Safari Ltd - new for 2014

[tyrantqueen]

I'm throwing this out there - Velociraptor is not over-represented at all. Name five affordable figures of a fully feathered Velociraptor.
What is actually over-represented is the Jurassic Park version, the scaly, human-sized "raptors" that look almost nothing like the actual Velociraptor.

And I don't care if people don't like feathers on their theropods, it's not something you can simply deny. What if Jurassic Park had stuck with the popular depiction of dinosaurs, and had shown them as sluggish beasts with their tails on the ground? It's time for a change in the popular view of dinosaurs, and I'm hoping that something like Walking With Dinosaurs 3D makes feathers more popular.

I would argue that the "velociraptors" in JP are velociraptors in name only. I recall that the designers of the film made them bigger so that they would appear more intimidating to cinema goers.

In my opinion, a decent model of velociraptor in toy form has not yet been made. The Bullyland was crudely sculpted, and the Wild Safari (although I liked it as a sculpture) had broken forearms and was naked. I liked the CollectA one, but its feet were weird.

Back on topic, I personally believe that the mystery feathered theropod is going to be an Archeopteryx, but we'll see

[Hermes888]

I'm throwing this out there - Velociraptor is not over-represented at all. Name five affordable figures of a fully feathered Velociraptor.
What is actually over-represented is the Jurassic Park version, the scaly, human-sized "raptors" that look almost nothing like the actual Velociraptor.

And I don't care if people don't like feathers on their theropods, it's not something you can simply deny. What if Jurassic Park had stuck with the popular depiction of dinosaurs, and had shown them as sluggish beasts with their tails on the ground? It's time for a change in the popular view of dinosaurs, and I'm hoping that something like Walking With Dinosaurs 3D makes feathers more popular.

I would argue that the "velociraptors" in JP are velociraptors in name only. I recall that the designers of the film made them bigger so that they would appear more intimidating to cinema goers.

In my opinion, a decent model of velociraptor in toy form has not yet been made. The Bullyland was crudely sculpted, and the Wild Safari (although I liked it as a sculpture) had broken forearms and was naked. I liked the CollectA one, but its feet were weird.

Back on topic, I personally believe that the mystery feathered theropod is going to be an Archeopteryx, but we'll see

I think it was confirmed that the second Carnegie would be a resculpt, so Velociraptor makes the most sense. I really hope that Safari will release it in 2014, but by this point it's pretty likely to be a 2015 release. 
Aside from Bullyland, are there any commonly available feathered Velociraptor figures? I'm still waiting for a good depiction, and as you said tyrantqueen, the Bullyland one is rather poorly sculpted.

[tyrantqueen]

I'm throwing this out there - Velociraptor is not over-represented at all. Name five affordable figures of a fully feathered Velociraptor.
What is actually over-represented is the Jurassic Park version, the scaly, human-sized "raptors" that look almost nothing like the actual Velociraptor.

And I don't care if people don't like feathers on their theropods, it's not something you can simply deny. What if Jurassic Park had stuck with the popular depiction of dinosaurs, and had shown them as sluggish beasts with their tails on the ground? It's time for a change in the popular view of dinosaurs, and I'm hoping that something like Walking With Dinosaurs 3D makes feathers more popular.

I would argue that the "velociraptors" in JP are velociraptors in name only. I recall that the designers of the film made them bigger so that they would appear more intimidating to cinema goers.

In my opinion, a decent model of velociraptor in toy form has not yet been made. The Bullyland was crudely sculpted, and the Wild Safari (although I liked it as a sculpture) had broken forearms and was naked. I liked the CollectA one, but its feet were weird.

Back on topic, I personally believe that the mystery feathered theropod is going to be an Archeopteryx, but we'll see

I think it was confirmed that the second Carnegie would be a resculpt, so Velociraptor makes the most sense. I really hope that Safari will release it in 2014, but by this point it's pretty likely to be a 2015 release. 
Aside from Bullyland, are there any commonly available feathered Velociraptor figures? I'm still waiting for a good depiction, and as you said tyrantqueen, the Bullyland one is rather poorly sculpted.

My personal favourite model is Aaron Doyle's Shapeways model, but it's not a toy, so I guess it doesn't count

What about Favorite's Velociraptor? I personally didn't like it, but it does count as a feathered depiction..

[Simon]

..and that's that. No debate.

Not quite Blade.  If the sculptor did not use texture stamps, perhaps he can then explain how is it that the WS dinos have very detailed scaly skin.  Seems unlikely to me that he could have individually sculpted each round scale?

For the record, I think that texture stamps are a GOOD THING because they allow sculptors to create greater minute detail on their sculpts ,,,

[tyrantqueen]

..and that's that. No debate.

Not quite Blade.  If the sculptor did not use texture stamps, perhaps he can then explain how is it that the WS dinos have very detailed scaly skin.  Seems unlikely to me that he could have individually sculpted each round scale?

For the record, I think that texture stamps are a GOOD THING because they allow sculptors to create greater minute detail on their sculpts ,,,

Sometimes, they can be helpful. But, I think they create a manufactured look when used to make skin detail. When you carve scales in by hand, being a human, not every scale is going to look exactly the same. Just like in nature. It looks much more organic when it's done by hand. Of course, I'm speaking from my own experience and therefore it's mostly my opinion

David Silva (sculptor of Creativebeasts model kits) said this about texture stamping:

"Beginning sculptors should know, however, that the use of stamps is generally frowned upon  ... Try not to use texturing stamps (because it looks unnatural)"

Btw, Simon, are you a sculptor, too? Just curious.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

..and that's that. No debate.

Not quite Blade.  If the sculptor did not use texture stamps, perhaps he can then explain how is it that the WS dinos have very detailed scaly skin.  Seems unlikely to me that he could have individually sculpted each round scale?

For the record, I think that texture stamps are a GOOD THING because they allow sculptors to create greater minute detail on their sculpts ,,,

Since we seem to persevere here though.   My guess is he created them one at a time as most artists will on a such a small piece.  Many artists achieve a high level of detail without texture stamping.  Using stamps is normally done are larger pieces where it would take an absurd amount of time to  detail the entire creature.

[Patrx]

I'm throwing this out there - Velociraptor is not over-represented at all. Name five affordable figures of a fully feathered Velociraptor.
What is actually over-represented is the Jurassic Park version, the scaly, human-sized "raptors" that look almost nothing like the actual Velociraptor.

And I don't care if people don't like feathers on their theropods, it's not something you can simply deny. What if Jurassic Park had stuck with the popular depiction of dinosaurs, and had shown them as sluggish beasts with their tails on the ground? It's time for a change in the popular view of dinosaurs, and I'm hoping that something like Walking With Dinosaurs 3D makes feathers more popular.

I would argue that the "velociraptors" in JP are velociraptors in name only. I recall that the designers of the film made them bigger so that they would appear more intimidating to cinema goers.

In my opinion, a decent model of velociraptor in toy form has not yet been made. The Bullyland was crudely sculpted, and the Wild Safari (although I liked it as a sculpture) had broken forearms and was naked. I liked the CollectA one, but its feet were weird.

Back on topic, I personally believe that the mystery feathered theropod is going to be an Archeopteryx, but we'll see

I think it was confirmed that the second Carnegie would be a resculpt, so Velociraptor makes the most sense. I really hope that Safari will release it in 2014, but by this point it's pretty likely to be a 2015 release. 
Aside from Bullyland, are there any commonly available feathered Velociraptor figures? I'm still waiting for a good depiction, and as you said tyrantqueen, the Bullyland one is rather poorly sculpted.

My personal favourite model is Aaron Doyle's Shapeways model, but it's not a toy, so I guess it doesn't count

What about Favorite's Velociraptor? I personally didn't like it, but it does count as a feathered depiction..

There's also the Kaiyodo "Kitidaniryu". Despite the name, it's quite distinctly based on Velociraptor, and it's pretty decent. Aaron Doyle's model is great, but it is a little out-of-date, or at least sparsely feathered. These days, from what I read, Velociraptor (et cetera) probably had feathers on its face, including at least part of the snout - after all, it's not a beak. That being something I look for in a "'raptor", it counts basically every model ever made right out in terms of being "just right". Aaron's doing an updated version, though, which does look to be a little fuzzier about the face. 

[tyrantqueen]

I'm throwing this out there - Velociraptor is not over-represented at all. Name five affordable figures of a fully feathered Velociraptor.
What is actually over-represented is the Jurassic Park version, the scaly, human-sized "raptors" that look almost nothing like the actual Velociraptor.

And I don't care if people don't like feathers on their theropods, it's not something you can simply deny. What if Jurassic Park had stuck with the popular depiction of dinosaurs, and had shown them as sluggish beasts with their tails on the ground? It's time for a change in the popular view of dinosaurs, and I'm hoping that something like Walking With Dinosaurs 3D makes feathers more popular.

I would argue that the "velociraptors" in JP are velociraptors in name only. I recall that the designers of the film made them bigger so that they would appear more intimidating to cinema goers.

In my opinion, a decent model of velociraptor in toy form has not yet been made. The Bullyland was crudely sculpted, and the Wild Safari (although I liked it as a sculpture) had broken forearms and was naked. I liked the CollectA one, but its feet were weird.

Back on topic, I personally believe that the mystery feathered theropod is going to be an Archeopteryx, but we'll see

I think it was confirmed that the second Carnegie would be a resculpt, so Velociraptor makes the most sense. I really hope that Safari will release it in 2014, but by this point it's pretty likely to be a 2015 release. 
Aside from Bullyland, are there any commonly available feathered Velociraptor figures? I'm still waiting for a good depiction, and as you said tyrantqueen, the Bullyland one is rather poorly sculpted.

My personal favourite model is Aaron Doyle's Shapeways model, but it's not a toy, so I guess it doesn't count

What about Favorite's Velociraptor? I personally didn't like it, but it does count as a feathered depiction..

There's also the Kaiyodo "Kitidaniryu". Despite the name, it's quite distinctly based on Velociraptor, and it's pretty decent. Aaron Doyle's model is great, but it is a little out-of-date, or at least sparsely feathered. These days, from what I read, Velociraptor (et cetera) probably had feathers on its face, including at least part of the snout - after all, it's not a beak. That being something I look for in a "'raptor", it counts basically every model ever made right out in terms of being "just right". Aaron's doing an updated version, though, which does look to be a little fuzzier about the face. 

Well, to be fair, Aaron Doyle's Velociraptor was made a few years back. I'm looking forward to the new one, too.

[Simon]

I am no sculptor, though I have on occasion fixed a flaw or two on a large resin kit with putty and a make shift texture stamp.

I thought that these stamps were the way that detail was done.  If the WS sculptor actually hand-sculpted all of the scales on his pieces I am speechless ....   

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I am no sculptor, though I have on occasion fixed a flaw or two on a large resin kit with putty and a make shift texture stamp.

I thought that these stamps were the way that detail was done.  If the WS sculptor actually hand-sculpted all of the scales on his pieces I am speechless ....   

There you go. Now you can see just why it's off putting to suggest that an artist does complete texture stamping. Fixing places in resin kits  is a common technique..after all we aren't the original sculptors so it's hard to duplicate their exact work.   Let's drop it now unless Mr. Watson wants to  chime again at some point to further explain things. Maybe he could even show some progress pics.. I for one would love to see those.

[SpartanSquat]

I'm throwing this out there - Velociraptor is not over-represented at all. Name five affordable figures of a fully feathered Velociraptor.
What is actually over-represented is the Jurassic Park version, the scaly, human-sized "raptors" that look almost nothing like the actual Velociraptor.

And I don't care if people don't like feathers on their theropods, it's not something you can simply deny. What if Jurassic Park had stuck with the popular depiction of dinosaurs, and had shown them as sluggish beasts with their tails on the ground? It's time for a change in the popular view of dinosaurs, and I'm hoping that something like Walking With Dinosaurs 3D makes feathers more popular.

I would argue that the "velociraptors" in JP are velociraptors in name only. I recall that the designers of the film made them bigger so that they would appear more intimidating to cinema goers.

In my opinion, a decent model of velociraptor in toy form has not yet been made. The Bullyland was crudely sculpted, and the Wild Safari (although I liked it as a sculpture) had broken forearms and was naked. I liked the CollectA one, but its feet were weird.

Back on topic, I personally believe that the mystery feathered theropod is going to be an Archeopteryx, but we'll see

Well the velociraptor in Jurassic Park is in reality a Deinonychus. The name for the creature was a mistake by Gregory Paul in the 80s. In his book Predatory Dinosaurs of the World,  Deinonychus is Velociraptor antirrophus. Michael Crichton used this book as a reference for the novel. Also watching Stan Winston concept art I found this.

It said clearly Deinonychus. But I think the name was changed for Paul classification.
About texture stamps. I also use alphas for ZBrush models for some parts like the back, the belly, wrinkles.

[Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus]

Quote removed - Admin

Thanks very much for responding-I really enjoy seeing the work you put out, and it's great to have some of that background info.

[postsaurischian]

I personally believe that the mystery feathered theropod is going to be an Archeopteryx, but we'll see

Oh, how I would love that!

[Simon]

Hi Doug - thank you so much for your enlightening reply!  Yes, now that you explain it, it does make sense - I can imagine how time consuming it must be to texturize the skin - and may I say that I very much wish that Carnegie would hire you to sculpt their dinosaurs as well ...

[Simon]

Hi Doug - no, I won't ask 

I will add that I wish that Safari would hire you to do their THEROPODS - they are one area where I have been repeatedly disappointed with Ms. Rodgers work, as I stated earlier in this thread  ....

[John]

Quote removed - Admin

I must say that I am impressed especially with the Dimorphodon,a particular species that I had been wanting to see.As for what those 2015 dinosaurs could be,knowing what they will be so early could lead to dissapointment if one or two of them end up being delayed.

[suspsy]

I rather like the new Tyrannosaurus rex. I do wish its tail was thicker, but the head sculpt looks fantastic.

[DC]

I congratulate the thread originators for separating the new releases by company.  This is much more readable than last years new release thread.   I think it would be even better if we could put the Wild Safari and Carnegie in their own threads.  It is easy for someone joining the thread right now to get confused about who is releasing what.  Carneige and Wild Safari have differening development processes, markets and stakeholders so comparisons become apples and oranges discussions.  I would also note resin and vinyl are different mediums for sculpts and each have their limitations so it is not a productive comparison.  Great discussion.

[Concavenator]

Yeah,wasn't 2014 Carnegie's 'glorious year to wow us'? 
Well,in June or so I thought Carnegue was going to release about 4 new sculpts for 2014.If Carnegie thinks that they'll wow us releasing only a figure per year,they're very wrong.Imagine the lineup for 2014 fpr the Carnegie Collection would be this:
This Tyrannosaurus,a feathered Velociraptor,a completely brand new Allosaurus , an amazing,highly anticipated,Apatosaurus and a repaint of the Microraptor.(The theropods without tripod pose,of course).Wouldn't that be an amazing year for Carnegie.
I guess w'all would say 'WOW' if so.
And if they knew that they were going to introduce only a Tyrannosaurus rex and they knew that the Velociraptor (?) was likely to be delayed,they at least could have the detail of doing it without 'tripod stance',no?
I really didn't care for tripods,but now the issue is beginning to annoy me.So what's the problem uf they continue with those tripods?None of their theropods will be original.
If we really are very very tired,we seriously should contact Forest Rogers or Safari Ltd. and tell them the tripod issue.And  if they say that if they don't put the theropods in a tripod pose,they'll fall over,we may should post an image of the CollectA Proceratosaurus (a figure of a theropod dinosaur which has correctly sized feet and does stand perfectly).
And didn't Masiakasaurus say:'I think people will be happy with the 2 new Carngies despite the fact that they're safe bets for a wide appeal'?
If he said 'wide appeal' is because he saw at least something of the other Carnegie,I guess.So,I wouldn't mind if they reveal it later,given that we knew that Carnegie was going to introduce more than a sculpt for 2014.
Another point is that I d

[Roselaar]

But... my Collecta Proceratosaurus can't stand up straight at all. Nor can my Rajasaurus, Dino Prey T-Rex, Concavenator, Australovenator and Deluxe Neovenator. I wouldn't call Collecta a prime example on how to do things right without tripod poses. Safari just needs to blance its figures better. The Carnegie Albertosaurus proves they can without making the feet too large, right?