The end of sculpting as we know it?

[james9487]

I was reading a White Dwarf magazine, from May 2005, and there was a wierd article about how they used computers and lasers to \'sculpt\' some of the details, such as chains and other hard to sculpt things. They design it on a computer and the laser shoots into some resin pot and the resin hardens when it is hit by the laser. I tried to take pictures of the article, but I had to break the page up so it\'s big enough to read.

 

[Legacy Account]

No it\'s not. The technology will just enhance what sculptors do at the moment. GW will be able to produce ranges faster and cheaper. Everyone else who can\'t afford the RPT or who can\'t use the software will stick with GS and cocktail sticks. It\'ll become a \'fine art\'.

There is some brilliant stuff out there done using the technology. Check out here:

Southern Graphics

There\'s a piece the chap did for a competition somewhere using rapid prototyping. It looks great. If you can use Lightwave, ZBrush or 3D Studio Max, you can get a master knocked up for around a hundred quid. No sculpting, just 3D modelling.

http://www.3darttopart.com/index.php

Tell me you wouldn\'t like to paint some of the stuff there!

 

[MarkusTay]

There was an entire thread about this at Frothers -

3-d Computer Sculpting

 

[Sturmhalo]

From what I hear (almost from the horses mouth) their 3D sculpting machine is a f*cking marvel. All virtual sculpting and takes a damn sight less time to make a finished piece than with GS and wotnot.

 

[Legacy Account]

I\'ve had a go on this stuff. One of the schools I worked in had just bought one, and although we\'d only run simple stuff through it by the time I left, it was as Sturm quite correctly stated \'a f***ing marvel\'.

The possibilities are awesome for the miniature world, and I really can\'t wait to see it exploited fully.

 

[MarkusTay]

I enjoy everything exploited fully.

 

[Legacy Account]

Sorry. OFF TOPIC! Go and stand in the corner and think about your actions!

Then we\'ll come back to another boring mini-related discussion.......lol

 

[Evil Dave]

Oh, good I was looking for a reason to teach myself 3D studio Max and Maya. Now I have one.

 

[minimaker]

Keep in mind though that digital sculpting is not necessarily easier or faster than manual sculpting. You still need to create the original model for which you need as much knowledge and skill. Using a program like poser is not sculpting but converting and you\'re still stuck with trying to get clothing right (a lot easier in manual sculpting).
I\'ve done both by the way and both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Advantage of manual sculpting is that you work in 3D (easier on the brain - you don\'t need to translate that image on the screen into a 3D thing). Advantage of digital sculpting, more exact for mechanical thing (using CAD that is), easier to reuse and the undo button.

There is a lot to say about this subject, especially since there are many misunderstandings, wishfull and fearfull thoughts that are nonsense. If you want to read more on it: start with the Frother\'s thread and then follow the links to the other threads. I\'m not going to discuss it here much since I\'ve already been in over 6 threads on the subject.

 

[Modderrhu]

I saw >>this<< a few months ago, and always wondered how applicable to miniatures it would be, and how soon similar techniques would be used. Take a look at the >>technique<<. Bloody amazing.

In a way it\'s a bit saddening that many of our minis might not be done by hand anymore. Although an artist still needs to do the concept work, and put the design into the computer, the minis are one step removed from the real art. Sure, the minis might be better quality, with more detail, but there\'s less appreciation in working on a machine sculpted mini than on something someone has hunched over and screwed their eyes at, just to get a teeny detail right.

 

[supervike]

I\'ve wondered about similar things when it came to computer graphics vs. pencil drawing.

I mean which is the \'better\' artist? A programmer or a drawer? Obviously, both are extremely talented.

Will we ever reach a point where the skill of using a pencil is completly replaced?

Interesting, but doubtful.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

While at Armorcast I saw the output of one of these things. It was PERFECT. I do see it putting quite a dent in the sculpting world. The only thing left is can it reproduce the pinache\'? The times they are a changin.

 

[EricJ]

modderrhu, that like is outstanding! I really like that.

I personally think, that just like we\'ve seen with many mediums where a \"better\" digital equivalent has emerged, there will always be the practice and demand for the hand made touch. In many ways the little flaws and inconsistancies are what make art personal to us, and \"human\" so to speak.

I\'m excited to see how this evolves, and how it adds (not replaces) aspects of our hobby.

-Eric

 

[FredrickvonCarstein]

Originally posted by Evil Dave
Oh, good I was looking for a reason to teach myself 3D studio Max and Maya. Now I have one.

Dave, you have absolutely no idea how dissapointed I am that a man with such an avatar doesn\'t have some reference to sharks with freakin\' lasers on their heads, within this thread.

 

[airhead]

I believe most of Reaper\'s CAV line are done this way.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

In many ways the little flaws and inconsistancies are what make art personal to us, and \"human\" so to speak.

Couldnt agree more. While I am a fan of FX and think CG can be really cool, there is something about the old stop motion stuff that is beyond words - Jason and the Argonauts, the skeleton fight wouldnt be half as cool in CG. Anything by Ray Harrihausen. The \'ED\' robot in Robocop, The Walkers in Empire Strikes Back etc, etc, etc........... And my hands down favorite (no kidding) Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. They came out with a CG version and even my little nieces and nephews didnt like it. Old school rocks!!

 

[Infidel Castro]

Well we should all start stockpiling GW minis old and new before everything switches over to this method and then in 30 years we\'ll all make our fortune flogging them on-line lol

Anything that makes things better to paint is great, so more strength to the machine

 

[minimaker]

Origineel geplaatst door supervikeI mean which is the \'better\' artist? A programmer or a drawer?

Not a programmer but a CGI artist. You don\'t need to know programming for this. Both disciplines need a lot of knowledge and skill and advantages and disadvantages cancel eachtother out in such a way CGI just becomes another tool.
The troll in LOTR is a good example:
- Concept sketches: traditional drawing.
- 3D model: traditional sculpture.
- Model in use: CGI + postprocessing software.

If you want to try this out, here is 3D canvas which is an artistic 3D program: http://www.amabilis.com/downloads.htm

CAD programs are harder to find for free but Rhino (used for the CAV range) can be downloaded for testing.

 

[marineboy]

This technology has been around for a long time, I remeber reading about while dooing research for a report on computer art for my junior year sophmore year math class in high school anno 1978. Improvements in technology and materials will make any technique cheaper and easier to use, of course, but the idea was in use already back then.

As pointed out earlier, not everyone will have access to these techniques. Sculpting will live and flourish alongside the new technologies, no worries.

 

[Sturmhalo]

As I understand it, the thing GW uses involves a \'sculpting tool\' which gives all the sensation of pressure and resistance of the digital sculpting medium. And who ever said it\'s not necessarily faster must be having a laugh. Sculpt one leg, mirror it, change it\'s position if need be... all done! And that\'s not just my own ill conceived idea of how it works either!