Hi I am relatively new to iClone & CTA . I also have toonmaker & avatar tookit + 3DExchange & CTA2 Pipeline.

I'm looking for some more in-depth tutorials on character creation such that I can create my own toon styles. I don't have the luxury of Maya but do have ZBrush.
The typical idea is to be able to create a basic character (some odd ball looking folk) and then be able to use them in iClone with animatable features.
I'm missing some understanding here on the work flow. I have seen some good tutorials but this references Maya and Blend Shapes.
How would someone do this if they do not have the luxury of Maya?
I saw Avatar Toolkit & Toon Maker as a way but still feel I have a knowledge gap here.
I would like to create my own unique style of models. Basically more simple looking characters similar to "Ted" in CTA2.
Doesn't need so much details skin texture, nor body details like muscles. Think more in line "Toy Story" type characters on a low end.
My main reason for this is to be able to make a collection of cartoon series characters for simple animations, rather than life like realism.
TBH I hate those droid looking G5 Characters in iClone they have no sense of humour look to them, they look more like gaming type characters.
Therefore no desire to animate them at all :hehe:
Think more on lines Wallace & Grommit, Toy Story, Gorf (but simpler), flower pot men, family guy, south park but in 3D.
Basic body shapes with little definition or body shapes made from objects.

ANY help or advice really appreciated !! :)

I am a learn by example type of guy so ...

Work Breakdown idea is as follows:

1. Sketch my Character design on paper as conceptual
2. Build the character using ZBrush and possibly something like 3DS Max. Maya too expensive for us simple folk :-)
3. Apply basic Paint/Shading to the skin (imagine a blob character, short stuuby legs and arms, oval head or a freaky long skinny dude)
4. Does not need deep details such as wrinkles or muscle detail. Not looking for photo realistic. I'm relying more on script and audio to enhance the end result(s).
3. Employ Basic Bone or Morph (whichever is easiest). Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Eyebrows, arms, hands, legs feet
3. Port Characters into iClone for animation potentially via Toon Maker!

I know there's loads of tutorials out there and viewed MANY but I still feel stuck with unanswered questions in certain areas.
I do feel that Toon Maker / Avatar Toolkit might be the way BUT how do I create MY OWN 3D shapes for use therein??

Thank you very much to all your past efforts amnd tutorials!! They really help.

Alan

My workflow

1. Sculpting in 3D coat (cheaper as zbrush)
2.Retopo in 3D coat
3. finetuning the retopo mesh in Hexagon (approximately $19)
4 UV mapping in 3D coat or UV Layout
5. Textur painting and backing in 3D coat
6. Rigging in DAZ studio (free)
7. convert and adjust my model in xchange for iClone
7 for my new project I use the Avatartool kit Builder for to make controllable bodyparts

You see you do not need expensive tools for to make your art.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
liebe Grüße vidi

meet us here

Thank you Liebe
I guess I need to work more on understanding 3D rigging. I'm jumping around to learn many aspects. But I have given myself a good few months to do this. Even quit my job to pursue hahah .. :-)
I am actually looking for a more "simple mans" explanation ... still pretty new to the whole 3D world but I know what I want, I just need to know what I need to know :-) Make sense??

Vidis work flow is AWSOME but as you all ready have zbrush use Zremesher while holding down the alt key and having symmetry on using the x key will give you a very usable mesh.

I use 123d create on my ipad to create The base mesh then bring it into zbrush for texturing and UVs and retopology, then send it to blender for a quick rigging.

My results are quick but have no facial animation yet and do not have the polished professional look Vidis work does.





I Make My Mates Do The CanCan For The Amusement Of Killer Robots:D

in respect of Rigging in DAZ Studio Cricky use it too now . Here is his tread

https://forum.reallusion.com/Topic173238-36-1.aspx



-------------------------------------------------------------------
liebe Grüße vidi

meet us here

Cheers Blue
Yep looked around at 123D
Just rigging a large spare bedroom with green screen walls. Am into a number of things really.

Also playing around with Mocap.

So really I'm trying to build a holistic system that I can learn, know and use. I've heard things about 3DS etc that seem to suggest it going to be the "old way" of doing it.
But yes all I really want is basic bones and facial animation.

Just looking to make the right decisions and NOT have to keep jumping around TOO many different systems.

Cheers
Archie

Thanks again Liebe
So DAZ might the right tool for simple rigging Characters I make in ZBrush?
Can it do Facial rigging?

TY

Hi Archie

I would follow Vidis lead on this, with the exception of 3d coat, only because you already have Zbrush.

The new Zremesher feature in Zbrush really makes topology really easy.



I Make My Mates Do The CanCan For The Amusement Of Killer Robots:D

I agree with all of the above - I use messiah for rigging - I got the program on their mega 49 dollar sale a few years ago - but keep your eyes on blender too, they are making huge developments.

Another thing, that's obvious but none the less worth re-iterating =

Above all Have fun !!! - there is so much to learn, so many softwares to learn - that you really never stop learning - there are so many tools / workflows / techniques and debates about tools / workflows and techniques ( lol ) that it's draining... you could easily find yourself doing months of tutorials to make a 1 minute video - further there is no 3D software without bugs - so you will find that a very good chunk of your time will be spent looking for work arounds and cursing at your monitor because something so easy - requires 5 hours of preparation because 1 software has a bug that just doesn't let you go direct from A to B. I literally have to take months off from my animation binges because it's spiritually draining lol.

Choose your battles with 3D, because those bugs and work arounds can be very discouraging and detrimental to your creativity. But you have us to help walk you through issues we've all faced at one time or another. :)

• My Spotify  My Twitter  My Twitch
  
• My NFT    My Marketplace My Blog
  
• Music Sync Licensing

☯🐉

"To define Tao is to defile it" - Lao Tzu

Yeah I have actually found blender to be the quickest way to rig a character, to my surprise, it's very like messiah but much better at weight painting...



I Make My Mates Do The CanCan For The Amusement Of Killer Robots:D