In my previous post about Animus, I mentioned that the models I have been uploading are from what I'm calling "Gen 1." This post is meant to showcase some of the Gen 2 stuff. It's largely a stylistic change, and an advancing of my understanding of Zbrush. Thought some folks out there might like to see some more "behind the scenes" stuff. So let's get to it!
First up, Cryocorn. This is actually the model the "low poly" Cryocorn I uploaded came from - I based the paint job on the one from the Gen 1 prototype print rather than the original model.
Next, we have Gen 2 Komorok. I honestly didn't have any complaints with the original version, but Gen 2 is in a more dynamic pose, and I think the glowing of the single eye adds something.
Here we have the updated Frostreaver, which I personally think is a 100% upgrade to the original. Just imagine, you're crossing the frozen tundra and hear a horrifying screeching banshee's howl. As the sound gets closer, you feel a chill in the air. You notice frost forming on the ground in the path of the howl. An unnatural darkness takes over your surroundings and the air begins to chill you to the bone. Then you see a mess of ragged clothing, claws and glowing eyes floating towards you like an evening fog. As it howls once again, narrowly missing you, you feel ice form on your cheek, and witness a tree instantly freeze and shatter from the raw concussive force of the howl. Your move, player!
Umbralynx is again, a marked improvement over the original. The symbols are much cleaner, the pose is more dynamic, and it generally looks more like something you wouldn't want to run into.
Gen 2 Raikojou definitely looks more fearsome than the original. I'm probably going to have to touch up some of the spindly bits, but I think it gets across the "living storm" motif fairly well.
Chronosteed got streamlined. The original is neat looking, but I think the detailing in the Gen 2 version pops more. To my eye, this version looks more like a high speed creature that can manipulate time.
Athenara got a decent makeover as well, with a more dynamic pose. The feathers are more clearly defined, though I probably need to do a bit more work on the "crown."
Here's a new guy for gen 2 - the Drog. These little fellas are common pets in the AA universe. They are roughly the size of an English Bulldog, and will eat anything that fits in their mouth. They are excellent for cleanup, and quite friendly little critters.
Celestialstride is another creature that I think is upgraded all around. More dynamic pose, better detailing, and a generally more elegant appearance than the original model.
Pyrosaurus is a lot less goofy looking in gen 2, and I think the "molten scales" come across better. The flames along the back are a massive improvement.
Gen 2's Aquamorph is sharp looking. The original had a "blobby" quality to it, so I made sure this version would be more serpentine. Probably doesn't hurt that my polypaints are better on all the Gen 2 stuff.
Gen 2 Revelbara has a more "herbal" appearance compared to gen 1... it also looks like it's feeling pretty good off of the gasses it produces. I think the concept comes across better in the new model/polypaint, though the original is pretty cute (IMO).
Nocturnis was the creature my wife immediately pointed to when I said I was going to redo the models. I think the "cat sith/wraith" vibes come across well. Just imagine this thing stalking you in the shadows, instilling fear and tripping violent instincts of everything and everyone around you.
Lumibra was one I felt needed an update from go. While the original does an adequate job of portraying the whole "light harpy" concept, I think the nearly divine quality of it comes across better here. Likely due to the giant halo ring growing out of it.
Florantula gen 1 never printed fully, at least not on my FDM printers. I was expecting the vines to fail on this one, but my Bambu A1 mini managed to spit this model out in-tact (with some careful support removal, that is). I think this version looks more like a plant spider, which is exactly what I was going for.
Gen 2 Mystrack looks majestic, to my eye. The icicles definitely came out better with this one. Probably going to need to fatten up a few places before sending it to the printers.
Gemmara returns! Objectively I wouldn't say this is a massive improvement over the original, but an improvement regardless. I went with Gemmara for the name as a minor nod to Gamera, because kaiju movies are fun.
The master of infiltration, Dusktail. The original had more of a Sly Cooper quality to it, where I think the "raccoon/fox" hybrid concept shows through here.
For Glimmerleap here, the pose and paintjob are objectively superior. Not a huge amount of detailing to be found on the model either way, but I did try to add some fur detail lines for the updated version.
Ashram was actually one of the last creatures I designed for gen 1, so I would say the improvements are less pronounced. The biggest improvement comes from the polypaint, but the model itself is cleaner overall.
I actually really like Nexavore's original model, but I felt it didn't quite blend with the newer models stylistically. Now it kinda looks like some kind of cyber lizard, which I am not mad at.
Kamizaru got a better pose, and I tried to detail the fur. Looking at the render, I will probably spend some time cleaning up anomalous lines in the tail... that thing is a bit of a mess to work with.
Aethertusk got a more dynamic pose and a cleaner overall model. I need to do some work on the trunk, and probably detail the wings some more.
Another new creature - the Sylphid. These are small, fae like creatures who are often found around the Sataur/Satyr creatures of Animus. I actually did create a gen 1 model for this one, but was never really satisfied with how it came out. I may re-work it and upload it at some point.
Here we have a WIP of Animus' gryphons. These guys don't have an element of their own - instead, they can be fitted with elemental gems in their harness, collar or armor, and share the elemental affinity of their tamers. Their feathers change to reflect the element(s) they control.
Terradon is awaiting rigging, perhaps a bit of cleanup. This will be a fun one to paint once it's printed, I suspect. Maybe I'll figure out a way to have it glow from the inside instead of relying on external UV lighting.
Runewrack was also one of the last gen 1 models I did, so the gen 2 difference is less dramatic. I think it gives off more of an "ancient wisdom" vibe with the update, and the detailing is definitely cleaner.
Here we have a flying insect that I haven't really fleshed out details on. Gen 1 doesn't really have much in the way of flying creatures or insects, so this guy was designed to fill out the roster in both respects.
And here we have a light elemental deer creature. I haven't named it, and it's still pretty rough, looking kinda blobby in places. I need to chop that bit off of the rear leg. The idea was to have it leaving a trail of light behind it, but I kind of abandoned that and haven't cleaned up after myself yet. This one is still early enough that I don't have a polypaint for it yet.
Magnotyr is more metalic/magnetic sabertooth tiger and less "Pokemon tiger" now. Still have to smooth out some details, those whiskers could end up being problematic for printing. I'm rather chuffed with the updated look.
Here we have a personal favorite of mine - Luminodon. I rather like the original despite (or perhaps because of?) how goofy it looks. For the updated version, I decided to move the sun crest to the tail and go for a different stature, particularly with respect to the rear legs. I would say on the whole it looks more majestic and fitting of the status of being Apollo's chosen avatar beast.
And last (for now) but not least, Minotauron got a nice little update. He's bulkier, and I made him a nice hammer with which to crush his enemies. Still have some sculpt work to do around the belt line, probably need to add some color to the loincloth, and then he needs rigging.
So there you have it folks, that's some of the work I've been doing in the background. I have updated models for most of the gen 1 creatures, at least WIP versions of them, but I figured this was long enough as-is.