Eric Zhang Portfolio

Click here to watch HD version on Vimeo

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Popularity: 23% [?]

Published in”3D Creative Issue054″ ”3D World Issue 127″ and “Digital Art Masters volum 5″

Won “3DTotal Excellence Award“

Tutorial made for 3D Total, Video Tutorial made for Mars Era( In Mandarin ).

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Tunisia Village
This is a practice of environment modeling. Since this building has a very organic shape made by mud and brick, there’s absolutely no strait line and nothing can be simply duplicated. I used Zbrush to sculpt this particular building. I wanted to make it look very dilapidated to practice my texturing skill.
After the rainy season, North Africa is back to long-standing hot weather, parched moss stuck on the building makes it look dirty and old. Displacement map has been used, which gives very nice result and makes my render time considerably longer as well.

Model and Edgeloop

Popularity: 56% [?]

Model: Tank ( Merkava II )

Through the experience of making this tank, I learned how to model and texture a hard edge prop. I have modeled some hard edge prop objects before, but none of them is as complete as this piece – with everything from modeling, lighting, shading, texturing to composting.This high detailed model was a big challenge to me, and it was a test for my patience and perseverance. Finally, I am glad I finished every single part on time. Now if I have a chance to make another vehicle , it’s going to be much faster and easier for me.

Merkava II Introduction
“The Merkava is the main battle tank of the Israel Defense Forces. Since the early 1980s, four main versions have been deployed. The “Merkava” name was derived from the IDF’s development program name… The Mark II was first introduced into general service in April 1983 and incorporated several upgrades as a result of the previous incursion into Lebanon. The new tank was optimized for urban warfare and low intensity conflicts, with a weight and engine no greater than the Mark I.” (quote from: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Merkava)

Tank Model without texture

Edgeloops

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I am very potty about Zbrush recently, Plan to do both high and low poly for this character, low poly for next-gen.

Working hard in progress.

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Focus on human mascle practice, so muscles was exaggerated.

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Erbore tribe boy
My initial concept was to make a male Negro with a AK47 that can fit with my tank in a scene; but one day I saw a photo on flickr.com which was shot by the famous photographer Eric Lafforgue; it’s a very interesting African boy. Later on I noticed that there’s no anatomy reference for kids (maybe because it’s illegal to put a nude kid on the Internet), and the photo from Eric only have the shot of the front face. Therefore I had to research everything to make the proportion look right. Thank God I did some life-drawing before. I gave this kid a spear and a shield to make him looks like a litter warrior.
Physical sky and skin shader make this kid look more realistic. It’s a really nice practice and I enjoyed the whole process. I’m planning to make another organic character soon.
*Note: This boy has a big belly because of malnutrition.

what’s Erbore(Arbore)?
“Arbore in Southern Ethiopia lies within the East African Rift Valley, about 50km north of Lake Stephanie (Chew Bahir). The Arbore are a group of about 4000 people and subsist as agropastoralists. Their most important possession is their cattle. Their agriculture (maize and sorghum) which together with animal husbandry is vital for their subsistence is maintained by an elaborate irrigation system alongside the River Woyto. The Arbore possess detailed knowledge of botanical species, distinguishing between 130 different kinds of sorghum. During the annual dry season, they regularly supply their neighbours with grain in exchange for honey, tobacco, coffee, pots or livestock. In times of drought the Arbore often are the last group within the wider region, who still have stores of grain, facilitated by the location of their fields along the river. This regional network allows many people to survive in times of famine.” (quote from: http://www.uni-mainz.de/Organisationen/SORC/content/view/70/42/)

Model and wire-frame

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