Creating a Jack-O-Lantern

by Jonathan Williamson

In this spooky-themed tutorial we will look at some of the techniques needed to create a jack-o-lantern from a pumpkin. Some of the techniques include using retopo, extrude and some manual modeling. The tutorial also provides a series of tips for easily managing your camera angle and spot lights.

You must be logged in to upload images. Register

Discussion

21 Responses to “Creating a Jack-O-Lantern”
  1. ampace80
    Posts: 57

    Biggest bonus for me watching this was learning about the transparent ground plane. Pretty clever stuff!

    #
    1
     Oct 31, 2009 at 11:51 am
    Reply
  2. patrick
    Posts: 223

    Great tutorial, thanks! =) One question though: Is there a specific reason why you didn’t use a boolean to cut out the face? The only thing I could think of is possibly a messier mesh.

    -Patrick

    #
    2
     Oct 31, 2009 at 2:39 pm
    Reply
    • jonathanwilliamson
      Posts: 1744

      That is exactly the reason :) Booleans are good for quick tests but in order to create a nice, clean mesh with artifacts booleans generally require a lot of clean up work. They’re more work than they’re worth most of the time.

      #
      2.1
       Oct 31, 2009 at 3:22 pm
      Reply
      • patrick
        Posts: 223

        Thanks for the answer =) I actually never really used either booleans nor retopo, so I wasn’t sure on it. I’m looking forward to your next tutorial already! =P

        PS: Happy halloween! xD

        #
        2.1.1
         Oct 31, 2009 at 5:00 pm
  3. MeshWeaver
    Posts: 37

    I’ve done the pumpkin and witch hat tutorials, and they’re really great! each step is explained, which makes everything a lot clearer. it’s one of the problems with the Noob-to-Pro wikibook tutorials, in my opinion. what each step achieves isn’t necessarily explained.

    Thanks Jonathan!

    #
    3
     Oct 31, 2009 at 5:10 pm
    Reply
  4. MeshWeaver
    Posts: 37

    happy halloween everyone!

    #
    4
     Oct 31, 2009 at 5:11 pm
    Reply
  5. wesburke
    Posts: 317

    Happy Halloween to you guys as well and thanks for the comments. No go get some candy, or hand it out, or just grab some next to the desk. ;)

    #
    5
     Oct 31, 2009 at 6:34 pm
    Reply
  6. Pascal P.
    Posts: 13

    Excellent series of tutorials. Many thanks to Jonathan for providing such good quality tutos. With a simple theme, Halloween pumpkin, I’ve learned many things regarding modeling, texturing, special clothing effects, lighting and camera setting. I’s still a long way for me until I can handle Blender to make what I have in mind. But for the moment, I’ve got a nice Jack O’Lantern to play and train with now. Keep up the good job, and looking forward to next tutorials. Thumb up! ;)

    #
    6
     Nov 1, 2009 at 5:39 pm
    Reply
  7. Craigsnedeker
    Posts: 10

    Hey this is great! I was thinking it would be cool to carve my logo into one of these thigns =D

    #
    7
     Nov 11, 2009 at 7:56 am
    Reply
  8. Energyoverflow
    Posts: 2

    Hi, Really nice tutorial!
    I have just one question: Why there is a light on the stem and how can I get rid of this?
    Thanks for the tut and keep doing many others :)

    #
    8
     Nov 14, 2009 at 9:30 am
    Reply
    • jonathanwilliamson
      Posts: 1744

      To be perfectly honest, I don’t know. I spent a bit of time myself trying to figure it out. It is most likely due to the hole in the top of the pumpkin. If you fill that in it should go away.

      As for the subsurf, this is mostly personal preference. Some may find it easier to create a cleaner mesh with the subsurf off, but by having it on you cad add the sharpening edges from the beginning.

      #
      8.1
       Nov 14, 2009 at 10:42 am
      Reply
      • Energyoverflow
        Posts: 10

        Hi Jonathan,
        I have tried it and the lamp lights everything, no matter if it is outside of the pumpkin. I could get rid of it with the rayshadow enabled.
        Have a nice evening or morning or whatever time is there :)

        #
        8.1.1
         Dec 8, 2009 at 5:12 pm
  9. Energyoverflow
    Posts: 2

    Well, actually, I have two questions :) . When doing the shape of the eyes and the mouth wouldn’t it be better to turn off the subsurf modifier until these are done?

    #
    9
     Nov 14, 2009 at 9:37 am
    Reply
  10. Marcus
    Posts: 21

    Help!
    I’ve been trying for an hour now and the XRAY and retopo thing doesn’t work for me.
    The Geometry occludes new vertices,
    AND retopo does paint vertices where my cursor is, not on the surface.
    WHHYYYYY???

    #
    10
     Nov 15, 2009 at 6:16 am
    Reply
    • jonathanwilliamson
      Posts: 1744

      Have you been able to solve this yet? It may be due to wireframe mode. Be sure you are turning XRay on for the new mesh, not the original one that you are retopoing.

      #
      10.1
       Nov 15, 2009 at 6:57 pm
      Reply
  11. Wehrdo
    Posts: 18

    Thanks for all these great Halloween tutorials! As a beginner, they’ve been extremely helpful, and I’ve learned so many things with them. I just wanted to let you know that there are people out there listening to and appreciating your tutorials.

    #
    11
     Nov 16, 2009 at 5:51 pm
    Reply
  12. MeshWeaver
    Posts: 37

    I finally found where I got the original floor and lighting I use in my renders : right here, in this tutorial :-D I’ve used them in almost every final render I do :-D You have my big thanks for those, Jonathan, they’ve really helped my renders look better :-D

    Thanks again for these awesome tutorials!

    p.s. I’ve modified the floor I use a bit though ;-)

    #
    12
     Dec 8, 2009 at 10:12 am
    Reply
  13. Isaiah Mafnas
    Posts: 1

    Hiya, nice day.. Your content is extremely striking. I never considered that it was feasible to do something like that until after I looked over your page. You definitely offered a great understanding on how this whole system works. Ill make sure to visit for more information. Keep writing!

    #
    13
     Feb 18, 2010 at 1:10 pm
    Reply
  14. zegal222
    Posts: 28

    I’m still here doing what I love and thank you this is made possible …
    my halloween: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xj82AygxG2Q/Tl48BZp2V9I/AAAAAAAAAFw/FzFhhojnz-E/s1600/calabazaHalloween.png

    #
    14
     Aug 31, 2011 at 9:00 am
    Reply
  15. icblendz
    Posts: 37

    cant find retopo tool in 2.59 , quick help!!!!

    #
    15
     Oct 18, 2011 at 5:28 pm
    Reply
    • dhxmg666
      Posts: 38

      snap menu snap to face!

      #
      15.1
       Oct 21, 2011 at 9:22 am
      Reply

Leave a Comment