@Stellarator
It’s also a matter of quantity; look in the 3d tag, and you’ll see it’s practically uniformly using only those models. Even when slapped onto an anthro piece, it’s still the same heads over and over again. Either those or the EQG models, which are also a single set exclusively used for all 3d EQG art. With that level of saturation, any new type of model would gain points for simply not being the exact same build seen thousands of times already.
@Beau Skunky
I feel like SFM in general, and the models commonly used therein are getting an unfairly bad rap from people.
I think it’s largely because while any set of tools can be used to make good art with sufficient care and effort, SFM has a low enough barrier to entry that it ALSO allows some people to crank out low-effort low-quality art. Whereas something like Blender (my software of choice) is powerful but complicated to use. To learn to produce ANYTHING takes enough effort that you tend to weed out more of the folks who don’t have a real drive for quality and attention to detail.
Of course, you still have varying levels of work within that framework. I’m using custom characters that incorporate the existing Juicedane pony faces, with modifications, whereas Therealdjthed here is knocking it out of the park while working totally from scratch. :)
That said, if you ever want an example of how SFM can still be used to FANTASTIC effect, look up the Nutrafin/Discopears “True True Friend” video. Wow.
@Zharkaer
I don’t think they’re that bad really. In some SFM videos some actually have had some pretty well animated facial expressions, and such in them.
Yeesh, what’s with all the hate over the SFM/KP Shadowsquirrel models all of a sudden? I mean, sure they’re a bit overdone, and this new pony model is pretty good, but I don’t think it’s that much better honestly.
It looks ok from this angle, but I’d like to see if it looks ok from other angles too, as the pointier smaller snout, mouth outline, and such might not work in all directions.
@Horsehugger666
Only thing is, the nostrils, and mouth might be hard to see if they were used in SFM videos, and such. Might be hard to do as many of a variety of expressions as the KP Shadowsquirrel ones.
@Stellarator
Note that I never looked into how the topology was structured in his models until recently, well after I started working on my own model. But I have seen renders of them around before I started and I just saw a lot of problems with how the mesh was shaped. I couldn’t see it being show accurate like I had envisioned unless it was completely overhauled… Which in that case it was just better to start from scratch.
Also I wouldn’t worry about annoying or upsetting me. I mean, I’m constantly trying to gather and criticism on my work so that I can improve it. I’ve gotten a lot of it and I have to keep a thick skin to keep my sanity, because whatever I get can potentially improve my model further. (And it clearly has helped, my first iteration I showed to the public on YouTube was a mess. Especially on the face. Some of the worst topology work I’ve done on that first iteration. That model has come a long way since).
Anyway, I will release my model at some point, but not until I have finished it and it’s in a presentable and useable state to be released. Not only that, but I also want to make sure my model has a solid first impression by using it in my own animated short I’ve been working on before releasing it.
I will however at some point before that show a behind the scenes look at how I’ve modeled this on my YouTube channel. And more especially how I’ve rigged it. The rigging that’s set up for this model is the absolute key to keeping the show accurate look it has now.
@DJTHED
Oh, I see! Awesome. I hope that didn’t come off as maligning you. You did achieve a similar look to the classic CoP model (particularly with the cute little slightly upturned muzzle) which was the standard for a while because it looked good.
And if you had used existing assets, the animation is awesome.
I’ve been putting off making a pony head from scratch because the expression shape keys on the Juicedane model are just so darn good, even though the mesh being triangulated instead of being made of quads has made it a big headache to integrate with my body models.
Out of curiosity, what was the problem with the CoP models? The topology seemed fairly simple, low poly enough to deform well, but subdiv friendly enough to get nice and smooth after the armature deformation.
Obviously if you don’t want to share that is totally fair enough, but I’d love to get a better look at how your model is put together.
@Stellarator
I never used CreatorOfPony’s work as reference. My only reference was the show itself. There are a lot of problems with the CreatorOfPony’s pony meshes that prevent me from converting it into something more show accurate anyway. I made my own mesh from scratch.
@DJTHED
hey, always good to see an artist here on derpi! you should set up your links to get verified as an artist! it’ll make it easier keeping track of from fans~
The texture on the tail and mane really doesn’t fit. Try keeping it smooth, and add a bit of sub surfacing to allow the lighting to bleed through some areas it normally wouldn’t reach.
It’s also a matter of quantity; look in the 3d tag, and you’ll see it’s practically uniformly using only those models. Even when slapped onto an anthro piece, it’s still the same heads over and over again. Either those or the EQG models, which are also a single set exclusively used for all 3d EQG art. With that level of saturation, any new type of model would gain points for simply not being the exact same build seen thousands of times already.
I feel like SFM in general, and the models commonly used therein are getting an unfairly bad rap from people.
I think it’s largely because while any set of tools can be used to make good art with sufficient care and effort, SFM has a low enough barrier to entry that it ALSO allows some people to crank out low-effort low-quality art. Whereas something like Blender (my software of choice) is powerful but complicated to use. To learn to produce ANYTHING takes enough effort that you tend to weed out more of the folks who don’t have a real drive for quality and attention to detail.
Of course, you still have varying levels of work within that framework. I’m using custom characters that incorporate the existing Juicedane pony faces, with modifications, whereas Therealdjthed here is knocking it out of the park while working totally from scratch. :)
That said, if you ever want an example of how SFM can still be used to FANTASTIC effect, look up the Nutrafin/Discopears “True True Friend” video. Wow.
Ah, thankies. Looks good so far.
There are other renders of this models at different angles on my deviantart page.
I don’t think they’re that bad really. In some SFM videos some actually have had some pretty well animated facial expressions, and such in them.
Yeesh, what’s with all the hate over the SFM/KP Shadowsquirrel models all of a sudden? I mean, sure they’re a bit overdone, and this new pony model is pretty good, but I don’t think it’s that much better honestly.
It looks ok from this angle, but I’d like to see if it looks ok from other angles too, as the pointier smaller snout, mouth outline, and such might not work in all directions.
Edited
To be honest the SFM models always looked like shit to me
Only thing is, the nostrils, and mouth might be hard to see if they were used in SFM videos, and such. Might be hard to do as many of a variety of expressions as the KP Shadowsquirrel ones.
Edited
Note that I never looked into how the topology was structured in his models until recently, well after I started working on my own model. But I have seen renders of them around before I started and I just saw a lot of problems with how the mesh was shaped. I couldn’t see it being show accurate like I had envisioned unless it was completely overhauled… Which in that case it was just better to start from scratch.
Also I wouldn’t worry about annoying or upsetting me. I mean, I’m constantly trying to gather and criticism on my work so that I can improve it. I’ve gotten a lot of it and I have to keep a thick skin to keep my sanity, because whatever I get can potentially improve my model further. (And it clearly has helped, my first iteration I showed to the public on YouTube was a mess. Especially on the face. Some of the worst topology work I’ve done on that first iteration. That model has come a long way since).
Anyway, I will release my model at some point, but not until I have finished it and it’s in a presentable and useable state to be released. Not only that, but I also want to make sure my model has a solid first impression by using it in my own animated short I’ve been working on before releasing it.
I will however at some point before that show a behind the scenes look at how I’ve modeled this on my YouTube channel. And more especially how I’ve rigged it. The rigging that’s set up for this model is the absolute key to keeping the show accurate look it has now.
Oh, I see! Awesome. I hope that didn’t come off as maligning you. You did achieve a similar look to the classic CoP model (particularly with the cute little slightly upturned muzzle) which was the standard for a while because it looked good.
And if you had used existing assets, the animation is awesome.
I’ve been putting off making a pony head from scratch because the expression shape keys on the Juicedane model are just so darn good, even though the mesh being triangulated instead of being made of quads has made it a big headache to integrate with my body models.
Out of curiosity, what was the problem with the CoP models? The topology seemed fairly simple, low poly enough to deform well, but subdiv friendly enough to get nice and smooth after the armature deformation.
Obviously if you don’t want to share that is totally fair enough, but I’d love to get a better look at how your model is put together.
I never used CreatorOfPony’s work as reference. My only reference was the show itself. There are a lot of problems with the CreatorOfPony’s pony meshes that prevent me from converting it into something more show accurate anyway. I made my own mesh from scratch.
Unless I am mistaken, she is for the most part the CreatorOfPony model that has been around for a while.
That said, it is a very good model, and this artist is using (and customising) it excellently. Good starting assets are only one part of good CG.
I’m excited to see what else this new person does! :D
Understood. Much appreciated!
hey, always good to see an artist here on derpi! you should set up your links to get verified as an artist! it’ll make it easier keeping track of from fans~
Edited
Seems like it’s the floor and sky being reflected.
Maybe she’s off to the corner store for some Visine(tm).