Here is how I turn an AI-generated concept art, which serves as my initial reference, into a meticulously crafted and visually stunning 3D toy model using the Blender. You can also watch a timelapse of the modelling process.
Generating An AI Concept Art Idea
I began to use AI-generated art to spark some creative ideas, which I can use as references for crafting 3D models in Blender. One fantastic tool I've been exploring is Leonard AI, it's free if you signup for exclusive early-bird access. Much like many AI image generators it can be hit and miss, sometimes the result is amazing and at times it's just so random you get interesting weird results. Well, I'm using this tool not expecting a final amazing art but I'm looking for ideas that can further develop my skills as a designer and a 3D artist. I executed a number of prompts, among these images, I was particularly drawn to a strange creature that combines the appearance of a bunny with the body shape of a bear. This one has three ears and some unusual artifacts but it is good enough to start building. I'm also thankful for the imperfections in the results of these AI images, as they provide me with the freedom to add my artistic touches and make necessary corrections during the modelling process.
Using Blender To Build A 3D Character Toy Model
The transformation from a concept to a 3D model is generally a straight forward process for me. I made a few minor changes to suit it being a toy, the focus was to make it hard surface plastic rather than a character in an animation or game. I change the main colour to red because I wanted this toy to pop. In total, it took me approximately six hours to bring this creation to life using Blender. My first experience using an AI-generated image as a reference and it has really streamlined the building process.
You can watch the whole 3D model-building process on the timelapse video I have uploaded to YouTube.
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