I have now completed the horse to a level where I think it is ready to be retopologised. This part didn't take as long as the human to do, partly because I didn't have as many complicated clothes to produce and also because there aren't as many fiddly bits like fingers and facial features which need to be just right to prevent them from looking uncanny.
I decided to go for a blackish brown breed of horse called Andravida which originated in the plains of greece and therefore could be one of the breeds used by the companions. I also liked the colour and think it will go well with the human when I get them both into the same scene.
There were very few references for what sort of saddle and straps would be used on the horse so I mostly took inspiration from the film Alexander (2004) when it came to designing this part. I also embellieshed them with items of jewellery based on ancient greek icons and symbols. It is most likely these wont be seen close up but they will provide detail and make it look more interesting.
When modelling the template I made sure I scaled it correctly against the human template so they both match when I export them out of zbrush. I expect I will be able to make minor adjustments when they are together if I need to.
What I am now most concerned with is making sure the lengths of the limbs are correct and everything is proportionate. I dont want to find out later when I start rigging that something is off otherwise I may have to stretch the texture to get it right, better to sort it now.
For the next month my plan is to retopologise both characters and get them into 3dsmax to be UV unwrapped. I will then be able to produce texture maps which will include diffuse, specular and normals that will need to be tweaked in photoshop to get right. Hopefully I will also be able to begin building the rigs though I dont know if I will have enough time to get that far.
Right now though I will review both of the characters and add small things I've noticed I need to change and anything people point out through feedback.
For the next month my plan is to retopologise both characters and get them into 3dsmax to be UV unwrapped. I will then be able to produce texture maps which will include diffuse, specular and normals that will need to be tweaked in photoshop to get right. Hopefully I will also be able to begin building the rigs though I dont know if I will have enough time to get that far.
Right now though I will review both of the characters and add small things I've noticed I need to change and anything people point out through feedback.
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