Sorry. I wrote that just before you posted the images and description of those character rings. For something like that, i would do as Michael suggested. Model a single surface Nurbs shank, export as quads to Silo, then add extra geometry (extruding, spinning edges, etc) to build the basic volume of the face. Then sculpt the fine character details...

In a general way (and reading a post about using Silo/Moi for architectural purposes), then i suggest roughing out a shape in subd. Since you also have Rhino you have a another set of excellent mesh refining tools. So you could easily boolean a Moi mesh together with a Silo mesh, then use Rhino tools to adjust the transition area. Or even send it backwards to Silo again for smoothing with the sculpt tools...

jonah

My currently basic apps are--
PhotoshopCS3
Carrara6.1Pro
MoI
3D Brush (THE zb alternative!)
Hexagon(The updates currently due should be wow!)

Put into my "disapointed" list are
Silo
Amapi7.52
ViaCAD

Colin, definatly try 3DBrush out before you try ZBrush. much more affordable and easier to use.
http://www.3d-brush.com/

Thanks xrok1,

I'd already downloaded & tried looking at 3D Brush, but my present Video Card is old & didn't meet the minimum specs, so it wouldn't install properly.

Strangely enough that same old Video Card appears perfectly able to run the Zbrush Demo at present??
I intend upgrading my computer in the near future, so I'll need to take a look at all this again then.

regards Colin

Brian, You say you are disappointed at ViaCAD. Why?

jfallie
I find ViaCADs working methods quite clumsy and un-natural for me. And that 2d/3d setup where you accidently/continuously loose your nice friendly UI work setup you have organised---just too frustrating.