Human modeling.(Portfolio)

Creating digital humans is one of the most difficult tasks that a CG modeler can undertake. The complex web of facial muscles is difficult to comprehend, let alone mimic on the computer. And then there is the complicated task of skin shading, which must be perfect. According to artist Steven Stahlberg, making truly realistic skin is like "Zeno's Paradox of the Tortoise and Achilles"--we keep getting closer, but in small steps.

Hair generation is challenging as well. However, most major 3D modeling packages now ship with a tool for creating realistic hair, and film studios continue to push the technical boundaries of hair and fur simulation for animals in films such as Narnia and King Kong that can be applied to CG humans.

With a host of other projects, film studios have been breaking new ground in human character generation during the past few years. And, with the release of the next-generation game consoles, expect to see inventive human character developments also coming from the real-time arena.

To celebrate the many advances in character modeling to date, Ballistic Publishing has released al'artiste: Character Modeling, a coffee-table book highlighting a wide range of digital character models, including those from gallery stills, games, films, and other types of 3D projects. These two pages feature a sampling of digital human images that appear in the book, which is available at www.ballisticpublishing.com.

From left:

Aviator's Wife Alessandro Baldasseroni of Italy crafted this image using a combination of 3ds Max, Photoshop, and Brazil. Says artist Steven Stahlberg of the piece: This interesting character has a creative design of accessories and hairstyle, excellent texturing--this artist is one of the best texturers I've seen--and flawless ...