Need suggestions on modeling process?

junfanbl

I am having some trouble with a modeling project in Maya. I am trying  to model a Jaguar (animal). I plan on using the model in an animated sequence I want to put together in CryEngine. I collected my reference images which included pictures that depict the cats anatomy (muscle structure) and lots of real life references from the side view, the front view, the back and some 3/4 views. I also have some references that show the cats anatomy in different positions. Ultimatly my workflow is going to be to "block out" the form of the cat in Maya, and then finish detailing the model in Zbrush. However for the life of me, I can't quite figure out the best way to model the head. I either end up using too little subdivisions and I don't get the shape right, or I use too many and the model is hard to work with after. Either way, I can't quite get the shape down. Any suggestions on how to this? Should I just use Zbrush to make the head or finish modeling the head in Maya?

braintrain

I guess you could dynamesh sculpt the head in zbrush and project it afterwards on the subdivided model. Will probably need some cleanup though.

Maxilator

Generally nowadays you would do an organic model in zbrush without making a base in maya first, unless there is some certain call for it, a jaguar in almost every case wouldn't need a base to start of with. 

junfanbl

Yea I guess I will just give it a go in Zbrush then and see how it turns out. I chose Maya first because with the help of image planes I am able to get the proportions just right. Can you use image planes in Zbrush?

Brian "Panda" Choi

@junfanbl
Yup!  Different process, but there's tutorials online for it.

RaptorCWS

there is a see through slider at the top of the ui in zbrush so you can set it up behind your workspace and   http://docs.pixologic.com/user-guide/zbrush-plugins/image-plane/

the latter is probably the smarter route to go about it