Low poly head generator

I'm pushing around the idea of creating a low polygon head generator tool/utility that could be used to create human heads for gaming character models.

I wondered if anyone has come across such a tool, or uses something similar in-house?

Plus how keen people would be to use such a tool?

I'm thinking along the lines of;
- Using a template in Photoshop to mark points on the face, a black/white photo, points marked in colour. - saving these out with an automated action.
- Importing the profile and portrait images into the viewportbackground in 3dsMax.
- Reading the pixel information and capturing the point3 co-ords data as needed from them.
- creating an array of verts at these point3's.
- creating an array of faces connecting the verts in the right order.
- this automodels the head.

The number of 'marker points' on the initial image would be kept to a minimum - else it'd be too long winded - and extra script would be written to produce 'midway' verts to increase the detail and polys produced.

That's the idea.

At the moment in practice, i'm trying out something a little easier, but not as versitle; A generic low poly head with morph targets which allow you to alter it's proportions through an interface as need be - much like in games such as Oblivion were you have the option of creating the look of your character at the begining. This is pretty cool, but i think a head generator would be ace.

Thanks for taking the time to read,
Martin

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William Rickert's picture

Sounds like alot of work. I

Sounds like alot of work. I just use a template head I made about 3 years ago with about 1200 polys and throw a couple planes in there with my reference pics then start tweaking polys. Your biggest issue is going to keep all the polys quads.

Good luck.
Bill

martinskinner's picture

Thanks Bill, sound advice.

Thanks Bill, sound advice. I've made a few heads, i'll stick to tweaking those as need be. ;)

Martin

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