Why do CGI comics exist?

[isaacfriedman]

I don't mean the rare, really really good ones that are done in Z-Brush and Maya and then painted slightly in Photoshop. I mean the ones done in a crappy 3D CGI software that look so stiff and stilted and use basic character design software that cheapen the entire comic and make it feel lazy and gross. I saw these all over deviantArt and other sites designed for people to share their creations and they always bothered me to no end. Why do they exist?

[aspiderjonny]

I'm also surprised by this phenomenon. I guess it's by people who can't/think they can't draw well but still want to do a comic, so they use #d programs to make images. Not saying it couldn't work, but I have yet to see a CG comic I like. It's just weird seeing 3D in comics.

[JessJackdaw]

Because human beings like telling stories. Not all of us can easily express those stories through drawings, so some turn to other outlets to help better convey the story they want to tell. There's nothing wrong with that, so therefore, they have plenty of reason to exist.

It might not be your cup-of-tea, but if it makes the creator happy and it isn't hurting anyone, why not?

If they're trying to make a profit from stolen 3D assets, well... that's another thing entirely.

[joannekwan]

They have every right to exist as any hand-drawn comic. People will do what they will. Some like it, some don't, just like with everything else.

[isaacfriedman]

Yeah, but why do they exist? I know why leeches and mosquitoes and Nazis exist, but I don't know why somebody feels the need to make a comic when they can't draw, write, or properly use CGI software. Take a simple class, invest some time into becoming better at the art form you claim to be passionate about. Don't sit at a computer and laze your way through a medium that honestly deserves better. At the very least use Sculptris and Blender to make something that doesn't look like literally every other one in existence because those have no reason to exist either. They're just bizarre stock models forced into lazily written stories with grammatically incorrect dialogue, and theyre all the exact same even when they're different genres.

Edit: I use "you" to refer to a hypothetical third party that isn't currently here. I don't know anything about you, so please don't take this as a personal attack.

[keii4ii]

I know why leeches and mosquitoes and Nazis exist, but I don't know why somebody feels the need to make a comic when they can't draw, write, or properly use CGI software.

Seriously?

[JessJackdaw]

Because everyone starts somewhere. I made ms paint comics with comic sans when I was really little. Did I post them online? I honestly don't remember. If I did, they're floating in the dead husk that is neopets. Anyway, were they any good? No. Of course not. You have to learn to suck really bad before you're good at anything.

My first 3D models I made were terrible. I couldn't pose or rig things properly, but I was proud I could even do them at the time.

I think we all have had a time that we drew something and were so proud of it. Looking back, you probably cringe even laying eyes on it now. These CGI comics are no different. Give the creator some time. They might one day amaze you.

Edit: Dangit Keii, you forum ninja. XD

[Michelle]

This reminds me, someone here on Tapastic told me that they didn't like things about my art and I should fix those before I drew comics. I'm being honest when I said it cracked me up that this person thought I should drop everything and stop creating until I become a masterful draftsman.

Yes, I agree that most 3D comics are unattractive. It's really hard to wrangle a lively expression out of a stiff 3D model. However, if someone wants to try their hand at comics and 3D models is what's most accessible to them, I wouldn't tell them to put a hold on their creativity.

The best way to get better at doing comics is by -doing comics.- And frankly, a lot of people are too scared to try, so I commend those that jump in and start trying to figure stuff out.

[Kura]

Aside from me just not really being a general fan of them, (especially when you see 12 comics using the exact same character models) My only issue is that they often help to further saturate the already saturated webcomic market.

Aside from that everyone starts somewhere, if this is their starting point then so be it. As long as it helps towards improvement and doesn't turn into a crutch for the artists in question.

[Shanny8]

I know why leeches and mosquitoes and Nazis exist

Nothing that sucks blood should be allowed to live!!! Lol

To some creators making comics with CG software- it's just like digital drawing/inking/coloring comics for beginners; it's gonna take time for some to become really good. I'm reading a CG comic right now; I noticed the beginning of the series, the creator was basically trying to get the foundations of using the programs for storytelling down...once she had gotten good at doing that, I saw that her later work improved- working on the minor stuff. Not the best CG stuff in the world, but DEF better than CG stuff I've seen from others.

[AnnaLandin]

To add to the already excellent everyone-starts-somewhere, here's a thought:

Maybe the people who do these CGI-comics you're speaking of just like the way they look? Just as some people prefer black and white comics to coloured comics, and some people prefer realistic art, while others like more cartoony styles, and some people like scratchy-looking autobio-comics, while others enjoy slick-looking scifi adventures.

And that's okay too.

[indagold]

ah, being a 3D animator I actually know a lot behind this. People use 3D assets a lot for their comics or get hold of engines that come with a ui that can make custom characters. You gotta have some artistic ingenuity to your 3D or else it falls flat. I think some are actual 3D people, although some I know aren't and this is just a cheap fast way for them. Like people who use source film maker or mmd for fun but aren't serious.

I actually been using 3D for one of comics for backgrounds although I make my assets myself. It was made in the 4 years of my 3D course so my 3D improves from garbage to great. At least it's all custom.

I think I might of taken a free chair once haha...

[tophersmith21]

A lot of Japanese manga use CGI backgrounds so it not like lack of talent but its just to make things easier especially with weekly comics. The author of Gantz uses a lot of CGI.

As far as web comics go and using shitty CGI models they're probably doing it because they cant draw that well or cant find an artist to do the drawings for them. Honestly it doesn't bother me since these are people trying to make comics regardless of a skill they lack so I say good for them

[aspiderjonny]

I think my original post came out a little more mean then I intend. People who are not as experienced in drawing/coloring might use 3D, but it's also possible they just like it. I'm just saying it seems more likely given the composition and storytelling I've seen from them. but I would never tell someone to just stop.

I think this tread is starting to get mean-striped. Please don't compare them to mosquitoes or freaking Nazis. I don't like 3D comics that much either, and I think they reuse the same models too much. But this isn't constructive criticism and can turn 3D artist away from comics. Trust me, Maya can be just as difficult to master as Photoshop and Manga Studios.

[69Michi]

3D or 2D comics are the same to me. Admittedly I'm not into 3D comic because it weirds me out, but I have no problem with people using 3D program to make their comics. Complaining about why crappy 3D comics exist is like complaining why some people have such bad art but still creating comic in a sense. It's to tell a story and get better at what they are doing.

[scythe]

Got any examples of these comics?

[Kura]

Look up 'The Ebola Files' for a nice example

Honestly there were a lot of these on mangamagazine/inkblazers, and they all looked the same and used the same models, but at least this title was bad in a trolly way not an 'oh god stop....' way

[69Michi]

I looked it up and saw "This series has been licensed" and I just "... WHO EVEN LICENSES THIS SHET" I'm sorry I really dislike Comipo in general it's just so weird looking TT_TT And from the title "The Ebola Files" I can already tell how bad it is...

[Kura]

[69Michi]

OH GOD MAKE IT STOP
I'm really hopping the whole "license" is just a joke and they didn't make any money off of this because free resource FREE RESOURCE EVERYWHERE