Building a Digital Human

In the 3D animation and graphics universe, the final frontier isn't the vast unknown depths of outer space, but the intimately familiar human form. Replicating the human body is by far the most challenging journey to undertake as a digital artist, because everyone knows what it is supposed to look like. Human models are everywhere in films, games, and children's shows. Many of these characters are stylized caricatures, but an equal number are photorealistic. Using today's powerful 3D tools, artists can create all types of realistic and fantasy humans. To learn how to master these tools and develop the necessary skills, Building a Digital Human explores the entire modeling process from head to toe. Beginning with the fundamentals of assembling reference material (photos, anatomy books, etc.) through the details of texturing and refining the skin and hair, a complete human model is built. Once the model is complete, a female and fantasy troll are created to illustrate how easy it is to transform the basic model.

• Provides a practical guide to human modeling techniques and tools
• Uses a non-software specific approach to illustrate how to build the model, but teaches how to apply the techniques to your program of choice easily
• Defines the polygonal modeling terms and techniques that are covered in the book
• Builds the model using primitive shapes to help define correct body proportions
• Teaches the techniques for creating realistic facial features, arms, hands, teeth, hair, etc.
• Includes a CD-ROM with the reference images of the live model, 3D models in various stages of completion, and all the figures from the book in full color.

Contents

• Preface
• Chapter 1: Assembling Reference Material
• Chapter 2: Polygonal Modeling Terms & Techniques
• Chapter 3: Building a Digital Human
• Chapter 4: Refining & Defining: The Head
• Chapter 5: Refining & Defining The Torso
• Chapter 6: Refining & Defining: Legs & Feet
• Chapter 7: Refining & Defining: Arms & Hands
• Chapter 8: Fine Details
• Chapter 9: Creating New Characters from the Basic Model
• Chapter 10: Wrap up