First attempt at CG

[Darkgold]

This was sort of inspired by Da' Falcon's CGing of himself. I relise its not finished yet but I have put a lot of work and time into and would like to see what you guys think of it so far.
http://darkgold.designbykiltz.com/tsukasa2color.jpg

[geezusfreeek]

Extremely impressive for a first CG! My only complaint would probably be that no variations are made in the line thickness, but that's just an asthetic decision. By all technicalities, I can find nothing wrong with this CG, taking into account that it is incomplete.

[OneSadCookie]

Very cool!

[DaFalcon]

extremely cool, I can't wait for you to finish it :-)

[codemattic]

Is the character blind? And does he see through the eye-like jewel floating within the staff?

well kewl beans DG!

[Darkgold]

Hahaha, no, but thats a good idea. The eyes are just one of those unfinished things

[jamie]

very nice, and considering it's a first attempt, with some practice, perhaps a career switch to illustration? ;)

[AJ Infinity]

wow, that's good. What did you use? Maya? Oh wait, you said first attempt so it couldn't of been Maya. Cinema? Strata? Carrara Studio? Swift 3D?

[w_reade]

Surely that's not done with a 3d app? Looks like good old-fashioned lines and paint (even if virtual ;)) to me...

[jamie]

yes, certainly has to be illustrator, freehand, photoshop, something like that...

[AJ Infinity]

Maya's Flash renderer does stuff like that. SoftImage and Maya shaders do stuff like that. LW's shaders can do that (with some work).

[hokan]

A fairly nice picture, descriptions of the original character (and series), for those interested, can be found hear:

http://home.mchsi.com/~landale77/hack/

Heres a link to what I think is a official site:

http://www.dothack.com/

[DaFalcon]

Originally posted by AJ Infinity
Maya's Flash renderer does stuff like that. SoftImage and Maya shaders do stuff like that. LW's shaders can do that (with some work).

*like* that, but definitely not *that*... you can see the lines extending beyond the range of the picture at the bottom.

[AJ Infinity]

Then this is not "CG". It's 2D art!!!

[Mazilurik]

Originally posted by AJ Infinity
Then this is not "CG". It's 2D art!!!

CG stands for "Computer Graphics", correct? If so, wouldn't any image created on a computer qualify as CG?

Semantics aside, that's some very impressive artwork; I love the shading and the overall style of the image. It's almost enough to make me start up Illustrator and try to make something even half as good. I can't wait to see the finished version!

[DaFalcon]

CG does indeed stand for Computer Graphics, which includes any artwork created with a computer, be it 2D or 3D, still picture or a movie.

I recently purchased a CG tutorial CD and it is all 2D stuff. ( http://store.rabbitvalley.org/item_50_1008.html )

[DaFalcon]

DarkGold, you didn't tell us that you were drawing a .hack character....

Nor did you tell us that you were working off of somebody else's image.

http://www.lvcm.com/genzou/tsukasa.jpg - note; even this image is not an original, the pose was taken from a promo.

Sorry if I sound mean at all, I just recently read this ( http://www.cutepet.org/faq.html#q18 ) tidbit about copier artists and cut and paste artists.

Why are these types of artists bad? It's frustrating to see other 'artists' taking these sorts of short cuts just to gain popularity or reap financial gain._Not only do they steal poses, but these poses come from other artist's hard work! Since copier artists usually keep it a secret that they trace or copy, they never give credit to the original artist for the pose or for any other element stolen from another artist's image.

Unfortunately many people simply don't have the
knowledge or experience with anime style artwork to know when a work is being copied. This is simply because they've never seen the original, and have no reason to distrust the artist when they pass off a copied image as their own. Some artist like to pray upon the uninformed or apathetic and use it their advantage.

I know you're learning and I know I did the same thing with my CGing-of-self, but I at least pointed out that I was using a photo of myself as a basis, you should probably have mentioned that this was not your character and that you were using a pre-existing pose.

[AJ Infinity]

CG is mainly used for 3D graphics!! CG stands for computer generated. Toy Story for example was CG (duh) and it was made in Maya. This image I would call graphic design.

[GoodDoug]

Originally posted by AJ Infinity
CG is mainly used for 3D graphics!! CG stands for computer generated. Toy Story for example was CG (duh) and it was made in Maya. This image I would call graphic design.

Oh please... CG != 3D

In most circles, CG is merely an umbrella term that includes all computer graphics. And, Toy Story was not "made in Maya," some of the modeling and animation may have been done in Maya, but most of the shading was done with in house tools. And the rendering was also done with in house tools.

Good lord, I don't know why I'm even continuing this argument... I must just be tired and cranky.

[w_reade]

Well, GoodDoug, I was bright as a button and fresh as a daisy when I read it, and I still felt an almost-overpowering urge to say much the same... ;)

[Shivers]

AJ, nobody will hold this against you, just let it rest and accept that you blanked and messed up...believe me nobody cares. People do care if you keep arguing about something we all know is wrong.

[erazorhead]

Originally posted by AJ Infinity
This image I would call graphic design.
take it from a longtime computer artist studying computer art and graphic design in college.
graphic design is a commercial skill, mostly dealing with layout and presentation, that is used to communicate information in an asthetically pleasing way. usually to sell something. graphic design is not limited to computer or non-computer work. good examples of graphic design include brochures, web sites, flyers, magazine advertisements and billboards, etc.
graphic design is sometimes confused with illustration, which is what i would call this. illustration can of course be incorporated into graphic design work, but the two words are not interchangeable.
CG (or CGI) are generally used to describe 3d computer work for movies. however, the term covers 2d work as well. personally i only use the term CG to describe 3d animation, because that is what "CG" invokes in most folks' minds. but that's just me. technically it covers any 2d or 3d computer graphic work.
also, i agree with dafalcon's criticisms of copy artists. there might be some merit in copying another artist for the sole purpose of learning technique, but i would personally argue against even that. definitely no glory in passing another's work off as your own. not that i am trying to accuse Darkgold of doing so, but copying art without permission under any circumstances is walking on thin ice... you could easily make someone pissed.
that said, you seem to have great skills and an excellent technical understanding of your tools. take the leap and start working on original pieces! keep us updated, it's great to see an artist's work.

[Darkgold]

Originally posted by DaFalcon
DarkGold, you didn't tell us that you were drawing a .hack character....

Nor did you tell us that you were working off of somebody else's image.

http://www.lvcm.com/genzou/tsukasa.jpg - note; even this image is not an original, the pose was taken from a promo.

Sorry if I sound mean at all, I just recently read this ( http://www.cutepet.org/faq.html#q18 ) tidbit about copier artists and cut and paste artists.



I know you're learning and I know I did the same thing with my CGing-of-self, but I at least pointed out that I was using a photo of myself as a basis, you should probably have mentioned that this was not your character and that you were using a pre-existing pose.
Sorry if I made you mad by not saying that, yes that was the image I was drawing, but in no way was it cut and paste. Look at the fingers and you can really tell, I was attempting to improve apon the original. I will soon post something that is an original character.
As for how I did it, I first hand drew the image then went into Photoshop and used the line tool to trace all the lines. Last I used the paint bucket for the colors.
Again, I'm sorry if I made anyone mad. I was practicing CGing, not the actual drawing of the character. Thats why I used a pre-exsisting image.

[DaFalcon]

Its cool, Darkgold. I just originally though that it was your own character and was impressed by the design :-) Hopefully you'll impress us with your original character as well :-)

[erazorhead]

i agree; like i said, it's very well done. the only way you're really likely to make someone angry would be if you tried to pass it off as your own original design. looking forward to more of your work!

[AJ Infinity]

Originally posted by GoodDoug
Oh please... CG != 3D

In most circles, CG is merely an umbrella term that includes all computer graphics. And, Toy Story was not "made in Maya," some of the modeling and animation may have been done in Maya, but most of the shading was done with in house tools. And the rendering was also done with in house tools.

Good lord, I don't know why I'm even continuing this argument... I must just be tired and cranky.

Damn, that was harsh. :) Ah well, I should just go back to calling 3D graphics 3D graphics then. AND I KNOW TOY STORY WASN"T JUST MADE IN MAYA!!! OF COURSE NOT IF IT WERE MADE BY PIXAR> Maya drove all the character animation, scene assembly etc., but Pixar used their own tools also. Whaddya think I am? Stupid? (Please, don't answer that)

Nobody likes being proved wrong anyway, I just took a guess that it was 3D graphics because Darkgold said CG and CG (as erazorhead said) makes me think of 3D graphics.

[GoodDoug]

Originally posted by AJ Infinity
Damn, that was harsh. :) Ah well, I should just go back to calling 3D graphics 3D graphics then. AND I KNOW TOY STORY WASN"T JUST MADE IN MAYA!!! OF COURSE NOT IF IT WERE MADE BY PIXAR> Maya drove all the character animation, scene assembly etc., but Pixar used their own tools also. Whaddya think I am? Stupid? (Please, don't answer that)

Nobody likes being proved wrong anyway, I just took a guess that it was 3D graphics because Darkgold said CG and CG (as erazorhead said) makes me think of 3D graphics.

Damn! you mean I can't call you stupid? ;)

I apologize for being harsh.

[Mars_999]

Bunch of bullies! Every single last one of you!! :D :wow: :p

[AJ Infinity]

Originally posted by GoodDoug
Damn! you mean I can't call you stupid? ;)

Wow! Everyone on this forum has a sense of humor (except <won't name his name> and <won't name his name>).

remember, you're messing with an orc raider from WarCraft 3 (avatar). :D

[David]

All poses have been done before, by somebody. You can't complain if somebody makes a picture using a similar pose...

If they do the same pose with the same outfit and colors and objects then there may be a problem, but not if they're just using it to practice cg :)

[Darkgold]

Thank you thank you thank you! Although for some reason that post made me feel like a horrible wanna be artist, so I am never doing that again!

[igame3d]

Originally posted by codemattic
well kewl beans DG!

Oh my god, someone else in the world who says Cool Beans. I thought I was the last one. You don't happen to have a super cute girlfriend name Regina that started you saying that do you?

Anyway, GREAT WORK. Illustrator or Freehand (please don't say Corel)

DO NOT FEAR POSTING YOUR ART. You should be proud, I knew 60 adults in college who were much less talented.
I've known several dozen more trained graphics pro's who could never get anywhere near that kind of technical expression. They should FEAR you!!!

Keep on going and be assured not everything you do has to be "finished", concept art is a perfect start for better things. A dozen sketchy works can breed bigger and better detailed designs.

Just went through the thread and see you used another persons work for reference...don't fear that either, fanart has its place! Next try some photographs from various sources, do what you did here, then combine into a composition!

Thats the secret behind millions of comic books, not everything comes right out of their heads, not everyone is a master of anatomy and architectural rendering.
When you pay big money for college art classes they will teach you...are you ready?...to TRACE. Thats right!
I spent 18 years thinking tracing was bad, then I had to do it for dozens of assignments...it helps tons, believe me!

What else you got on your drive to look at?

[dogma]

Originally posted by DaFalcon
DarkGold, you didn't tell us that you were drawing a .hack character....

Nor did you tell us that you were working off of somebody else's image.

http://www.lvcm.com/genzou/tsukasa.jpg - note; even this image is not an original, the pose was taken from a promo.

Sorry if I sound mean at all, I just recently read this ( http://www.cutepet.org/faq.html#q18 ) tidbit about copier artists and cut and paste artists.



I know you're learning and I know I did the same thing with my CGing-of-self, but I at least pointed out that I was using a photo of myself as a basis, you should probably have mentioned that this was not your character and that you were using a pre-existing pose.

Erm, genius steals? No-one achieves technical profficiency without a little bit of plagiarism. For one - how would any comic artist get a job if they didn't follow ANY of the guidelines and standards for producing comics? How would your average joe bloggs designer get by on "pure" graphics. I suppose you come from a world where samples in music are bad!

I really got into design, and learned a lot from reproduction art. I never claimed it was mine if I just plain copied it all, however, if I made it "my own", then it was mine. You can only copyright the original - not the idea behind it.

Big up to the guy, hey has done well. Especially as first attempt. Keep up the good!

[erazorhead]

Originally posted by dogma
For one - how would any comic artist get a job if they didn't follow ANY of the guidelines and standards for producing comics?

ok who here was deriding Darkgold for "following guidelines and standards"? nobody? ok. that is completely not the issue. perhaps your metaphor would have pertained if you had used an example of a comic artist tracing another comic artist

sorry if i'm an ******* right now, i just got roused from a deep, very hung-over sleep by my girlfriend to drive her to a doctor's appointment that didn't exist. so don't take it personally. :)

[AJ Infinity]

>please don't say Corel
Isn't CorelDraw 11 better than Illustrator. Well, it appears to be from the MW review.

NOTE: I am not a graphic designer so I'm ready for correction by the designers here.

[death_himself]

CG - Computer Generated. Now some may think, that, that means, anything done on a computer...but no, it actually has to be GENERATED by the computer. Drawing in a 2D program is no different from drawing on paper (with some magical tools to make youe lines smooth and so forth). For something to be classified as CGI, it has to be computed, mathematics need to be involved. Whilst I know all programs use computing, if we compare it to the real world, I might make more sense. Paper is made up of atoms and molecules...when we draw on paper we move atoms and molecules around...but does this make us nuclear physicists, no? Nor does it make the people who make paper scientists. The programs that let you draw 2D art are merely paper, the only calculations that I believe make them different from paper are those that say, make all your lines curvy. But, not only are there not enough of them, but when we equate it to say, using a chemical to alter a painting (the chemical could even be paint, but I were thinking of that white stuff you put down so you don't paint on certain places you want left white, for say, a water spraying as it hits rocks, effect)...to help you paint, many of these chemicals effectively, in the eyes of some artists, let you cheat. So what does count as CGI then? 3D...whilst doing something in 3D doesn't make you a mathematician, your computer has to actually compute EVERYTHING...again, I know it has to compute in a 2D program, what colour pixel is what...but I go back to my paper example...if I'm making any sense. Well...thats just my opinion anyway, I do hope I've made sense...of course, I expect people to disagree with me :) .

[geezusfreeek]

CG stands for Computer Graphics, not Computer Generated. CG even covers art that was drawn on paper and later scanned in to be edited (which is what I do for my CGs).

[erazorhead]

a month later the conversation starts again. i'm jumping off a cliff.

[geezusfreeek]

Hmm... if everybody else jumped off a cliff, would I do it too?

[death_himself]

Oh, yah, you're right, CG-computer graphics, CGI-computer generated images...k, well...um...yeah. And hey I didn't get to argue last time :( .