3D Monster
This is the first tutorial of my four part series dealing with character animation. These tutorials are targeted for beginners wanting to learn the basics of organic modeling, uvw mapping, texturing, rigging, and creating a cute 3d monster. In this first part we’re going to create the geometry and you’ll learn about polygon modeling and subdivision surfaces. I’ll do my best to keep things as simple as possible.
Step 1 Let’s See What the Final 3D Monster Model Will Look Like
In the picture below you see the 3d monster we’re going to create. There is a low polygon model on the left and the final subdivided model on the right. The goal is not to create the model as fast as possible but rather to give beginners a chance to experiment with different modeling tools. You need to know the basics about the interface, modifiers, and the transform tools to be able to complete this tutorial. I’m using 3ds Max 2011.
Step 2 Reference Image Setup in 3ds Max
I recommend using reference photos/images whenever possible to make the modeling process easier. I have prepared two images that you can use while modeling the monster. Please download the following files:
Create a Plane ( ) in the front viewport . Modify the Plane ( ) according to the following parameters :
- Length: 200
- Width: 200
- Length Segs: 1
- Width Segs: 1
Create another Plane in the left viewport with the same settings. Now we have two planes in the scene. Go to the left viewport and align ( ) the planes vertically ( ).
Let’s apply the reference images to the planes. Open Material Editor ( ) and create the materials for the planes:
- Select the plane you created in the front viewport and assign the material to it
- Add the diffuse map ( )
- Enable “Show Standard Map in Viewport” ( )
- Self-Illumination: 100 ( )
- Select another material slot and create the material for the other plane as well
If the images are displayed in low resolution go to the display driver settings and and maximize the resolution ( ).
Chances are that your planes are near zero or intersecting with each other. In either case, the planes will get in the way when we start the modeling. Let’s move them in the top viewport:
- Front reference image: Move about 200 units along the y-axis ( )
- Left reference image: Move about 200 units along the x-axis ( )
Now we’re ready to start the modeling process.
Step 3 Useful Keyboard Shortcuts in 3ds Max
There are some keyboard shortcuts that are extremely useful during the modeling process:
- F3 – Shaded view on/off
- F4 – Edged faces on/off ( )
- ALT Q – Isolate selected object ( )
- ALT X – Selected object becomes transparent
- 1-5 – In Edit Poly modifier you can quickly switch between different sub-object levels by pressing 1-5 in keyboard
Step 4 Start the Modeling
We’re going to model polygon by polygon, so let’s create the very first polygon to have something to work with. Create a small Plane ( ) in the front viewport and apply ( ) the following parameters to it:
- Length Segs: 1
- Width Segs: 1
Add Edit Poly modifier to it ( ). We’re going to start the modeling from the lower lip. Activate the vertex sub-object level and move the vertices according to picture below. I recommend concentrating on one vertex at a time. First position the vertex in the front viewport and then in the left viewport.
Now the first polygon is in place. Since our 3d monster will be symmetrical we’re going to create only half of it and complete it with the help of a Symmetry modifier. This character is going to be animated so we’ll create it by using quads ( ) only. ( Quads deform better than triangles.)
Step 5 New Polygons by Cloning
Let’s create a new polygon by cloning:
- Activate the edge sub-object level
- Select the leftmost edge in the front view port ( )
- Press and hold SHIFT in keyboard
- Move the selected edge to the left ( )
- Activate the vertex sub-object level and move the new vertices according to the reference images in both the front and left viewports
Step 6 Modeling Around the Mouth
Let’s repeat the cloning process several times to create polygons around the mouth. Whenever you create a new polygon, remember to move the vertices in both the front and left viewports!
Tip: Press ALT X in keyboard to make the selected object transparent. This might help when positioning the vertices.
Step 7 Cloning Several Edges at Once
You can also clone several edges at once:
- Select two edges in the front viewport ( )
- Press and hold SHIFT in keyboard
- Move the selected edges upwards ( )
- Activate the vertex sub-object level and move the vertices according to the reference images in both the front and left viewports
Step 8 Cloning Polygons
So far we’ve created new polygons by cloning edges but we can also clone polygons:
- Activate polygon sub-object level
- Select two polygons ( )
- Press and hold SHIFT in keyboard
- Move the selected polygons upwards. Select ‘Clone To Element’ in the new dialog.
- Remember to move the vertices in both viewports ( )
Step 9 The Bridge Tool
Whenever there are two border edges that we want to connect with a polygon, we can use the Bridge tool:
- Activate edge sub-object level and make sure you have nothing selected ( )
- Activate the Bridge tool ( )
- Click on the border edge in the front viewport ( )
- Click on the other border edge ( )
- Repeat the process on the left side of the eye as well
Step 10 Welding Vertices
Our goal is to create a unified surface where polygons share vertices with all adjacent polygons. Often there’s a need to weld vertices of adjacent polygons together. Let’s try this in practice:
- In the front viewport, select two edges on the right side of the eye and create two new polygons by cloning
- Select one edge on the left side of the eye and create a new polygon by cloning
- Activate the vertex sub-object mode
- Activate ‘Target Weld’ tool ( )
- Click on the vertex ( )
- Click on the other vertex ( )
- Repeat the process on the left side as well
- Remember to move the new vertices according to both reference images
Step 11 New Polygons with the Scale tool
The Scale tool can be an effective method of creating new polygons:
- Activate edge sub-object level and select 6 edges ( )
- Press and hold SHIFT in keyboard
- Scale the edges in the front viewport ( )
- Remember to move the vertices in both viewports
Step 12 Modeling by Cloning
Let’s clone some polygons in the left viewport:
- Select 5 edges ( )
- Press and hold SHIFT in keyboard
- Move the edges to the left
- Move the vertices according to the reference images ( )
Step 13 Symmetry and TurboSmooth Modifiers
This is actually an optional step but highly recommended nevertheless. The idea of this tutorial is to create a half of a low polygon model, complete it with the Symmetry modifier, and smoothen the surface with the Turbosmooth modifier. I’ll show you how we can see the final surface while working on a low poly model:
- Deactivate any sub-object level and go to the front viewport.
- Clone the whole model by moving it while pressing SHIFT in keyboard. Select ‘Reference’ in the clone options dialog.
- Apply Symmetry modifier to the reference copy ( ). If the model disappears, activate Flip ( ).
- Activate mirror sub-object level in the Symmetry modifier and align the mirror plane to the right side of the model. The vertices in the middle are welded together.
- Deactivate mirror sub-object level and add Turbosmooth modifier ( If you see a seam in the middle, all vertices haven’t been welded and you have to move the mirror in the Symmetry modifier ).
- Set Iterations value ( ) to 1-3 depending on your needs and computer power.
Now you continue working with the original low poly monster model and you see the changes in the smoothed model in real time. If the smoothed model gets in the way you can just move or hide it. ( It’s also possible to add the modifiers to the original model you are working on, but personally I find that method more troublesome. )
Step 14 Modeling the Rest of the Head
Now you know everything you need to know to go on. Complete the rest of the head as you see fit. The front reference image doesn’t help you much when you create the back of the head. You just have to create new polygons, orbit around the head, and move the vertices. Remember to weld vertices together when necessary. If it feels hard, remember to concentrate on a one polygon at a time. Be patient and move the vertices until you get a nice round head. This is what polygon modeling is all about.
Step 15 Modeling the Torso
Now the hardest part is over. The rest of this 3d monster model is pretty simple to create. Let’s complete the torso:
- Activate the edge sub-object level and select 5 edges ( )
- Clone the edges downwards
- Move the vertices according to the reference images
Repeat the cloning two times and create the bottom of the monster according to the image below. Cloned edges and use Bridge tool when you can.
Step 16 Creating the Arm
The arm is really easy to create with Extrude and Bevel tools:
- Activate the polygon sub-object level
- Activate Extrude tool ( )
- Click and drag on top of a polygon ( )
Make sure to extrude the polygon only a little. We want a relatively sharp joint here so we need two edges that are close to each other. If you are not sure what I’m talking about, look at the smoothed model while extruding and compare different extrusion values.
Complete the arm:
- Use Extrude ( ) once more and move vertices according to the reference.
- Use Bevel twice to complete the arm ( )
Bevel works just like Extrude except it allows scaling just after the extrusion.
Step 17 Finalizing the Monster Model
Let’s work with the eyes and mouth just a little more:
- Activate the border sub-object level and select the edges around the eye
- Activate the edge sub-object level and select also the edges around the mouth
- Press and hold SHIFT in keyboard
- Move the edges inwards to create new polygons
- Move the new vertices according to image below ( )
Finally orbit around your model and fix all bumps and errors in the surface. Create two spheres for eyes and the monster model is complete!
Step 18 Rendering the 3D Monster Model
I rendered the final image with Mental Ray ().
My rendering setup:
- Standard material with light gray diffuse color
- Skylight with pure white color
- White plane under the model
- White background
Hopefully you learned enough to be able to create your own 3d monster models. Stay tuned for the unwrapping tutorial!
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159 Responses to “3D Monster”
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thanks for the tutorial.. it helps me much as a beginner..=)
waiting for more tuts from u..
I only see textures in the ‘perspective’ view. How can i change this?
Thanks for this tutorial
Nevermind
Hi, i’m stuck on step 14 please help,
I solved the problem
AWSOME TUTORIALS!!!
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9623/tuto2011.jpg
material editor with 3dsmax 2011
your tuts are so simple and awesome. they’ve been helping me heaps. thanks so much
Hey,
Very good tutorial and soooo easy. It helped me alot =DE
Could you give me some more details about the render preset you’ve used. I can’t get the same cool colors and shadows as you’ve got
Thanks,
Thomas.
so you make new thin subdivs around the eyes and mouth to allow the smoothing to work correctly? no tutorials ever explain WHY regarding this stuff.. also i presume you use turbosmooth after?
if someone can link to a good guide on this kind of topology? guidance itd be appreciated
Thanks a lot! You help me so much!!!!
queremos mais tutoriais obrigado por este e os outros ajudo muito
Thanks bro
Thank U very much. Nice tutorial for beginners. Looking forward for next one
.
Thanks so much for posting this tutorial you really answered a lot of unanswered questions I have had about design. Can not wait to see more tutorials!!!!!
Really u r doing a great job for seaker and nobody can explain like you.
you are grate
Thanks ,so much creative and helpful with vivid steps.
Best Regards to you.
Thanks guys! I happy to hear you like it!
Just completed this tutorial and its amazing!! Thank you so much
Hi, first i would like to thank you for your tutorials they are awesome, second I’m having a little trouble at step 4, could you tell me how did you do to center your images and zoom so that you could see all the details? Thank you so much for your attention.
I’m not sure whether I understand the question or not but if your images are displayed in low resolution go to the display driver settings and and maximize the resolution ( Customize > Preferences… > Viewports > Configure Driver… > Appearance Preferences > Download Texture Size > Match Bitmap Size as Closely as Possible ).
Thanks for your quick reply, but that is not my question, bloody language barrier xD, I’m gonna upload an image of my perspectives so that you can see, my problem is that i would like to have my perspectives like yours for example step4, where you can see close enough. http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/8603/captureavt.png Thanks once again.
Please check your email. I think i screwed the whole thing!
I still don’t get it.. I did follow all steps but got 2d image/polygons. I moved the 2 planes by 200 on its respetive axis. But still it wont work.
I did it again but same result.. WHat step am i doing wrong?
Look at the image in step 4. Make sure your first polygon looks like that in front and left viewports.
I still don’t get it…
I did that but it still 2d :’(
Hey. I emailed you. Please try to help as i don’t have much time
Have to finish all 4 tutorials you uploaded before january.
sent the email… Please explain as i still don’t know what to do. You said to have all vertices in left viewport but then why i see the tutorial having vertices in the front as well as in side viewport
NICE!
i am having a problem with the placement of the poly. when i clone the polygon for the upper lip, if i adjust it in the front viewport, it doesnt come out right in the left and vice versa. i checked this in the top viewport and the problem as i see it is that when i move the vertices in the left viewport, the polygon goes behind the rest of the element. please help me out here.
here is a screen shot:
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/976/polymodel.jpg
It looks like the reference images aren’t equal in size or the other one is higher than the other.
hii! i loove this tutorial. but i got stuck at step 14, i can’t clone the polygons anymore.. since i did that target weld thing. heeelp me please. i would love to finish this.
Awessome!
Great Tutorial, my friend =]
Thanks
Do you mind if i make one question irrelative with modeling? How do you achieve this really nice soft shadow (more like ambient occlusion i would say) on you final model using skylight? I use skylight with high settings on final gather but the image still looks so flat.
I used the following Final Gather settings:
FG Precision Preset: High
Diffuse Bounces: 2
Weight: 0,6
Hey,
Thank you very much for this tutorial. finally made it!
i just wanted to know if you can tell me of any websites that provide reference images like the ones that you have given. i mean with the polygon lines drawn on them. this makes it very easy to model them. so if you could tell me of any sites, i’d really appreciate it.
Unfortunately I have never seen any sites with that kind of reference images.
Btw, how did you make that picture? Any software or just draw?
Search blue print
Hi. Just got a little problem. Did that tutorial my own way a couple weeks ago, modifying and adding to the model. But recently I got back on the site and saw there are tutorials for the texturing and rigging parts wich i’m not familiar too. I decided to quickly redo-the model just like yours so I could follow the other ones too. The only thing is that when I render it, the mouth appears white, on a white background. The inner part of the monster is not 2-sided so it’s transparent from the interior. The thing is I fixed that on my first model, I just dont remember how I did… And now, i’ve finished the unwraping tutorial and when trying to get back to the plane’s or editable poly modifiers I get a message that another modifier will f— up if I touch this one. I can understand that the unwraped model wont be good if I modify the edit poly one. So, do you have any other solution than patching it with another black polygon inside? Thanks, at least for reading.
Make your material two sided: Deactivate “Backface culling” in the material settings.
I can’t seem to be able to move each vertex without affecting the position of the others. I’m trying to adjust the position of the vertex but when I try to move a vertex it moves all the others on the polygon simultaneously.
What am I doing wrong?
Thank you.
Maybe “soft selection” is on in your Edit Poly modifier?
A kind of irrelevant question but I wanted to ask for future reference. Sometimes I hit an unknown key or button in 3DS Max which makes my polygon edges unclonable and gives the edges different colours.
Here’s an example.
http://s2.postimage.org/64szoxl01/screenshot.jpg
If you know what causes this please e-mail me, thank you.
That is soft selection. If you press CTRL + s in keyboard while working on some sub-object level you activate soft selection.
Thanks a lot for the tutorial it was terrific. I’m wondering if you could explain the rendering in some extra detail though? I found how to add the skylight but it doesn’t cast that nice shadow that you have, are you using any special rendering settings?
Thanks again and I’m looking forward to taking on your other tutorials tomorrow.
I used Skylight and the following Final Gather settings:
FG Precision Preset: High
Diffuse Bounces: 2
Weight: 0,6
The textures remain low-resolution after I check the box for “match bitmap-size as closely as possible”. Maybe my graphics card can’t handle it or something. Tips anyone?
Have you tried restarting 3ds max? If that doesn’t help I think you are right about your graphics card.
Whoops! It seems the option was turned off after all. I wonder how that happened. I turned it on, reloaded the project, and now I’m good to go. Thanks!
Very nice tutorials by the way.
I’m having a problem with the reference image. I click on the link and it takes me to a blank page. Is there some other way I can get the images?
Please try again. The links work, I just checked it.
When I click the link it takes to a page with a white screen. I’ve tried on several different browsers and it still won’t pop up. I also tried right-clicking and saving the link, but it saves a blank picture.
Hi I somehow accidentaly disabled adding polygons by holding shift . Can you tell me how to enable it again ? Thank you
Maybe you have activated soft selection. If you press CTRL + s in keyboard while working on some sub-object level you activate soft selection. Check it out, it’s there in the Edit Poly modifier.
Yeah thanx , i thought im saving with CTRL + S . Problem solved
In step 4 i’ve created the first plane and all that but how did you get the plane to line up with the imagine of the monster? Totally stumped on this step
~stillm4tic:
Go into the modify panel (left of the create panel), and in the drop down “modifier list” menu select the edit poly modifier (make sure you’ve selected the plane before doing so).
Next, go to the selection part of the edit poly modifier (below the modifier list there should be a lot of options to do with the edit poly modifier), and in the selection part select the image of three dots at the top (the vertex sub level).
With this selected, use the move tool to move the vertices (the corners of the plane) in the front view until they line up with the monster reference image. Do the same for the left view, making sure the right vertex goes in the right place (in this case the furthest left vertices in the front view image should be the furthest left vertices in the left view image, otherwise the mouth will go outwards instead of inwards.
If you can’t get the vertices to line up with both reference images correctly, one is either the wrong size or not in the right place (most likely the latter if you’ve been following the tutorial correctly). I recommend lining up the vertices with the left view image and then moving the front view image until they line up with that one too if you need to move them.
Thank you very much that explanation worked awesome not sure why I couldn’t understand poly’s
Why is that after I clone some of the planes I can only move the vertices horizontally? I’m not able to move them vertically up or down…