Hey everyone, 

This is my WIP post for Reallusion's 2024 character contest. I'm trying to create an Espada character inspired by "Bleach anime.
I'm uploading this late here, since I made another post in my artstation. I'll keep it updated.
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge

This concept has been inspired by the Arrancar and Espada characters from the Bleach anime, of which I'm a big fan. I started by gathering references using PureRef, and here is what I found on the web.81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge

I started by downloading the free CC character bases provided by Reallusion which can be downloaded from here: FREE FULLY-RIGGED 3D Character Base
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Actually, I spent a lot of time exploring these amazing characters because I had so many ideas and couldn't settle on just one XD. Eventually, I ended up sticking with the 'Toon Neutral_F' base character.81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge

I imported the 'Toon Neutral_F' base character into Character Creator 4 using the 'Create Character' button and started making basic adjustments to the body and face.
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Then I exported it into ZBrush using the amazing new GoZ Plus plugin with one simple click. You can check it out here Character Creator GoZ Plus for ZBrush
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Then it quickly showed in my ZBrush and I started masking to create a skull similar to the reference pics.
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Then I decided to make it with a sphere and used the 'SnakeHook' Brush to shape it as the picture below
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Here I started masking areas for eyes and horns using the 'MaskLasso'
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Then I made a cut to those areas and moved them up the skull, added two spheres for the eyes, and tested some horns
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Then I worked more on it

Afterwards, I updated it with the GoZ plugin and exported it to Adobe Substance Painter using the built-in plugin in Character Creator81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Then, I decided to change the horns, but my ZBrush trial ended XD, so this time I used Blender instead. With the help of the Blender Addon, I was able to transfer my character easily and update the morphs. You can learn more about the Blender Addon here Blender Character Pipeline
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
Then, I took it back to CC4 and repeated the previous step to export it into Substance Painter. Here’s the result of the texture: I added some scars, burns, and details to define my Espada character81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge

Next, I did some poses in iClone and exported them to Style3D Atelier which is a free alternative for Marvelous Designer.
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
You can make your own clothes and simulate them inside Style3D Atelier.
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
I recorded the cloth simulation and exported it as an Alembic file .abc for iClone.
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge

Added the tails from the default contents and exported it into Nvidia Machinima for rendering.
81% of original size (was 622x16) - Click to enlarge