[Edit: Full tutorial in MAKE: Vol 38!]
Meet Max. He’s a Baby Roshan, from the video game DOTA2.
I algorithmically generated his sewing patterns from the 3D model, custom printed the fabric, and stitched him together.
How I made Max:
I started with this awesome 3D model of Baby Roshan. It is made up of approximately three things.
The first is a set of 3D points, to define its shape.
The second is a set of 2D points (called UVs), to define how textures are applied to it.
The third is the texture itself.
I took that model, and created a new set of UVs for it, such that whenever two sets of UVs joined, a seam will be created on my final plushie.
Given that the two sets of UVs map to the same 3D model, transformation matrices can be calculated to transform the old texture into a new texture. Using scripts that I wrote, I transformed every face, and assembled the result. Here’s one of several pieces.
This new texture I printed into fabric and sewed together to create Max.
Ta-da!
I hope this inspired you.
[Full technical/mathematical explanation of what I did here]