Ack, as a former 3D art student the bit about it not being the same model as the old bear form after saying that the male tauren and Broken *are* the same model made my brain hurt.

Lemme help out:

Skin = texture. Textures are the painted part that give colors to a model.

Model = the 3D polygons/wireframe that make up the outside, visible shape of the character.

Skeleton = the invisible "bones" of the model that are used in animating.


So, all bears (and skunks actually) in WoW share the same skeleton. The animations are the same.
There are bears with different models overlaid on top of the skeleton. Some have horns, some don't.
Then the bears with horns have the same model, but different textures, i.e. colors.

Male tauren, male taunka, and Broken have the same skeleton, not the same model.

The new bears are a new model, the shape is a bit different from the old bear. Juuust slightly. The skeleton is the same as the old one. Except possibly the mouth, if it actually closes. Then it'd be the same skeleton as the new WotLK bears that don't have lockjaw.

It's really amazing how Blizzard has made so many different characters by reusing the same assets over and over. Raven Lord mount? Just a new model on a Raptor skeleton.

Anyway this isn't a flame or anything. Just sharing the gift of knowledge! :D

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