Tauer's Models 2.0

[MogulKahn]

Personally Durotan (Old) was better. Is it just me?

Yes, it is only you!

 

[A Void]

Yes, it is only you!

Well it reminds me of Warcraft Adventured Lord of The Clans style. I'm relatively happy about that style.

 

[rcshaggy]

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net...erCrop1.PNG/revision/latest?cb=20071117013555
http://orig03.deviantart.net/2f13/f/2011/142/b/a/zul__jin_by_danidem-d3gyd1g.jpg
http://hydra-media.cursecdn.com/wow.gamepedia.com/b/b8/Zul'jin_TCG.jpg
http://hydra-media.cursecdn.com/wow.gamepedia.com/3/39/Zul'jin_HotS.jpg

Here are some artworks for your Zul'jin model if you are doing Zul'jin.

 

[Deolrin]

I think taking a few cues from the World of Warcraft version could be helpful, especially to differentiate him from all of the other forest trolls in the game. The hair in particular looks more interesting in the WoW version, although I understand if you wanna stick with the classic troll look. Perhaps a mix of the two could be achieved? It's also important not to make him look too old, since he's clearly older in World of Warcraft (for reasons of time and being imprisoned\tortured). The old, wrinkled face and completely white hair may not fit as well on this model.

 

[Tauer]

Personally Durotan (Old) was better. Is it just me?

Well, I guess it's a matter of opinion. But anyone knowing anything about game art would know that the quality of the old Durotan is vastly inferior to the new one.

I think taking a few cues from the World of Warcraft version could be helpful, especially to differentiate him from all of the other forest trolls in the game. The hair in particular looks more interesting in the WoW version, although I understand if you wanna stick with the classic troll look. Perhaps a mix of the two could be achieved? It's also important not to make him look too old, since he's clearly older in World of Warcraft (for reasons of time and being imprisoned\tortured). The old, wrinkled face and completely white hair may not fit as well on this model.

Yeah. It's usually against my philosophy but I will be taking some inspiration from the WoW model this time. The concept will still be Second War Zul'jin though.

I tried playing a bit with the hair to give him more character. I tried adding the side-braids as well but I couldn't get it to look right.

Nobody has issues with tusks sticking through the scarf? I think it makes him look more troll-like.

 

[Zwiebelchen]

I think the hips of Garona could be easily fixed without having to adjust anything else or reducing the birdseye visibility; just move the inner vertices of the upper legs closer to the center. Her thighs will become a bit wider because of that, but it will remove the thigh-gap which makes it look so unnatural. If you compare your model for example with Jaina or Sylvanas, you will notice that they have their legs much closer together. The "top down" visibility on those models actually comes from the accesoires and the animations (especially sylvanas, which is always in a cowering position).

I guess having stronger thighs is very orcish, so it would feel out of place either.

Your Zul'jin mash looks fantastic so far. I'd say continue the head and tusks below the scarf; then you can experiment with a transparent texture for the scarf without having to edit the mesh later on.

 

[Tauer]

I think the hips of Garona could be easily fixed without having to adjust anything else or reducing the birdseye visibility; just move the inner vertices of the upper legs closer to the center. Her thighs will become a bit wider because of that, but it will remove the thigh-gap which makes it look so unnatural. If you compare your model for example with Jaina or Sylvanas, you will notice that they have their legs much closer together. The "top down" visibility on those models actually comes from the accesoires and the animations (especially sylvanas, which is always in a cowering position).

I guess having stronger thighs is very orcish, so it would feel out of place either.

Actually the thighs are already almost touching. The thigh gap has more to do with the stance than the mesh.
Anyway, I'm not really in the mood to work more on her right now. Maybe later.

Your Zul'jin mash looks fantastic so far. I'd say continue the head and tusks below the scarf; then you can experiment with a transparent texture for the scarf without having to edit the mesh later on.

Actually I'm not planning on making the scarf transparent. This would actually be impossible since it's team colored. I was just planning on texturing holes in the scarf that the tusks stick through.

Here's the mesh so far:

I'm a bit stumped on how to improve it further. If anyone has any suggestions now's the time, I don't wanna make too many alterations to the mesh later.

By the way, does anyone know if there's an official logo or banner for the Amani Tribe/Empire?

EDIT: A small update on the mesh:

Added some spikes to his belt and also going through the skin on his shoulders. Zul'jin seems like the kind of dude who'd mutilate himself to look cool. Also made his ears thinner and longer and added some more cloth for his scarf.
I deleted the shoulderpad he used to have back when I first made the mesh. I've decided not go give him armor like that. Instead he'll have the tattoos from WoW on his arms.

 

[Deolrin]

Aw, I actually really liked the shoulderpad. Warcraft heroes always have some big, outstanding feature which is clearly seen from inside the game. I think adding it will make the tattoos and spikes on his other arm more unique, break up the symmetry a bit and overall look cool and more heroic.

Coming along fantastically, though. If the texture will be of the same top-notch quality as your recent work then this will be by far my favourite model by you thus far.

 

[Tauer]

Aw, I actually really liked the shoulderpad. Warcraft heroes always have some big, outstanding feature which is clearly seen from inside the game. I think adding it will make the tattoos and spikes on his other arm more unique, break up the symmetry a bit and overall look cool and more heroic.

Hmm, good point. I'm not sure what kind of shoulderpad to use though. I wasn't a fan of the one I made, it just looked like a piece of wood strapped to his arm... Some kind of team colored shoulderpad would be better I think.

Maybe some Voodoo type shoulderpad?

Troll

 

[Chen]

Hmm, good point. I'm not sure what kind of shoulderpad to use though. I wasn't a fan of the one I made, it just looked like a piece of wood strapped to his arm... Some kind of team colored shoulderpad would be better I think.

Maybe some Voodoo type shoulderpad?

Troll

Well you could always find inspiration from your old Zul'jin

 

[Deolrin]

Those are rather overdone, I think. The old shoulderpad with a bit more complexity added to it (like a second layer) and an interesting texture (with teamcolor) would look great. You made some pretty sweet yet simple shoulderpads for Grom, Durotan and Garona - I say take inspiration from those and make something slightly more tribal, wooden and troll-ish. A voodoo shoulderpad could work, although it would have to look rather unique in order to stand out from the standard Shadow Hunter\Bloodlust icon shoulderpads that everyone's giving their troll models. This piece by Samwise was always a favourite of mine, perhaps it could give you a bit of inspiration. The piece of armor on his thigh in particular could make an interesting basis for a shoulderpad.

 

[Tauer]

Well you could always find inspiration from your old Zul'jin

It's actually the same Zul'jin, I just made some alterations to the mesh. I don't really like the shoulderpad on the old one tbh.

Those are rather overdone, I think. The old shoulderpad with a bit more complexity added to it (like a second layer) and an interesting texture (with teamcolor) would look great. You made some pretty sweet yet simple shoulderpads for Grom, Durotan and Garona - I say take inspiration from those and make something slightly more tribal, wooden and troll-ish. A voodoo shoulderpad could work, although it would have to look rather unique in order to stand out from the standard Shadow Hunter\Bloodlust icon shoulderpads that everyone's giving their troll models. This piece by Samwise was always a favourite of mine, perhaps it could give you a bit of inspiration. The piece of armor on his thigh in particular could make an interesting basis for a shoulderpad.

That's some cool artwork.

How about something like this?

I took a little inspiration from that artwork, from the groin armor.

How about some feathers? Or is that only Darkspear trolls? I admit I don't know a lot about Troll lore.

EDIT: I think I'm calling it for the mesh, unless anyone has any last additions. Shouldn't be too cluttered also.

He's got a pretty good silhouette now, can easily see that he's a Troll.

 

[Direfury]

If you wanna give him side-braids, I'd suggest filling out his mohawk, giving it a bit more girth, so he doesn't just have one thin line of hair along his head. Or just go for a slightly up-turned, more full hair-do that would allow you to give him braids.

 

[Kyrbi0]

I just can't get enough of that Troll. Sorry I haven't been around to say anything, but I can't honestly say that he needs anything else. Maaaaan...

If you please, surrah, think of the peasants... Throw us a Jungle-troll-blue-colored version if you have time. Then just let me trade his axe for a spear and we will have reached Nirvana.

 

[rcshaggy]

God some people.
Seriously Tauer is taking the time to get out of his life to give us his life work by making these awesome models that he probably take the effort and time to make.
I for one love these models and I appreciate what Tauer is doing for us and I do hope we can do something for him in return for his models that he is so generously giving out.
Please don't take Tauer for granted and enjoy his models. Everyone should just think for once and say what Tauer would think of all this too.

I'm really optional too, and I don't want Tauer to be pissed off either or us. Let us just be at peace and enjoy his models. Please?

 

[Zwiebelchen]

If you still want so final suggestions for the mesh, I'd say that shoulderpads aren't really neccesary if you adjust the animations to make up for the lack of birdseye fidelity.

Like a said; take a look at the sylvanas model; it's a perfect showcasing for how a slender and featureless model can be made highly visible through just a clever stand and walk animation alone.

For the scarf, I think it blends too hard with his torso. Maybe add some more edges there to create a stronger disconnect between the scarf and the torso mesh? Hard to give judgement based on the untextured look though.

 

[Tauer]

Gaaah, I'm about rip my hair out... I just can't seem to get properly started on the texture. It just feels off... I must have started over on his face almost half a dozen times now and this is all I have to show for it:

Don't know what's going on with my mojo. It seems like whatever I paint just doesn't look good. I always have some trouble in the beginning when I texture, but I just need to get started then it usually goes smoothly. I don't know why this one is so hard.

 

[rcshaggy]

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net...LordArt.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20070818233101
http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net...sttroll.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20071119000838
http://laboratorionerd.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/troll-da-floresta.png

Your progress in making kinda looks more like a Goblin to be honest.
You could make the nose a little shorter for the Troll.

 

[Tauer]

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net...LordArt.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20070818233101
http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net...sttroll.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20071119000838
http://laboratorionerd.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/troll-da-floresta.png

Your progress in making kinda looks more like a Goblin to be honest.
You could make the nose a little shorter for the Troll.

Yeah, good point. Made it a little shorter.

Progress:

Better, but still something about it that doesn't feel quite right. Dunno what. I think I'm putting it down for the day. Sometimes you need a little time away, gives you a new perspective when getting back to it.

It is an improvement over the old version though:

 

[Deolrin]

I think the shape of the eyes on the old one looked slightly better, actually. I love the mesh though - one final change you could make to the shoulderpad is curve it slightly more towards his arm, so it cups it better and doesn't look glued on.

 

[Kyrbi0]

God some people.
Seriously Tauer is taking the time to get out of his life to give us his life work by making these awesome models that he probably take the effort and time to make.
I for one love these models and I appreciate what Tauer is doing for us and I do hope we can do something for him in return for his models that he is so generously giving out.
Please don't take Tauer for granted and enjoy his models. Everyone should just think for once and say what Tauer would think of all this too.

I'm really optional too, and I don't want Tauer to be pissed off either or us. Let us just be at peace and enjoy his models. Please?

Who is this referring to? I'm in full agreement with you...

 

[Tauer]

A little more progress before I go to bed:

I think I know what the problem is. It's not that the quality of the texture is bad, but rather that his features are lacking... character. He doesn't feel "alive" enough for some reason. Not really sure how to fix this. It might be the lack of pupils, I dunno.

 

[SpasMaster]

Hmm, I'm gonna throw in some images of close-up troll faces that might prove helpful to you.

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Also; may I suggest making the whole face first and the proceeding with adjustments according to what you come up with. The way I see it, the lower half of the face will "complete" the upper and it won't look as "empty" as you see it atm. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
EDIT: I think bigger eyes will help aswell. You can try that, but I am not sure.

 

[DaHomieG]

Hmm, I'm gonna throw in some images of close-up troll faces that might prove helpful to you.

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Also; may I suggest making the whole face first and the proceeding with adjustments according to what you come up with. The way I see it, the lower half of the face will "complete" the upper and it won't look as "empty" as you see it atm. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
EDIT: I think bigger eyes will help aswell. You can try that, but I am not sure.

I mean he doesn't need to improve the face since it already looks like Zul'jin.

Also; screw the axe and add his cool glaive thing.

 

[SpasMaster]

Also; screw the axe and add his cool glaive thing.

Well, I am from those who really look forward to his axe-throwing animations. Tauer already said he'll do both tho.

 

[Tauer]

Hmm, I'm gonna throw in some images of close-up troll faces that might prove helpful to you.

Hidden

One
Two
Three
Four

Also; may I suggest making the whole face first and the proceeding with adjustments according to what you come up with. The way I see it, the lower half of the face will "complete" the upper and it won't look as "empty" as you see it atm. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
EDIT: I think bigger eyes will help aswell. You can try that, but I am not sure.

Actually he doesn't have a lower half of the face. It's covered by his scarf.

Also; screw the axe and add his cool glaive thing.

I'm making two animations sets. One for the classic throwing axes like in WC2 and one for the glaive from WoW.

The head is starting to take shape:

EDIT: Playing with some TC on his hair:

 

[Zwiebelchen]

Looking great... I also thought it looked more like a goblin at first, but now that the head is completed; that's definitely a troll in my book!

 

[Zavorakto]

Do you have projects to make an update or a new model of Cho'gall? Even with the glitches I think it was a good model and nobody else has made one since then.

 

[rcshaggy]

Actually he doesn't have a lower half of the face. It's covered by his scarf.



I'm making two animations sets. One for the classic throwing axes like in WC2 and one for the glaive from WoW.

The head is starting to take shape:

EDIT: Playing with some TC on his hair:

More of a Troll now. He is looking really well and hoping he will move like a Troll, and Tauer thanks once again for doing these models. I gladly appreciate the time you take to do these.
Also you gonna work on a Illidan model since Legion is the next WoW expansion? Not saying you have too, just wondering.

 

[Tauer]

Do you have projects to make an update or a new model of Cho'gall? Even with the glitches I think it was a good model and nobody else has made one since then.

Dunno, maybe later. Low on my list of priorities though.

\Also you gonna work on a Illidan model since Legion is the next WoW expansion? Not saying you have too, just wondering.

Nope, Hive has enough Illidans already.

Doing some TC work on his scarf:

 

[Tauer]

Small update. Didn't work on it yesterday, got some shading on his torso done today though:

Going a little slower than usual because I'm having some trouble getting the look right. It's starting to get there though.

I'll probably be putting Zul'jin on hold when the modeling contest starts though.

 

[Chen]

Looking more of his Warcraft II version! Great!

BTW are you making Legion themed models in the future?

 

[Forsaken]

Wooah, it's awesome!

 

[Tauer]

Looking more of his Warcraft II version! Great!

Wooah, it's awesome!

Thanks

BTW are you making Legion themed models in the future?

Maybe. Depends on whether I like the character designs or not. Lately Blizzard tend to make their designs very over-the-top (Blackhand aka walking furnace) which I really don't like. Then there are the designs that I do like, like Durotan, Garrosh and Grom.

Progress is slow. Did some fine tuning on his torso, don't think I can do much more for it.

 

[SpasMaster]

Damn, that's starting to turn out so nicely, I can feel the WC2 vibes! Loving it so far.

 

[JokeMaster]

As for the textures i think that those gold wristbands are unappropriate, the trolls were rather poor creatures and leather bands would give him a more tribal look. Besides i'm waiting too see your "woodwork".

 

[SpasMaster]

As for the textures i think that those gold wristbands are unappropriate, the trolls were rather poor creatures and leather bands would give him a more tribal look. Besides i'm waiting too see your "woodwork".

Poor? The way I know it, Zul'jin is the leader of the Amani Empire - a civilization that thrived for thousands of years. This ain't your regular forest Troll sitting at a campfire

 

[MogulKahn]

Thanks



Maybe. Depends on whether I like the character designs or not. Lately Blizzard tend to make their designs very over-the-top (Blackhand aka walking furnace) which I really don't like. Then there are the designs that I do like, like Durotan, Garrosh and Grom.

Progress is slow. Did some fine tuning on his torso, don't think I can do much more for it.

HEY! I like that Blackhand!

 

[Deolrin]

Ahh, sweet, sweet progress. Looking great, his torso bugged me a little bit before, but now that I see the more complete picture, it looks great. Are you still planning on adding that tattoo on his arm, or did you scrap that idea? Either way, great work.

 

[DaHomieG]

Love the spiked mohawk.

Btw you mentioned back in your older posts that you were thinking of working on a Xavius model?

Perhaps you should consider that for the future again since they announced what Xavius is going to look like in the next expansion after he absorbs the Emerald Nightmare's power. There's an animated model on the Legion website.

 

[Deolrin]

That new Xavius looks awful.

 

[DaHomieG]

That new Xavius looks awful.

Still a satyr tho just nice and plump

 

[Tauer]

As for the textures i think that those gold wristbands are unappropriate, the trolls were rather poor creatures and leather bands would give him a more tribal look. Besides i'm waiting too see your "woodwork".

Poor? The way I know it, Zul'jin is the leader of the Amani Empire - a civilization that thrived for thousands of years. This ain't your regular forest Troll sitting at a campfire

Yep. And that's not even mentioning the fact that the regular forest trolls in WC3 and WC2 also have gold bracers:

Trolls

HEY! I like that Blackhand!

You probably like him because you think he looks badass. Which might be true to a certain degree, but he certainly doesn't look like Blackhand nor does he look like an Orc. He looks more like a Demon or an Elemental or something. Which of course makes no sense for Blackhand.
Since when is Blackhand a smith? Even so, why does a smith have friggin' fire under his armor? It doesn't make sense. Unless it's fel magic, but I thought the whole point of the Iron Horde was no fel magic.
Eh, it doesn't make sense.

Anyway, point is the design itself is actually pretty cool. But it doesn't fit that character.

Ahh, sweet, sweet progress. Looking great, his torso bugged me a little bit before, but now that I see the more complete picture, it looks great. Are you still planning on adding that tattoo on his arm, or did you scrap that idea? Either way, great work.

Thanks I'm not sure, I'm thinking of scrapping the tattoos tbh. I don't want his torso to become too cluttered either. I dunno. I think I'll finish the rest of the texture first and then see whether he needs them or not.

Love the spiked mohawk.

Btw you mentioned back in your older posts that you were thinking of working on a Xavius model?

Perhaps you should consider that for the future again since they announced what Xavius is going to look like in the next expansion after he absorbs the Emerald Nightmare's power. There's an animated model on the Legion website.

I'm sorry, but that Xavius looks god-awful to me :/
He looks nothing like a Satyr, Night-elf demigod or even a Warcraft character to be honest. He looks totally out of place! What were they thinking with that design? What's going on with those totally oversized hands and undersized feet? It looks ridiculous.
He looks way too chibi, definately doesn't belong in Warcraft.

I might make a Xavius at some point but it would definately be based on this official artwork:

Xavius

 

[PROXY]

I don't get the new designs too. I mean Xavius is an evil mastermind and demon servant and not a frickin dumb looking demon brute (as seen in the new addon, I mean look at him ^^) That tongue is so ridicilous

 

[MogulKahn]

Well, you are talking about our Blackhand, and this is WOD Blackhand. Their past is not the same.
And honestly there is no need to try to find logic in video games, in my book if something looks cool, I am OK with it.
And other thing is, every warlord was unique in some way, only Blackhand was.. a guy with stag antlers on his head? That was it... I know, I know, he was first warchief, but still...

 

[Footman16]

I don't get the new designs too. I mean Xavius is an evil mastermind and demon servant and not a frickin dumb looking demon brute (as seen in the new addon, I mean look at him ^^) That tongue is so ridicilous

That's because Xavius has become a Miley Cyrus fan.

 

[Chen]

Well, Xavius' new model fits for him, he is the nightmare lord and the Old Gods could have tortured him so much.

 

[DaHomieG]

Well, Xavius' new model fits for him, he is the nightmare lord and the Old Gods could have tortured him so much.

Yeah. He's become more than just the first Satyr, he's become the embodiment of the Emerald Nightmare. You can still see his hooves and horns and fur, but the corruption of the Nightmare severely bloated and mutated his body. Badass.

 

[Chen]

Yeah. He's become more than just the first Satyr, he's become the embodiment of the Emerald Nightmare. You can still see his hooves and horns and fur, but the corruption of the Nightmare severely bloated and mutated his body. Badass.

Badass. and. Fatass.

 

[DaHomieG]

Badass. and. Fatass.

I mean look what they did to Gorefiend in 6.2. He's fat but he looks awesome.