Which design is better?

MashPotato · Tue 15/08/2006 17:03:22

I have received a couple of comments that my characters for The Hatmaker's Tale resemble objects of an *ahem* "adult" nature (and I had been thinking about changing the characters' leg areas anyway), so I would some opinions as to whether these new designs are an improvement or not.

Here is the ORIGINAL:

Here is the NEW VERSION:

Basically, the change is that they now have defined legs, rather than a blobby ending. Better? Worse?
If you have any other suggestions, please tell me. I would like to make any major changes now, before I start on major animations.
Thanks, all comments appreciated ^_^

MrColossal · Tue 15/08/2006 17:08:19

When I saw your original characters the furthest thing from my mind was that of an adult toy.

I thought "Those are some freakin' cuties right there..."

So I guess change them if you always wanted to but I wouldn't get too hung up on the comparison because it's not obvious it's just people inadvertantly reading into the design, in my opinion.

MashPotato · Tue 15/08/2006 17:27:27

Thanks, MrC ^_^. The comparison isn't the only reason why I asked, though... I guess it's difficult for me to say if I want to change them or not. In static shots, I think I like the new version better, but the animations for the old version would probably be more interesting than the new ones. I suppose it would probably help if I actually posted some animations with the new legs, but I'm really slow at animating and would like to see if enough people think it's worth trying first.

R4L · Tue 15/08/2006 17:47:50

I think the new ones look better. It gives a shape of actually being human sorta.

Buckethead · Tue 15/08/2006 17:57:29

I prefere creatures with 2 legs and 2 arms. The new sketch fits that pretty well.

PureGhostGR · Tue 15/08/2006 18:38:19

I actually love your original characters, it is a very smart design and has alot of potential.
In all honesty, they remind me nothing phallic in nature, instead I find the shape to be rather well created and cute.

I am not certain if anyone else has said this to you already, but their form somehow reminds me of edible jellyfish candy, alot like some kind of colorful bear candy I used to enjoy as a child (which is a good thing, trust me).

I know that it might prove to be a bit hard to choose between the two-legged and multi-legged version, but the best advice I can give you at this point is to be happy with the choice and the result yourself and to avoid falling into the trap of trying to please everyone else.

+1 vote in you keeping the originals.

Edit: English

Evil · Tue 15/08/2006 18:54:29

I think the walk cycles of the new ones will make them more penis like. I like the old ones, with some sort of ghost or jellyfish walk cycle. Though the new ones are cleaner, the older ones have much more style.

Erenan · Tue 15/08/2006 19:25:41

I'm trying to picture them walking around on those leglike appendages, and it's not working. I say keep the originals.

MashPotato · Tue 15/08/2006 20:06:42

I think I'm starting to lean back toward the originals, myself. While 2 legs may make them more human, I wasn't really aiming for that (they are supposed to be blobs ^_^), and I'm not sure what the walkcycle would look like either.

Thanks for the responses, everyone ^_^

MrColossal · Tue 15/08/2006 20:22:02

Plus... You don't have to reanimate them now!

MashPotato · Tue 15/08/2006 20:24:11

Don't think that didn't weigh into my equation ^_~

Pesty · Tue 15/08/2006 22:42:04

I like the blobblie ends better than the feety ends, personally. Like Eric, I didn't even think about naughty bits of any sort when I saw them. They are super cuties and I don't think anything needs changed.

And shame on everyone who said anything about naughty bits!

Mr Flibble · Tue 15/08/2006 22:49:03

I didn't see anything naughty in the original design. And now that I've been told something naughty may be suggested, I still can't see it. I see only blobbly cuteness.

LimpingFish · Tue 15/08/2006 23:28:09

Now ALL I can see is the naughtiness! Damn it! >_<

Paper Carnival · Wed 16/08/2006 00:27:54

I think the new one looks 3d even without good shading. The third "leg" makes it look flatter and will be a bigger challenge to shade while keeping the 3d-ness. Plus, it's just cuter...

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Wed 16/08/2006 01:34:28

While I didn't see a problem with the original, I think moving towards a more human shape will make it easier on you for animation purposes, and I think it looks a bit more appealing as well. Alternatively, you could opt to make them gumdrop shaped with relatively flat bottoms that stretch a bit outwards when they move. Quick example:

MashPotato · Wed 16/08/2006 02:49:00

Haha, I like the slug-iness ProgZ ^_^

Here are the walkcycles I have right now... as you can see, the side walkcycle doesn't really exactly match the front. The side cycle is a bit more "blobby" in character, while the front alternates more like normal legs.

(Now that I look at them side by side, I think I should make them match more... plus maybe add a little of that side-to-side swaying action that ProgZ's example has ^_^)
Using the front walkcycle as a guide for what the new design's walkcycles would look like, I think I prefer the blobby one...

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Wed 16/08/2006 05:03:42

Yes, these look good. Did an edit to show you how you could make the movement a bit more gel-like while giving the appearance that he's actually moving.

Evil · Wed 16/08/2006 05:05:05

After looking at Progs original, I agree that the bottoms would be better flat. But I think they should move more like a slug then a snake or just a blob. Stretch themselves forward then retract. I think the over all cuteness wouldn't be changed with this. Bouncing seems too cheery to me.

Haddas · Wed 16/08/2006 05:27:48

Quote from: Evil on Wed 16/08/2006 05:05:05
Bouncing seems too cheery to me.

It's always too cheery!

I quite like it. if the wibble-wabble walk was a bit smoother it'd be perfect.