I wanted to test out the updated fur shader in the recently released Lightwave 11.5. I decided to challenge myself by creating an illustration of a gorilla. Combining the wildlife art which I use traditional fine art methods to create and digital illustration techniques which I use for more technical work . The model was initially created in Sculptris by Pixologic. This free software and can be downloaded at http://www.pixologic.com/sculptris/.
Starting with the sphere primitive, I used the drawing tool to create the raised areas for the nose and lips. The grab tool pulled the nose out and pushed in the areas for the eyes.
Using the crease tool to create areas where the surface is sunken in, I created the eye sockets. The drawing tool creates the brow ridge and the grab too allow me to push and pull the model into shape. I pulled out the brow more and pushed in the top of the nose. I used the inflate tool to pull out a chin.
The model is taking shape. I've used the grab tool to create the distinctive head shape and adding in ears. .I turned off symmetry to finish the model.
Final model created in Sculptris.
I used the paint feature in Sculptris to add in fine wrinkles. These were done using a photo of wrinkles on an elephant that I took at the zoo. The UV map and model are exported as .obj files and imported into the modeller of Lightwave. In the modeller I create three surfaces. One for the skin, one for less hair and one for more hair. I also placed the spheres for the eyes.
Using the FiberFX panel, in Lightwave's Layout application, I define which surfaces have the fur, what the properties of the fur should be. I can activate a preview of the fur in this dialogue box as well. After some test renders, I decided I needed a set of shoulders. I went back into modeller and created a pair of simple objects to act as shoulders and arms. I'm pleased with the result.
Preview out of Lightwave.
