Lighting low poly characters for render?

JadedBuddha

Hey Guys,
wats up? This is my 1st post. I was wondering if u guys had anytips on lighting low poly chars... also rendering for that matter. I've almost finished this character based on colonel mortimer from for a few dollars more.
620 tris including all props.
2 256x256 textures 1 alpha.

Eric Chadwick

What software?

No lighting is the way to go for really low-poly characters. You should also paint in some ambient-occlusion-like lighting on your color map, and some specular bits painted in for shiny things like metal.

Here's how I presented my last character, all screengrabs from the 3ds Max viewport.
http://ericchadwick.com/img/cowgirl.html

JadedBuddha

Hey man that looks sweet, so what you've just print screened a couple shots?
I'm using max by the way I rendered using catmull(after researching this sight).
The thing I dont like about not using lights is i get unwanted shadows... so then i try an self illumination color and that changes the look of my char entirely.

JadedBuddha

another question i have is when render characters for low poly situations should i render on a low resolution?

Eric Chadwick

What I meant by no lighting was remove it entirely so you only get the color map colors, no shading. Quickest way to do this (for the viewport only) is to go to the Customize menu, Viewport Configuration, and change the Rendering Level to Flat. Doesn't work for renders though, for that you have to do it in the material instead.

If you're going for something this low-poly, best way to show off your work to a potential employer (a game studio) is to show it in Flat mode, in the viewport.

Resolution, nope. Screenshot it big enough so I can clearly see what choices you made. Right now your char is too small to be helpful, and I need wireframe views too, and I need to see the texture too.

Edit... also helps to turn off texture filtering for the viewport. If using Direct3D display driver, change Texel lookup to "Nearest" and change MipMapLookup to "None" then reload your textures.

JadedBuddha

Hey thanks man looks much more clearer i can see more errors and watnot ill post a grab

JadedBuddha

ok so i've done that right, and now my model in all its glory..... im going to have to go back and and edit this to hell hey

Eric Chadwick

For more presentation ideas, take a look b1ll's (excellent) low-poly work
http://www.benregimbal.com/hp.html

Oh, and your model is a good start! Keep it up, and post him in the Pimping section.

JadedBuddha

so i got another question now right, Is there a fast way for screen grabs... or can i make my renderer render the same as it would in the viewport, just because im running 2 screens and its a bit of a headache cropping.

Eric Chadwick

There are some scripts for it, check http://scriptspot.com. I like the screengrab tool in http://xnview.com, lets you drag a marquee for where you want to grab.

Eric Chadwick

For example,
http://scriptspot.com/3ds-max/viewport-grabber-0

JadedBuddha

Thats rad man thanks a lot, you've been a great help