Sci Fi "Seeker Drone" 3D model

Using my Orthographic illustration of my "Seeker Drone" I have completed the 3D CGI modeling stage of my Sci Fi drone.  The first image included in this post is a screenshot of my workspace on my computer.  I have a dual screen set up which I use for modeling and reference.  As you can see from this screenshot I have used
one screen for the orthographic illustration and another screen to work in Blender 3D on the modeling of the drone. 

As I have modeled the drone I have rigged it for animation, something that I'm quite keen to produce and post here at a later date.

The final image in this post is an Orthographic representation of my 3D CGI "Seeker Drone".  Each part of this image is an individual render of the drone before any materials or textures have been added, except the glowing light to represent the eye lens.

It is worth mentioning that the drone is not finished yet.  The modeling is complete but I want to add textures and materials to the drone to make it look more realistic and give it some personality.  This is where my previous post on colour variations will help me to develop the textures and the finish of the drone.

Sci Fi Drone - Example of Movement

As mentioned in my previous post, I have made a small concept that shows the movement of the drone and how it might defend itself.  This is an additional illustration to the previous Orthographic Concept which allows a modeller to understand parts of the drone that will be rigged during the animation process, possibly resulting in changes to the model.

As you can see, from the concept, the front plates rotate upwards to defend the single eye which is the weakest part of the drone (the rest of the drone is armour plated).  To finish the concept off I might develop and produce a final illustration which shows the drone in action and full colour.  If I do make a final illustration I will put it up for sale on my Society6 page as a print.


Also, as you might have noticed, I have finally chosen a name for the drone so that it is no longer know as the "Sci Fi Drone - Shrimp Design" but is now named the "Seeker Drone".

Sci Fi Drone - Colour Variations and Orthographic Drawing

 After selecting my "Shrimp" design I have started to experiment with the potential colour variations of the concept.  I quite like the simple designs close to the top of the page and I like the idea of having different drones for different environments. 

The final design at the bottom right is a little bit more extravagant and something of a joke.  However if the design was more comedy based I might add a sad / happy face to the front of the design to add humour.

Looking at these designs I prefer the simpler colours rather than the more complex patterns.  I think that the design is complex enough without having the pattern take over and become more important.
Having finally selected my design I needed to creating an image that could be used by a 3D CGI modeller as reference.


I took the design choices from the side and front view and then added in a top view resulting in an orthographic image that will give a CGI modeller all the information they need for modelling the drone.

I've kept the drawing quite simple so that it is easier to understand and won't give the modelling team too many problems.  Of course I have to consider that during the modelling process the concept is subject to change, however the overall design should be the same.  I may also include an additional concept showing the movement of the drone (particularly the front plates which protect the single eye) and maybe a brief description of what the drone does and how it behaves.  All of these things might aid the modelling of the drone and help to give it a personality despite being a machine.

Sci Fi Drone - Final selection and variations

I really loved the "Shrimp" design and felt that there were more development possibilities.

So, in developing my "Shrimp" design, I have created three front elevations of the concept.  The first one (going left to right) has only a single eye and two plates that offer protection, the middle design is a single, flat plate and the third design has multiple eyes and protective plates.  I personally like the first variation,  I feel as though the protective plates would move to intercept bullets before it hit the single eye in the centre.  Those are the three options for this design.  After I have selected a Drone face I will continue to develop the design, looking next at colours and patterns!  As always I am very interested in people's thoughts and opinions; feel free to comment below and share this post and blog on multiply social networks.

Final development of Sci Fi Drones

Here are the three finished concepts for the Sci Fi Drone, now labeled as 1,2 and 3. 

As you can see these designs are more developed than the simple silhouettes that they started off as.  With each concept I started with my basic silhouette and then began rendering it in gray scale.  If I want to experiment with colour and patterns I can do this at a later date.  At this point I would ask the client to choose a favourite design and then continue to develop the concept.  My personal favourite is number 2.  I love the almost jellyfish/turtle way this concept has developed, although I still love the "Shrimp" like shape of design number 1.  I'm very interested in people's thoughts and opinions so please feel free to contribute and share this blog post via Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Development of Sci Fi Drones

Concepts in development progress

So, having created a large sheet featuring around 20 different silhouette concepts (original post here), I have decided to develop three of the designs based on some feedback that I received.  The three favourite designs were number 2, 3 and 13.  Number 2 was particularly popular and was likened to a shrimp! 

Now that I have three silhouettes chosen I put them into a new document and then separated them into different layers, re-labeling them as 1, 2 and 3.  I choose my first concept, tidy up the silhouette and start painting in black and white (I can add colour later on...) allowing me to further suggest detail and giving the silhouette more personality.  Once I have done this to all three designs the client can choose a single design which they want developed.  When the design is chosen I can develop it further and eventually make an Orthographic concept page for 3D modelling...