Modelling (Loop edges)

When modeling a character, one needs to consider basic sculpting, the functions the character is going to have in terms of movement, and a sound framework representation. The structure, or shape of the model, as well as it's line of symmetry play a very important role when constructing the model. This, I discovered on my second/third trail of attempting to model a male character. Initially when I started to model, I was using spheres which seemed like a good idea at the time, because I was creating the torso. However as I began to give the model limps the idea of using a sphere was now backfiring, because my alignment/symmetry was not working. I then started all over, using the cube and it created an orderly model, which was easier to manipulate.

While adding limps to the torso, I used the ray trace selection then I extruded along the axis, pulling out the limps. This I applied in most of the cases, be it when selecting the edges or nodes. It was particularly helpful when constructing interesting features such as the ears and nose, which were a bit challenging because of their many curves. This however is were edge looping came in handy. Edge looping is formed/done by interlocking a series of mesh edges used to accurately control the smoothed form of an animated sub division surface. The function of the edge loop is to closely mimic how real muscle works giving control over the contour and silhouette. In some cases, I discovered that in order to be able to construct an edge loop, I had to cut the edges in the model to allow additional nodes or points to be made on the model. Therefore the importance of constructing a sound humanoid model is to enable manipulation of the model when texturing and moving muscle.

http://maxrovat.sns.hu/subdiv/subdivmodeling.htm
http://cube.phlatt.net/home/spiraloid/tutorial/modeling.html
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/__data/arts_pdfs/cap56_3dface.pdf