Workflow Toys Action Figure

Creating an Action Figure Using the FreeForm Modeling System
Action figure, "Captain SensAble Designed & modeled by Joe Menna www.freewebs.com/black_irish/
2007 SensAble Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of SensAble Technologies, Inc. except where noted.
This workflow demonstrates the use of the extensive sculpting and construction features within the FreeForm Modeling system to create a model of a heroic action figure prototype with built-in articulation. The workflow is intended to help artists with a traditional sculpting background maximize their FreeForm sculpting experience and productivity.
The first step of the process is to create a workspace 6 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. Set the clay coarseness to "Custom" and select an edge sharpness of .007 inches.
Looking at the front view of the workspace, create a construction plane by clicking on Create Plane in the Planes palette. Select the Sketch On option for the plane in the dynabar and import the desired reference image to the plane.
Use the Sketch tools to outline the basic silhouette of the model.
Create a plane from the side view and use the Sketch tools to establish the profile view of the model. Select the Wire Cut tool from the Construct Clay palette. Place the Wire Cut planes far enough apart to add clay through the full depth of the model and select the Add Clay option from the dynabar. Use the Wire Cut tool again to cut out the silhouette of the model from the side view.
Once these steps have been completed, the basic "armature" for the sculpt has been completed and the actual modeling can begin.
Use the Sculpt and Smudge tools to shape the clay to create the general form of the head, torso, and legs as one piece.
Once a satisfactory form has been established, use the Mirror Clay tool to make the model symmetrical.
Using the same tools, refine the shapes and sub-forms of the figure to more closely match the design. Use the reference image on the front plane of the model as a guide while you work.
Create a new piece with the same clay coarseness as the first and begin to shape the arms using the Add Clay tool. Mirror the arm as it develops using the same mirror plane as Piece 1.
After a satisfactory level of "blocking-in" has been achieved, increase the clay coarseness of the respective pieces to .005 inches. This level of clay resolution will allow for the addition of finer detail yet not impede the ability to effectively smooth and blend. Continue to model the figure as seen in the following images.
10
11
12
13
After the sculpting of the figure is nearly complete, create a new piece for the eyes. Use the Add Clay tool to place a single eye in the socket and use the Mirror tool to create its companion.
14
Create two more pieces for the hair and base and add the respective elements accordingly.
15
Once the figure has been completed, use the Select with Box tool to create a duplicate piece from the center of the chest. This piece will be used to create a logo on the character's chest. Increase the clay coarseness of the copied piece to .002 inches to allow for the retention of detail during the creation of the logo.
16
Select the Emboss Clay tool from the Detail Clay palette and choose the .bmp file titled, "SensAbleHands.bmp" from the Patterns folder located in the FreeForm Modeling directory. Emboss the logo into the piece to a depth of .020 inches. Use the Smudge tool to clean out the area behind the logo and combine the copied piece back into the model, keeping the clay coarseness at .002 inches to retain detail.
17
Use the same process to add the FreeForm logo to the base of the model using the image file in the Patterns folder.
18
Having completed the figure and base, proceed with building in the figures articulation as shown in the following steps.
19
Separate the arm from the body by cutting and pasting the clay as a new piece. To create the articulation pin, create a new piece and sketch the desired shape of the pin itself.
20
Place the pin in the location of the joint and create a positive offset of the pin to allow for play in the joint. Use the Remove Clay From option in the Object List to subtract the mass of the offset pin from the body, and repeat the step for the arm. Delete the offset pin when finished to create a joint in the figure that will have built-in articulation in the output prototype. Repeat this process where desired and according to your design and engineering needs.
21
Repeat the process of creating the pin to create a free-fitting joint between the figure and base. Be sure to combine the final pin with the models feet.
22
This same basic workflow can be adapted and modified to create any number of character sculpts. It has been designed with the traditional sculptor in mind and generates maximum productivity using the most fundamental tool sets within the FreeForm application.
23
Action Figure, Captain SensAble, designed and modeled by Joe Menna using the FreeForm Modeling system.
24

Workflow Toys Action Figure

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Workflow Toys Action Figure

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Creating an Action Figure Using the FreeForm Modeling System

You might also like