Moho Forum

I had planned to do this project in 3D but thought I would experiment with a 2D version. I liked the sketches I was doing and it is hard to get the exact look in 3D.

This is early days yet but I like where it's going. I started out with very realistic fuzzy fur using brushes and stroke shapes but it was just to much to manage. I think this looks better anyway.

I really love that "halo" effect. I never used it before. I used it to blend the shapes into each other a touch. Each halo matches the color of the shape behind it. Works really great.

I have a complicated "circle" of hair bones for his mane that is controlled with constraints and just a few smaller bone chains. Hope to have some animation tests soon. Body almost done and I need to do a few more face angles.



-vern

Great artwork! Nice of you to share some of your findings with us. I never realized one could use the halo effect to blend different parts of the character design.

I just tried that halo for the first time this week!!! It kicks ARSE BABY! I love it to death.

I wanted to "fade" the pointy hair shapes and started using masking or multiplied layers. It was a serious pain. I decided to do as much as possible using simple shapes with as little masking as possible.

I tried using a gradient but gradients... uh... have drawbacks as we all know... not conforming to the shape and the angle has to be constantly animated. Using halo can create almost the same effect as a radial gradient with a very large blur radius... almost the same.. close enough for what I want anyway.

I just use the exact same color for the top shape's halo as the fill on the shape behind it... then drop the opacity slightly on that color so it doesn't completely disappear. Works a treat.

One drawback to the halo is that sharp pointy corners get a big fat round "stroke" on the inside, similar to what you get with thick strokes on a pointed corner.

I used two shapes on the same mesh for the stroked mane in the back of the head. One shape on top for the fill and a second one for the stroke behind it to get those nice sharp corners. I like doing this since I don't have to keep track of all those extra points.

Unfortunately you can't do this with AS for some reason... glad I still have Moho around for it.

The body is in a similar style but with a lot less hair. Just subtle pointy things to suggest hair at the joints. I am trying to break away from the habit of extreme realism. That is a weakness I have from being used to 3D stuff. I don't need to draw individual hairs already!

After "Larry" gets done I have two other characters who are just as furry. Should be easier to do them now that I have a "style" figured out.

-vern

This is looking great!! Thanks for the "halo" tip, I have to try that one too.
I would love to see this beast animated.
Good work!

Fantastic work! I really like this design.

Fantastic work! I really like this design.

HeyVern - fantastic character design! Can't wait to see the hair bones in action.

And thanks for the halo tip.

- g

it's nice to see your working great, heyvern. you are always helping all us, and maybe you are one of the most wise AS users...

thanks for sharing it. i really want to see the león in action too.

PS: ...why some people hate the drawing tools?
there they have, it works awesome.

This is just a rough test. Still some bones to add... need to finish the head/body 3/4 views... hands... tail... etc etc.

He will also have HUGE teeth... I'm having FUN!

http://www.lowrestv.com/moho_stuff/larry4.mov


Selgin,

Actions speak louder than words. I LOVE the drawing tools in AS!

-vern

Wonderful use of the AS drawing tools, Vern! My mental ears are ringing from your actions

Thanks for posting this and for sharing the knowledge here in these forums. You are one heckuva nice guy!

Really like the character and the animation, although (like you said) rough, has a wee bit of personality shining though.

Here's the background on the characters:

http://www.lowrestv.com/happy_bear.asp

I had started this using 3D software but... sadly I just can't get the results I want fast enough. AS is much more... instant gratification. What you draw is what gets animated.




-vern

Really nice look to this piece. More, more.

heyvern, I can only say bravo!!!. The hair movement and its control is impressive!!. I suppouse you have used controlled bones as you have frequently shown in other tutorials.

I've checked your other link and I've discovered a lot of good artist work.
I supouse that work with Larry the Liger in 3D gave you lot of work. But the movie where it roars is amazing!!!

Thanks for share your knowledge. Sometimes reading your post is a little difficult for non native english person but the amount of wisdom that they spread is worth it.

Looks really good, can't wait to see more.

The roring lion!!! ROAR!