How to Design Your 3D Characters

Many different applications use 3D Modeling like video games, television, movies and advertising. Character creation is something that you may want to learn at one time or another when entering the world of 3D design. Keep in mind that creating 3D characters can be time consuming and may not work immediately. Be prepared to spend time practicing and creating many characters before you feel truly comfortable with 3D character creation.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scanner or digital camera
• Photo editing software (Photoshop, Fireworks)
• 3D creation software (3DS Max, Maya, Blender)

1. Create character "concept art" by physically drawing it out on a piece of paper. See the Resources section below for an example of how to draw concept art.

2. Take a photo or scan your finished drawing directly into your PC.

3. Use your photo editing software to split your drawing so that you have two separate pictures of a "front view" and side view" of equal size.

4. In your 3D creation software, create a "plane" in the "front" viewport that is the same size as the "front view" photo you created.

5. Apply the "front view" photo to the plane you just created.

6. Create a "plane" in the left (or side) viewport that is the same size as the "side" photo you created.

7. Apply the "side view" photo to the plane you just created.

8. Move the left viewport plane towards the front viewport plane and line them up so they create a perfect "+" sign in the top viewport.

9. Start modeling in the front viewport by lining up your polygons and verticies with the lines of the photo you created.

10. Each time you line something up in the front viewport make sure that you switch to the back viewport and line it up there as well.

11. Keep switching between viewports and building until you completely cover the photos.

Tips & Warnings

• When you create your concept art be sure to create at least a front view and a side view that are both exactly proportionate with one another.
• If your drawings are not proportionate with one another then when you model over the photos your model will not be proportionate either.

Resources

• Concept Art Views Example