I like the concept (and especially how simple and effective it is!), but I think the model could use some more work in making the shapes pop, and even then you could get rid of some polygons, or use them to better effect.
There is differently some geometry that isn't needed, for example the tip of the tail is all quads. I left it like that because I was going to Z-brush it to generate the normal maps and it seemed to help having the extra loops and quads in places.
Basically I was trying to model it all as quads then optimize with triangles etc. later.
I decided to add some hippo hair which is the geometry on his back.
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Nice model and concept, I've got a noob question..How did you make the wireframe appear on the render??
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an easy way to achieve this (at least in 3dsmax) is to first clone the model in place, then use the 'push' modifier just a little so it expands over the object, then apply a new material on it with 'wireframe' checked (one of the first options in the material editor)
I've had a look at a lot of hippo references. I see what you mean with the bigger teeth, but in a lot of pictures I saw they had small teeth. It's meant to be like an angry dog ... only hippo lol, here's a paint over to show what I mean.
if anyone has any comments I'll take them into account other wise I might start on the texture. I think i'll go the old diffuse style texture because I screwed up that other alien thing by trying to be all fancy with normal maps and not worrying about everything else.
Hippos can open their mouths wide I guess. I modeled it of a reference of a hippos mouth open in the hope that it would line up nicer when the mouth was closed, which is does
Any problems with it so far? I don't want to screw the texturing up.
You would probably want to model it in a more neutral position for animation. It might be hard to rig it so it looks good when closed at the current angle. Not a big deal, though you might want to adjust it if you are going to normal map it. Probably wouldnt be a big deal though. Also if you dont animate it, having such an extreme angle for the final renders will look awkward.
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There is differently some geometry that isn't needed, for example the tip of the tail is all quads. I left it like that because I was going to Z-brush it to generate the normal maps and it seemed to help having the extra loops and quads in places.
Basically I was trying to model it all as quads then optimize with triangles etc. later.
I decided to add some hippo hair which is the geometry on his back.
But pretty cool.
I think his rear legs need some 'haunches'. Big meaty thighs. Right now they just seem to skinny to support all that mass.
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Maybe it's supposed to life most of the time on water =P.
Nice model and concept, I've got a noob question..How did you make the wireframe appear on the render??
Nice model and concept, I've got a noob question..How did you make the wireframe appear on the render??
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an easy way to achieve this (at least in 3dsmax) is to first clone the model in place, then use the 'push' modifier just a little so it expands over the object, then apply a new material on it with 'wireframe' checked (one of the first options in the material editor)
render it out and you will get this effect
I think his rear legs need some 'haunches'. Big meaty thighs. Right now they just seem to skinny to support all that mass.
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I based it off a photo reference of a hippo so I thought it was ok, but I see what you mean and I might tweak it a bit.
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Nice model and concept, I've got a noob question..How did you make the wireframe appear on the render??
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use this tutorial if you can't work it out:
http://www.3dnuts.com/tutorials/render_wip.shtml
I'm guessing whoever took the first hippo mouth photo is now missing a head?
And hippos kill more people each year than other animals in Africa...
if anyone has any comments I'll take them into account other wise I might start on the texture. I think i'll go the old diffuse style texture because I screwed up that other alien thing by trying to be all fancy with normal maps and not worrying about everything else.
Hippos can open their mouths wide I guess. I modeled it of a reference of a hippos mouth open in the hope that it would line up nicer when the mouth was closed, which is does
Any problems with it so far? I don't want to screw the texturing up.