Low-poly Modelling

There are many different approaches to 3D modelling. One is low-poly (Low Polygon Count) modelling, which is used much for creation of real-time rendered media. This is the preferred method for WorldForge, since media created this way can be used both in 3D and 2D clients.

Here is a list of links to tutorials written Paul Steed, a (former?) Id modeler. Sadly, the site is no longer maintained, but the tutorials are still good, and though they are directed to the 3dsMAX community, the basic principles are the same for all modelers.

Enjoy!

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.2/totb/ Neat and orderly models

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.4/totb/ Dangerous Curves Ahead

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.6/totb/ Low Poly Tricks, Tips & Techniques

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.9/totb/ Exercise

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.13/totb/ A Peek Inside My Brain

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.14/totb/ A Peek Inside My Brain (part 2)

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.16/totb/ Sleeg Redux

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.18/totb/ Making it Count

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.22/totb/ Walking the Walk

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.26/totb/ Lincoln, Sitcher Ass Down

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.28/totb/ Adjusting your biped

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.30/totb/ Character Studio (part 2)

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.31/totb/ The Many Faces of Kelly Monaco

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.38/totb/ The Good, The Not-So-Bad, and the Really Ugly

http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.39/totb/ Q & A

http://www.loonyboi.com/loonygames/content/2.13/totb/ 3DS Tutorial #1: CyberGuy

More tutorials can be found at www.quake3world.com

Character Design and Animation

An online book about Disney style character design, drawing and animation by Preston Blair can be found on www.freetoon.com. The book contains lots of information and also contains avi's and moving gif's which can be used in your favorite modeller to animate keyframes.

Animated gifs from the Muybridge collection can be found at http://photo.ucr.edu/photographers/muybridge/index.html. The collection contains many films of humans and animals "in action", and can be used as reference when animating game characters.

A very interesting site for 3D artists : http://www.fineart.sk/index.html : "Anatomy Pictures for 3D Artist". Have a lot of documentation on human anatomy, as well as animal anatomy and manga-style characters.