Box or cylinder modeling vs strip modeling?
polycounter lvl 17
I've noticed quite a few people use strip modeling here, I guess the most noticeable is b1ll but I've seen quite a few others using it. I personally get a box or cylinder as my base and just mold like crazy. It definitely seems like a "try it yourself and decide which method works best for you" type situation, but I would like to hear what you guys think on the subject, why you choose your method, what makes it work better for you?
Replies
I find a good method for faces, is to model nice quad-strips of geometry around the mouth, nose and eye shapes, then connect these all up ... makes it easier to keep good edge loops for deformation.
For bodies and general mechanical things, I find box modelling easier, because it enables me to really quickly rough out a full silhouette and the mass/volume of the thing I'm modelling.
Doing that in strips often confuses me because I can't tell how the proportions are working with each other, and how the balance is looking.
Each to their own, though.
I'm unsure of whether or not I like strip modeling. Whenever I try it, I find that while I'm able to lay down the basic loops much more easily, I often get lost and make major proportional errors. The topology might look nice, but the head is the wrong shape. Perhaps it's simply because my knowledge of anatomy is so lacking. I make anatomical errors either way, but box modeling lets me fix my mistakes while the mesh is still light and easy to work with.
Strip modelers also seem to have a nasty habit of promising to record modeling sessions only to "forget" later.
I prefer strip modelling because I can do the details exactly how I want for an area and then just build along with my details, without worrying about messing up other parts of the model. I find when trying to do a lot of detail with box modelling I do much more cleanup as the loops I add end up messing up stuff in another part of the mesh.
But that's just me
Strip modelers also seem to have a nasty habit of promising to record modeling sessions only to "forget" later.
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Was that a shot at Kolby? :P If you want those vids pm me, or hit me up on aim, eoffalicious. I've been pbp ever since, Things like latices make reproportioning so easy. I usually tend to do a kind of stick figure to set up the general shape/establish the major loops, then start stripping away at the detail.
This includes the head.. Of course, Im still planning to go back and add the final tweaks with a edit poly layer before export to zbrush. It really helps you understand cross contours and following the flow of muscles on the body.
nothing to do with modelling
Was that a shot at Kolby?
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Haha, yeah (And b1ll too if he's reading this OMG YUS). I managed to grab that timelapse video during the short time that it was on his website, but haven't yet had time to really study it as much as I'd like to. Maybe when school is over. Anyways, I was really referring to all of those "Yeah sure, guys, I'll put up a sweet vid tomorrow" posts that litter his forum. I don't really blame him, as he seems to be an extremely busy guy, but it's always nice to be able to watch such a talented artist at work. And why does he have to tempt me so?!
Humor aside, I really appreciate all the effort that artists have made to put learning material online. I've never taken an art class in my life (Outside of fingerpainting in elementary school
Marine, that sounds like a good workflow. It might help me to establish the major shapes before I get started with the PbP stuff.
A lot of people seem to think there is a "correct" way to do things, and they just need someone to show them, and they'll magically be able to reproduce the individuals work. How do you think b1ll, daz, kolby, arshlevon, or the other awesome modelers learned their process? For those guys it was just DOING. Making models, any old way, and then seeing what appeals to them and helps them get good workflow and process. I know I didn't have anyone standing over my shoulder and guiding my mouse hand, or any timelapse videos to memorize, 1st this, 2nd that, CHARACTER!
Not trying to be too harsh, if I thought video tutorials were completely worthless I wouldn't have made so many, but honestly I think sometimes people use them entirely the wrong way. There's something to be said about the bootstraps method as apposed to spoon-feeding process to someone.
If you want to know about "strip modeling" then strip model something, and see how you like it. Try it in combination with box modeling, cylinder modeling. There are an infinite way to do things, and none more universally correct than another. Find what works for YOU that you can work with the way you want, and gives you results the way you want. If there is something you're curious about, don't wait for a tutorial, figure it out on your own!
And yes, as far as tech/software goes, sometimes you do pick up useful little tricks and techniques.
Sorry if I came across as "Release tutorials so I don't have to practice and experiment for myself!" That's certainly not what I meant.
P.S. Omg b1ll, donnez les moi SIL VOUS PLAIT
[EDIT] nerver mind, just read Per128's post above again...
http://www.benregimbal.com/ice_hand_chick.jpg