Head modeling

Mr. Bean

Hello,

I use 3ds Max.

I've done a lot of inorganic modeling, but now I'm trying to get into character modeling. When it comes to making the main body I'm not worried, as this has gone fine in my quick attempts. But when it comes to heads, I'm really not doing well at all. I've practiced for quite a while now, but I'm really not getting any better. I've tried all the tutorials I could find, but it's just not working for me. I'm of course doing video game modeling, not production. My main references are Half Life 2, Call of Duty 4, and Modern Warfare 2. If I could make a head that is as good as the ones in those games, I would be satisfied.

At first I tried box modeling, but that went really really badly (http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Nimbus5000/render_2.jpg?t=1255023871). I have trouble getting the main shape and then adding detail such as the features of the face.

I'm best at poly extruding, and I'm most comfortable with that method. But I still get bad results (http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Nimbus5000/face_2.jpg?t=1255023874, http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Nimbus5000/Face3.jpg?t=1255023879, http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Nimbus5000/Face4.jpg?t=1255023877). It's mostly the topology that I have trouble with; keeping the topology correct but still defining the shapes. I'm also trying to keep it simple.

But as the pics illustrate, I'm not doing very good. Any tips or help anyone can give would be great; I really want to learn and get good at character modeling. I've tried tutorials and studied other people's works. But I'm just not getting better. :poly122:

Thanks

hijak

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xls25e08sSg[/ame]

this is an old vid but its good to start from. Shows how to start with a decent topology. My advice is keep it as simple as possible at first. The sooner you start adding edge loops the more you have to move stuff around to form the face. Block out the landmarks first and add loops as you need them.

Also good practice is to model you own head, since you can get the reference easily.

Haledire

There's always the blender head modeling series on CGCookie.com from Jonathan Williams:
http://www.cgcookie.com/articles/blender-modeling-a-human-head-complete-series

6 free videos of basically the same poly modeling method with minor differences and done at a slower pace. There are the occasional blender specific terms and methods you'll come across in the video, but they aren't really anything you can't do in 3dsmax in some fashion.

Mr. Bean

Thank you very much for the replies and all the advice! I'll take a look at those tutorials and post my progress. I really appreciate the help.

Thanks!

crozer

hijak wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xls25e08sSg

this is an old vid but its good to start from. Shows how to start with a decent topology. My advice is keep it as simple as possible at first. The sooner you start adding edge loops the more you have to move stuff around to form the face. Block out the landmarks first and add loops as you need them.

Also good practice is to model you own head, since you can get the reference easily.

that is maya.
to answer the first topic, i'd like to mention that IMO -before modeling heads and adding details, features, etcc - you should try skull-modeling. it really gives you a main idea of a head's proportions and so on.

hijak

crozer wrote: »

that is maya.
to answer the first topic, i'd like to mention that IMO -before modeling heads and adding details, features, etcc - you should try skull-modeling. it really gives you a main idea of a head's proportions and so on.

well yeah it is maya, but its not like you dont have the same exact tools to use in max, so i think it would be easy enough for any modeler to understand for thier given app.

And yeah modeling a skull can be quite useful for learning proportions of the head, when i did that in an ecorche class it was a great learning experience

pior

The most important point is that, you should mass the ... mass of the head first. Get that right, then add details. Then, as a very last step, worry about the flow of things into one another. Not the other way round!

Good luck!

PS - I love how that video 'tutorial' is absolutely terrible hehe

Mr. Bean

Thank you everyone for your tips, advice and tutorials. I'll give skull modeling a try, and I'll try to keep it simple and work up from there. You've all been a big help; I'll see if I can finally get a decent looking head modeled.

Thanks

Adam L. Gray

This one might help a bit

Mark Dygert

Mr. Bean wrote: »

Hello,

I use 3ds Max.

Thank you, THANK YOU!! Seriously thank you for actually mentioning the package you're using. I can't tell you how many threads I've clicked and had to reply, "what app?" or "if you're using 3dsmax do this, if you're using maya do this".

If only all posts for help where this well thought out.


I would start out with Dave Kings speed modeling tutorials. They start with an eye and work their way out to a full head. Loaded full of tips and tricks, awesome stuff, easily applied to any head you plan on making in the future.
http://www.daveking.com.au/dk_tutorials.htm

Also study the face, deeply.
http://www.anticz.com/heads.htm
http://www.planesofthehead.com/
http://www.learning-to-see.co.uk/feeling-the-form
http://www.artnatomia.net/uk/artnatomyProgram.html

Hope that helps!

crozer

the image posted by Tiros is very useful.
there are paremeters and proportions you need to know in order to make a human head.
i am not sure if the tips about head modeling (where are the eyes, in relation to the mouth. where does the mouth end/begin, etcc) can be found on the net, but they're definitely basics in art classes.

Mr. Bean

Thanks everyone for the great responses.

Tiros, thanks for the pic, it's really useful. I'm now using it as a guide for placing the edge loops.

Vig, great links, very useful. Thanks!

crozer, thanks, I'll take your advice. I've been looking at anatomy of the face pics.

I think I've actually improved with all this advice and tutorials. I'm pretty happy with the current face model; it looks close to what I'd pictured in the mind. Here it is: http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Nimbus5000/Face_02.jpg?t=1255182259 http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Nimbus5000/Face-1.jpg?t=1255182254

I also threw on a really simple and quick face texture, just to see what it would look like. http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww264/Nimbus5000/face_5_test_texture.jpg?t=1255182258

What do you all think? Is it looking good? Any critique or comments anyone has to offer would be great.

Thanks!