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Zbrush Modeling
to Maya- 2D to 3D
This is a project which I modeled, painted and rigged a character using different software in 2024.
The process book is included to show the technical steps in how I achieved the final result, translating 2D into 3D with highly matching details.
Developing a new world
I start out first with, "What story do I want to tell?"
Then, "who are the characters? What do they want? Why?"
Based on their personalities and motives, I created my graduate thesis film, Strawberry Meringue Cake.
The following is a step to step process to how the film came alive.
Concept Art
Character Designs
![DW~F[0VSD9�B0]U[L339N.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6628c3_e397c69437384e638edea80f49420b0e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_192,h_213,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/DW~F%5B0VSD9%EF%BF%BDB0%5DU%5BL339N.png)
They once had very different designs and proportions. The dragon was more fiercer, and the cat walked more like a realistic cat. Over years, I realized I wanted to tell a story not about two animals, but about two animals that resembled humans, so I changed them to being more gentle, more lovable to each other, and removed unnecessary designs such as the tuft of hair on their heads.
Also wanted to see if other animals worked, but I think sheep just didn't have that mischievous vibe of a cat.
Beat Boards
Early version/ rough board for the story.
Went through a few iterations trying to decide their storyline.
Script
Yes, there is a script to get thoughts fully on paper
before going to visual world. But I guess people don't really look at words for visual development.
(Well, I don't at least.)
Storyboard+ Animatic
I didn't want to just tell a story. I wanted to convey some message through it. Therefore, the two little characters evolved from "leaving each other" to "having to leave because of one having a longer life than the other." I wanted to express that even if the dragon would feel heartbroken when the cat's death comes, he would still not regret his decision of being with cat. (Storyboard made in Photoshop)
Modeling Characters
Didn't fully decide on clothes, so I tried adding a shirt and pants for the cat to test the look.
Modeling Environments
Texturing
Defined the 3d style to be hand-painterly, and did so using Substance Painter. Painted on Normal maps to achieve the brush stroke look when changing light direction.
Final Look
Some snippets from the final look of the film, which combined 3d with 2D backgrounds. All aspects except backgrounds+ 2dFX made by myself.
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