Jul 30, 2009

Retooling Time

Work has drastically picked up this term, which is good for the wallet, but not so good for the projects. I've worked 4 days this week, and my day off was occupied with various not fun must do activities.

Despite this I've been picking away at Traumador, and it looks like I will just miss one of my creative goals! I had hoped to get Traum out of his current Drumheller storyline by tomorrow. Well sadly he's not quite out yet. However there are only 1.5 major events in the arc, and they flow nice and seamlessly together... So I'm hoping I should only be a week or two late (which of course will impact all my other goals, but at least I'm trying, right?).

In preparation for the big Canada finale I need to get some 3D stuff done. As to why is a secret for now ;)

One of the big implications for The Tyrannosaur Chronicles at the end of Canada is dependant on this old "mark 2" model (mark 1 being the first version of Larry, mark 2's being the first wave of "improved" models... models I'm working on now would be mark 4's, and I think shortly I'll being have the mark 5 break through!). However as the Mark 2's are failing behind in their quality this model needed a serious tweak.
I have properly documented the refitting process (for a future post, when I have more time), but here is the original mark 2 version for reference.


It is a Troodon, and areas I was specifically feeling needed changing were the head, neck, and hands.



This is were it currently stands. I'm not sure if this is a final product or not.


Palaeo experts what do we think? Troodon or not? Suggestions welcome. I'm not one 100% pleased with the snout, but at the same time I can't figure out how it is not the same...

This is the old model (whose snout I know isn't quite right, but I still like more) with old feathers. Again for reference...

as I've also been improving my old friends feathers on this guy... Here is his new feather scheme, I AM happy with it. You'll notice the "mohawk" tuffed on his neck, and the extended fringe on the base of his tail. I'm going to extend this fringe down his leg Mircoraptor style, but didn't quite get there today.

Many followers of Traumador have correctly guessed that Zendin the Troodon would be returning to Traum's adventures (in particular a hat tip to Albertonykus for his digging out the clue in the flashback post). However despite all the clever guesses, no one has yet to correctly guess how Zendin will be entering the Chronicles...

11 comments:

Albertonykus said...

Gee, thanks for the hat tip. I'm itching to see the Canada finale and the return of Zendin. The latest adventure post at Traum's blog was a real big shocker, so I'll be expecting more of those.

Albertonykus said...

I can't figure out much wrong with the snout either, it's almost identical to the one in my book, just not as pointy. (If you have Dinosaurs: The Most Complete,, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages, there's a nice Troodon on page 150.)

And the feather scheme will be perfect once you add the feathers down to the ankles! That's exactly what eumaniraptors (deinonychosaurs and birds) had, so a big hat tip to you, too!

Anonymous said...

The Troodon looks fine to me. :P The snout is pretty much correct, but why listen to me? Hey, you guys know more about it than me. I just get my information from you guys, so thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. :)

Here's my guess about Zendin. He is the so-called "Ruffled Feather." I mean, who else would help Traumador and be in the pack. It's obviously not Lillian and she and Zendin are the only known Coelurosaurs that have NOT joined the pack on their own free will.


Anywho, Craig, you're doing fine. I mean, everybody gets busy with life and their jobs...especially when it's a NEW one. I'm here for ya, man! And, so is everyone else on the Paleo Blogosphere! ;)

Dinorider d'Andoandor said...

OH MY BALROG!! liked that last one, looks like a "Rambo fighting rooster", it feels more realistic to my taste compared to that "naked" one we saw on Prehistoric Park.

Weapon of Mass Imagination said...

Albertonykus- I most certain have Thomas Holtz's book, it is indeed a must own. However I do NOT care for Luis Rey's Troodon in that book (the black and white sketch). The other Troodontids are Asian ones, and they all have more blocky skulls then Troodon.

Sidenote of all of Rey's art the only stuff I don't like are his "raptors" (Troodontids and Dromaeosaurids). Many of them it is the turkey flaps he puts on them (I just can't picture an active predator having loose bits for prey to grab onto), and the others... I don't know why. I just don't care for them.

Raptor- Well stay tuned and find out. The only thing I will tell you is that Zendin is NOT Ruffled Feather ;)

Dinorider- Rambo Rooster LOL... that's cause of the music isn't it? Good stuff no?

Albertonykus said...

There's a colored Troodon on the page I mentioned, and I must say I like it quite a lot. That's me, though. I agree the turkey flaps on Deinonychus are rather... ostentatious.

Weapon of Mass Imagination said...

Albertonykus- LOL you're right... I totally forgot about those intro pages... I DO like that Troodon and Microraptor on 150! Thanks for reminding me of its existence...

I'd written off it as a ref on Troodon ages ago, and hadn't touched it for this particular revamp project. Though it was almost my only source on Lance's overhaul before Raptor Attack.

I still like the Troodon refs I ended up using (their included in my new update post that just went up a few minutes ago) more then the 150 one. However you are correct. Rey does have a good one doesn't he!

Albertonykus said...

I love the Microraptor, too! I based my first proper Microraptor picture off it. (Didn't put it on DeviantArt though, but it sure helped A LOT!) In fact, I like most of the intro pages. They're neat.

Albertonykus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Albertonykus said...

Judging from the fact that you've gone to some lengths to make Zendin loveable, and that he was once a friend of Traumador's, I think he's most likely going to be a good guy.

Still wondering about Ruffled Feather though... Could it be a new character entirely?

Dinorider d'Andoandor said...

[whispering]

yes, the music
LOL

[/whispering]