Machineflesh 3D Challenge Entry: Mauricio Fournier

[MauF]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1084853345_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1084853345_large.jpg)

This is a late entry but, hopefully, a good one. Rough concepts here, the final version will be based upon the 2nd design with maybe some elements from the 1st one and definately some new things. I don't have much time left I have to hurry, I already started modelling the structure but very basic, I'll probably work on it a lot tomorrow. I'll try to make an update everyday before I go to sleep but I'll miss some obviously.

Now about the concept, in the future, plants are nearing extinction, so scientists are trying to find a way to preserve them and take advantage of them 100%. They developed many different techniques for that, but this one seems to be the most efficient and cost-effective one. they keep the plants in very big buildings/warehouses and the plants are irrigated through tubes at the base, into the roots. They develope a barrier system that protects them from the excessive UV rays that come in through the now non-existent ozone layer, but they are placed next to big windows so that they recieve sunlight anyway, the glass in those windows is specially fabricated to simulate the old ozone layer, they stop some UV rays but some do get through and just in the right amount. The plants are also given electro-shock treatment to increase their efficiency and speed during photosynthesis. Housekeeping is done once a week, since there are some fiber-glass planes below each tree, making it easier to clean. There are small horizontal canals that pick up useful substances and helps mantain a nice flow of those, with orb-like machines storing it for later use or removal. For each tree there is a control panel that controls the levels of water, savvy and other substances inside the tree, as well as electric charges and statistics. And even though the tree is constrained to a small base, it mimics most of the characteristics of fertile soil like te ones that existed long, long ago. Barf is removed each 3 months or so, depending on the tree's individual development, and treated accordingly.

I hope you guys like the concept, I struggled with lots of ideas and I'm really happy with this one I hope I can pull it off, I'll certainly try my best. Thanks.

[MauF]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1084919043_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1084919043_large.jpg)

2nd concept developed, I did this one today at school so I wouldn't waste time I could use for 3d at home :P

[MauF]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1085545353_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1085545353_large.jpg)

early tree model.

I've also been collecting lots of reference which will help me a lot later on

[braindust]

Hi MauF!

great idea, just one suggestion:
I would put there more and larger roots (trees can have quite large roots)
I think it would give the final image quite some nice simmetry (the roots could mirror a bit the leafs design)

About your modelling: it is difficult to comment without texturing, now it looks more like cloths (it is lacking all the bumpy surface that appears in all tree trunks)

[MauF]

Roots: Off course!! You gotta have those roots :P Yeah I'm planning on adding lots of roots and focusing on making the surface really believable. I'm using the ref photos as a guide for everything tree-related, I want it to be stunning.

Yeah I know it's hard to comment right now, I actually doubted if I should have even posted that pic but hey it's all about the community :)

Thanks for replying!!

[braindust]

sorry if you misunderstood: post as many updates as possible (that way it is easier to follow the evolution of your idea!)

will you use some special software for the leafs or will you do them with normal modelling?

[MauF]

yeah don't worry, I'll post updates whenever I can

I'm gonna do everything by hand, for the leaves I'll make many variations in color, size, shape etc. and use the scatter object to help myself distribute them, then tweak to my taste

[MauF]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1085659659_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/5/3509/3509_1085659659_large.jpg)

small update on the trunk

[braindust]

that's starting to look like a trunk now!

if I were you I would not model very many branches: if they are going to be hidden by the leafs there is no need to model them ;)

eagerly waiting to see the machinery attached to the tree :)

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