscles by evaluating fluid preassure in certain body structures what makes the animal very flexible. When not in use, the limbs are drawn into the body and the slug will rest or crawl. Giant slugs are seldom seen to travel in herds but sometimes responsible for severe impact on environment.