What models would best serve the community?
by Gareth Hewes · in Jobs · 02/11/2008 (7:14 pm) · 11 replies
Hello everyone,
I'm a community member for just under 2 years, and I want to give something back to the community since all I've seemed to do before is ask for help...and so I figured, being best at 3D art but a bit short on inspiration, I was wondering what might make life easier for people, you know, what models.
So I figured I would make some models to release free to the community. I do so because I need to build my portfolio and get experience making something other than what just I need...so, let's hear it. I know I can't make something for everyone, but is there something that there is a great demand for?
I'm a community member for just under 2 years, and I want to give something back to the community since all I've seemed to do before is ask for help...and so I figured, being best at 3D art but a bit short on inspiration, I was wondering what might make life easier for people, you know, what models.
So I figured I would make some models to release free to the community. I do so because I need to build my portfolio and get experience making something other than what just I need...so, let's hear it. I know I can't make something for everyone, but is there something that there is a great demand for?
#2
02/12/2008 (12:19 am)
I agree with Edward sci-fi models are one of the most demanded (I like mechs models).
#3
02/12/2008 (12:42 am)
Milkshape format animated models :-) 
#4
02/12/2008 (5:32 am)
Milkshape format animated mecha and spaceship models :). Any thing else we can add?
#5
Sorry, had to. :P
If you're building your portfolio, I think you should look at that more than the community here (not that free models aren't appreciated). Are you planning on specializing on certain model styles, or are you wanting to flesh your portfolio out with a wider range?
If you plan on fleshing it out and have few sci-fi models, you can't go wrong with Mechs and Spaceships. :) Also, if most of your current models are things like vehicles, structures and whatnot, make the mechs and ships more organic, and vice-versa.
And if you're doing animations, a mech-to-vehicle and vehicle-to mech pair of models and animations, a-la transformers, would be pure Win in my opinion.
02/12/2008 (10:05 am)
Nobody expects the Torque Inquisition! Our request is Milkshape format models! Of spaceships, Milkshape format models of Spaceships... and Mechs. Our three requests are of Milkshape format models of Spaceships and Mechs... Animated Milkshape models of Spaceships and Mechs... Our four requests are of Animated... I'll just start again, shall I?Sorry, had to. :P
If you're building your portfolio, I think you should look at that more than the community here (not that free models aren't appreciated). Are you planning on specializing on certain model styles, or are you wanting to flesh your portfolio out with a wider range?
If you plan on fleshing it out and have few sci-fi models, you can't go wrong with Mechs and Spaceships. :) Also, if most of your current models are things like vehicles, structures and whatnot, make the mechs and ships more organic, and vice-versa.
And if you're doing animations, a mech-to-vehicle and vehicle-to mech pair of models and animations, a-la transformers, would be pure Win in my opinion.
#6
02/12/2008 (12:00 pm)
If someone could create a mountable mech, with transformable animations. thats even for sale, you are going to have a few interested folks.
#7
02/12/2008 (1:16 pm)
Everyone could always use more grass, bushes, plants, tree limbs, stumps, rocks, etc.. enviroment stuff.
#8
To Andrew, my main focus is to kind of flex my boundaries and see what all I can do. My main focus has been on people and though I know there will always be a demand for that as well, I don't really have much experience at all on game-res models. And I know there will come times working in the game industry that I'll have to make something I didn't necessarily get hired to make (at least, that's the way it works in smaller places), and also just to find out what I can and can't do well.
That, and I work so much better when I have someone giving me a seed with which to grow inspiration for modeling, since it gets hard to come up with your own stuff consistently. An added bonus is that I can also get more familiar with the DTS exporter, particularly with animation.
02/12/2008 (6:39 pm)
All good suggestions. To Lee and Edward, I have never worked with Milkshape so I'm not too familiar with the format...is there some reasonable way to export models from Max to Milkshape? Being that I know how many of the members here use Milkshape and Blender, I wouldn't be opposed to releasing those formats as well as a Torque-ready DTS version of the files, once I get my site up and running.To Andrew, my main focus is to kind of flex my boundaries and see what all I can do. My main focus has been on people and though I know there will always be a demand for that as well, I don't really have much experience at all on game-res models. And I know there will come times working in the game industry that I'll have to make something I didn't necessarily get hired to make (at least, that's the way it works in smaller places), and also just to find out what I can and can't do well.
That, and I work so much better when I have someone giving me a seed with which to grow inspiration for modeling, since it gets hard to come up with your own stuff consistently. An added bonus is that I can also get more familiar with the DTS exporter, particularly with animation.
#9
THAT SAID, Id recommend you give yourself an a small, attainable goal and work from there. Ive found that saying "im going to model and texture and animate (whatever model)" is a great way to set yourself up to fail. It doesn't take long to realize that its a lot of work for something that is supposed to be a fun learning experience.
Give yourself a small, attainable goal. Model and texture a tree. Model a character using only 400 triangles. Get someone to donate a mesh for you to unwrap. Crack open some art from your favorite old game (quake, HL1, whatever) and retexture it. Download a free textured model from turbosquid and rig it. Build a simple box guy, make a rig, and animate it.
What I'm saying is dont worry about a final, concrete asset. If you want to boost your chops, focus on one small step. It will be easier to remember what you learn because you will be focusing on the process rather than releasing a product.
Just my two cents.
02/12/2008 (7:35 pm)
I sincerely commend your desire to release some free goodies to the community. Kudos! THAT SAID, Id recommend you give yourself an a small, attainable goal and work from there. Ive found that saying "im going to model and texture and animate (whatever model)" is a great way to set yourself up to fail. It doesn't take long to realize that its a lot of work for something that is supposed to be a fun learning experience.
Give yourself a small, attainable goal. Model and texture a tree. Model a character using only 400 triangles. Get someone to donate a mesh for you to unwrap. Crack open some art from your favorite old game (quake, HL1, whatever) and retexture it. Download a free textured model from turbosquid and rig it. Build a simple box guy, make a rig, and animate it.
What I'm saying is dont worry about a final, concrete asset. If you want to boost your chops, focus on one small step. It will be easier to remember what you learn because you will be focusing on the process rather than releasing a product.
Just my two cents.
#10
02/12/2008 (8:59 pm)
That does make a lot of sense. I do still have problems with some things (IK, etc.). Maybe I should continue to concentrate on what I like a lot (since that will be easier) and if I come up with something solid, release that. That way, I can be sure that what I give to the community is one solid product rather than many different things they won't use because they're good, but not great...though I'll make sure I try to lean towards what the community needs (sci-fi characters, etc.)
#11
Have a friend design a logo for a futuristic space empire. Have them look at battlestar galactica, starwars, and star trek for ideas. Don't tell them you plan on using it to make a 3d model from it, so they don't go easy on you.
Then, model a fighter ship to look like it. Something you can see a propaganda video using (fighter swoops by under the camera, then pulls back showing a top or side view of the fighter, which fades into the faction's logo).
Would be good portfolio filler, showing that you can make a good 3d model from a simple 2d sketch.
02/13/2008 (10:07 am)
If you want to do a spaceship, here's an idea.Have a friend design a logo for a futuristic space empire. Have them look at battlestar galactica, starwars, and star trek for ideas. Don't tell them you plan on using it to make a 3d model from it, so they don't go easy on you.
Then, model a fighter ship to look like it. Something you can see a propaganda video using (fighter swoops by under the camera, then pulls back showing a top or side view of the fighter, which fades into the faction's logo).
Would be good portfolio filler, showing that you can make a good 3d model from a simple 2d sketch.
Torque 3D Owner Edward