Chapter 5

The fifth chapter of the 'Character Modeling with Maya and ZBrush: Professional Polygonal Modeling Techniques' book is called 'Anatomy'. This chapter explains the importance of anatomy, why you should learn about anatomy and how it effects character modeling. I currently have very little knowledge about anatomy in general. However I do know a little about human anatomy because I like to keep in shape and play a lot of sport, so I have picked up a few names of some of the bones and muscles in the human body. Despite saying that I still lack a lot of anatomy knowledge.

The book explains that by having a basic understanding of anatomy you will be able to create more believable characters. The more you know about anatomy the more believable and realistic your character will be. The books suggests that in order to get a good understanding of anatomy you should get some anatomy books, it then suggests some good anatomy books that are worth getting. Another thing that the book suggests is somewhere where you can get some laminated anatomy charts that you can carry around with you. You get these anatomy charts from this website: Quickstudy Academic Anatomy Chart.
The book says that one of the best ways to study anatomy is to attend life drawing classes. The more classes you attend the easier it will become to picture the human form in a variety of poses. There is also a recommended website that you can use for life drawing if you are unable to attend life drawing classes. Here is a link to the website: Human Anatomy Reference Image Website.
In my first year at Ravensbourne we had life drawing classes every week. In the 2nd and 3rd year you do not have any life drawing classes. This part of the book has made me realise how important life drawing is, maybe attending life drawing classes is something I should look into doing again. Luckily recently some fellow students have set up some life drawing classes that are open to Ravensbourne students, I am going to try my best to start attending these.

The book points out that when studying anatomy you should start by learning the skeleton. If you do not learn the skeleton then your work can lack proper form and it tends to look a bit blobby. The main thing you should learn is where the main bony masses lie. Examples of these bony masses are elbows, knees, pelvis etc. Of course it is important to learn about all of key bones in the skeleton but its even more important to understand how these bones effect the overlying muscles. Once you have learnt the major bone structures you'll be able to detail those sections properly in your model, that will give your character more life. The book then contains four diagrams of the human skeleton from a front view, a perspective view, a side view and a back view. The image below is a diagram of the human skeleton.

The book then quickly runs through some of the main traits of the male body compared to the female body such as males typically having less body fat compared to females, the male pelvis is much narrower than the females and males have wider shoulders. There is then two diagrams which show different male body's from a front view and a side view, this is so you can get an idea of the different types of male body structures. There are then four diagrams that show the different muscles in the male body. Each diagram shows the male body from a different view, you see them from a front view, a perspective view, a side view and a back view this is so you can see all of the muscles in the body. The image below shows the male muscle anatomy.

The book then runs through some of the main traits of a females body such as females having a wider and shallower pelvis compared to a man. Women also have a narrower rib cage, smaller less angular jaw lines and their arms and legs are thinner and shorter compared to a mans. These are traits that you should emphasize when creating a female character. There is then two diagrams of different female body's from a front view and a side view, this is so you can get an idea of the different types of female body structures. There are then four diagrams that show the different muscles in the female body. Each diagram shows the female body from a different view, the first diagram shows the female body from a front view, the second diagram shows the female body from a perspective view, the third diagram shows the female body from a side view and the last diagram shows the female body from a back view. The reasons you have these different views of the female body is so you can see all of the muscles in the female body. The image below shows the basic female muscle anatomy.

The chapter then finishes with some images of humans in some different poses. This allows you to see how the bones and muscles are effected by movement in the body. Overall this chapter really enhances the importance of anatomy and how it effects character modeling. I think that I definitely need to learn about anatomy. I think this will help improve my character modeling knowledge. It will help to make my characters look more believable and realistic. It will also help to ensure that I create a mesh that will have no problems when it comes to rigging and will be able to move exactly like the human body.

This chapter has taught me a lot of new information and anatomy is something that I definitely need to know about, however due to the fact that the project deadline is soon I do not have time to study anatomy in great detail. Luckily this chapter provides enough information for me to create a fairly believable character. I am definitely looking to develop a much greater understanding of the human anatomy and other forms of anatomy and will do so as soon as I get the chance.