I switched to Blender and haven't looked back. It's freeware... plus, in the latest version, the menus have been overhauled so it's finally fun to use!

I've already commented on your progress before, but ah what the hell, it's great. You really seem determined to give the best you can on our magnificient Ziltoid...From the looks of things so far, I don't think you suck at modelling .

Hmm, This makes me wonder what Captain Spectacular would look like.

YES! Great example. Why didn't I think of this guy before. I can just imagine him standing before everyone in his speech in the Solar Winds dialogue, with that typical positive smile on him. Planet Smasher would probably just be this gigantic worm looking thing, with the Devin Syl style skullet and goatee, and with a much more pissed off look. Death Star ripoff? haha.

Here is a quick sketch I just did of CS. He's not funny enough or exaggerated enough. I was trying to go for the puffed-chest, gung-ho type. Plus, I didn't quite capture the over-the-top Captain Flag (from MASH) super-serious air... but I'll try again later.

Captain Spectacular.jpg

Hey everybody!

Here is a quick test render... had to teach myself 'shape keys' and drivers in Blender:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOGPrsHBhJ0

The model is way off-model, but I'll fix it continuously through the process... I hope you like it...

lookin good

Thanks!

Here is another test render... working on making his hair flow a little as he moves... just a little... haven't gotten the settings right yet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5piCAfH0P8

That's awesome dude!

Thank you.

Still working on the hair...

I'm imagining Devy playing live shows with that animated video in the backdrop.

That would be so awesome... the Blender software can render at some pretty high resolutions... but I'll settle for him watching the finished animated short and getting a kick out of it.

Loving this!

BUMP

Thanks for the bump!

Hey everybody, it's time for a mini-update~~

Ziltoid 100504b.jpg

The first pass at the Ziltoid mesh is complete. All of Ziltoid's body parts and clothes have been created. I'm keeping the meshes *very* simple right now... some are just placeholder quality. No worries... mesh will be reviewed/corrected after rigging. Details may be added later -- folds/wrinkles in his shirt, etc.

Ziltoid 100504a.jpg

Eyelids were rebuilt to make deformation possible. Hair was spruced up. Added a forked tongue, too... again, will tinker with the mesh to make it look right.

Now... on to rigging! There will be some squetch... but not much... I'd rather go with a Jim Henson feel rather than Tex Avery. Hair will have a pretty nifty rig for flowing, billowing... stay tuned! ^_^

I had always imagined Ziltoid as a really short creature, like the height of Amber or Sarai-chan (aww that was mean ).

Adds to the comedy, you know. Ziltoid The Omniscient, here to rule us all violently! Oh and he's about 1.20m (3'9") tall.