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katsu
Apr '14

Hi people -

I'm trying to model this shield, which is such a simple shape, but for the life of me I can't seem to wrap my head around it. I know I can simply bevel the outside of it and project a displacement map on a high-poly result, but that seems like cheating - there must be a more elegant way.

I have the curves for the shapes all ready, but lofting them doesn't work because the inner shapes are five different "mesas" so to speak.... Also I tried create planar on the main large shape, and then projecting the curves onto the planar object in order to extrude each "mesa" but apparently project curves doesn't create new edges from which to extrude.

Any simple suggstions? I don't need a full work-though, just some basic suggestions for a work flow..

THANKS!

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    Apr '14

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    Jul '14
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katsu
Apr '14

Here are the nice curves, all ready for me to... .do something with....   ?  :slight_smile:

katsu
Apr '14

PS I also know I could create a poly mesh out of the outer shape, and then carefully paint-select the faces within the inner bits, and extrude those faces... but once again, that seems so.... Barbaric.   Any more elegant workflows? I'm trying nurbs solutions but I'm not as familiar with them...

katsu
Apr '14

Aha! I just discovered that after projecting the curves on poly's, you can "split mesh with projected curve".... and then I can extrude the resulting faces. (Though why I have to do that extra step, I can't figure...)

Anyway, still open to more elegant solutions.. if they're are any!

Thanks!

katsu
Apr '14

Ack! This shield sucks!

The edges are all hard, and fake-looking. And when I try to select and bevel them, it goes mad because the faces I've formed are so funky and non-conforming - since I projected the curves onto the original poly mesh...

Does anyone have a work-through to suggest about extruding this bad boy properly? Possibly a nurbs solution?

thanks!

1 month later
john-germann
Jun '14
  • Model half and mirror it.
  • Use polygons, not nurbs
  • learn all of the polygon tools
  • use smooth mesh preview, and control loops
  • If you get the basic shape down, try sculpting in zbrush
  • The model doesnt have to be one contiguous mesh
  • look for feedback on polycount
  • watch modelling tutorials
  • keep practicing 
radoman-radovic
Jul '14

First, is this shield curved or flat?

Draw spline, not too many points, arround shield, extrude, convert to editable poly, cut inner shapes, chamfer, bevel or extrude, play a little bit.
Also, this is awesome tutorial for modelling, check it out! Helped me a lot.

http://vimeo.com/10941211

EDIT: Do not mess with splines as you show in second picture. Just draw a basic shape around picture and try to block model basic object. I will try to show you how, give me a day or two, cause im not at home.