I'm very normal about Record Deal believe me guys *trips and spills my Record Deal mood board all over the ground* well y'know that doesn't count that's normal
media trope that makes me want to throw up and cry is when a character realises there's no way they're making it out of a situation in one piece. and in a single moment they accept it and turn to their distraught loved ones with The Smile. you know The Smile. sickening
(Yes I did model an entire couch for this intro scene alone. My mental state is FINE.)
I've created a total of four full models for this set in what is definitely my BIGGEST 3D project to date!
Once again there is so much stuff that I've put it under read more (emphasizing. there is four different models) but I very much encourage you to keep reading if you're interested whatsoever!!!!
This also marks over 6 months of 3D modelling plus 5 months since I did the original Record Deal models so I'll ramble about that near the end.
Reblogs and comments are VERY appreciated!!! MORESO WITH THIS PROJECT!!!!!!
Now onto the actual models...
(In order: Danny, Zoe, Kat, Jeanie)
TURNAROUNDS! In the time since the first models I figured out how to make them spin individually (thankfully without clipping... I think).
(Click for higher quality)
By far my favorite part of all of these models was the hair!!! I think I've improved so much with it. I've also managed to simplify the process which makes it actually enjoyable!
If I had to choose a favorite it would probably be Jeanie's.
They also have a lot more detail than initially planned but I think it works for these four. It was a bit limited due to how the UV maps were set up but like. Look at this. THEY HAVE CHARACTER!!!
Next up: The faces!!!
Once again using the 'transparent plane shrinkwrapped onto the face and connected to the rig' method (what a mouthful). It's also how I achieved Jeanie's eyes!
I do however need to add more faces to Zoe in the future. (although the current ones may be the exact same faces from her original model?)
Now we have the BAND PHOTOSHOOT!!!!!!!!
Something I did not expect from this project was how much I enjoyed using the camera and setting up shots... now that I actually have a better idea of what to do with it.
And also making these guys interact with each other is SO MUCH FUN. Probably my favorite thing to do after the modeling.
If I do any other big projects expect to see more photo shoots in the future.....
As much as I enjoyed working with these models, though, I also ran into problems. Quite a few problems. Though they (THANKFULLY) didn't have to do with the modeling process itself nor with anything major.
For one, the scale was a bit off between the models- particularly with Zoe. While it isn't to the point where it's unrealistic she does look a bit off in some scenes (I actually had to scale her up and Danny down in some shots lol).
Additionally! Mirroring auto IK does not work at ALL for these models!! Which makes certain poses take forever to do!!!!! but i mean auto IK kinda sucked beforehand so
I also had a weird issue where moving specific bones and going in and out of edit mode would move it WAY off (though manually adding keyframes beforehand did fix this).
That's about all I have to say about the models themselves!!! Now onto the sappier stuff.
---
If you recall, this is not actually my first time modeling the Record Deal gang. They actually used to look like this:
Back in September 2025... Almost 6 months ago.
(there's a version of this where Zoe's eyes are slightly too close together. creepy.)
There are a few differences between this and the new ones. These ones were low poly and also not rigged at all besides the faces. Though this older Danny actually had separate eyebrows since I didn't feel like doing it for the new one lol
Additionally: Jeanie is NOT in this version. I decided to revamp him specifically for the new showcase!!!
And these were my first SERIOUS human models!!! (there's Wendell but that one was more of a test) I ACTUALLY USED A TUTORIAL FOR THEM!!!!
But the weirdest part? When I first made these, they took about a week each.
With the new showcase I managed to make FOUR models (and a couch) in that same amount of time. It's insane what a few months of practicing actually does.
I've also involved into my own unique (and higher poly) style since which I prefer a lot more.
I also can't believe I'm saying this but... I actually kinda love Blender now. Despite it's very very large amount of issues it actually IS a learning curve. And I think I've managed to cross the hardest part.
For now.
Because there's a million more things to learn about Blender -and 3D modeling itself- that I haven't even come close to. And then my models may take a while again.
But if I do choose to stick with it I'll eventually get better. Stuff may be more "time-consuming" but it's better that than not knowing what I'm doing.
And y'know why?
Practice. I said it before but practice helps. A LOT.
Figuring out the basics and running with them pays off a lot in the long run. And applying this stuff to things you enjoy (say, making characters) can be super fun too!!! unlike making a donut
If I would've told myself in March 2024 that I would get to making actually decent models -fully rigged, no less- back when I couldn't even sculpt right, I would probably say... "How did you travel back in time".
I also probably wouldn't believe that.
But here I am! Two years on and off (and a concerning amount of tears) later, and I can actually do something kind of cool.
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That's all I have to say about the models!!! My WORD that's a lot of text
To sum up the emotional parts I am SO happy I've made it this far. I guess this showcase can be considered a milestone!!! Almost two years of 3d modeling and half a year of sitting down to learn it... crazy.
So what am I going to do now...?
probably not work on any big projects for a minute I am SO tired
((On a serious note: if you read ALL of this and enjoyed it even a little: a reblog or comment would help A TON. I've been working on this for about 40-50 hours over the past five days... plus the hours spent on this post itself. It's been a LOT of effort... even for me.
This is also way bigger than my projects so knowing you enjoyed it would make me very grateful!!!))
((too serious of a note. uh. RECORD DEAL THIRD BIRTHDAY IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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