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Windy's Little Vector Forge...again

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Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

I'd altered the sword to the leaves look because you pointed out that the sword was intended to have a leaf/tree motif. At the time, I had felt that the original concept didn't really fit that. If you like, I'll try and do a bit of a compromise, since I personally like the hiltwork on the concept sketch better.

On the other hand, I'd have to point out that the leaves motif on this sword isn't really as plain as it looks. Both wreaths curve around the blade and are slightly angled outward, it's a very subtle effect but oh well. Next time I have time to model, I'll see if I can't whip up a more 'curved' look like the sketch.

Oh, and one more thing, do we want a downturned pommel on one side? I'd originally gone with that because I felt it suited better for a blade that had one cutting edge, however I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks.

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18.11.2006 00:39

raggidman
Prince

Registration Date: 06.01.2006
Posts: 3,317
Location: where my heart is

The sketch is beautifully balanced - if you follow that you won't go wrong. It looks sophisticated and deadly. The original has subtle plant lines anyway...

But what you might consider is a very restrained and finely etched leaf/tree motif somewhere on the blade? Something almost hair fine so that you see it close up ... But if it does not fit the design then do not worry. The final option might be a stronger etching on the pommel?

18.11.2006 00:48

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Etching is generally done via texture/bump map, I'll leave that at the discretion of the texturers. My concern is the overall shape, contours, flows of the lines, etc. etc.

If you like I'll model it completely along the lines of that sketch, downward pommel and all. Originally I'd tried to stick closer to Mormacil's sketches since I don't really know the stylistic background to the weapon and didn't want to go and compound it by treading over everyone's toes in the design process, so I figured I should stay closer to his sketch. Still, I'll whip up one that looks like my sketch and we'll figure it out.

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18.11.2006 01:06

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

The leave motive is all texture work, your modle doesn't neccesary needs to show my decorations Wink

Anyway I'm kinda tired and posting bullshit...

18.11.2006 01:26

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Finally got 3DS up again after I reinstalled windows. The angle of this render doesn't do it justice sadly, but I hope you can get the idea. Feedback please.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/353/cswordrendernk9.jpg

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03.12.2006 14:17

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

It has a weird/ugly hook Eek 1

03.12.2006 16:49

Durdain
Baron

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 400
Location: Wigan, England

I love it! Good job!

The hook looks fine to me but then I dont know how large it is in comparison to the weilder's hand.

The blade looks fantastic

03.12.2006 18:32

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

Hmm I just don't like the look, well it's nice, but I prefer my own. But I'm just one member of the team and if youa ll like it we keep it Wink

03.12.2006 19:08

FLESH
Archduke

Registration Date: 23.06.2006
Posts: 2,824
Location: Ireland

The hook does look a bit odd, but I love the sword! Great work

03.12.2006 20:08

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Yeah the hook is a bit odd it doesn't flow smoothly as a shape...I'll tweak that a bit. I'm more worried about what you guys think of the green bit. Shape OK? Need more decoration? Less? Should I put it on both sides (I avoided this for now because I didn't want to cramp the cutting edge of the blade)?

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03.12.2006 22:21

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

I like the leaves

04.12.2006 00:12

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Like the leaves as is? Needs more work?

If you're ok to give the go-ahead on the leaves, I'll fix up the hook and I'll submit it...

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04.12.2006 00:55

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

you go fix up that hook

And I need more inspiration

04.12.2006 01:04

FLESH
Archduke

Registration Date: 23.06.2006
Posts: 2,824
Location: Ireland

I like the leaves a lot Good job!

So you can go ahead and finalize it. May I ask if you will be texturing it aswell?

04.12.2006 11:11

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

I'm afraid not, I'm no good at textures as a general rule so I usually make the models as a resource.

If you like I can have a go, but like I said, the general procedure is that I provide the models only.

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04.12.2006 13:54

FLESH
Archduke

Registration Date: 23.06.2006
Posts: 2,824
Location: Ireland

Hmm, if you wouldn't mind it would be good if you tried to make the textures. It will help you get better maybe

05.12.2006 17:19

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Very well, I'll have a go at it.

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06.12.2006 02:22

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

I've changed the hook. Feedbackerise me.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/7617/camsworddh2sv4.jpg

Incidentally, I got bored and started on another armor mesh (yes, yes, I know, I should be working on those weapon meshes instead of getting sidetracked), I need some feedback on it. I've got the bottom and the upper bit of the boots done, gonna do the boots and the top later. (Yes, it's skimpy, I know).

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8967/...iprendercm2.jpg

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06.12.2006 11:29

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

Yeah it's skimpy Tongue

WHich is something we try to avoid in VW Wink

It's not "realistic". I think we'll make more people happy if our armor isn't that skimpy.

06.12.2006 12:04

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Oh, I wasn't doing it specifically for VW, it's just a project I did on the side. I didn't think VW would fit with the style of outfit that is represented by that particular work but I figured I'd try and solicit some feedback Tongue

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06.12.2006 12:41

raggidman
Prince

Registration Date: 06.01.2006
Posts: 3,317
Location: where my heart is

Hmmm ... very useful for clambering about in trees and pole dancing Good job!

It's funny about the 'hook' - the new one is definitely more vicious-looking, and has a practical use as a finger-guard - it is also stylish - but hard to say without the rest of the weapon in sight as to the question of balance ... although the pic suggests that the new guard works well with the 'leaves.'

The model with the original hook was overall going in the right direction, but was thinking that the hook was just a bit larger than the concept art and than needed. It may be that once textured that impression would change ... Were the model's proportions different from the concepts in some way?

Impressions from untextured models usually look clumsy to me as the untextured models always seem to be thicker and blockier than the finshed look. So both ways have potential! Use both?

Suggestion is to consider whether the proportions in the first hook model are the same as the concept, and to take a look at the way that the components all fit together. The shapes of each individual component are pleasing, natch ...

Hope this is useful, but more important is that you experiment to your own satis to arrive at an elegant final form.

edit - the above was just looking at the 2 models. Now I have compared your concept art. Here is is:

model =
- handle too long;
- blade too long and narrow;
- not enough room for your entire leaf pattern;
- leaves now too long and lack the balance provided by the second reverse-angle pattern;
- cross piece now incomplete;
- the left guard is skimpy and unbalanced both visually and in practical terms;
- and the right guard is now overexagerrated
- in your original both were slightly off-center individually, but balanced together and with the overall design.

Summation: what you started out with in the concept is a very powerful looking long-short sword or short-medium length sword of elegant design. But both your models are by comparison clumsy - the second less so.

Solution: convert your sketch to be an exact template for your model ... If you find it difficult to work from then enlarge and up the detail levels to give yourself more room to work in. You can reduce later once you have the look?

Never be too proud to follow a successful concept exactly if it is superior - concepts are there to guide. If the concept is inferior what counts is the finished product.

ps not critting Mormacil's talent - he provided the inspiration that got you started - and he can do better artwork too ... Wink

This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by raggidman: 06.12.2006 13:07.

06.12.2006 12:44

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

I was originally using the sketch to model the sword, the blade is modelled exactly to shape. When it came to the handle and the pommel/guard decorations, I was finding it very difficult and sometimes impractical in 3D terms to keep to the original. This is something I will have to explore. To be honest, I think the current leave look does seem imbalanced and I was trying to think of how I'd balance it out.

Incidentally, the new hook isn't as thin as it seems, there is a bit on the inward (i.e. towards the handle) edge that you can't really see because of the angle and the lighting.

Still, I might just redo it from scratch again, I'm not entirely happy with it either.

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06.12.2006 14:12

FLESH
Archduke

Registration Date: 23.06.2006
Posts: 2,824
Location: Ireland

*psst* Windy, any chance I can get a preview of that armour

As for the hook, it looks much better in my opinion.

06.12.2006 15:14

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

lol sure, what did you want in the preview? Scene, mesh?

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9214/...prender2tx5.jpg

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This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Windy: 07.12.2006 12:09.

06.12.2006 22:57

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Right, several slaves are going to die painfully if raggidman isn't happy with this verison Tongue

Here goes, I'm quite proud of it and it's done more or less exact as to the original concept sketch I did, only it's in 3D.

The render only has the hiltwork since nothing else is changed.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1022/cswordhiltkx9.jpg

@FLESH:

Sorry, I'm not up for texturing this one, the geometry is a bit too complex for me. I'm in the process of learning to rig things and so I'd like to learn stuff one bit at a time. In any case my original 'contract' here was models only, but if in future I have the time and the compulsion, I might give it a go. In any case I'm sure you guys have texture artists who would do it more justice.

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This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Windy: 08.12.2006 09:25.

08.12.2006 09:23

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

oh I like the new hilt Applause

08.12.2006 09:33

FLESH
Archduke

Registration Date: 23.06.2006
Posts: 2,824
Location: Ireland

Very nice! Good job!

Ok, thats fine with me, I think I know the person to send this to.

08.12.2006 10:38

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Goodie, 2 out of 3 approvals, once raggidman gives me a go-ahead as well (sorry, he's my toughest critic here, and you gotta win those ones over) I'll UV Map it and set it up.

FLESH, you still want that armor mesh? I've finished the mesh, I just need rig, texture and that kinda thing.

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08.12.2006 11:43

FLESH
Archduke

Registration Date: 23.06.2006
Posts: 2,824
Location: Ireland

Rigged and textured yes

This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by FLESH: 08.12.2006 11:51.

08.12.2006 11:51

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

I'm using it to try and learn rigging bipeds, we'll see how that goes. As for texturing, well out of my realm lol. Oh well, I'll leave it there until one day I'm better at this whole thing.

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08.12.2006 12:30

raggidman
Prince

Registration Date: 06.01.2006
Posts: 3,317
Location: where my heart is

That's the ticket. Yes

The structure can now be given that extra special something by the texturer.

I do understand that in concept art stages you actually 'texture' through the 'drawing and painting' process, it was just that I felt you would not be able to reach the original potential with what you were showing - and for all I know this is an unchanged version of your model that has been rotated... except that the second half of the leaf patterning has reappeared Wink

Btw, don't lose that second hook - as FLESH says, its cool - that can be the basis for another model - maybe a heavy dagger or knife of some sort - you could use it to catch out adversaries behind your normal arc of attack.

This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by raggidman: 08.12.2006 13:17.

08.12.2006 13:16

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Yeah I'm keeping that design in my head, I've already got another mesh planned which can use that one.

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08.12.2006 22:39

raggidman
Prince

Registration Date: 06.01.2006
Posts: 3,317
Location: where my heart is

look forward to seeing what you make of both then ...

10.12.2006 12:45

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Here's the sword I wanted to make, I've given it the working title of 'Lotus Sword' but that's subject to change.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6669/lotussworddw9.jpg

If nobody minds, I'm going to model this after I finish work on the Camoran Sword. Then I'll look up the other concept art I was given and get to work on those (whew, and here I thought I'd have it done already, oh well).

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12.12.2006 10:07

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

Sure you can, this is voluntairy. I just don't know here it fits into our weapons...

12.12.2006 14:55

raggidman
Prince

Registration Date: 06.01.2006
Posts: 3,317
Location: where my heart is

Preferred your previous blade shape, with the angular guard it gave a powerful contrast.

What needed sorting was the other guard - and that would depend on the type of sword you designing. You might make a fine saber out of it if the guards and blade are assymetrical ... for example.

12.12.2006 15:36

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

Now that you mention it, a sabre might work. I'll have to see though since a sabre design using that hilt as a asymmetrical handguard threatens to be too similar to another design I made not long ago. I wanted this one to stand out a bit, but I guess I'll have to see.

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12.12.2006 16:30

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

The ZIP Archive should contain a ready-to-go *.nif file and a UV template. Give my regards to the texturer.

http://users.tpg.com.au/adsll2ok/camswordv1.zip

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13.12.2006 02:08

Windy
Guardian

Registration Date: 02.11.2006
Posts: 59
Location: Never-Never Land

A concept and render of the 'Silgrad Blade' as per Mormacil's concept work have been posted in the first post. It's a fairly simple mesh so if anybody wants to point anywhere that could use more detail, I'd be happy to oblige.

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17.12.2006 09:32

Mormacil
Herma-Mora the Woodland Man

Registration Date: 15.08.2006
Posts: 2,250
Location: Netherlands

It is in fact the scimitar of a forest orc, bronze colored if I'm correct. About the design, might want to reduce the back spike/point a bit.

17.12.2006 11:47

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