Character Model Showcase (Shantae) [SFM]

Ret-2-go!
Horrible trumpet playing at the end provided by me.

Thank you for reading this by the way. =)
So what the heck is this? Over the course of many months, (it's been years at this point), I've been trying to educate myself on how to create custom models to be used within the Source Engine. Yes, it's great that SFM has so many models available already packaged within the software and available for download from the workshop, but I'd like not to be limited to that. You may have seen some props I created myself in previous videos on this channel.

As both a learning experience and personal project, I decided a year ago it was time to learn how to create a full-fledged, Source-compatible character model from scratch. My only real criteria was that the character used had to be a bipedal humanoid from a game I played/enjoyed and preferably (at the time I started) did not have Source-compatible options available in either the SFM workshop or on DA. I originally wanted to model Quote, the protagonist from "Cave Story", 'cause I might as well declare that to be my current favorite indie game. However, I instead chose the protagonist from the last single-player game I played ("Shantae and the Pirate's Curse") because a model with long hair presented more opportunities to learn how procedural/jiggle bones are implemented within the Source Engine. Plus it's a good game. By the way, please remind me never to animate a character with 7-foot long hair again.

The video is meant to be a sort of showcase/demonstration of the model. Multiple animation cycles are shown, most of which are embedded within the model and are based on sprite animations from the game. The end of the animation lists the features available in the model. TF2 animation sequences were added just to show that the model can be used with Doc/Revzin's Puppet Script (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles..., allowing you to import sequences from Valve's models.

This project took an incredibly long time and was constantly evolving and enhancing, due to both the learning process and feedback/advice from others. Also that real life thing gets in the way, ya know? It wasn't originally part of the project's original idea, but I eventually learned how to embed sequences and made the model GMod compatible. In the end, I accomplished what I set out to do, which was learn the entire Blender-to-Source character model creation process. I'm still a novice level modeler and maybe it doesn't fit in my résumé, but I'm glad I now have this skill.

Download links:
My model (includes props): http://radioactive-dk.deviantart.com/...
InfectedFury/Mr. Prawn's model: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles...
BeardedDoomGuy's model: http://beardeddoomguy.deviantart.com/...

All music from the "Shantae and the Pirate's Curse" OST, composed by Jake Kaufman
"Customer Rewards (Shop Theme)" - intro
"Trip through Sequin Land" - demo
"We Love Burning Town" - trumpet melody performed at the end

Map used: stage_big.bsp (already packaged within SFM)

Trumpet model by PteJack: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles...

Picture frame created by Argodaemon, replaced texture is an illustration/wallpaper from Mr. Bozon acquired from the "Half-Genie Hero" Kickstarter campaign.

All other prop models made by me in Blender.

Software used:
Source Filmmaker
Blender - creating the models
Blender Source Tools
GIMP - creating textures/overlays and editing image sequences using my own Python scripts
Audacity
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 2014

Yes, there are "glitches" in the rendered video. I tried but could not get rid of them. Blame my software.