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Topic: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

I was wondering, in films such as smeagols, he has some CG lego models. Does he get 3d lego bricks from somewhere and construct his model out of them, does import a 3d lego model from another program, or does he construct a model and add details such as the cylinder things that connect the bricks together to make it look like it was constructed out of real lego? I have experience with 3d animation and would like to use it in my Brickfilms.

Would be nice if I could hear from Smeagol himself!

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Ratboy Productions's Website

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

I believe there's a freeware program called Ldraw or Lcad, or something similar that has a collection of pre-modelled Lego pieces for 3D work.

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

http://www.leocad.org/

You can find the program and pieces there, they also explain how to update the program with new bricks.
Have fun, and patience!

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

Thanks for the feedback! Really helpful. Heres what I did with the program - I imported it into my 3d program and rendered it with HDR imagering. However the tranparent materials are very annoying. I'm happy with it though.

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/ratboyproductions/Lego%20stuff/3dLego_Test.jpg?t=1251033518

http://tinyurl.com/67k2bg3
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Ratboy Productions's Website

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

It needs to look more bricky, which program are you using? I know Carrara has a great modifier that makes gaps between the bricks. If you're using Blender, PM/ask Leonardo about it.

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

Well, if you want to talk to Smeagol about it, then just send him a PM on youtube, if you have a youtube account. He always answers, and he is a really big help. I use MLCad to model the legos, but first you have to download LDraw, and then open it in LeoCad and export it as a 3DS, and then open it in Blender.

-BGanimations

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

You can send PMs via the forum too, y'know.

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

mini/XD

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

T.G-Tom wrote:

It needs to look more bricky, which program are you using? I know Carrara has a great modifier that makes gaps between the bricks. If you're using Blender, PM/ask Leonardo about it.

I use Maya though. Anyhow, I'll work on it! And ask Smeagol for advice.

Edit: I did the image again and made the bricks a tad smaller to make it look more bricky.

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/ratboyproductions/Lego%20stuff/3dLego_Image.jpg

Now what do you think? One problem is that its far too clean and perfect, or is that just because I have old lego bricks? hehe

Last edited by Ratboy Productions (August 23, 2009 (01:13pm))

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Ratboy Productions's Website

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

The cracks in between the bricks are well shown.
I think the reason it's so shiny is because of your lamp. It's either too close or too bright.
And I can still see the image through the bricks, which I don't know why that is.
Overall it looks nice and clean. mini/wink

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/DaLegoMaster/Other/brook_signature.png

LMP's Website

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

LMP wrote:

The cracks in between the bricks are well shown.
I think the reason it's so shiny is because of your lamp. It's either too close or too bright.
And I can still see the image through the bricks, which I don't know why that is.
Overall it looks nice and clean. mini/wink

He's using CG. Do you bother reading threads?

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fib12345's Website

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

yeah I do use some kind of scratches texture (sometimes just on the specular / highlight of the bricks' texture/shader) and turn down reflections on my CG bricks usually, it helps kill the overly-clean look.

http://i.imgur.com/wcmcdmf.png

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

Do you need any other programs than that leocad thing?

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

Yes. You need something to Render the design, and if you want to get serious, something to texture it with.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/fib12345/Lolz/lulz.png
"actuallly this involves spiderman too, not batman. but im also taking a new approach, more comedy, less action. i dont see to many movies like that with more comedy than action" --SteveStarfyTV on an Indiana Jones meets Star Wars idea.

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

Looks good ratboy!
Maybe (for the resources page maybe) it would be handy if we also could use some of those textures of you sméagol mini/tongue .
But I understand if you don't want to.

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

fib12345 wrote:
LMP wrote:

The cracks in between the bricks are well shown.
I think the reason it's so shiny is because of your lamp. It's either too close or too bright.
And I can still see the image through the bricks, which I don't know why that is.
Overall it looks nice and clean. mini/wink

He's using CG. Do you bother reading threads?

No, I did read the thread. Was it the lamp part? I meant the lamp that is in Maya, I was saying it was probably too close to the model or the intensity of it was a little high.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/DaLegoMaster/Other/brook_signature.png

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Re: How are CG Lego Models constructed?

Hazzat wrote:

You can send PMs via the forum too, y'know.

We know. mini/tongue