1. Den of Angels is closing in August 2026. New account registrations are closed. Please see this thread in Den of Angels news for important information: /threads/the-future-of-den-of-angels.893314/
    Dismiss Notice

Is it okay to post a doll I've made myself?

Nov 16, 2024

Watch Thread
    1. So I've just finished my second fully original ball jointed doll.
      Started with a sculpt in zbrush and then made the joints in Maya.

      [​IMG]

      I printed her in resin on my Elegoo Saturn. This version of her is 30cm tall, but I'm actually printing a version right now that's 41cm tall, so she's closer to the Mini standard, I think? The 30cm tall one is convenient because I can print all of her parts in one go on my printer. But for the 41cm one, I need to print it in at least 2, and so far, it's taking 3-4 because a bunch of parts failed (larger, bulkier parts are more likely to fail.)

      I've learned that I need to hallow out her parts more. They're pretty solid though except for small channels for the string. But it also means I'm probably waisting a lot of resin, and adding weight by making her nearly solid.

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]

      Oh yeah - this was the first time I tried making a swappable face plate system. So the face comes off, but the back of the head is the part attached to everything else. I actually really like this and will aim for this method going forward.

      I also like how easy it makes getting access to her eyes.

      Anyway, I see a lot of discussion on here about specific exiting dolls, but not a lot about people making them from scratch. Not sure if there's a specific place for that sort of discussion, or if it's just not very common here.
       
      #1 Athy, Nov 16, 2024
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
      • x 4
    2. @Athy - If you read the forum Rules, you will see in the first line that DoA only allows discussion, etc of dolls that meet the forum Criteria. If a doll you make meets the criteria, you can submit it for a topicality review by the forum staff. Once it is approved by the staff, then it can be shared on the rest of the forum.

      In the Making a BJD part of the forum, you can discuss making any kind of ball jointed doll. But showing a doll you've made in that area does not mean it will be on topic or that it can be shared in other parts of the forum.
       
      #2 idrisfynn, Nov 16, 2024
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    3. Look like you are making great progress so far! Love the double joints in elbows and knees and the mobility thigh joints - they are essential, in my opinion!

      I would be interested in hearing more about how you added the joints in Maya. I've seen many doll-makers using ZBrush and they didn't mention using another program for the joints. I'm curious as to Maya's advantages in that area.

      Face-plate systems are pretty neat. I have heads with both systems and I like the security of the headcap system (the doll's face can't accidentally fall off) but easier access to eyes is a pro to the face-plate system. The key is to have strong magnets and perhaps an extra locking mechanism built into the head (Bimong has something similar).

      If you look back in the doll-making section of this forum, you'll see quite a few people have posted threads showing their work (often they have printed tests like yours). So there are definitely people here interested in making our own dolls!
       
      #3 StellaMarigold, Nov 16, 2024
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    4. I learned 3dsmax and Maya in college 20+ years ago, but I self-taught zbrush as need required. Even now, feeling like there are some parts of it that I know pretty well, there are others that still mystify me. lol

      I worked at a Sony 1st party studio for 8 years, and we used 3dsMax for the first 6 years before switching over to Maya. I worked freelance for ages and always used Maya. And now I work remote contract for a Canadian studio, and use Maya for my literal day job, so it's just where I'm most comfortable. I feel like I've got more control in there.

      I honestly didn't see the doll-making section before. I think I clicked on the wrong thing up top... like, I clicked on Discussions maybe? It took me to a part of the forum that didn't even show those sections. So I just need to work out how to navigate the site better.
       
      #4 Athy, Nov 16, 2024
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    5. I never use the tabs for navigating the forum. Just click on the one saying "FORUM" and it will take you to the overview of the entire forum. :)
      Oh, and you can edit the thread title by editing the first post in the thread.

      It's lovely to see a project with test prints right away! Much of the time when looking at digitally sculpted projects, it's as if my brain don't take them seriously until I see if they work in real life. Your girl does look like she has potential to be a pretty good poser and while the images are too large to see them in their entirety without scrolling, from what I can tell the over all proportions looks good.
      Looking forward to see this project develop. What are your plans for her?
       
      #5 Lillith, Nov 16, 2024
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    6. Ah, makes sense that you would be most comfortable with Maya - it's great that your job experience can cross over to making bjds!

      I tried the free trial of ZBrush and was totally baffled X) I have yet to try it again because the program is so expensive! But I'll check into other options - such as Blender - whenever I get around to trying 3D sculpting again, and I'll add Maya to that list to look into.

      I love DOA but it isn't the easiest to navigate - especially on a phone, I would imagine! I've only ever been here on a computer, and I use the tabs on top a lot, but Lillith is right that you can just click on Forum to see things more clearly.

      Here's the link to the general "Doll Making" section: /forums/dollmaking-project-journals.233/
       
      #6 StellaMarigold, Nov 16, 2024
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
    7. Nice work! I also use both Maya and Zbrush for my sculpts.
       
      #7 fierox, Jan 2, 2025
      Tools
      + Quote Reply
Draft saved Draft deleted
Toggle Width
Styler
Styler
Color Options
Color Options