DIGITAL PUPPETS UK
On the planet of animation and digital avatars, creating reasonable and stylized characters is a necessary talent. My title is Antony Evans, I’m the co-founder of Digital Puppets, an animation studio within the UK. I’ve labored as character designer for a few years and not too long ago labored with Vtuber firm Taiyaki Studios in addition to studios studios reminiscent of Disney, Warner Bros, and the BBC.
On this video I’ll share my insights and workflow for creating a stylized Snoop Dogg avatar. Leveraging instruments like Character Creator 4 and ZBrush, I’ll run via the method of remodeling a sensible base right into a fascinating cartoon model.
“One of many key benefits of Character Creator 4 is its capacity to sculpt element straight into the mesh. The software program supplies highly effective sculpting instruments that allowed me so as to add particular options and refine the character’s face to match the distinctive traits of Snoop Dogg. I may sculpt the form of the nostril, eyes, lips, and different facial parts with higher precision, leading to a extra correct illustration.”
Antony Evans – Co-owner and Animator at Digital Puppets UK
Establishing a Sensible Base
To start the character creation course of, I began by buying a reference picture and utilizing this with the Headshot plugin for Character Creator 4. The picture I used was from ArtStation and was really a 3D render however was good for a front-on-image of his face. When working with Headshot picture with even lighting is necessary to get the very best outcomes. With some tweaking utilizing morphs and the Edit Mesh software in iClone 8, I fine-tuned the character’s options, attempting to realize an in depth resemblance to Snoop Dogg.
I began the method by creating a sensible model, as this provides me a terrific base to create the cartoon model from. I can then take a look at out exaggerating totally different options and attempting totally different types till I get the look I’m after.
Creating a sensible base with unreal Mesh to Meta Human
Within the video the following step was to attempt the identical course of of making a sensible Snoop Dogg however utilizing the Mesh-to-MetaHuman software. I discovered that this did work rather well, and the method of turning my mesh created in Character Creator 4 right into a MetaHuman was straightforward to do.
It was solely when It got here to adjusting the mesh that I discovered that the MetaHuman modifying instruments have been restricted. I might have appreciated to have extra management over the areas I may manipulate and be capable of push them additional than its limits. The ultimate animation ends in the Unreal Engine and with the MetaHuman have been nonetheless spectacular, however for my objective of turning the mannequin right into a stylized cartoon model – Character Creator allowed extra choices for me to realize this.
Why I used Character creator as a substitute of MetaHuman ?
Within the video I’m going again to the CC4 base, it’s because utilizing instruments just like the Edit Mesh and the Sliders I had extra management over modifying the mesh. One of many different large benefits is the GoZ plugin which opens up all of the sculpting software obtainable in ZBrush. Its in ZBrush I can actually push and pull the mesh round and take a look at out totally different seems to be for the stylised character.
Making a Stylized character from CC4 reasonable base
With our reasonable base established in Character Creator 4, we embark on an thrilling journey of stylization. Drawing inspiration from beloved Disney characters and different stylized designs, we explored how pushing and pulling mesh parts in ZBrush can remodel our reasonable base right into a fascinating and distinctive stylized character. We embrace the trial-and-error course of, leveraging the pliability of ZBrush to realize numerous seems to be and evoke a particular type.
Remaining Ideas
One of many key benefits of Character Creator 4 is its capacity to sculpt element straight into the mesh. The software program supplies highly effective sculpting instruments that allowed me so as to add particular options and refine the character’s face to match the distinctive traits of Snoop Dogg. I may sculpt the form of the nostril, eyes, lips, and different facial parts with higher precision, leading to a extra correct illustration.
Moreover, by utilizing the GoZ integration, I may swap between Character Creator 4 and my most popular sculpting software program with ease. This streamlined workflow enabled me to sculpt intricate particulars onto the mesh and obtain the next degree of realism, making certain that the Snoop Dogg character carefully resembled the real-life counterpart.
Whereas the Mesh to Metahuman function in Unreal Engine offered a stable place to begin, Character Creator 4, together with the GoZ integration, provided a greater technique to sculpt superb element into the mesh. The flexibility to straight manipulate the mesh and seamlessly switch sculpted particulars between software program packages considerably enhanced the extent of customization and realism achievable within the character creation course of.
Additionally, a terrific addition to CC4 is the brand new wrinkle map function. Whether or not you might be creating a sensible or stylized character, the extra wrinkle element brings an additional degree of life you your character designs. On the finish of the video you possibly can see these examples of various characters and you should utilize the totally different wrinkle map choices to get the best search for your character.
Comply with Digital Puppets:
Take a look at our Discord channel at https://discord.gg/28DNM9A94P So if you’re a iClone, Unreal, Character Animator, LIVE2D person and also you need recommendation or to share your work, come be part of us. We’re hoping it’s going to be an energetic neighborhood. Additionally, if you’re an animator usually, be part of us too, inform us what packages you might be utilizing, we’re at all times eager to find out about what others are doing and utilizing
Web site :
https://digitalpuppets.co.uk
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalPuppets
Taiyaki Studios :
https://taiyakistudios.com
Taiyaki YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TaiyakiStudios
