Modelling wings

Will Faucher

Hey,
So I need a little advice regarding wing modelling. Normally, for a character model I would use planes or another similar method to achieve this. However, I encountered a small issue.

The model I am making is a Gryphon. However, this is to be used as a statue, so everything needs to be modelled. Planes are out of the question.
This is a wing similar to what I wish to achieve.


How would you guys go about making this?

Thanks in advance!

JKMakowka

Well... isn't that obvious? Have a look at pictures of real sculptures of wings.

The picture you linked isn't showing btw (no hotlinking).

Eric Chadwick

haikai's Eagle Guy might provide some ideas.
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71380

Will Faucher

Here is the photo, hopefully this works:
http://digitalart.org/images/artwork/0062500-62801/fantasy/gryphon.jpg

I had already looked at sculptures of wings and such, but I was wondering if there was a quicker way of placing each individual feather. I was thinking of a path deform, but I've yet to experiment with that.

*edit* Uploaded it on imageshack. Should work now. If it doesn't I don't understand anything.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

dansher

that link just opens a digtalart.com logo

Calabi

I doubt you would have the wings feathers as separate as that if it was a statue. They would easily break or fall off.

Sculpts the feathers using an alpha in Zbrush or Scultpris?

felipefrango

This should be helpful.

http://www.pixologic.com/docs/index.php/Tutorial:_Bird_of_Prey

Just make different alphas for the different kinds of feathers and you're halfway there.

Will Faucher

Hmmm that's very interesting. I'm not familiar with Zbrush at all. I'm a mudbox guy, but I'll have to give this a try!

divi

just sculpt some feathers and move them into place? theres another zbrush tutorial here as well, but feathers are feathers

felipefrango

That would definitely work, it's simpler than using alphas, more flexible, and will probably wield better results.

haikai

Eric Chadwick wrote: »

haikai's Eagle Guy might provide some ideas.
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71380

Hehe, thanks for the plug . It worked out okay for me, but I should say that it was rather painful to make/paint/set up.

To the original poster: I think if you're making a statue then I agree with the others that you should take a look at some real bird statues and see how the feathers are sculpted. This usually means keeping the wing as a solid shape, and extruding some faces here and there to break up the tips/edges. This is rather crude (and it's often crude in real sculptures), but if you shape these extrusions artistically then it can work in your favor to convey the feeling of wings without alpha.