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Hello,
What are your tips, tricks, or tools for creating completely original, unique characters in CC? I’m a beginner, and the characters I create always end up looking similar to each other and to the base model. I feel like I’m doing something wrong. Maybe you’d like to share your knowledge on this topic with me and others like me?
Thanks in advance.
Easy (best for beginners): Daz model .fbx to CC
Intermediate: Use CC morphs to make changes to mesh
Intermediate: Daz to Blender (rig) to CC
Pro: Daz to Blender, to CC, to UnrealChange textures of the models with some plugin such as SkinGen
theres a thing in art called self-projection that has been plaguing artists since the beginning of mankind due to how our brains work. It means that an artist will use their own physical traits in all their characters, without even noticing. Usually, it’s only a few body parts like the nose or the eyes. This is why, when you look at 3D models from the same PA, they will all look a bit the same. You can see this in statues that are millennia old, the same with paintings that are centuries old, and now in the 3D world, it is still true for digital art
That is a profound insight.
As you say, it explains the 'family resemblance' you often get in a vendor's characters.
🙂
I'm 6'3" 230 lbs white guy. Evenly proportioned other than a slight belly.
I'm not sure I understand the post but if I've dialed anyone that looks like me it was either on purpose or extremely rare. I slighly favor Jeff Goldblum and cant recall ever creating that likeness in Daz and ony a couple times in video games on purpose. I will say I favor dark hair and green eyes and I have both. Thats about the limit of my self reflection on to characters
My advice is...practice cartooning. It encourages exaggeration of features that wouldn't otherwise be permissible in 'realistic' depictions. And it doesn't require that the result look like any particular person. It helps to relieve or eliminate the stress 1) of trying and failing to depict realism and 2) because it's fun. You'll actually laugh at the goofy faces, odd postures, and absurd poses you'll create. It's freeing. In that regard, it's similar to 'mask acting'; an acting practice that reduces self-consciousness because it's easier to 'get out of your own skin' while wearing a mask.
The flip side is...try to depict a celebrity. Consult many reference photos and then spin dials to tweak every feature necessary to depict the person until you're satisfied. And then look at it again the following day, and you'll start to notice how wrong you were. Then refine, refine, refine. Although it's not 'creating a unique character', it's great practice.
And then there is combining the two techniques by caricaturing actual people.
And know that artistry is embodied by skill developed over time. Don't rush. You've got about 10,000 hours ahead of you. 🙂
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