Zbrush Dinosaurs and 3D Prints

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Reminds me I still need to pick up the standing Para..I've gotta find some more funds somewhere.

[Gorgonzola]

Pascosaur: Fantastic pictures!  If you plan to paint them I can't wait to see how they turn out.

An update on the split model testing: After a bunch of back and forth and experimenting, I figured out a proper (but tedious) way to split out the models, hollow them out, and retain detail.  Which means all that's left is figuring out how to export it at the proper scale when I move the pieces apart!

In regards to the size, some input would be helpful on this - I've heard some suggestions at 1/20 scale, which puts it at a little under 20" (technically 19.8 inches) for the neutral pose.  The walking pose I'm working on (that postsaurichian put up on the Shapeways thread) would clock in at 16.2 inches, though it is still 1/20 scale, just measured from two shorter distances than the neutral pose.  Does this sound like a fine size? If so I'll go with that.  If not, I'd love to hear suggestions. 

For anyone that's curious, I'm using the real world measurement of about 396 inches for Amargasaurus, and dividing that by whatever scale to see what the overall size might be.  There seems to be a 3 inch difference give or take between the neutral and walking poses, so keeping that in mind should give you an idea of how it would measure in a straight line from tip to tip.

[tyrantqueen]

This is good to hear I'm glad that artists are embracing new methods of creating to cater for bigger model collectors.

[Gorgonzola]

This is good to hear I'm glad that artists are embracing new methods of creating to cater for bigger model collectors.

Totally.  I've wanted to know how to make keys for awhile because I wanted to test out casting some resin pieces myself for the future, especially when I start to try printing out some of my non-dinosaur stuff. I'm planning to do that actually for the nasutoceratops whenever I finish that, I'd like to get a nice print and try out some limited casting myself, just to know how to do it.

Best part about this method for larger pieces is if you're savvy you can hide the escape holes into the positive and negative keys, making the finished shape ways model have no holes to speak of.

[Gorgonzola]

Uploading this to Shapeways now...but it won't be available to everyone just yet.



Some things I've noticed about the whole process:

-Very time intensive. There's a lot of back and forth steps in setting up the positive and negative keys, and then taking the extra steps to recapture detail to get a crisp model.  Which wouldn't be a huge issue except...

-In the end the I have to reduce detail to make it work for Shapeways.  Now, this sounds counterintuitive, but bear with me.  The final Amargasaurus model one I cut it up and recaptured detail came out to about 12 million polygons.  What did I have to reduce the polygon count down to to make it work for Shapeways?  A little under one million.  As you can imagine, a lot of fine details get either wiped or dumbed down quite a bit. (I just realized though that I could upload the three parts separately, which would technically give the final model a final polygon count of 3 million.  Will test.)

-Seems pretty computer intensive too. Definitely takes my computer a bit to work itself through the process at times.  But it does leave me time to make a cup of tea.

-It's also craaaaaazy expensive.  Seriously, WSF material is $172 for the 1/20 scale Amargasaurus. Maybe making the walls a touch thinner would shave some of that cost off, but I seriously doubt it would be cheaper.  I'm actually curious to know now if uploading them separately would be a better benefit.  Will have to test.

But some other things about it are really easy!  Like determining the final size.  I was really worried about that, but it turns out it's quite easy to sort that out.  And once I figured out a method for figuring out how to make the keys it's rather simple, just time intensive.

I'm going to try uploading the parts separately and see what the cost comes out to. It would also probably allow the ability to print in some higher quality materials, like FUD (as is, Frosted Detail is available but FUD is not).

[tyrantqueen]

It is a thing of beauty

Why do I have to be broke at this moment? Oh well, I'll probably end up buying anyway

[postsaurischian]

  Awesome! I want it. Can't wait for the results.

[Gorgonzola]

Okay, uploaded the three parts separately.

The plus side is each part has more detail than the upload that combined all three, by virtue of each of them having to conform to the under million polygons on their own rather than as a group.

The downside is that the cost ends up the same give or take a dollar.

So, going on that information, if anyone is interested in trying out the 1/20 Amargasaurus walking model (as suggested by Postsaurichian and TQ), send me a PM.  I'd be surprised if there was an issue with the printing, the size of it basically takes care of any issues regarding wall thickness, escape holes, etc.  The only thing I would say is you need to make sure to order them all as the same material!  Last thing somebody would want is to order a WSF body and a FD head...

[Gorgonzola]

I also realized that I essentially have the head as a separate object now, so I could make a bust available for purchase for those interested.  Will not be immediate though, since I'd like to noodle around on some other stuff to refill the creative reserves, but it's a potential possibility.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I also realized that I essentially have the head as a separate object now, so I could make a bust available for purchase for those interested.  Will not be immediate though, since I'd like to noodle around on some other stuff to refill the creative reserves, but it's a potential possibility.

That could be interesting..1:1 ?  Bear in mind I ask that without actually the size up myself..though I recall Amargasaurus is a pretty small sauropod.   Maybe 1:2 ?

[Yutyrannus]

Very cool! Doubt I can afford it though .

[amargasaurus cazaui]

I also realized that I essentially have the head as a separate object now, so I could make a bust available for purchase for those interested.  Will not be immediate though, since I'd like to noodle around on some other stuff to refill the creative reserves, but it's a potential possibility.

If you remember that was my original suggestion so it seems you have gone full circle back to it...

[Gorgonzola]

I also realized that I essentially have the head as a separate object now, so I could make a bust available for purchase for those interested.  Will not be immediate though, since I'd like to noodle around on some other stuff to refill the creative reserves, but it's a potential possibility.

If you remember that was my original suggestion so it seems you have gone full circle back to it...

That's what made me remember when I was looking at the size of the head and neck piece! I think that may be worth turning into a model on its own.

[Gorgonzola]

Prospect of designing a base was too interesting to ignore...

[tyrantqueen]

Very creative idea for the base, I like the bones scattered about. Although the juxtaposition of the amarga and the ammonite shell is rather strange...almost like it's growing out of it

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I'd nix the ammonite and just have the neck flowing out of the stone.

Another idea would be to have the fossils in the bottom continue to the bust changing from fossil-bone-muscle-flesh.  Or at least from fossil - flesh.

[Gorgonzola]

For any curious or brave, the 1/20 Amargasaurus is now available as a three piece kit on Shapeways. Having them as three separate products versus one allows me to keep the models more detailed, since instead of having to share one million polygons between three parts each part can have a million polygons to play with.  I figured since the price difference between those two options was something like 3 bucks it was worth it to have three million polygons versus one.

Head: http://shpws.me/qDqY

Body: http://shpws.me/qDr1

Tail: http://shpws.me/qDr0

Hadn't touched the bust since I showed it to you guys, but I am gonna rework it a little bit.  I am in agreement regarding the ammonite - after letting it sit for a few days before looking at it again I'm not a fan.

[tyrantqueen]

Cool stuff...although I don't have any money to spend on dinos at the moment, I'll definitely be purchasing in future, even if the frosted detail kills my wallet

[Gorgonzola]

Cool stuff...although I don't have any money to spend on dinos at the moment, I'll definitely be purchasing in future, even if the frosted detail kills my wallet

I hear ya - So many great artists working on models now and not enough cash to spend on them right now for me. Been wanting to get a hold of some of Manuel's models for awhile now...

[Gorgonzola]

Thought this would be interesting to share as I update my website to include my dinosaur sculptures (not live yet) - these are the pose ideas I presented to Dan for the T. rex resin kit back when he asked me if I'd be interested in producing it as a resin sculpture.

Personally I'm quite fond of the closed mouth pose, if only because it's so atypical of what we see with carnivore statues.  He has that sort of calculating, permanent unamused look that you see in cassowaries, eagles, and hawks of today.

Some of these looking at them now I would have tweaked and pushed a bit further - particularly the rearing back roaring one.  I like it as a good start, but there's some bits and bobs there that could be massaged to make the posing more impressive.

The running pose is probably my least favorite, and looking at it today I would probably redo the pose and see if I can achieve a stronger look for it while still trying to do a running pose.

Maybe someday I'll try and get one of these alternates printed out for myself so I can play around with some resin casting - it's something that's become a curiosity for myself and I'd love to get my hands dirty with it.