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Warcraft 3 Classic HD
Information post
Here are some links to the creative process that may include some interesting thoughts and tricks:
Here are some links to the creative process that may include some interesting thoughts and tricks:
Some explanations about the model
The model is based on the work of Stephen King and the movie It (2017), and is not an exact copy but a reinterpretation and adaptation of the character in the Warcraft universe with some author's ideas.
The head is the most expressive and eye-catching part of Pennywise around which almost the entire character is built (I talk about this in more detail in the parts 1 and 4.). To preserve the charisma of the character, I used references, threw polygons and added more bones for the movement of the facial muscles, which is very justified considering the above, as well as the presence of alternative animations where the same head is used.
I needed to make sure that I had enough material to work on with facial expressions in order to create an emotional connection with the viewer. The used bones allow to use It's face almost like in the movie, stretching the maw and his facial skin to the limit.
By the way, at start I used a real photo and the KotG's head to shape the face properly, and the process looked quite hilarious:
I needed to make sure that I had enough material to work on with facial expressions in order to create an emotional connection with the viewer. The used bones allow to use It's face almost like in the movie, stretching the maw and his facial skin to the limit.
By the way, at start I used a real photo and the KotG's head to shape the face properly, and the process looked quite hilarious:
The thing is that Warcraft-y models are built around simplifications, especially when it comes to the SD quality. So I cut off unnecessary parts that add too much detail, simplified things like the clown collar and enlarged the most distinctive parts of the mesh, such as hair and face, red fluffy balls (how can I call them differently?) or It's clown-ish shoulder pads which will hint at the character's appearance and tie us to his real-life look from the movie reference.
Concerning technical part, I compressed the spring mechanism and placed it between the chest and neck bones, which allowed me to use the same head twice, quite handy.
Concerning technical part, I compressed the spring mechanism and placed it between the chest and neck bones, which allowed me to use the same head twice, quite handy.
Over the course of time, I went through various materials dedicated to this hero in order to better assemble his image. For example, Pennywise's superpower is taking on different forms to intimidate his victims, as he can literally smell their fear.
Therefore, I decided to expand the range of It's forms, while maintaining the clown theme, and this is how the clown box appeared:
I decided to push aside one of the most obvious forms - the spider form, because... I found it quite boring: well, it runs around, bites, moves its legs, so what? But a jumping box with a huge head with fangs on a spring made of pulsating intestines is another matter!
This approach allows, for example, to play out the animation when Pennywise calls Georgie to the drain, that is on the picture above, or even make an unusual animation of a snake lunge, perfect for the 'Spell', as well as an animation of the 'Spell Slam' - landing of the box to properly stun the heads of mortals:
By the way, I came up with the design of the box just searching a few symbols around. The question mark and an evil smile was a good move, but I especially like that I left a yellow star, a bright symmetric element, into which I inserted a handle at the very last moment, which became additional detail that further improves the dynamics of the model.
Therefore, I decided to expand the range of It's forms, while maintaining the clown theme, and this is how the clown box appeared:
I decided to push aside one of the most obvious forms - the spider form, because... I found it quite boring: well, it runs around, bites, moves its legs, so what? But a jumping box with a huge head with fangs on a spring made of pulsating intestines is another matter!
This approach allows, for example, to play out the animation when Pennywise calls Georgie to the drain, that is on the picture above, or even make an unusual animation of a snake lunge, perfect for the 'Spell', as well as an animation of the 'Spell Slam' - landing of the box to properly stun the heads of mortals:
By the way, I came up with the design of the box just searching a few symbols around. The question mark and an evil smile was a good move, but I especially like that I left a yellow star, a bright symmetric element, into which I inserted a handle at the very last moment, which became additional detail that further improves the dynamics of the model.
As you can see, I paid special attention to Pennywise's superpowers, such as his hypnosis. Kids fly to deadlights like wildfire, but I combined the well-known dance animation that was present in the movie scene and hypnosis, resulting in a very dynamic and original story with a "suction" effect:
Does everyone remember Georgie's hand? Here it is:
This is also an example of crossing animation with a reference to the movie, including the color of the raincoat.
The scene where It is getting out of the refrigerator:
Of course, by Warcraft standards, the refrigerator would have been too modern, so I came up with a coffin (I also wanted small spiders to run out of it, but there wasn't enough time for everything). So, the coffin will suit any situation, and will also allow you to play out the birth/summoning of the hero in an interesting way.
Juggling with eyes, one of my favorite actions:
I wanted to explore the clown theme even more deeply in animations like 'Stand', and since clowns can juggle, I decided why couldn't Pennywise do something nasty and terrible again? This is how this animation appeared, and if you are interested in how I displayed the movements, you can follow the links at the beginning of the post.
Glowing eyes lit with hunger is also a good addition to the model, taken from the movie, which is used in many animations:
This switching between normal and bloodthirsty mode adds an extra twist, especially in portraits.
The pathetic death, expressed by the grimace of sadness and fear on the face of the monster, which itself feeds on fear, is also conveyed in a certain way in the animation:
But you won't see the blood, because It will definitely return, and this is just a way to retreat on a balloon and restore strength:
I also tried to play up such an iconic attribute of a character like this very balloon in several animations in order to compliment the ambience.
For additional creepiness and to add more character, I decided to work with the tongue more often (don't think anything bad):
This is how I came up with the 'Stand Throw' animation, where Pennywise belches a vile acidic substance straight from his throat, throwing it up with his tongue, which is perfect for various nukes or even long-range attacks in an alternative form.
'Spell' animations are designed to cast different debuffs that should frighten the enemy, to deal some
before you can catch your prey, thus I didn't add any heavy particle emitters, leaving more space for your fantasy around special effects existing on Hive:
Does everyone remember Georgie's hand? Here it is:
This is also an example of crossing animation with a reference to the movie, including the color of the raincoat.
The scene where It is getting out of the refrigerator:
Of course, by Warcraft standards, the refrigerator would have been too modern, so I came up with a coffin (I also wanted small spiders to run out of it, but there wasn't enough time for everything). So, the coffin will suit any situation, and will also allow you to play out the birth/summoning of the hero in an interesting way.
Juggling with eyes, one of my favorite actions:
I wanted to explore the clown theme even more deeply in animations like 'Stand', and since clowns can juggle, I decided why couldn't Pennywise do something nasty and terrible again? This is how this animation appeared, and if you are interested in how I displayed the movements, you can follow the links at the beginning of the post.
Glowing eyes lit with hunger is also a good addition to the model, taken from the movie, which is used in many animations:
This switching between normal and bloodthirsty mode adds an extra twist, especially in portraits.
The pathetic death, expressed by the grimace of sadness and fear on the face of the monster, which itself feeds on fear, is also conveyed in a certain way in the animation:
But you won't see the blood, because It will definitely return, and this is just a way to retreat on a balloon and restore strength:
I also tried to play up such an iconic attribute of a character like this very balloon in several animations in order to compliment the ambience.
For additional creepiness and to add more character, I decided to work with the tongue more often (don't think anything bad):
This is how I came up with the 'Stand Throw' animation, where Pennywise belches a vile acidic substance straight from his throat, throwing it up with his tongue, which is perfect for various nukes or even long-range attacks in an alternative form.
'Spell' animations are designed to cast different debuffs that should frighten the enemy, to deal some
If you want to make a map around the model, feel free to contact me. In the future I can add some animations like 'Stand Lumber' or 'Gold' for kidnapping players or other animations like 'Cinematic Walks' in a form of flying balloon:
P.S. One again, thank you very much for hosting the contest, dear staff, @MasterHaosis, and other people involved. Time to floa... I wish all participants good luck!
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