XFX3d opened this issue on Sep 21, 2006 · 47 posts
XFX3d posted Thu, 21 September 2006 at 2:05 AM
Sariel is based on a phi average height, width and girth for all limbs using measurements from over 30 human/humanoid figures, and is being modelled to very carefully allow edgeloops to follow muscle groups.
The goal is that the Sariel core mesh can be shaped into any human or humanoid form (by humanoid we mean any humanoid with a human-ish skeletal structure -- obviously morphing down to 3 fingers or morphing wings out of the mesh will beyond possibility, but that's what kitbashing parts on or out is for).
Now, before some moderator gets overzealous, the following questions I (Dodger) have been frequently asked should be looked over. In other words, don't move this, it's in the right place. This is not a commercial posting. It's not even a freebie posting. See below.
FAQ
Q: How much will Sariel cost?
A: Nothing.
Q: So, Sariel will be free?
A: No.
Q: WTF?
A: You can't have Sariel. Well, unless you can, but then you already probably know who you are, or are in for a pleasant surprise.
Q: So this is just for you and a few people you pick? So what's the point?
A: Sariel is going to be made into a few other figures, ones that aren't so generic. Initially, male and female we shall make them.
Q: So what are those figures going to be called?
A: Elizabeth and Gabriel.
Q: You think that's funny, don't you? Liz and Gabe? Come on!
A: Actually, yes, it's hilarious -- but especially because it's a total coincidence. These were the names intended loooong before I had any clue what Mehndi and BH's real names were. It's just sad that there's no way I can justify a 'Ron' or 'Bryan' or 'Anton' or 'Sherman' to fit into the theme. Well, maybe Sherman. We'll see.
Q: So how was this a coincidence?
A: Because the names were actually specifically chosen way back when when this was just an idea in my head and the original Mickey mesh (which was scrapped to make him Unimesh instead) was hardly started. Right about the time I did the Freak Primitive set, or something, if I recall correctly. But maybe earlier. Someone has to remember. I'll ask Molly. She might remember. (Yeah, she's on my iChat regularly and we talk a lot now.)
Q: But you still haven't said HOW this was coincidence.
A: Sorry, tangent. The names were chosen to contrast against Victoria and Michael. See, when I think 'Victoria' the first thing I think of is 'Queen of England', but when I think 'Queen of England' the first thing I think of is 'Elizabeth'. Honestly, 'Michael' is enough of a commonplace name that it's not as extreme for him, but following the same logic, according to myth, Michael was an archangel, and so was Gabriel. If you pay close attention, the first few Aeon figures followed this, too. Anna (Queen Anne) and Mary (Mary, Queen of Scots) and Seth and Raphael were chosen along the same lines. By the time I got to Robin, I just needed a neuter name, so I dropped the pattern. Ehh.
Q: Okay, so you're going to call them Elizabeth and Gabriel. Do you have a catchy brand name to compete with 'Millenium'? I mean, what could be more catchy than 'The Millenium Man'?
A: The DaVinci™ Man.
Q: Oh. Ok.
A: That's not a question. But I have declared intent-to-use both formally and publically in accordance with US Patent and Trademark Law. That's protected now, so don't try it. Thanks. Renderosity Copyright Agent, if you will, please acknowledge either publically or privately when you see this that you have seen it. Thanks again.
Q: So, you're going to make a male and a female and sell those.
A: No.
Q: Huh?
A: Don't assume. Ask in two parts.
Q: So, you're going to make a male and a female?
A: Yes, I already said that.
Q: But you said to ask in two parts. Grr. Okay. Are you going to sell those?
A: Nope.
Q: So we don't get those either?
A: I didn't say that.
Q: So THOSE will be freebies?
A: Yup.
Q: You're going to give away two realistic human figures for free?
A: It's nothing new. M3 and V3 are free now. Mayadoll has always been. HER. There are others.
Q: What quality are you aiming for?
A: V3/David quality at least. Plus some tricks that no one else knows yet. The people I explain them to still seem confused by them even.
Q: The feet and crotch aren't done and there are weird gaps.
A: Not a question either, but I'll address it. The gaps are there because I (and most modellers) when working on a symmetrical model, only model one half. The right side of the figure is a mirrored instance. Sometimes the centre line gets a bit wobbly from the sub-D smoothing. As to the genital, I haven't done it yet. As to the feet, I still have to bodybag Clark's feet. (I'm JOKING!! Chill! I just haven't gotten that far yet. Nor the inner mouth but that's less obvious.)
Q: Will they have JCMs?
A: No
Q: Built in bodyhandles or magnets or something like that?
A: No
Q: Something that makes it a pain in the butt to build add-ons for?
A: Ehh. Something that sounds like it might be but really isn't, fair enough? And all you'll need to do so will be readily available if you want to do things you can't do off the base mesh. But mostly just stuff you've done before, just maybe never realised what it was you were doing.
Q: So what's the catch?
A: Nothing for you. My bandwidth is going to be crying, but that's just a catch for me, not you.
Q: So what's the point?
A: Wait and see. Suffice it to say that very few people will get Sariel. Everyone will get the DaVinci figures. And no one will have to pay a red cent for them.
Q: Why are you telling us all this?
A: Two reasons. One, because it's actually close to ready. Two, because someone keeps getting on my case about getting them done, and if I announce that these guys are on their way, it will keep my arse focused on getting them the rest of the way. I've been accused of a bad habit of getting 99% done with things and then panicking and working on some other thing that I get 99% done with and so on and so forth, and, well, I can't necessarily argue it. However, this way I will potentially have ALL of you nagging me.
I'm the asshole. You wanna be a shit? You gotta go through ME.