I was fortunate enough yesterday to make the aquaintance of a couple of individuals that enlightened me to a few of the areas of Renderosity that I had yet to take advantage of. Since I really love modeling, I thought this was the perfect arena to display my latest WIP. I'm not going to tell you what it is yet, can you tell?

Nice Hippo. I like where this is going. Keep posting.

Thanks Teyon. I usually stop short on my modeling because I really like (lately) doing cartoonish models. As soon as I feel my texturing skills are up to speed, I plan on kicking the modeling up a knotch. Thanks again!

You're welcome! I have a tip for ya, though I think it's already in your plans...see that point next to the blue arrow? Move it in the direction of the arrow until it's near the point in front of it. That will round out the cheeks for you pretty nicely without having to add more polys. What version of Max are you using or is that Wings? The grids for those two always look alike to me.

heh heh, it's Cinema 4D. thanks for the tip though. I've already got alot of work done that I'll upload tomorrow. Bed time right now. Thanks again Teyon! -- 3d_e

No prob. I should be in bed myself. Cinema,huh? I really need to download the demo for that thing...

Here's a little update. I've given him some crude feet, ears and adjusted the snout. Hey Teyon, you should try the demo. It really is an amazing piece of software. I havn't regreted buying it ever.

:) I just may at that. I hear they're doing or plan to do something similar to the LWDE, MayaPLE, SoftimageEXP. If that's true, I could actually learn the program without having to deicde in 30 days if I want to throw down the cash for it. ...if nothing else, having a dedicated 3D paint program like Bodypaint would make it worthwhile.

The Cinema demo is fully operational but you can't save. You can even produce unwatermarked renders but you'll have to screen capture them! - Baz

Thanks for the info BAZ! Hmmm...hyper detailed models that you kiss goodbye everytime you close...not so sure I like that but beggars and choosers and all that...

I know, but all the learning editions have their drawbacks. I pretty much stopped using Lightwave because I got frustrated by the restrictions of the Discovery edition. The good news is that if you find you like Cinema the base app is very cheap especially if you sidegrade fom another app. You won't be able to use radiosity, caustics etc. (you need the advanced render module for those) but it's still a very competent 3d package with an excellent renderer! - Baz

Kudos. Yeah, that was what stopped me from using LW, though I have to say I enjoyed modeling in it alot. I wasn't able to get as much done in it as quickly as I can in MAX but I was able to understand the program a lot faster than it took me to understand MAX. If I take to cinema as quickly, I may just jump in, I need a poly program to compliment my RHino skills and so far, besides LW and MAX (both of which are too steep for me right now) I have yet to find an interface I much care for. Now, back OT: How's that there hippo coming along? I'm waiting with baited breath (oh wait, that's the fish I ate last night).

Here's a wireframe of where I'm currently at. I havn't had alot of time this week to work on it so it's slow going. Today, I think I'll work on the feet and head some. I shopped around some before I invested in C4D. The interface is what sold me. It just clicked for me. Short learning curve and extremely intuitive. That plus it's packed with high-end features at an affordable (student) price.

Here's the hippos and a friend of his. If you happen to like this, I have dozens more like it in my gallery.