I am trying to create a macro still image of an Iguana.

This is the progress so far.
Using Maya for the modeling.
Might take it to ZBrush later.

wip_03_render.jpg 26.88 KB Views: 2332 Description:

wip_03_wire.jpg 59.64 KB Views: 226 Description:

Great start!
Where is the tail?
How much time did it took you to model this part?

Nice modeling.
Is it all quads?
Are you going to model the tail as well?
Looking forward to see more!

ps: You are the first to use the new image attachment feature. If you find some bugs or limitations please let me know.

Regards!
_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

Sorry for the late reply.........and the late update here.
Continuing this after quite some time.

Here's the base model.

Andy, it is around 99% quads so far........some tris on the tail region.

iguana_base_wire.jpg 75.44 KB Views: 254 Description:

Wow this looks really nice!
It is interesting how you are modeling it already in a natural pose..
do you have some references? Or is the model rigged and you pose it after finishing modeling?
_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

Thanks for the comments, Andy.

Well, the modeling has been done in that pose itself, no rigging.
I intended to make a still of it, in that pose itself.

I am using some downloaded photo refs.

Actually, I had made a base for the creature (a boulder)........but now I have decided to have a tree branch (still undecided)
So now, I'll have to fit the base as per the contours of the model.........the reverse way

This is great modeling!
Congrats!

prithivi, for me it was always strange that many artists create models in a natural finished pose... all my modeling was limited to creating characters in rigging poses.. I'm now thinking that I missed a lot of fun..
_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

Was busy with some other work.
So continuing this again after a break

Started some detailing in ZBrush...

screen_render_01.jpg 126.59 KB Views: 227 Description:

Amazing details!
Looking forward to see your lizard rendered with environment and stuff.

Great work! Keep it going!

Thanks for the comments, folks.

My net conn was down for a few days, so couldn't post this update earlier.

Here's the render

iguana.jpg 157.15 KB Views: 237 Description:

Good details but it seems that you lost some modelled details during rendering..
What did you use to render it?
Is the background a blurred image or have you actually used the depth of field?

My first impression is that the contrast is too high.

I have some suggestions... but I need to know the renderer for them to be useful.
_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

Thanks for the comments.

I used Maya with Mental Ray for the render.
(with normal map from ZBrush)
The background is an image, no DOF.

Here's a modification of the render:
Modified the skin folds a wee bit, changed the hue and toned down the normal bump.

iguana_02.jpg 170.76 KB Views: 240 Description:

Ah now I understand why you lost some details.. it's normal maps not displacement...
But this is much better in my opinion.

I would tune down the contrast of the stone details a little more so that the lizard is in focus... and would apply a subtle DOF to the model.

Btw is it me or something is wrong with shadows... especially from the tail..
_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

Thanks for the comments.

I checked the shadows in the grey render.
They're blending with the color of the stone texture.

Here's another render: (with some minor changes in filling up the scales in earlier vacant areas)

iguana_new.jpg 221.91 KB Views: 235 Description:

good

What if you will make the stone not so dark?
_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

This is turning out to be really good.
I think this is on its 90% state.
a few more polishing and it will go to the finish artworks !
nice job!
_________________
My Animation Services