Chest and Stomach Topology

.nL

I can't find any good info on this, and I'm stumped. For the purposes of modern game art, which style of topology is better?

The first *feels* more anatomically correct, and I would posit that it had the potential to animate better. But the second is more efficient in terms of triangle count and ease-of-modelling, as well as being more common.

Chantel-sky

If you have a look at the PolyCount wiki and go to character and then topology, there's lots of information on it.

I found this one most useful.
https://plus.google.com/photos/114074008528400978659/albums/5283421451604722753?banner=pwa

Popol

The second one is way better for game art because it will deform nicely when animated.

jfitch

Honestly either one will work. If you go ahead and add in loops for muscles and such you can get it to deform very nicely and get some bulging with muscles and the like. However, you might run into issues if you wanted to sculpt on that, or if the geometry isn't like that for every muscle it might just look weird. It seems like most games use the second method, and to be honest the pecs aren't going to move all that much...and you have the areas that will move the most outlined on both, so you're pretty much set.

SuperFranky

I think there's no right way, it depends on needs for the particular project and it's something you don't usually get to decide as an artist. So if it's a portfolio piece just do whatever you're comfortable with.

.nL

Alright, thanks for the advice, all. Since I'm not particularly concerned about a portfolio, I think I'll try both in order to better break down and understand the technical advantages and disadvantages of the different styles of geometry. They're probably pretty miniscule, but it's a project.

I think Popol may be right, in that the first style won't deform properly, at least without a lot more effort on the artist's part.

monster

As an animator I prefer the second model. Not only will it deform better, as Popol states, but it will be about 10 faster to skin weight. Since the blend and grow tools will act more predictably.