The Mantis Courier

When you need to send a message free from interception, how do you do it? Well the Mantis Courier of course! From the labs of Dr. Mantis, we bring you the number one 4D transmission device, The Mantis Courier. Whenever you need to send messages to your compatriots just record them into the device. Your recording can then be played back via hologram. You may be thinking, hologram shmologram! We agree which is why this device can also slip into an unseen dimension to deliver it anywhere in the 3D space. Do not initiate the transport sequence indoors.

Beginning of the Leg Design

First, the shell of the Mantis Courier was sculpted. Then portions of it were separated into different parts to create legs.

Lighting Test

Here we slowly are carving out the space the leg mechanism hides when not in operation. Lighting is added to help add some life and show off the mechanisms.

Updating All The Sides

Once the design was settled on one side, that same design was repeated around the base of the Mantis Courier.

The Hologram

Here we show the Mantis Courier supporting itself to display its message.

Getting It All Rigged

After many slight tweaks, the Mantis Courier needs to be rerigged. Rigging is the process of giving an animated character a skeleton. This allows you to control the character from this rig. Now we can bring this little guy to life.

The Mantis Courier

Here we have the Mantis Courier done for the most part. Further shading and tweaks will be done as needed.

The Model

Here we have a diffuse texture applied to all models in the scene. This allows you to consider the models’ geometry absent of distraction.

Sculpt and Full Render

Here we have a side by side of the Finished Render and the sculpt absent of texture.

The Mantis Courier in Standby

When not in use, the Mantis Courier folds its legs back into itself.

Here we have the development of an important prop … no that feels disrespectful to this little guy. Here we have the development of an important character in the upcoming The Shape Our Reality Takes.