PLEASE NOTE: This is a copy/paste from a post I made at Webcomics.com; I'm trying to cover more area since fewer artists use 3D models in their artwork and I figured someone here might be familiar with it.
I'm still about a week or so from being able to upgrade from Manga Studio 4 EX to MS 5 EX, and already I'm getting more and more excited as I see potential ways it offers to streamline my drawing and coloring process. But after watching the trailer for MS EX 5 I was blown away by the real-time demonstration of an artist manipulating its 3D tools.
I've never considered 3D models for my artwork before, but a comic like mine (which uses tons of repeatedly used vehicles and robots) could benefit immensely if it were possible to make 3D templates which could then be re-used, rotated and re-sized, and tweaked as necessary. While I have a good visual idea of what each character/vehicle looks like from a given angle, currently I have to draw everything from scratch every time, and some of that stuff is seriously time-consuming. I've learned to cut/paste stuff that I draw from various angles as I go onto "Template Pages" for future use, but a "one size fits all" solution would be awesome.
Everyone here whose work I've seen to date uses traditional 2D illustration, but I wanted to ask for insight from anyone who may be familiar with doing 3D models/templates. Assuming that MS EX 5 is at least comparable to EX 4 with regard to those tools, is creating nice-looking model templates doable (I'm not looking for CAD-level capability as I wouldn't begin to know how to use that anyway; just whether I can make a decent 3D representation of my 2D Terrapin tank or Leopard fighter, for example)? Can I place "skins" of logos, textures, and other details over wireframes?
Lastly (and I admit this is more forward-thinking than is really necessary for where my comic is at for now; I'm just curious), might it be possible somehow to use the 3D models you create with 3D printers? Those are also something I'm unfamiliar with, but I've heard a lot of promising things for their potential in making small items from game pieces to toys one could possibly sell at their site store.
Thanks in advance for any insights you guys can share!
Comments
The bottom line is that I was asking WAY too much here; what I was envisioning is more along the lines of CAD software, and that's a whole different animal. Nevertheless Manga Studio EX 5 remains an excellent value just for the added coloring features, and I'm anxious to get a copy and start working with it.