Carl's Corner :)

Not bad.....especially from a free program, eh??? .....well, that's not including a couple hundred for base V-Ray.....

yep they look good

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ronviers wrote: Have you decided to get V-Ray?

Definitely on my "must get" list.....

I've been dabbling with TrueSpace here and there.....it's a colorful, more user-friendly approach to 3D modeling than AutoCad 3D.....without all the professional design 'bells & whistles' of course.....but with all the same modeling functionality. TrueSpace also makes it much easier to learn 3D modeling.....excellent help, video tutorials, support, and a super-friendly forum.....

I would highly recommend grabbing this program while they are giving it away for free.....especially if you are interested in 3D modeling with a good program.....without paying thousands for AutoDesk programs.....

Ron, even though I know your interest lies with pursuing Maya, I would still suggest getting into this program as well....because I think it would help your general understanding of modeling principles thus helping with Maya, give you a quicker tool to get your ideas down before you try to implement them in Maya, you can import from TS into Maya, and no 'learning version' hindrances..... .....Oh, did I mention that it's "free"!!!

It also seems like they are on the move to try and compete with the Autodesk programs.....putting it out there for free to get it more established in the market.....just released an SDK for it.....and it seems as though this program is moving forward quite quickly with planned enhancements.....

Ron, I'm not trying to convince you over to using it.....but I have to admit that you were the first person I thought of when I saw the help, support, exchange of ideas, and friendliness in their forum.....thought that was exactly the type of supportive/collaborative 'environment' that you would love.....

Oh, remember my idea of how to use TS in conjuction with FF??? Well, I've started doing some experimentation and it "seems" to work where FF's HDRIs can be used as a "po' man's V-Ray".....but need to experiment further to see how far I can go with it.....

i signed up and got the program true space, but havent installed it yet. are all those images from scratch, steve? and did you do them or get them off a site somewhere? also, i dont quite get what you mean by rendered with v-ray. you are making the models in true space but then texturizing and rendering in v-ray? that seems odd. doesnt v-ray do modeling? that's one of the things i've not quite understood in some of the other 3d packages, some seem involved only with lighting, others with modeling and still others in some other aspect. does it really take that much specialization to get a decent result? what are the big name companies that are doing cgi and that sort of thing using? are they using composite packages, proprietary or just one off the shelf package? seem pretty damn complex for a non-math guy like me.

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StevieJ wrote: it would help your general understanding of modeling principles

I certainly agree with that and I need to branch out. But I think I will finish my survey of 3d inside Maya before starting to become familiar with other products. Maya has many supporting tutorials and training DVDs that make it good for learning the ropes.
Have you looked at some of the other free 3d packages?

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StevieJ wrote: http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read...9&TID=5383

Interesting thread. I need to get out more. And I plan to.

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Kraellin wrote: does it really take that much specialization to get a decent result

At a minimum a high quality 3d computer graphics image will require; a 3d program like Daz, Blender, trueSpace, 3ds Max, XSI etc., a bitmap editor like PS, GIMP, PSP etc., and a renderer like mental ray, RenderMan, V-Ray etc. And if you want to use the image to enhance a photo or video then you will need something for compositing.
A procedural textural package can be a lot of help too.
Balrog is another matter.

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Kraellin wrote: complex for a non-math

There are math people to do the math stuff. Fortunately they are nice and write interfaces that allow people like me to work with what they create. Basic geometry, algebra and trig are plenty for most aspects of 3d.

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Kraellin wrote: what are the big name companies that are doing cgi and that sort of thing using?

The images Steve posted are considered 3d computer graphics. Not to be confused with CGI (computer generated imagery) which is 3d computer graphics used for visual effects. VFX is the combination of real-life footage with CGI. Similar to the breakdown FF uses.

Here are just a few of the big players - there are actually dozens.

so, if i bought 3ds max, ron, i'd also have to buy a renderer? that just seems odd. what exactly is the renderer doing that isnt being done in the modeler? and why wouldnt 3ds max have its own renderer?

ok, so 3ds max and others can and do render, but you're saying then, that there's a larger palette and sometimes better quality palette of renderers that might do it better or faster or both in some or all instances. so, it's a matter of specialization in something like v-ray? they are essentially selling a renderer that they claim is better than your (whatever you're using) native 3d program renderer? ok, i guess that makes sense.

so, this true space can model, can light, can texturize and can render, i assume then, but steve just also picked some images that were modeled and whatever in true space but then rendered in v-ray. ok.

so, arent there compatibility issues with all your images/models/etc. going back and forth between the different apps one might use? i mean, really, doesnt that get a bit crazy?

ok, thanks ron

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Carl wrote: so there is no program that does it all well

Even major players that can afford the best product from each category have to make modifications to get what they want.

I have not heard much about the Weta pipeline. I probably should have linked to Double Negative because I have heard a little more about what they use. My guess is that Weta brings in some elite talent and it would be in their own interest to work around what the artist prefers. Then again I have heard that some of the studios can be very rigid.

Sorta, but half of NZ live here, all on the dole, they have more sheep than citizens and they can have Russel Crowe back as well, they are in recession ........... seriously we get on fine same colonial background

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Carl wrote: seriously we get on fine same colonial background

And you have the same Queen. That has to make you feel good.
Is there a soccer rivalry? Do you follow soccer?

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ronviers wrote: And you have the same Queen. That has to make you feel good. Is there a soccer rivalry? Do you follow soccer?

down with the queen, no

more in rugby - i follow rugby international [ use to play in the Aus school boy team ]

our market is effectted by US corporate greed

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Carl wrote: our market is effectted by US corporate greed

The US population is completely at the mercy of corporations. They run everything with a free hand.

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Carl wrote: the girls are too rough

Hey, I've seen what all Aussie girls look like. Don't tell me she could kick your butt in rugby.

corporation that give huge bonus when companies are going under should be in jail


who is she and yes she can kick my arse if that make her happy

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ronviers wrote: Rugby that's where you swing the mallet between your legs to make the balls go through the wire hoops

no no no its where you all run together and have a group hug

who is she

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Carl wrote: you all run together and have a group hug

I guess there is more than one way to get to pen island.

The movie 'Pitch Black' is worth watching just to see her crawl into the dark hole.

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ronviers wrote: see her crawl into the dark hole

I'm not touching that line LOL