CREATE A SCALY DRAGON EGG IN FOUR STEPS
01 JUST ONE SCALE
Create a base mesh for the scale; it’s best to have it low poly (with UV map) and high poly for projection. You may have to keep in mind the polycount of the low-poly model – it will multiply by however many instances you end up producing in the end. Save the tool.
02 SIMPLE MESH GUIDE
Create a mesh guide. In a separate project we will create a low-poly egg. Each polygon will turn into a single scale we have created. First build a general shape of the egg, and keep it low poly. Then, polygroup every other poly loop and separate them for easier mesh manipulation. Move the loops so they overlap but do not intersect. I used the Split To Similar Parts tool for even easier control over each poly loop, then merged them back together after adjusting their positions.
03 ACTIVATE MICROMESH
Merge the polygroups back together, then go to Geometry>mesh Topology. Activate Micromesh and from the pop-up menu select the premade scale. It will project the scale into the guide mesh. Hit the render button to see the result. If your scale is facing the wrong direction, you have the option to Spin Edge and Align Edge of the projection. You will find it right next to the Micromesh button.
04 THE NEW GEOMETRY
When you are happy with the result, make sure you have BRP on, go to Geometry and just below the Divide button, you will find Convert BPR to Geo. This part of the process is not undoable, so make sure you save your project before you convert the mesh in case of further changes. Voilà! Now all you have to do is give it a texture or apply material.