Ok, it turns out I haven’t truly dropped 3D character renders for my game after all, though I am shortcutting them quite a bit! Needs must; I have to finish this game!
A week ago, I tried using Blender’s Rigify add-on, which apparently creates a rigged character in “minutes”. I was dubious, but it actually worked alright... if my character had the bones of a squid that is. So then I tried deforming the model manually (like a fool) and yeah, it didn’t work well. A simple, small rig was going to be the best option, so that’s what I did. I only did half the body, no fingers and no inverse kinematics, which sucks, but for 1-2 still poses, it’s worked out pretty efficient.
However, UV mapping was still another lengthy procedure which I was wasting time on. After thinking it over and asking advice over on the Lemma Soft forums, I figured I would try colouring the grey character render in 2D, using the 3D renders as both an occlusion layer and light source layer. This was the result (see left).
Using this process, also means expressions are much easier to add, instead of worrying about the UV mapping being perfect. I also reduced the polygon count to make it easier, but also to match the in-game section’s backgrounds I’d been working on.
I had been trying to create a style for the in-game section that wasn’t too far removed from the in-real-life section, but it also needed to look like a game... So I tried a few different backgrounds styles out but fell in love with the low poly look...
A week ago, I tried using Blender’s Rigify add-on, which apparently creates a rigged character in “minutes”. I was dubious, but it actually worked alright... if my character had the bones of a squid that is. So then I tried deforming the model manually (like a fool) and yeah, it didn’t work well. A simple, small rig was going to be the best option, so that’s what I did. I only did half the body, no fingers and no inverse kinematics, which sucks, but for 1-2 still poses, it’s worked out pretty efficient.
However, UV mapping was still another lengthy procedure which I was wasting time on. After thinking it over and asking advice over on the Lemma Soft forums, I figured I would try colouring the grey character render in 2D, using the 3D renders as both an occlusion layer and light source layer. This was the result (see left).
Using this process, also means expressions are much easier to add, instead of worrying about the UV mapping being perfect. I also reduced the polygon count to make it easier, but also to match the in-game section’s backgrounds I’d been working on.
I had been trying to create a style for the in-game section that wasn’t too far removed from the in-real-life section, but it also needed to look like a game... So I tried a few different backgrounds styles out but fell in love with the low poly look...
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I really, really, really love them! AND they were quick to make. At this rate, most of the in-game section’s backgrounds will be done in a couple of weeks, though, that’s if I focussed on them solely, which yeah, that never happens!
Now, these backgrounds do differ a lot to the previous ones I’ve made, but that’s ok; I’m not totally sold on the few that I’ve already done. I’m planning on using Blender to create some of the other scenes (mainly interiors) and any natural scenes will still be painted (although I will have to be very careful to keep the same aesthetic!).
I really feel like everything is falling into place at the moment – I mean literally! Assets are getting plugged into the game every day now; it’s a great feeling!
Next on my list is sound and music. I will be the bane of my sound technician friends’ lives for months to come!
Now, these backgrounds do differ a lot to the previous ones I’ve made, but that’s ok; I’m not totally sold on the few that I’ve already done. I’m planning on using Blender to create some of the other scenes (mainly interiors) and any natural scenes will still be painted (although I will have to be very careful to keep the same aesthetic!).
I really feel like everything is falling into place at the moment – I mean literally! Assets are getting plugged into the game every day now; it’s a great feeling!
Next on my list is sound and music. I will be the bane of my sound technician friends’ lives for months to come!