nazSTUFF - Building a 3D Raven

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3D polygon modeling of a Raven

The following simple step by step images with captions give you an overview of the process behind the creation of this 3D Raven. I hope you enjoy these behind the scenes close ups into the process and methods. This is another digital painting project by Mr. Thomas. Here, then, is my summary of his notes and images. John Vroom, Webmaster.

3D Raven Modeling

This project was done some time ago, as this screen shot reveals. Mr. Thomas owned the earliest versions of the program Ray Dream Designer, which evolved into Ray Dream Studio and eventually into Carrara. This software program changed owners many times. Although primitive by comparison to programs available today, this is still an interesting demonstration to learn from.

Basic shapes were assembled to create the raven's head and beak.

Mr. Thomas had an interesting way of applying artificial color to each new object as he added it to the scene. This provided clarification as he worked.

This is the head and beak before the eye sockets were built.

As I review these primitive drawings I'm made aware of the improvements in 3D modeling available today. I've done some brief review of programs like SILO 3D, Hexagon, Cheetah, Carrara, Blender, VUE, POSER, Pixel 3D, Zbrush and more. It's remarkable hoe far we've come.

Once again, the leaving the wing part as a red object made it clearer as he developed the upper portion of the wing.

This made it easier to build the armature for the lower portion of the wing. Large wing feathers to come later.

Here, we've jumped ahead a bit, showing the eye and tail feathers in place.

The center toe of the foot was built first, then duplicated.

Here the entire leg and foot are assembled.

Keeping with the use of artificial colors, here the first wing feathers are added.

Top view of same step.

I'm sorry to report that this test render is the only file I've found of the final model. Mr. Thomas apparently never finished this project. I've posted these step by step digital pictures anyway because I thought that they still offer some model building information. They reveal his process of model building using polygons. Obviously, the current generation of 3D modeling software can out perform this exercise. But it does demonstrate that basic steps remain the same and that skill in execution still triumphs over technology. JV

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This completes this tutorial and step by step digital presentation.

Enjoy other projects by Thomas that included a raven.

Thanks for your interest.

For your perusal... a more recently modeled crow head. Enjoy.

More Info is on our BLOG