Kal-el
Deity
Hello Everybody,
Kinboats recent sabbatical from unit creation got me to thinking. Why are all the Unit Creators working separately? Wouldnt it be easier if the animators worked together?
I suggested to Kinboat that he continue to produce models and allow others to animate them using there own 3D programs. This seems like a brilliant idea to me. We cant all hope to model as well as others and the animation process seems to slow down the modelers. If somehow we could split up these tasks I think we could prevent burnout and thereby continue to see great units produced for the game at an even faster rate than we already are.
Of course a concern of the modeler is that his or her work will not be animated to his or her exacting standards and will end up not looking as well as hoped. This could be remedied by a basic understanding between the modeler and the animator that nothing will be released until the modeler gives his or her consent. I suggest also that the modeler only post a preview of the model and extend an invitation to prospective animators to contact the modeler to request permission to animate the model. This will give the modeler greater control over who has access to the model. Hopefully this system will eventually lead to solid modeler/animator teams.
I also think that it is silly that the artists are continuously required to reinvent the wheel. Why not have some basic human models available for any animator to use? This will ensure that proper proportions are used for all the human units and will establish a standard size for all future units. Granted I have never used a 3D program so I dont know if this is possible, but my understanding is that one can import a model and work from that.
The second part of my proposal is that the CFC Community 3D artists post base models for other aspiring unit creators in the community to use as templates for their work. I envision three basic body types for male units and corresponding body types for female units. There are also fantasy units to consider so there may need to be base models for dwarfs and elves and other such creatures.
As well as standardized base figures, it would be great to have standardized motion as well. A lot of unit creators say that it's difficult to get human motion done properly. If example were posted of the motion of humans, horses, tanks, etc. this would certainly make things easier.
In summary:
1) Develop Unit Modeler/Animator teams
2) Post base models for others to use as templates for future work
3) Post example previews of correct bodies in motion
Its just a thought, but I hope some of the Community artists will see the merit in these proposals.
Kinboats recent sabbatical from unit creation got me to thinking. Why are all the Unit Creators working separately? Wouldnt it be easier if the animators worked together?
I suggested to Kinboat that he continue to produce models and allow others to animate them using there own 3D programs. This seems like a brilliant idea to me. We cant all hope to model as well as others and the animation process seems to slow down the modelers. If somehow we could split up these tasks I think we could prevent burnout and thereby continue to see great units produced for the game at an even faster rate than we already are.
Of course a concern of the modeler is that his or her work will not be animated to his or her exacting standards and will end up not looking as well as hoped. This could be remedied by a basic understanding between the modeler and the animator that nothing will be released until the modeler gives his or her consent. I suggest also that the modeler only post a preview of the model and extend an invitation to prospective animators to contact the modeler to request permission to animate the model. This will give the modeler greater control over who has access to the model. Hopefully this system will eventually lead to solid modeler/animator teams.
I also think that it is silly that the artists are continuously required to reinvent the wheel. Why not have some basic human models available for any animator to use? This will ensure that proper proportions are used for all the human units and will establish a standard size for all future units. Granted I have never used a 3D program so I dont know if this is possible, but my understanding is that one can import a model and work from that.
The second part of my proposal is that the CFC Community 3D artists post base models for other aspiring unit creators in the community to use as templates for their work. I envision three basic body types for male units and corresponding body types for female units. There are also fantasy units to consider so there may need to be base models for dwarfs and elves and other such creatures.
As well as standardized base figures, it would be great to have standardized motion as well. A lot of unit creators say that it's difficult to get human motion done properly. If example were posted of the motion of humans, horses, tanks, etc. this would certainly make things easier.
In summary:
1) Develop Unit Modeler/Animator teams
2) Post base models for others to use as templates for future work
3) Post example previews of correct bodies in motion
Its just a thought, but I hope some of the Community artists will see the merit in these proposals.