Phoenix Wright / "How Many Polygons?"

For my next model, I'm wanting to do something more realistic. I don't trust my abilities enough to say 'hyper-realistic',  but I'll be aiming for a character that is of the same quality of say Nathan Drake (Uncharted 3. PS3. 30,000 poly count), Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII. PS3/XBox360. 8,488 poly count) or Dante (DmC: Devil May Cry. PS3/Xbox360/PC. 20,732 poly count)

To others following this blog who also struggle with my favourite question of "But how many polygons?", or who want a reference to follow, here is a fantastic thread of some games characters poly counts: http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=43975

But going back to what my main goal is, it's the transition of 2D to 3D. I've always enjoyed handheld games, and I'm strongly considering making a realistic Phoenix Wright, from the Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright series. The game original began on GBA in Japan in 2001, and after many installments of the game, it released it's first 3D graphics version on July 2013 (Japan). The game is low poly - for the 3DS - but matches the iconic 2D sprites:

Here is a screenshot of the game in development; An awfully different representation/style than the 2D art (with the new one below it for comparision):

Obviously this style was scrapped. Phoenix Wright's 3D debut however was in the game Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom  3 (2011):

I'll be studying the model, downloading it here: http://ik1l73r.deviantart.com/art/UMVC3-Phoenix-Wright-401814420. I also managed to download a fan made Brawl model to study.

This will be after my Neku model!

Article 'Why turning 2D to 3D wasn't easy' and how they had a minimum of 3 different models for Phoenix Wright to correctly portray him (as in his 2D) angles: http://www.siliconera.com/2013/07/31/going-3d-with-ace-attorney-dual-destinies-was-not-a-simple-process/

Very early stages of Neku

So starting with Neku, and approaching it very carefully. I'm also lucky one of good friends in Masters is a great 3D Animator, and when something doesn't look quite right I tend to ask for her opinion on edge loops (specifically around the leg and arm, right now!)

My progress is very slow, and below is 2 full days work. But I'm hoping with practice I speed up. :)

I'm unhappy about the shape of the legs too, but don't know yet how to tackle a solution...

Focusing on 2D to 3D modelling

The biggest challenge I face with this module is to model a character from 2D to 3D that isn't my own design. Challenges that come with this: It has to look true to it's 2D style, I can't change the design given to me (due to poor skills or time saving), and I can't change the 'feel' of the character to match my style whatsoever.

I think I'll find some leniency along the way, but for now, I think it's important to ingrain these thoughts so I don't stray off into design. :)

I have decided to do 3 characters in High and Low Poly. I want them to be very defined 2D characters, so I can translate that into 3D. I've still to decide on them all, but thinking towards one anatomically correct human character, one cartoon-style, one cartoon/creature.

I've been looking at (for my cartoon-style), the game The World Ends With You (2008) by Square Enix. A 2D DS game, it was inspired by graffiti art:

Fans speculated as to how the game would look in 3D. In 2012, the cast of TWEWY debuted in 3D in Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance. However, they abide by the Kingdom Hearts style rather than being true to their chunky lined style:

For this reason, I find it would be a good example to model into 3D following the art of the 2D. I'm not sure how to achieve this result, yet, but looking very forward to learning. Every character I model will present it's own challenges. :)

I'm looking forward to finding out who my Mentor is, and get advised. I'm also following Digital Tutor videos, which are amazing!

Next update I hope to have more ideas of who else I'd like to tackle to model.

Reiterate

Week 5, and only now do I fully understand. I'm frustrated at myself for not picking it up sooner, but happy I'm finally ready to model. A key factor I've cleared up today is modelling NOT designing. :)

Here is my PDP:

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Student Name	Ceren Gunes
Core Discipline	Artist
Area of Enquiry	Character modelling for video games
Agreed Action Points	- To model 3 humanoid characters ready to be implemented into a game. This means it's polished and ready to be rigged/animated. - Document progress in a form of a blog - Communicate with my mentors and peers in progressing my modelling skills
Agreed Deliverables	- PDF version of blog including progress shots - Abridged transcripts between myself and my mentors - 3 High Poly and Low Poly .OBJ versions of the character model o   All will be textured, and posed, submitted as a .PNG o   All will be animated through Mixamo submitted as a video

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Update to agreed deliverables

After today's meeting, a few misunderstandings have been cleared up. I'm no longer doing a vehicle and environment, and am sticking to character design, as well as an item/weapon of some sort. I'll be sticking to the MMO-RPG feel for the character. Will upload sketches soon.

Have also placed a request for software to aid this project to the University. Fingers crossed! :)

Feel of Character

I'm pretty sure I want to go down the "MMO-style models" for my final pieces. It's still early days, so all I can do is sketch and look up models I like, and mess around with Maya and watch Digital Tutor videos.

I really want to create a fantasy style female, an unconventional looking vehicle, and I'm undecided for environment because it's where I'm weakest. I created a moodboard of only existing MMO, mostly 3D, characters. I want to properly look at other medias when I'm doodling, and into fashions too (lolita and armour are top on my list). I also want to challenge this female/armour debate...but that is, if I go down the route of armour/warrior class, etc

Also friend of mine pointed me to HazardousArts on dA (http://hazardousarts.deviantart.com/) over the Summer, and his work is stunning. Definitely my biggest motivator this semester! Love the progress shots just as much as the final model.

Introduction and Personal Development Proposal

Hello, I'm Ceren Gunes studying my Masters in Games Development. I'm setting up this blog to document my progress through my module AG1140A - Low Poly Modelling. I'll be submitting this blog at the end for submissions as a PDF.

I'm very excited to start this module. As a brief backstory, I am mostly a 2D artist, and love to digitally paint illustrations, doodle, and come up with character concepts. But I've always been intimidated by 3D and it's never gone as I've wanted. Over the Summer, I've aimed to get rid of the fear and be left with excitement. I've been using software such as: Maya, ZBrush, Topogun, UV Unwrapping, etc. It's been fun, and very challenging/frustrating. For this module however, I'm restricted to Maya and Photoshop.

Because of this, I'm eager to achieve this module:

- Model 3D characters that are high quality and ready to be implemented into a game
- Learn features of Maya I've never used to create high quality models
- Become a better artist/modeler and have a better understanding of what to expect through my mentor

I have a few ideas, and hope to load up some sketches in the following weeks. :)

I hope you enjoy my progress and the models I'll create.