Hey,
So for the past three months I have been delving into character creation. I have been wrapping my head around the whole workflow and really trying to learn good practices. Retopology phase has been on my study list for three weeks now around 6hrs a day. I think I am finally able to understand the process a little better. ;) My goal in the future is to create these characters for film production.
So now I tought would be a good time for some feedback. I first sculpted the rat and used RetopoFlow for the retopoing. What are the major mistakes in my mesh? Would I be able to animate this if rigged correctly?
My next step is to sculpt more details to this character with the multiresolution modifier and bake them into this mesh. I am also planning to add front teeth and claws. Are these types of details usually added later as a separate object (which are then parented to the body)?
Thanks! :)
Yeah I'd say everything looks correct. Loops flow in the right direction in the major features of the model. Perhaps the only thing that feels weird is how the feet bend, they feel a bit too curvy and flat, but I don't know much about rat anatomy:
Also I don't know why these two loops merge into one in the feet, forming a triangle:
Ideally there you have supporting loops for the deformation. I see people using at least three loops for support there and no triangle in those parts since they deform badly.
I'd add an extra loops where the ears attach to head. Remember both rats and mice have more movement and rotation to their ears. A loop before you start the eyelids, otherwise there can be stretching when the eyes close/blink. The leg joints could use some work, but if you plan to add fur geometry then it wouldn't be noticeable. If you're doing texture based fur then you may want to do the back knees the way you did the front knees. Remember Ray's back knees are further up than most people think. I'm going to have to disagree with Omar on the triangles. I think they are placed correctly for the bend of the rat's front leg. I'd add a loop down the center to add the slight bulge that they get when they over extend, but that's only if you're going to use texture based fur or have the rat bald. Otherwise I'd leave it like it is.
Guys you are legends. Appreciate the feedback and will do these adjustments!