Finding a new way to Model

As mentioned in the last part I decided to start from scratch and find a better route for making my model.

In lesson, we looked at sculpting as a method of modelling. I thought that due to the more organic nature of a teddy bear I would be able to get something more akin to what I was hoping for using this method. However, when I started sculpting, I found that I was unable to do this.

For me, the method felt like there were too many chances for randomness and while I could get smoother areas like the muzzle, I quickly realised that my main reference image didn’t have any completely smooth areas where the bear’s joints were connected – the arms to the body, the head to the muzzle.

I made a small mention of using a knitted texture in the last part, now knowing that I wanted to go with this, I decided that making each part of the model in different shapes, for example the body separate from the legs, would help this texture on the model appear more like it was knitted and then put together.

I came to this conclusion because of my knowledge of how knitted bears are made, for example the one from my reference image. I know this as the pattern to make it is available for free online and even states:

“Each piece of this bear is knit separately and flat. Finishing involves seaming each piece and connecting the head and limbs to the body.” (Bliss, D 2008)

The way the bear is put together would have a direct effect on how the bear moves and would allow each limb to have more movement than if it was in one piece, meaning it would be able to move without distorting the other limbs.

In the effort to find another method to model I looked online specifically for how to model a stuffed toy. It wasn’t long till I found this video:

This tutorial starts by using drawn reference images of their character from the front, back, and side and uses a base polygon that they then extrude from to build the character pulling edges and vertices around where necessary. Personally, I feel that this method would work well with the nature of my bear.

To have another option, I spoke to my lecturer and they suggested using spheres and the smooth selection tool to get the general shape of the bear, then using the quad draw tool to give the model a good topology and make it easier to work with.

After spending a small about of time playing with both methods, I decided that the method my lecturer suggested to me made most sense. I found it to be a smoother process and less finicky.

Next time, I am going to prepare reference images to work with and restart modelling my bear. I hope to complete the model’s shape and get to a point where I can think about moving onto texturing.

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Bibliography

Bliss, D. (2008). Teddy Bear pattern by Debbie Bliss. [online] Ravelry. Available at: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teddy-bear-3 [Accessed 9 Oct. 2019].

Patel, K. (2016). Autodesk Maya 2015 Tutorial Simple Character Rabbit Stuffed Toy Modeling ,Texturing. [video] Available at: https://youtu.be/uWDbus2PSDM [Accessed 9 Oct. 2019].