[DS2] Axe, GED

Ged · Mar 2012

rough concept, might just roll with this and see what I get.

AimBiZ · Mar 2012

Looks too sci-fi and small. Make that handle thinner. I like the general idea though so keep on developing it.

Ged · Mar 2012

I started it in 3D and realised its a bit of a boring design! I was hoping to make some design changes when sculpting but this kind of weapon challenge works better with a solid concept. Back to the drawing board then!

fearian · Mar 2012

Yeah, if you look at Bobo's workflow video, he has the whole weapon modelled out ready for subdivision before he puts it in z-brush - including higher poly density in areas with more planned surface detail.

If you're going to concept some more, I'd suggest a thinner/longer handle to make it more obviously a two handed weapon. I really like that blade concept though - it needs a less straight edges but looks cool.

Ged · Mar 2012

fearian wrote: »

Yeah, if you look at Bobo's workflow video, he has the whole weapon modelled out ready for subdivision before he puts it in z-brush - including higher poly density in areas with more planned surface detail.

yeah I did watch that and thats what started to change my mind about my workflow. Already started a new concept with thinner handle and all that. Might make a few variations on it.

Ged · Mar 2012

new concepts not sure which i like most, left is kinda nice but probably doesnt suit darksiders 2 so much

fearian · Mar 2012

I couldnt put my finger on what was making this design seem 'sci-fi' to me... but I think it's the sharpness of the edges and the smoothness of some surfaces. Bobo did a paintover for someone else to de-sci-fi it here: http://www.polycount.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1538597&postcount=25, check out the thread for the 'before' image. I'd also get rid of the straight edge on the silhouette of the left hand blade where it meets the skull - cut into it.

Hope that helps any!

SgtNasty · Mar 2012

Ya I agree with fearian, I would say this second concept is even more sci fi than the first.

If you do go with this one, I think the colours need to be harmonized a bit more, maybe even just take one out completely (like maybe make the glowy eyes blue or purple, or make the wrap purple, etc).

Ged · Mar 2012

Thanks for the crits guys!
I think I know what people are seeing as scifi, I like to paint quite hard surfaces so the skull is a bit like an abc robot so thats a bit scifi and the metal could be dirtied up a bit plus the way the skull joins the metal with the 4 bolts isnt very medieval sooo... I might evolve this into something else entirely! Im quite enjoying this challenge but doubt I can actually find time to finish on time but Im alright with that.

Ged · Mar 2012

Went back a step to thumbnails just cause I dont feel Ive fully explored the possibilities yet, heres 7 I did this last hour. Any favorites?

Ged · Mar 2012

concepted up something based on axe 4, thinking of doing a concept for axe 7 as well and maybe 5, this is fun

*handle would be much longer than this!

Ged · Mar 2012

I think I prefer this one now

fabian roldan · Mar 2012

nice designs! I agree, that last one looks very cool

Ged · Mar 2012

started the sculpt! I did a bit more than this but zbrush crashed

Ged · Mar 2012

finally feel like Im making some progress, took about 8 hours of my weekend :P might still make that handle thinner so it fits in deaths hands better.

Habboi · Mar 2012

Well it seems those 8 hours were worthwhile. As long as the handle fits inside the proxy you're all good.

ScoobyDoofus · Mar 2012

Nice man! Great start on that sculpt, and I really like the head on this one. Sharpen up your big forms a little, finish up those wraps and bake this sucker!

Ged · Mar 2012

Thanks guys, been making it to fit to proxy so it should be all good. Got most of the sculpt done now, just need to retopo the lowpoly a bit and uv then bake. Have you guys got any crits before I get started on that? Probably wont get started tonight totally wiped out after squash yesterday and work today.

Habboi · Mar 2012

Looks fine to me though when you texture it I hope you try different colour themes like red, I don't see that much in the other entries. Always blue...well I can't exactly talk since mine is the blue'est of all but you get what I mean.

Dimfist · Mar 2012

Yeah Habboi hasa big blue ball! =P

Ged · Mar 2012

Habboi wrote: »

Looks fine to me though when you texture it I hope you try different colour themes like red, I don't see that much in the other entries. Always blue...well I can't exactly talk since mine is the blue'est of all but you get what I mean.

I was going to go with orangy yellow for the bone and purple for the wraps and blueish metal gradient for the blades then some washes of other tones in there. Will have to try some stuff out when its ready.
Lol dimfist yes he does

Habboi · Mar 2012

Sexual jokes aside I'm glad you're going down that route. Good luck.

Ged · Mar 2012

the teeth were a baaaad idea. I should have made them all thicker and joined together so that I could have a cleaner mesh and uvs

live and learn. Its at around 2240 tris at the moment and I dont like how much definition its already lost.

twigdamnyou · Mar 2012

you might get away with just alpha planeing the teeth only im not sure if we can use alpha...

Ged · Mar 2012

twigdamnyou wrote: »

you might get away with just alpha planeing the teeth only im not sure if we can use alpha...

I dont think we can and I dont think that would fit the style anyway. I may just have to forget about the competition and just make a good portfolio piece, either that or sculpt some new teeth on to the model somehow.

Habboi · Mar 2012

We can use 1 bit alpha, look at my thread for quote. Regardless I'd avoid alpha anyway.

Daven · Mar 2012

Alphas can't have any grey value, so if you use them they just have to be black/white stencil alphas.

Ged · Mar 2012

suburbbum wrote: »

Alphas can't have any grey value, so if you use them they just have to be black/white stencil alphas.

thanks for the tips guys! Im gonna go back and sculpt some new 3D teeth anyway, Im never a fan of alpha teeth on something this big.

Ged · Mar 2012

done the teeth tonight, pub tonight and rock climbing tomorrow so hopefully get it finished on saturday :P

Ged · Mar 2012

Did most of the lowpoly and texturing today but unfortunately dont have time to finish before the deadline. 1800tris at the moment and Im working with 1024 textures until its ready. I want to add more colour and maybe even glows and get the specular working properly still.

Ged · Mar 2012

heres a meshbin export for your perusal, meshbin has rather harsh lighting, sorry about that.

http://www.keenleveldesign.com/modelviewer/m.php?id=4f6e696180ae3

Ged · Mar 2012

looks like I missed the deadline, oh well :P it was my brother in laws birthday plus I had my car numberplates stolen so I couldnt get home so there was no chance anyway haha. Looking at those entries Im proud just to have taken part alongside such great competition.

Ged · Mar 2012

this is where Im at now with the texture, I kinda like the glowy orange blades and warm tones heating the bone and metal

specular seems super glossy in xnormal whats up with that?

[DS2] Axe, GED

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