Topics Covered:

Use of reference images
Polygonal and SubD modeling techniques
When to use sculpting tools vs traditional modeling
Adding surface interest with 3D paint tools
Creating an efficient scene
Creation of a complex translucent surface material

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Video quality on this sample is much lower than the actual downloadable videos.

The seahorse has some of the most unusual characteristics of any fish in the sea. Its ribbed and often semi-translucent body is a perfect example of what we at Luxology called a “structured organic” shape. Learning how to model one in modo is not only a great introduction to sculpting, it is also provides guidance on when to use traditional modeling and painting techniques that complement sculpting. The techniques used in this tutorial can be used to model objects like backpacks, upholstered furniture, car interiors and any variety of natural subjects like plants, reptiles, or fantasy creatures.

This series of downloadable video tutorials lets you build up a seahorse (built to scale) from a series of reference images. Traditional modeling tools are used for some tasks (such as creating the base mesh and building the dorsal fin) and modo’s new sculpting tools are used extensively. 3D painting tools (including image ink) are also used as part of the texturing process. UV editing and morph targets are also employed. Development of materials in the Shader Tree is addressed as well as the process of rendering the seahorse in a small colony of coral.

Many sample files are included including both geometry and image reference files. The videos total 108 minutes and are narrated in English. Basic knowledge of modo is assumed in this tutorial and it is roughly targeted at the “intermediate” user.

This video is available only in an album form, although descriptions of the individual videos is provided for your reference below.

Note: This video will provided as free content to modo 301 owners

Album

Product	Retail Price
Album 01 - Seahorse (Includes Videos 01-04)	$25.00

This particular tutorial is only available in "album" form. The individual videos included in the album are described below. If you have purchased modo 301, please check to see if this video is already in your account before placing any order.

Video Descriptions

Product
Video 01 - Modeling and Medium Resolution Sculpting (Total Run Time: 25m) modo 301 comes with a range of new sculpting tools that allow you to model organic forms very quickly and intuitively. In this video we start with a simple model created with Solid Sketch, and then by using a combination of mesh sculpting and image based sculpting we develop the shape of a seahorse. Many of the sculpting tools are used, including Push, Smooth, Carve, Move, and Tangent Pinch.

Video 02 - High Resolution Sculpting and Colour Map Painting (Total Run Time: 32m) In this video we use modo 301’s sculpting tools to create such a bump map by sculpting the detailed skin of the seahorse. We then complete the model by using modo’s integrated paint tools to paint the beautiful patterns and colours that cover the seahorse and make it such a stunning and intriguing animal.

Video 03 - Modeling, Sculpting and Painting an Underwater Environment (Total Run Time: 27m) Coral reefs are an incredible alien world bursting with colour and creatures of all shapes and sizes. In this video we create are own little piece of coral reef for the seahorse to occupy. By utilising mesh instancing and modo 301’s sculpting and painting tools we embellish quite simple geometry with an incredible amount of detail to create rock, sand and two types of coral. Great attention is paid to scene efficiency as we build up a highly detailed scene with only 1500 raw polygons.

Video 04 - Texturing and Rendering (Total Run Time: 24m) In this video we bring the scene to life by completing the texturing. We use modo’s painting tools to paint a number of colour maps and we develop a shader for the seahorse by utilising transparency, subsurface scattering, absorption and front weighting parameters. In the process of setting the scene up with create a morph map to help position the seahorse and we develop the environment ready for that final render.