Dragon egg modelling ?

[Anonymous]

Hi I am currently trying to model an dragon egg similar to this one:

 http://preview.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/07/11__16_41_51/B.JPGf817d679-4f6d-4a13-acbc-24e49fa7ef65...

Or like these two where the scales look more in the geometry: http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-model-robot-dragon-egg/939476

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/miniatures/other/game-of-thrones-egg

I've tried different ways but can't quite find the best method to make the scales repeat around the egg and look nice... I would be grateful if anyone has any suggestions they can share with me.

[keith112 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

So the way I would approach this is that I would

1. Create one of the scales
2. Create a nurbs curve circle for the size I want the egg, starting with the largest circumference first. N.B.---> Make sure you draw your circle so that its centre is in the origin of the world.
3. Snap the scale to the nurbs curve (Hold down "C" and middle mouse click). Make sure it's in a position you like
4. Select the scale in object mode and hit the Insert key and snap the pivot point to the centre of the world. (Hold x and middle mouse click)
5. Then with the scale selected in object mode hit SHIFT+D. This will create a copy of it with transform. Place the scale to the left or right of the original scale, ONLY use the rotate tool. When you're happy with the placement just continue to hit SHIFT+D and you'll see it copy that transform value.
6. You will have to adjust the size of your scales for each segment

This is just the way I would do it and I'm sure someone could improve this method. I hope it helps a bit anyway. If anything didn't make sense don't be afriad to ask.

[Anonymous]

 Thanks so much for the instructions! I will totally try that out!

[keith112]

Actually thinking about it again you could just skip the Nurbs circle bit. Just place the scale where you want and follow my steps from there

[Anonymous]

So placing them one by one would be the way to go... 

would there be a way to auto duplicate them around the object? a way the software could make the scales go around the egg?

[keith112 · Accepted solution]

Yes that's the point of pressing shift+D instead of CTRL+D. With SHIFT+D you can transform one scale and then once you have it in the position you want you can just continue to hit SHIFT+D over and over.

[Anonymous]

Nice! Seems to work well! Thanks tons!!