Cyber Centaur

Cyber Centaur

 

An ancient warrior, who was created as a last resort to defend his creators. Now as century’s have passed, only the warrior left, roaming the world to find new meaning for own existence. Colours of past are yet to fall completely to hide the past of a warrior.

 

 

                             PRE-PRODUCTION

 

Idea came from daily browse through Pinterest, where I always collect pictures for future projects or references.

Where I found this picture of a custom Gundam Model.

This model got me idea of creating something far from ordinary. Something that combines Nature and Science, Past and Future. A challenge.

After some time I have gathered good amount of references and choose the most significant ones that I liked and wanted.

 

 

 

The concept was to make a big sturdy body, capable of holding heavy damage and have mobility to nearly instantly ,for it sizes, show up in a different part of the battlefield.

Making initial forms in Zbrush, I was able to freely make changes of shapes of the initial mesh, just so it would please me and my idea.

 

 

PRODUCTION

 

Retopology: After finishing base mesh in Zbrush, I began retopology in Maya, because the base mesh was a dirty shape, that didn’t have forms of a hard surface model, with a retopologyzed mesh I was capable to get a good foundation to continue development.

 

Detailing: For further development I cutted down mesh in parts and started detailing them seperetly. After some time in development, I decided to change my initial design of Centaur, which was clean and minimal in terms of sharp edges and details, more futuristic. But I decided to change it in more barbaric way, to make it have look of past. The change I thought would make it more intimidating, for me that’s one of essentials of the past, to scare enemy’s  before  even fight, while slick design hold the fear until the fight.

 

All arms and legs have joints hidden in armoured parts of the limbs its connecting. This way it would give it more primitive look, as future counterparts are connected in more natural and organic way, like tissues. Back legs are made in anatomy of a horse, while legs anatomicaly are thin on the foot, I decided to make them heavy and tough as tank tracks, so it would give him heavy and unstoppable look. Back part of the main body were made in more “additional” way, so it would look like module or additional equipment, so in case of emergency Centaur would be able to drop those parts and go in to a full humanoid form. Of course that would change the idea and concept fully, but that function is only as last resort, if something will be able to demolish such creation.

 

Texturing,UV’s, Materials:

The most important part of production in my mind.

Everything was done in 3D Coat, as it would create automatically UV’s, be able to put materials straight away with colours and then easily export it with all required maps.

With final look, I decided to go with sort of Tribal look, bright colours that catch the eye. Of course with materials I went with metal like iron and brass, adding afterwards effects of time – dirt, mud, scratches on edges and a bit of rust.

 

FINAL PRESENTATION:

 

Lighting,Environment:

With lack of time due to Global Game Jam, I decided to make everything simple, I putted 2 spotlights around my 2 models – textured positioned in calm state, and in battle position – but there were some issues with textures so I decided to remove them.

 

Rendering:

Without having good knowledge and time to learn Unreal Engine 4 features of render, I decided to simply use High Resolution Screenshot feature that is build in the engine.