3D modeled elf tiny

Been a member here for quite some time now but only recently actually started working on my own doll. I have no idea what I'm doing but it's so exciting.

This is the scetch I did before I started modeling:


After some time in Maya, making the base mesh, and then some more time in Mudbox, this is the mesh I have:




I just sent that mesh to a printing service. It should arive to me in 2-3 weeks and be in yosd size. Time to look for a primer so I can make it smooth then.
While I wait for the printing, I'm gonna start working on a body.

 

i.materialize I think it was called. It was the cheapest, based in Europe and had good software for prize check and sizing.

Maya does have real time mirroring. If you use "duplicate special" with the right settings. I like Zbrush for scetching, then Maya to clean up that mesh and then Mudbox for the final details.

Ooh, that could be a neat trick. Though sanding and primer sounds safer...

 

Got some work on the body done today. Only super low poly base and no real feet. But I'm happy with it, though the final doll with this body would be around 36 cm in height and I didn't want to go over 30. >.<'

First I made a rough scetch that I ended up scrapping since something was wrong with it. Though I still can't put my finger on it.



Then I started box modeling in Maya. I added spheres where needed to be sure the joints would move okay. Only the basic joints are modeled this early though. I want to be able to sculpt over the the whole pieces where they have to fit together in special ways, and not just a ball socket. The ball joints where tested with meticulously placed pivot points and they should work pretty good.

 

One last update befor bed. She is now ready to be cut up I think. Please tell me if enything looks off so that I can fix it before turning her into a pile of parts.

 

Thank you for pointing that out. Will change the shapes a bit.

 

All the joints are now done. Only hands and hollowing her out left to do. But I don't want to do that boring stuff untill I have the head in my hands so I know how worth this whole process really is.
In the meantime, I'm gonna rig her and play with some animations.

 

I got her head from the printers today. I've done some work on it but not much, waiting for my primer to get here too. I defenitly think she will get smooth after not all that much work. She is quite grainy but the grains are super fine. The biggest hassle will be to make the neckhole bigger since I missed that in the model. *facepalm* Also, she turned out to be MSD rather than YOSD...

Tried to photoshop a picture to see how she might look later:


Some pictures without the fluff are linked down below.
View attachment 313 View attachment 314

 

Well well well, I took the plunge and started the priming process today. Was super tired when I began but shaped up as I went.
She now have 3-5 layers of primer on her. I'm gonna let her dry some more and then start sanding. That is the part I'm most afraid of. It could mess up the details if I'm not carefull and that makes me cringe. But it has to be done I guess. How do you other veterans do that part?

 

I don't have a photo for this update.
The head was sanded as smooth as I could, then I made a headcap. The whole head is now in China for prototype casting. More pictures and updates will come when I have the resin version.

 

cureilona: Letting them smooth the model usually reduces the detailing though and I wanted full control over that part. But I'm gonna look into that if I do more of these since priming and sanding was a complete pain.
InNiTeb: I got it printed at iMaterialise.

 

Well well well, look who finally arrived at my door today. If it isn't the finall resin cast from Weiju. It is perfect in every way. They didn't change anything I didn't tell them to.
View attachment 346

 

Yeah, totally! Though probably not MSD sized. Thinking about getting my own printer to keep this going.

 

Nah, don't know yet. I just know that if I'm going to continue making dolls this way I'm gonna need a printer of my own do reduce cost. If I don't have my own, printing a whole MSD body will be super expensive.

 

One last update:
She now has a faceup, wig and character. No sculpt name but her "personal" name is Amanda.
It doesn't look as though I'll be making the body after all so this project is officially finished.

 

Thank you.