In this thread I'll run through the process of creating an in-game first-person weapon asset for the game. The format will closely mirror the style of the thread found here, though it will diverge to cover different elements of media production that apply to non-static meshes.

The model that I'll be producing is a pistol sidearm, which will likely be carried by one or more of the gunner classes in SF2. Most SF2 classes feature unique sidearms, the pistol being an exception carried by two, possibly three classes.

Once again, I'll be working from concept art generated by o_nobody_o, one of our team concept artists. Steps involved in this process include mesh generation, material application, rigging and animating, and finally exporting.

The original concept art is provided here:


(If you're not too keen on reading the whole thread, one of the final screencaps is here.)

The requirements of the pistol model were for functionality and cleanliness of design, though preferably maintaining a unique profile. The pistol would receive a large amount of screen real estate, and could afford a relatively large polycount given the size of the model. This concept accomplishes these requirements well. I like the look of the slide and ejection port, as well as the unique grip design. I anticipate that most time will be spent on the grip and internal ejection mechanism so as to ensure the final model animates interestingly. Details such as the slide grip and bolts will be normal mapped on, though I may produce high-resolution meshes for these details.

__________________
It's 'Fik-Shus'

The following steps should be no surprise. The pistol is a mechanical model, with plenty of straight lines and edges. The ideal way to begin producing the mesh is to start with a traced outline spline, extrude to a box, and continue box modeling from there.

__________________
It's 'Fik-Shus'

The model will feature multiple animated parts, each requiring their own bone and placement in an animation hierarchy. The pistol slide will operate as one of these elements. I've started meshing the body of the weapon, ensuring that the slide moves convincingly on the 'rails'.



The internal workings of the weapon will be modeled later. I expect the last parts to produce will be the magazine and individual bullets.

__________________
It's 'Fik-Shus'

Im lovin so far.

__________________
:O

Yeah I agree, nice concept and the models looking okay to.

__________________
God.

Oooh, very nice. I can't wait to see how this one turns out

EDIT: Btw, lovin' the new avatar fic.

__________________


Xfire: lembasbread
Fight Spam! Click Here!

will suck ficdic for models

__________________

The grip model starts a separate spline outline that is extruded and mirrored. I generate an instanced mirror so I can work on one side of the gip and have identical mirrored polygons generated on the opposite side of the model. This ensures symmetry and makes producing the grip far easier, while reducing any 'seamed' look.

I've left a void where the grip insert will be located. That part of the mesh will be extended and welded in place once this part of the grip matches the concept.

__________________
It's 'Fik-Shus'

Some connective surgery is required to fuse the parts together.

__________________
It's 'Fik-Shus'

The grip is now fused to the rail segment and the grip inserts attached. I re-duplicated the grip mirror image as a copy rather than an instance and welded the connecting vertices. I knocked out a hole for the trigger guard and compressed the vertices there to narrow the trigger guard mesh. I also stuck on some high-poly bolts. Depending on the eventual polycount they may or may not remain. That's it for tonight. I'll crash for the night and then tomorrow I need to widen the grip, model the internal mechanism, magazine, bullets, and begin the uvw unwrapping process.

__________________
It's 'Fik-Shus'