Grand Space Opera 3D Entry: Bret Taylor

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1098399522_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1098399522_large.jpg)

Suddenly, people throughout the universe began to worship an evil god from the lost planet-X. Some resisted and held on to the old ways, those people were executed. In an attempt to stop the madness, our hero and his girlfriend find the lost planet and try to figure out a way to break the evil spell. The woman is captured and offered to the demon lord as a sacrifice. Her boyfriend hides and watches the ritual from a nearby cliff. As the tentacles reach out from the demon's pit he realizes he is out of time and must try and save her.

[Ducklips]

That's a good idea you've got there. Unique! I would critique it as requested by the contest but there isn't anything I would change. Very excited to see this in the 3D version.

Take care-

-Dean

[Crusty_Butt]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm so overwhelmed looking at all the entries, it's nice to feel encouraged for a moment!

Good luck to you,

Bret

[HieSpike]

Hi,

Your idea is very promissing. You should focus on composition and expression. If my girlfriend was being tortured and offered to an evil god, I would look a lot more pissed of than that guy. Maybe image how you would feel in that situation and try to convey it in facial and body action.

peace and good luck,
hiespike

[Crusty_Butt]

If my girlfriend was being tortured and offered to an evil god, I would look a lot more pissed of than that guy. Maybe image how you would feel in that situation and try to convey it in facial and body action.

hiespike
I understand what you're saying. I'm going to rethink it tonight with your advice in mind.

Thanks.

-Bret

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1098485229_large.jpg
Reworked the first sketch to give it more of an emotional impact. I changed the point of view and was able to fit some large planets into the scene to give it more of an other-worldly feel. The character designs are not much of a consideration as much as composition and color. I'd love some feedback.

[MechaHateChimp]

I think the concept is great. If it were my illustration, the only thing I would change composition wise would be to move the shackled girl further back in the background and make the the tentacles even larger... that would give the illustration and even larger sense of dimension. I like the cavernous room idea from the first sketch more than the city.... I think it would work really well, especially if you use perspective with the stalagmites/stalagtites to your advantage. The guy choking death could look a little more menacing, like he's just about to open a can of whoop ass... i know sketches are only to give an idea of whats to come and I think you've got a great idea. Cant wait to see how it comes out.

[Grimreaper1981]

i prefer the first sketch, there the guy seems to be more irresolute, he don't know what have to be done, to save his girlfriend...

on the second; maybe you take the light behind the tentacles just to show contoures...just a hint, keep working

cheers :thumbsup:

[HieSpike]

Looks like it's coming along. The girl and octy are working and I agree that making the octy bigger would help. The forground needs some work though...maybe it's just that death looks silly that's throwing me off...keep it up.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1098655043_large.jpg
Thanks for the feedback, everybody. By pushing the creature back and increasing it's scale it allowed me to include some ideas that I couldn't make work in the previous comps. The main thing is that I wanted to show more adversaries, now there are many on top of the cliffs which are just roughly indicated in the sketch. The evil looking spaceships are an interesting way to light the scene, I think, and will give the creature some strong backlighting. I kind of like the "I'm in trouble," look on the hero's face, but maybe anger would work too. I'm going to play with that. I like where this is going now. I think you all helped me a great deal. Thank you!

[eahartz]

I like your first sketch better thematically. The only thing I could think was to motivate your characater a bit. Is there just the captured girl he is responding to. If so what is his reaction/motivations. What is he gonna do next. Or is he responding to the alien more, is he figuring how to kill it, rescue her, is he angry, once again his mental state needs to show more. Overall I like the idea.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1098736740_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1098736740_large.jpg)

Eahartz, my idea started out as a heroic act, what an epic story should be about. Your comment got me thinking of a way to bring this back to that idea.

The style of this is getting a little less serious, but I like that it gives it a super-hero kind of feel.

-Bret

[TheWriter]

Come on, come on! Lets see some modeling :P

[Crusty_Butt]

Maybe tonight I can convince my girlfriend that the contest is more important than cuddling. :)

[Grimreaper1981]

Maybe tonight I can convince my girlfriend that the contest is more important than cuddling. :)
good luck then...:thumbsup:

[HieSpike]

I love the last sketch! Comic style is great. And if you take it in a funny direction, you might be able to win like that. Humar is always good!! Nice work, I'd stick with the last sketch.

[3doid]

hey the last SKH is really cool... make it happen man.. we're all with ya... best of luck mate

[DigiLusionist]

I think I like the first and third sketches the best in terms of composition.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099096122_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099096122_large.jpg)

Thanks for the feedback -

3doid and HieSpike - Thanks for letting me know which one you like. I am going with the last sketch, because I think I will enjoy doing it the most.

DigiLusionist - Maybe the composition of the last sketch could be better. Let me know if you have any ideas that might help.

I started roughing out the hero character last night. I'm using mostly NURBS, the head is Sub-D. It's been fun so far.

-Bret

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099163846_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099163846_large.jpg)

Still a long way to go on this guy - just working out the basic shapes and deciding how distorted to make his proportions.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099427391_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099427391_large.jpg)

I needed to pose the character in the scene to get an idea of how to model him better. I did the octy arms, the rocks, and the main character in 3d, the other elements are arranged in Photoshop. I don't plan on using any of these photos or textures in the final image, they are just to help me get a feel for the scene. I'm trying to improve the composition as I go.

[element5]

Fun image :)

[Crusty_Butt]

Thanks, element5. I think I still need to work out how to make the character more expressive. I think I'll eventually figure out a way, it's just going to take alot of tries. :) I'm learning.

-Bret

[cosmiccorpse]

Man, thats original. Good job. I like the style of drawings even though they are conceptual. I recomend making the final peice have sort of an early comic book feel.

[HieSpike]

Hi,

looking good, looks like your going with a cartoony style which will stand out from the rest.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100120998_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100120998_large.jpg)

Some of this is modeled then brought into Photoshop to do some design on top.

Reincarnigotic & HieSpike thanks for the comments. I'm using some old comic ideas to base the designs off of, but I also want to twist it by putting in some modern stuff like the fuel injection intake, the funny car air cleaner, the jet intake looking things etc... All these details on top of a classic dual air tank you would see in an old comic.

The design of the humans is still up in the air. I'm pretty sure I'm going to change the look of the hero quite a bit.

Now back to work on this jet pak.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100150979_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100150979_large.jpg)

Spent some hours today on this jet pack model. I'm going to try and have it take up a large part of the composition, so I want to spend some time putting more detail into it. Maybe hang some stuff off it, like wrenches and a roll of duct tape. :)

[Claireabella]

Hi Bret. Cool jet pack - that looks great. Your girlfriend will forgive you if you win a prize! Keep going and good luck. :thumbsup: Claireabella

[Crusty_Butt]

Hi Bret. Cool jet pack - that looks great. Your girlfriend will forgive you if you win a prize! Keep going and good luck. :thumbsup: Claireabella
Thanks for the encouragement. Comments like yours and the others I've gotten are very helpful. My girlfriend had better do more than forgive me if I win something. :)

-Bret

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100239163_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100239163_large.jpg)

Just started on this guy today. I haven't done many human models, so this is a major challenge for me. I don't want all the clothing to be skin tight, so once I get the basic forms worked out, I'm going to go in and wrinkle things up.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100307299_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100307299_large.jpg)

Just a little update showing some modeling and texture updates to what I posted yesterday.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100457527_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100457527_large.jpg)

I've spent more time trying to work out the composition in 3d than I have modeling. After some frustrating sessions, I finally did some reading on 'camera angle of view' and was able to get a 3 point perspective feel. I think it helps to make the cliffs look massive and it helps create the feel that the space-demon is pulling the cliffs toward him. It isn't all worked out yet, but at least I feel like I'm not struggling as much now.

Most of the texturing in this image is just layered in Photoshop and is not what I'm going to use in the final image. The cliffs are just blocked in for placement, but I'm liking the basic structure of them,. I want to make them look like they have been carved by the civilization on this planet, more like a massive altar.

I felt I needed to add the demon's head to help make the image more impactful.

Thanks for looking.

[arturro]

Hi there! At last some completely different piece of work:thumbsup: I like the comic idea. The character model was too much humorous at the beginning. Now the hero is still comic-like, a litle bit funny, but he gives the chance to do something with grand epic style. It will be nice to see a different approach to the subject. Good work!

[Gunilla]

I really like your last composition drawing and even though the textures are just photoshop drafts may I suggest that you try and keep some of the feel from them. It's a wonderful mix between retrostyle spacecomics with a touch of Art Deco right now. I'd love to see this mix between great 3dwork and flat 2d areas carried out completely ... very special mood and technique, I'm glad to find this thread :thumbsup:

[Crusty_Butt]

Hi there! At last some completely different piece of work:thumbsup: I like the comic idea. The character model was too much humorous at the beginning. Now the hero is still comic-like, a litle bit funny, but he gives the chance to do something with grand epic style. It will be nice to see a different approach to the subject. Good work!
Arturro,

I constrained myself to a story that would allow a hero to be the main focus and this is what I came up with. I'm glad you like the idea, I wasn't sure about it but now it's starting to grow on me.

I agree the hero character was too silly at first. I was trying to see how far I could break from reality, now I think I needed to have a better grasp of realistic human modeling before allowing myself to do something like that. The current hero character is the best human model I've done, maybe after a few more I'll be ready to push the boundaries of realism and be successful with it.

Thanks for the thoughtful comments, I really appreciate them.

I really like your last composition drawing and even though the textures are just photoshop drafts may I suggest that you try and keep some of the feel from them. It's a wonderful mix between retrostyle spacecomics with a touch of Art Deco right now. I'd love to see this mix between great 3dwork and flat 2d areas carried out completely ... very special mood and technique, I'm glad to find this thread :thumbsup:
Gunilla,

Great to hear your thoughts on this. I hadn't thought of using art deco references, but now that you mention it, I think it could give me some very good ideas on ways to carve out those rocks. Great observation.

Classic Japanese prints that use flat patterns to contradict dimensional forms have had a strong influence on me. Thinking about how this could work in a 3d rendered image is very exciting. I don't know how I can make it work, but I'll certainly try and see if I can.

Thanks for giving me some good ideas and good luck.

-Bret

[Climax]

• I must say I like it very much, this is the first thread with a toon like characters i see in the GSO, keep it up

• When I first read the story I thought "not very interesting" But when I saw the character feeling I understood the concept and really like it, I cant wait to see the final image :thumbsup:

[mmoir]

Crusty,
I like the story , damsel in distress is always a good one. Your character modeling is coming along fine. I am going to have to do a character for my entry and I haven't done many characters before so you are a bit of an inspiration to me.
You are doing good so far.
Mike
My GSO entry
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=182237

[Crusty_Butt]

Climax: Thanks for your opinion. I tried to think of a more creative way to pitch the story, but didn't want to spend too much time on it. In any case, I'm glad you are liking it.

mmoir: I've seen your thread and I don't think you will have much trouble, your modelling looks really good. The chest on the scientist is really well imagined. I'm using 'Anatomy for the Artist by Sarah Simblet' as a reference. It has overlays that superempose the body over the skeleton, which I find really helpful. For $40 it's awesome.

Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate them.

-Bret

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100642207_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100642207_large.jpg)

I liked the vertical format, but couldn't get the camera angle right on the character. this render is cheated, I flipped the rocks in photoshop (the reason the bottom left corner is cut off. I wanted to get all the diagonals going in the same direction. This is the angle I'm looking for on the character, I want to show of that funky jet pack.

[JamesMK]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099427391_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1099427391_large.jpg)

This one had me chuckling for a good two minutes :D Unique style going here, and I really like the low-tech look on that jetpack... Keep spanking those polys! And obviously the challenge is a lot more important than cuddling... goes without saying. I've heard there are hundreds of so-called "challenge widows" organising some sort of posse...

[Crusty_Butt]

I've heard there are hundreds of so-called "challenge widows" organising some sort of posse...
I hope they don't figure out how to shut off the global power grid, I'm sure that's what they must be planning...

[greentek]

wow.. coolest stuff here!!!
i don't know why but your work reminds me Toy Story.. similar feelings..
some compositional moments are extremely expressive!
great work!
keep going and cheers!

[Crusty_Butt]

wow.. coolest stuff here!!!
i don't know why but your work reminds me Toy Story.. similar feelings..
some compositional moments are extremely expressive!
great work!
keep going and cheers!
As I conceptualized him, I was very worried about my first character design becoming too much like Buzz Lightyear.

Wallace and Gromit had an impact on my style when it first came out. I think I will always be affected by it to some degree, but I'm trying hard to make something a little less comical. Still, I'm glad JamesMK got a kick out of it. :)

Thanks for the positive words. It's tough to be confident with so many good entries. Still, I'm enjoying the hell out of this.

-Bret

[Teapot-7]

I wasn't sure where you were going with the first renders, but when you posted the backpack, it all clicked. Love the cartoony style.

I've been trying to work out what your shading style reminded me of and came up with two answers:

i) Hannes Bok (http://www.sfsite.com/~silverag/sidewiseintime.jpg (http://www.sfsite.com/%7Esilverag/sidewiseintime.jpg))

ii) A graphic artist friend of mine: (http://www.deangorissen.com/folio/alphabet.html)

Very nice painterly feel to it.

[Teapot-7]

Umm... just realised that last post sounds like I'm calling your style derivative. I'm not.

Put it down to low blood sugar - I'm off to get lunch.

[Crusty_Butt]

I wasn't sure where you were going with the first renders, but when you posted the backpack, it all clicked.
That makes two of us! LOL

Umm... just realised that last post sounds like I'm calling your style derivative. I'm not.
Not at all. I thought they were nice comments.

Thanks for taking the time, I appreciate it.

-Bret

[Virtuoso]

Hi Bret..................I like the humor,and the whole fun aspect.......It's also appealing......I think you are doing a fine job here,and a real humorous one,and that in the end is worth alot.........I like your compo layout in PS,the look and feel is right,and the scope is on target.......Have fun,and keep on this road,I'll be back for more art and fun...........:arteest:

[overcontrast]

hey nice renders... i hope those are just test renders with test models... so far awesome work man... keep them up... and best wishes mrom me :thumbsup:

[Crusty_Butt]

Virtuoso: Thanks for the positive feedback. I think the mood of the piece is progressivly getting darker, but no doubt there will still be some fun elements in the end.

Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you will check back to see my progress.

Overcontrast: The main character and the jetpack are not test models, they are actual works in progress. I hope I just misunderstood what you wrote. :cry: Your other comments were nice. Bret confused.

On another note,

I've had a busy week trying to earn a living. Hopefully I'll be able to get back to this soon.

I'm thinking about how to model the rocks and so far nothing great has come to mind, just vague ideas. I'm thinking along the lines of these Mayan carvings I saw in Guatemala. When I saw them I thought they could have been carved by aliens, here's a link, they are worth checking out if you have a minute:

http://www.delange.org/Quirigua1/Quirigua1.htm

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100925586_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100925586_large.jpg)

I did some modeling then brought it in to Photoshop to try and work out some ideas. I'm imagining a huge sculpted altar to give a feel for what the civilization is like on this planet. I'm not done figuring out how the natural rock forms blend into the sculpted ones. There is supposed to be a big mouth on the front, I hope this comes across. Please give me your thoughts, good or bad. Thanks for looking.

[mmoir]

Hey Bret,

The rock formation looks cool, I think it will look good in the scene. Dont know how you are going to place it but I do think the mouth should be a little clearer. Depending on the point of view of your final image ( take from below) you may want the mouth smaller so its more able to be seen as a mouth.
Keep up the good work.:thumbsup:

Mike
My GSO entry
http://www.cgtalk.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1747832

[Virtuoso]

Hi Bret..................I like the look,the forms look very nice, I can picture a very nice network of shapes,rocks,forms with this...........I say this would be something very nice to see,an interesting look...................My thoghts..................Good.....very good...........:thumbsup:

[HieSpike]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100642207_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1100642207_large.jpg)

I liked the vertical format, but couldn't get the camera angle right on the character. this render is cheated, I flipped the rocks in photoshop (the reason the bottom left corner is cut off. I wanted to get all the diagonals going in the same direction. This is the angle I'm looking for on the character, I want to show of that funky jet pack.
I really like what you got going here. Push this to the extreme and you should have a really nice picture. good luck.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101007617_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101007617_large.jpg)

Trying to work the rocks and the sclupted forms together here. I want to try and make it look a little more carved, less thrown together. :) I think going in and taking chunks out of the rocks will work.

mmoir & Virtuoso: Thanks for the comments. My post yesterday was good to get the 'ole imagination going. The mouth has changed quite a bit, maybe it doesn't look like a mouth at all right now. Oh well, I still like the direction. Thanks again for the comments.

-Bret

[Crusty_Butt]

HieSpike,

Thanks a million, man. I gotta run. Thanks for checking back in. I'll check your thread out when I get home. I'm anxious to too how it's coming along.

-Bret

[Climax]

• Moving faster uh? your model are cool, are you gonna texturize 'em with some kind of toon shader?, maybe a mixup? anyway your last posts look cool as they are, just try to light the model of the rocks a bit more for better appreciation :cool:

[Gunilla]

This is just getting better! The last model is very sculptural - and there is still some of that Art Deco style, love it! And whatever you do - don't change that colorset from the character picture - it's awesome. Really like what you're doing here - keep it up!

[Ducklips]

The rock formation above with the tree on it, very sweet. That picture caught my attention more than anything else. Almost a feeling of standing in awe as if I were there. I appreciate you visiting my post, I wanted to return the favor. I remember visiting this one before too, I liked the idea of a "Cosmo-Hero" saving a damsel in distress, something classic about that that has always appealed to audiences.

I would definately push forward with the one submitted on Nov. 20th - I think you have unleashed something there.

Keep up the great work. Also, I like the icon you have! The bear looks very content, just chillin'

Good luck!

[Crusty_Butt]

<b>Climax:</b> I don't think I'm going to use a toon shader, but I'll keep an open mind for sure. Thanks for the idea. The modeling I did on the rocks looks OK to me, but I'm not content yet. You bring up a good point with the lighting, something to keep in mind. Thanks for checking in. More updates coming soon.

<b>Gunilla:</b> Your comments gave me some great ideas last time, thank you. The green and orange color scheme is one I keep coming back to. Not to worry, I'm pretty sure I'll end up sticking with it. Thanks for the positive words.

<b>Ducklips:</b> Thanks for steering me back to that previous rock sketch, you made me go back and consider it again. There are some things I really like about it, so now I'm going to try and take another shot at it. It does have a certain wickedness I'm not capturing so well with the later post.

Yours was one of the first threads I got interested in. Your sketches looked like they could really go somewhere. I hope you have time to get some updates up soon!

Ha, that pic of me and the bear was taken after I got back from a 1/2 year motorcyle trip. It's a fond memory.

Thanks for all the comments. Hopefully I'll have something new to post by the end of the day.

Bret

[YasushAzush]

for the rock i think you have to put some displacement to them;):thumbsup:

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101290547_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101290547_large.jpg)

Well, this is where I'm at after a day of trying a bunch of different stuff. It needs a lot more work, but most of the elements are there.

As always, feedback is appreciated.

Visualact.com: I tested a displacement map on one of the rocks and it looked great, but when I applied it to all the rocks, the render time became rediculous. I have an old computer. Good idea, but I think I'm going to have to rough them up by hand.

-Bret

[Grimreaper1981]

amazing island so far, keep up :thumbsup:

[Climax]

• Your updates of the rock really rock! I like the stylized open mouth!, yeah, displacement would have been good, but not necessary, too much detail sometimes are not a good idea cuz the final image looks too complex and not so easy to swallow, i think if it looks good, then one of the goals is accomplished, only crit so far, man, it is still too dark! but of course i don't know exactly how the final comp will be:shrug:

:bounce: Keep posting Bret!!

[arturro]

Very nice! Add some smoke comeing from this bigmouth... not very strong... it would give a nice mood:) I would also advice to put more rocks behind it, and cober them with a distance fog, it would add a depth! But nice progress:thumbsup:
Keep it rollin'

[Crusty_Butt]

Climax: Thanks for the feedback. You could be right about it being too dark, but I think once I get some details modeled in the mouth's intereior, it will become a stronger focal point, and so brightly lit that it will look good against the darker surroundings. I'm going to keep your advice in mind while I'm working. thanks.

Arturro: I played around with some fog coming out of the mouth, and let me tell you, it looks really good. It didn't include it in my post because it wasn't controllable and took over too much of the image. It would be nice if I could get it too look heavy, so it would spill out of the mouth and go down to the ground, instead of floating up and blocking the view. :) I think it would be good to add more rocks off in the distance. I was even thinking about making this into the top of a big rock, instead of having it on the ground, that way I could add ore rocks in the distance and they could be lower. Mking this the highest point and seeing a bunch of lower rocks in the background might look really cool, especially with some fog at the bases of them.

Thanks for getting me thinking, both of you. I haven't done a big detailed landscape before, so I need all the encouragement I can get. :)

Bret

[Crusty_Butt]

Grimreaper: Thanks for the complement, it helps.

Bret

[AcidX]

Hy Crusty

very nice concept, I really like how the Island is looking!
i like this loomy and dark mood it's having.
but, I'm missing something, the epic factor. Just IMHO, I guess it would be more interesting if you enlarge the FoV and create some more environment around it, keep this stlye up, it really rocks! :buttrock:

grrrreetz

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101588036_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101588036_large.jpg)

Wanted to get an idea of how the new rocks would look with some of the other elements. I decided to try zooming out a bit. At first I wanted the characters to take up large areas of the composition, but I'm not going to keep fighting the urge to include a larger landscape so I can add more fun details, like some one-eyed alien buzzards waiting on a rock for leftovers. The flying alien fish are an idea I had early on, I haven't modeled them yet, because I wasn't sure if I was going to put them in. The octy creature is less sprawling than before and more bursting out of the water. I want to try and make as much action and movement as possible. The huge swells in the water help, I think. Much of this is drawn in Photoshop, I wanted to be certain I'm on the right track before doing the next batch of modeling.

AcidX: Thanks for the good feedback. I got the same feeling about the island missing the epic factor, I think if I can get some action going it will help get the idea across that this is a heroic moment.

Keep that feedback coming! You guys have been a great help.

Bret

[JamesMK]

The rock rocks :buttrock: As for the last scene test, I'd really want to zoom in more... tighter framing... The overall stuff is coming along incredibly well I think. Unique style and cool ideas :thumbsup:

[Saschi0815]

Very cool idea in my eyes, Bret!:thumbsup: The open-mouth-head-building reminds me a little bit of the entrance to the evil (don't know the name yet) in the remake of the "TIMEMACHINE"...
One little suggestion, not a crit, for the flying fish: maybe some major changes in the visual style - it looks like a typical deepsea fish ...perhaps long fins like wings which stripe the sea ...
Anyway, it looks great, man...Hope to see updates asap:bounce:

[Virtuoso]

It's coming well Bret.......I think you can afford to zoom in a touch,get a bit closer to the primary figures........It's got a nice appeal,a bit out of the norm ( A good thing) I like the idea of giving the fish more flow,extend out the fins,the body perhaps,but thats just a taste thing,an incite......Keep it coming,loking good,and with a unique touch.......:arteest:

[Aethyrprime]

Very odd yet very great! I think the cartooniness is cool, could be pixars next movie! ;) Keep it up!

[Crusty_Butt]

Just when I was starting to think nobody was going to post to my thread anymore, along come two super hot dog artists. :) I needed some feedback to get myself on to the next modeling phase. Thanks guys!

JamesMK: I tried what you said and will post the result in a minute. Let me know if you think it's better. Thanks for the motivation. Sometimes I think my stuff looks unique, but sometimes I think it's unique and mediocre at the same time. In any case I'm happy to have the chance to improve my work by getting advice from a super artist like yourself.

Saschi0815: Your work is tops and I'm so glad for your comments. I totally agree that the deep sea fish is too typical. I just stuck them in there to see if the idea of having a little creature of some kind would work. I'm kind of torn between a school of creatures or some little mechanical contraptions. I want to make something that will help get the idea across that this is an alien planet.

[Crusty_Butt]

Holy mackerel!

Virtuoso: I'll post in a minute the zoomed in version I worked on today. I think it's better, let me know if you have time. As for the fish, I haven't thought about it too much, other than making them look less typical. Thanks for the ideas!

||) |V| |^|: Tough name to type. :) Pixar's next movie? One can always dream, I guess. Thanks for the too-kind words.

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101696140_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1101696140_large.jpg)

Zoomed in a bit and tweaked the colors a little. With this comp it's easy to imagine a dynamic pose for the character. I think I'm ready to hit the next modeling phase now. If you can think of ways to make this composition work better, please mention it.

[mmoir]

Hey Bret,
Your scene is looking rather cool, I like the feel of it. The hero character looks a little stiff for traveling in water, you are probably going to bend the feet etc, but I just thought I would mention it.
Good job with this.
Mike
My GSO entry
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=180886

[Crusty_Butt]

Hey Bret,
Your scene is looking rather cool, I like the feel of it. The hero character looks a little stiff for traveling in water, you are probably going to bend the feet etc, but I just thought I would mention it. Good job with this.

Mike,

He's definitly looking stiff to me too, but I haven't posed him yet. I wanted to get the composition nailed down before deciding how. I was a little concerned that this color scheme, combined with the flying fish, would make this look like an underwater scene, your comment made me realize I had a legitamate concern. He's actually meant to be flying over the water. It's a problem and I'm glad you mentioned it.

Thanks.

Bret

[arturro]

Yeah, the second composition looks beter to me. I like it's colors. But I would show more rocks. Don't zoom it more, just move closer to the center... I also think that it would be nice to add some rocks in the very background, somewhere on the bottom/left side. Covered with a distance fog would close the composition nicely!
Nice progress! Keep it up!

[Gunilla]

Hey- these are some really cool updates you made! I prefer the first background - the yellow blue gives some desert or "post- catastrophical" feel which makes the Bigmouth cliff works better. The second also have the strong diagonals that almost tends to eliminate eachother - I find my eye bounce back and forth without finding a balance. I think it might just be a bit of adding some space somewhere, perhaps behind the hero.

All in all, very cool and a great inspiration boost - I want more :thumbsup:

[Crusty_Butt]

arturro: Thanks for checking in! I keep addin more rocks, then taking them out. Eventually some more might creep in there, but I kind of like the water planet look. Still a couple more strange looking rocks off in the distance might be nice if they are cloce in value to the background. I'm glad you like the updates and thanks for your feedback.

Gunilla: I'ts tough to arrange these elements to make a flowing composition, the shapes are so tall. I'm thinking that finding a better pose for the character might help and maybe the waves could change to help lead the eye a little better. I'm going to do some modeling then come back to it. I'm not extremely worried about the composition it's getting closer. I imagined the yellow color from the previous test as coming from the jetpack - I'll try tweaking the colors some more. I'm excited to do some more modeling, I have a good idea for the flying fish. I'm going to make them small fish headed creatures driving some funny looking ships with big glass domes on top. :) I need to start modeling the damsel in distress and chain her to the inside of the mouth. And I've been working on some coral to add here and there. Looks like I need to make like Virtuoso and pull some all nighters this week. Thanks for the feedback, I need as much help as I can get.

Bret

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1102045228_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1102045228_large.jpg)

My first render of this model that started to look like something. I learned how to make a glass shader on this, I'm happy about that.

I had some bigger webs in between the pointy parts, but they looked clunky. Still, I want to do something different where the body meets the glass bubble. I made some turrets manned by shrimps in glass bubbles I need to attach somewhere. Its funny to me that fish aliens would need water in their vehicles for atmosphere. :)

Thanks for looking.

Bret

[straightforward]

Hey Bret, yours is what I would call a very interesting idea and quite a glass shader. I like your approach to the theme (Space Opera) because it is so original. Keep up the great work!! I wish you a very good luck.

[Crusty_Butt]

I'm keeping an open mind and not trying to force any certain style on things, just experimenting and seeing where it takes me. I've never had any interest in space/aliens as a subject matter, but now that I'm doing it, I realize that is gives me freedom to imagine more zany things than I have ever imagined. Maybe I won't be able to take it to a mature level in the time frame of this contest and that is a little disappointing; on the other hand I'm really happy to have found a new subject matter that could allow me to do more interesting work in the future.

I'm pretty happy with the glass shader. I had always wondered why my glass looked like crap, now I know. (not saying my glass is perfect now, but it's better)

Thanks for the comments.

Some people I showed this to didn't think the body of the craft looked like painted metal. I want to keep it simple, but maybe I need to think of a way to make it look more mechanical, especially since it's such an organic shape. What do you call it, greebles? Maybe I'll give them a try. :)

Bret

[arturro]

Hi there my friend! I must say that you are already a winner! As I see you have made a nice progress and big development of your skills. your last picture is amazing:thumbsup: I would like to ask you how you did this shader?

[mmoir]

Bret,

I like the idea of the water planet. Changing the color of the background will help give it an atmosphere I think. Also showing some sort of horizon line would help , right now the color of the sky and distant terrain and foreground terrain just blend together. This is why I think it may look like an underwater scene. I think lessening this blending together will help give it an atmospheric look.
Keep up the good work.:thumbsup:
Mike
My GSO entry
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=180886

[Climax]

• Hello Frosty Butt! :D ....:blush: sorry, it was a season's joke
• My crit is: if we wouldn't see the moons in the background, it would seem as an underwater scene, it looks cool anyway, so, don't pay much attention to my crit, other than that, will the girl allways be in your scene? :D

• Good Job my friend! It is allways cool to drop by :beer:

[JamesMK]

Its funny to me that fish aliens would need water in their vehicles for atmosphere.
That's because it's an absolutely brilliant idea :bounce: The squiddy fishtank thing looks really cool. Some more stuff where the pointy things are attached, like you said yourself, would definitely add a lot.... And shrimp-manned turrets... it's like poetry in my ears. :applause:

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1102482835_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1102482835_large.jpg)

Thanks you guys for your comments. I'll take the time to respond to each of you later tonight - my girlfriend just called crying because she slammed her cat's tail in the door and chopped it off! I have to go deal.

This latest comp has many problems, I know. It's a start on modeling the ocean and throwing the elements together in Photoshop. It's going to take some work to get everything working together.

Bret

[lentil man]

Hey crusty butt - i love your 'pop art' style concepts - definetly unique. this comp is great - so many unique ideas being thrown around! i love the tenticle thing thats going on -

i to am using a tenticled thing in my 'space opera' - look forward to seeing how your astronauts deal with them!

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=192509

[Gunilla]

It looks promising indeed - but it feels like it should be flipped. Your previous had the cliff to the right and the diver to the left if I remember... think that looks better since now the motions stops somewhere in the middle. The tilted angles are really cool - lot of comic retro feel, perhaps the overall feel of the image will improve with soften up the wet shaders a bit.
The fishtanks are awesome - great idea! This will be a killer pic no doubt :thumbsup:

[Crusty_Butt]

Well I wanted to try and pull an all nighter last night but as I said in my pevious post, my girlfriend caught her cat's tail in the door and pulled the skin off. The last bit of tail was just a skeleton, which sent her into a state of panic. I swear she will do anything to make me come home from work.

Arturro: Thanks for the support. I do know this contest is helping me get better and I'm happy about that. The glass shader has a varying reflection level and transparency level. It's almost completely transparent and non-reflective on the surfaces facing the camera. This is so important for glass, I think.

Mike: I agree on the color. I suspected the reflections on the water surface would help separate it from the sky, now that I've begun modeling the water in 3d I think it is starting to look separate, but still in the color palette. thanks for pointing that out, I appreciate it.

Climax: Frosty Butt? Sounds like a new Avatar might be in the works. :) I will always pay attention to the crits I get, so keep 'em coming if you got 'em! I think the reflections on the water are starting to make this look clear. Anyway, thanks for the feedback, it helps a lot.

JamesMK: I'm glad you like the nuttiness of my flying fishtank. I hope once I add the shrimp manned turrets they will be visible in the final! Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Lentil Man: Quite the late start, but it looks like you can work quickly. Thanks for the positive comments and good luck with the contest.

Bret

[Lelantos]

this looks very promising nice octopus and astronaught

waiting for more updates of this keep it up:thumbsup:

[Crusty_Butt]

It looks promising indeed - but it feels like it should be flipped. Your previous had the cliff to the right and the diver to the left if I remember... think that looks better since now the motions stops somewhere in the middle. The tilted angles are really cool - lot of comic retro feel, perhaps the overall feel of the image will improve with soften up the wet shaders a bit.
The fishtanks are awesome - great idea! This will be a killer pic no doubt :thumbsup:

I'm really glad to get some feedback on that, it's funny how pictures read differently when you flip them. The texturing of everything needs a lot of work. I want to set up some particle effects (smoke trails, water splashes, clouds), model the damsel in distress and pose the main character before getting into the real texture work. Still, I need to get the composition completely worked out before I go on to these tasks. I think I'll have more time to work on this in the next cople weeks, I've hardly had any time lately.

Thanks for the ongoing support.

Lelantos: Thanks! I haven't checked out your thread yet, I'll get some time later today to see what you're up to.

Bret

[mmoir]

Bret,
The image is very crisp and clear now , nicely done. The water is cleary distinguishable from the atmosphere, good job here too. The sky needs some more clouds IMO but the image is coming together. Also maybe make the water a little trasparent too.
Good job on this.:thumbsup:
Mike

[Crusty_Butt]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1102911220_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4535/4535_1102911220_large.jpg)

I spent some time trying to learn particle clouds. I'm not happy with them yet, but it's good enough to try this new idea... making the scene above the clouds. I'm getting nervous now, time is running out and I still have a long way to go.

Mike,

Thanks for getting back to me with your comments. I appreciate it.

Bret

[Lelantos]

Very nice this last render and i like that camera
the colors are great in this render mate really nice mood on this one

keep it up:thumbsup:

[Climax]

• Sometimes spending a few minutes in the drawing table helps to figure out how elements should be disposed

• The last render looks nice, but I would do the Rock much more bigger coming out of the clouds :thumbsup:

• Have you consider also your character standing in the ground? or maybe floatind just a couple of inches off the ground? :)

C'mon Bret, we have one entire month plus 4 days, don't get nervous, just keep the good work :wip:

[Gunilla]

Bret, I like this comp just as much as the previous - I just can't say which I prefer. Truly, this continues to be a favourite thread, each update surprises me - thanks for the inspiration!
As for the particle clouds - I think the style of it matches the overall style of the image very well, sort of cartoony version of particle effect - very nice and be careful not to overdo it :thumbsup:

[arturro]

and maybe mix both ideas, and make the scene with the water, but make some much visible volume fog with the particle clouds...? If not I also don't know which idea is better:shrug:

good luck!

[Virtuoso]

hi bret................you know I think the particle clouds test is a very good one.....I can say that the effect is quite effective (hey that rhymes ;) )........I like the look as well,a successful effect and a good looker to boot..............

.....................I would certanly go with this,and stick to this plan,it adds to the overall mood,and in my opinion to the scene's overall ambiance,besides it looks cool.:cool:

.......Just keep working hard,the rest of us are in the same boat,trust me,we'll cross that finishline together,beaten and bruised but as finishers.....I like your work,and your efforts,go at it hard,it's worth it.....:arteest: :cool:

[mmoir]

Hey Bret,

I like the previous view better than this one, the particle clouds are very nice with this one.The previous image is more dynamic and has a more vibrant feel to it. Mixing the clouds with the previous image would be nice. Just my opinion.
Keep on with this. :)
Mike

[Climax]

• Hey Bret!, I'm here to encourage u because your work is GREAT and I want u to bring it to the goal line, so keep it up, don't lose heart and keep working hard my friend!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Crusty_Butt]

Lelantos, Climax, Gunilla, Arturro, Virtuoso, mmoir:

Thanks for all the encouragement, you guys are the best. :applause: I've been experimenting with combining the last two compositions into one, and I like where it's going. I want to do some modeling and texture work before I post my next update, maybe I'll get some time over the weekend.

Bret

[patina]

HI Crusty_Butt]

Interesting composition, has comic strip feel to it, I will follow your thread.



check my link

all the best

Paolo P .Patina

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/grandspaceopera/view_entries.php?challenger=5288

[Gunilla]

Hey Bret! Where's that update? Holidays are over and there is not much time... hope all is well and my best wishes for a happy new year :thumbsup:

[Climax]

• Bret, I hope u are still in, my friend, Don't fall sleep, wake up and make some renders!!
A bit Late but I really wish you
••• A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR •••
:beer: :beer:
Waiting for those updates.....

[PeterSanitra]

Only few days left, come on add some detail.

[Teapot-7]

Hey Bret - contest is almost over! Get moving and polish off any last details - your work's come together really well, so don't drop out just before the finish line!

Just read about your girlfriend's cat. Tell her this: A friend of mine amputated her cat's tail in a furniture moving accident, and while obviously she and the cat were pretty upset at the time, she told me that forever after the cat looked smug going through the screen door, as it no longer got it's tail snagged!

[Climax]

• Yeah Bret, you have made this far, don't drop the towell now!!, FINISH IT! hh :banghead: :curious: :twisted:

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