Jaret Benson

Raptor Model

Model of a velociraptor.
Velociraptor model with its maw open and facing camera.
Side view of the model posed.

I have always been fascinated with dinosaurs, especially dromaesaurs (raptors).

Ever since getting into 3D modeling, I have wanted to create my favorite dinosaur, rig it for future animations and renders.

Design

Concept art created for the raptor in Clip Studio Paint.

Another Heading

Raptor modeled, uv unwrapped, and rigged in Autodesk Maya.

Texture

Model textured in Adobe Photoshop.

Model sheet for a raptor.

Concept Art

Before working in Maya, I sketched out and developed a model sheet in Clip Studio Paint. I wanted to get the raptor from various angles to ensure it looked natural, and appealing no matter how you looked at it.

Side view of the raptor model without feathers.
Front view of the raptor model without feathers.

Modeling

Once I had the model sheet, I worked on shaping the mesh to match the sheet, taking in consideration how its pieces would move when rigged.

UV snapshot of raptor model unwrapped.

Texture

I uv unwrapped and exported the snapshot into Adobe Photoshop to rig. The colors were based on various colors of desert birds with greys, browns, and a red strip.

Side view of the raptor feathered.
Front view of the raptor feathered.

Feathers

To get the raptor feathered, I experimented with Maya's Xgen feature. Using the comb and lenght tool, I adjusted the feathers to run along the body and for the arms to be much longer.

Raptor model posed.

Rigging

Once modeled, textured, and feathered, I created a skeleton and rigged the raptor so it could be posed.