simoncvy
10-22-2004, 08:33 AM
Simon F. C. de Rivaz has entered the Grand Space Opera 3D.
View Full Version : Grand Space Opera 3D Entry: Simon F. C. de Rivaz
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simoncvy
10-22-2004, 08:38 AM
Hi all, I am here holding the flag for Curvy 3D and will be modelling and rendering my challenge entries using Curvy Pro.
I entered Machineflesh with Curvy 3D 1.0 and was amazed at how beautiful and detailed some of the other entries were. Now several months later Curvy has grown up and is ready for the new challenge.
See my latest Curvy Pro image here. (http://www.curvy3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1197)
I love the open brief, looking forward to posting some ideas and sketches soon.
I entered Machineflesh with Curvy 3D 1.0 and was amazed at how beautiful and detailed some of the other entries were. Now several months later Curvy has grown up and is ready for the new challenge.
See my latest Curvy Pro image here. (http://www.curvy3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1197)
I love the open brief, looking forward to posting some ideas and sketches soon.
simoncvy
10-22-2004, 03:16 PM
To me the most epic and pivotal thing that can happen to a galactic empire is a military strike right to the heart, the imperial homeworld.
I plan to create a battle scene taking place on the home planet underneath and around a collosal statue dedicated to the three species that founded the galactic empire (Humans, Robots and Aliens). The battle rages on the ground as 100's infantry swarm about, and further in the distance huge warmachines battle outside the city. The skies are torn with the fire of spaceships and the landing craft of the attacking fleet.
To make sense of such a complex scene I am going to have several "mini-stories" unfolding about the picture:
1) Foreground: A central hero (or anti-hero) figure in the midst of the infantry battle.
2) Midground: The statue of the founding species - the statue is being damaged and wrecked symbolic of the collapse of the empire.
3) Distance: Battle of the warmachines burning the earth inamongst the wreckage of their fallen comrades.
3) Fighters in the air trying to repel huge landing craft.
The most obvious composition to use is a central triangular structure and a portrait aspect - for maximum iconic status - I think most book covers use this technique. But I am wondering whether to go for a long panorama instead to give a feel for the whole landscape.
I want to create a feeling of awe and of expectation - the battle is evenly pitched and either side could win - the entire galactic civilization is at risk of destruction - but perhaps the time has come for a new epoch in the history of the universe and the fall of the empire might eventually lead to a better future.
I plan to create a battle scene taking place on the home planet underneath and around a collosal statue dedicated to the three species that founded the galactic empire (Humans, Robots and Aliens). The battle rages on the ground as 100's infantry swarm about, and further in the distance huge warmachines battle outside the city. The skies are torn with the fire of spaceships and the landing craft of the attacking fleet.
To make sense of such a complex scene I am going to have several "mini-stories" unfolding about the picture:
1) Foreground: A central hero (or anti-hero) figure in the midst of the infantry battle.
2) Midground: The statue of the founding species - the statue is being damaged and wrecked symbolic of the collapse of the empire.
3) Distance: Battle of the warmachines burning the earth inamongst the wreckage of their fallen comrades.
3) Fighters in the air trying to repel huge landing craft.
The most obvious composition to use is a central triangular structure and a portrait aspect - for maximum iconic status - I think most book covers use this technique. But I am wondering whether to go for a long panorama instead to give a feel for the whole landscape.
I want to create a feeling of awe and of expectation - the battle is evenly pitched and either side could win - the entire galactic civilization is at risk of destruction - but perhaps the time has come for a new epoch in the history of the universe and the fall of the empire might eventually lead to a better future.
simoncvy
10-22-2004, 10:50 PM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098481799_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098481799_large.jpg)
The "book-cover" aspect ratio lends itself to a heaven and earth design.
In the centre is the statue to the three species on the empire homeworld.
The "book-cover" aspect ratio lends itself to a heaven and earth design.
In the centre is the statue to the three species on the empire homeworld.
simoncvy
10-22-2004, 10:52 PM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098481962_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098481962_large.jpg)
The same design laid out over a panoramic vista. There is now space for the two fleets of spaceships, some foreground infantry fighting AND a mecha battle on the plains.
The same design laid out over a panoramic vista. There is now space for the two fleets of spaceships, some foreground infantry fighting AND a mecha battle on the plains.
simoncvy
10-22-2004, 10:58 PM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098482317_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098482317_large.jpg)
To capture the epic feel I am going to switch to a bit of a fisheye camera and curve the horizon. This should help the image have a planetary feel.
I have also added an invading fighter craft in the bottom left foreground to give an indication of how huge they actually are in the background.
To the left the gunfire lines should help as a composition tool - similarly the fighter-spaceship vapour trails of the defendign craft to right.
To capture the epic feel I am going to switch to a bit of a fisheye camera and curve the horizon. This should help the image have a planetary feel.
I have also added an invading fighter craft in the bottom left foreground to give an indication of how huge they actually are in the background.
To the left the gunfire lines should help as a composition tool - similarly the fighter-spaceship vapour trails of the defendign craft to right.
simoncvy
10-22-2004, 11:04 PM
I tried an off-centre composition for the statue in the last image... based on all those books that say placing the centre of interest in the middle of the picture is boring.
Well, I think I am going to go back to the central statue again since it suits the iconic and monumental nature of the challenge. It also nicely splits the screen into four mini-stories and invokes the pivotol balance of the empire... but I am open to other suggestions!
Well, I think I am going to go back to the central statue again since it suits the iconic and monumental nature of the challenge. It also nicely splits the screen into four mini-stories and invokes the pivotol balance of the empire... but I am open to other suggestions!
simoncvy
10-22-2004, 11:16 PM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098483368_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098483368_large.jpg)
There are five mini-stories going on now.
Centre - Midground: The collosal statue of the three species at the heart of the Imperial Capital that marks the union of species and the birth of the Empire is being torn apart in the crossfire of war.
Bottom Right - Foreground: A heroic battle between an elite general and an evil attacker takes place on a mountain ledge high above the city. The defenders are trying to hold the mountain while evil hordes are climbing up onto the ledge. They fight with guns and chainswords.
Bottom Left - Midground: City in ruins and Mech battle. The focal point here is a huge crater in the Capital Citv that is the battleground for huge warmachines. Some Mechs are firing up at the invading fleet.
Top Left: The invading fleet of inverted and truncated cones (alien spaceships ;) ) is dropping a battalion of landing craft and fighters. Their turrets also rain fire down on the city below. The sky is full of these guys stretching all the way from the foreground to the horizon. The invading fighters are ball shaped with external turrets on pylons.
Top Right: The defending fleet of battlecruisers launch their fighter craft into the fray. These craft travel in beautiful curved arcs that contrast the rigid straight gunfire of the invaders. The cruisers are a kind of eagle shape, and the fighters triangular.
In the background, to the left the horizon is mountainous and on the right ocean.
There are five mini-stories going on now.
Centre - Midground: The collosal statue of the three species at the heart of the Imperial Capital that marks the union of species and the birth of the Empire is being torn apart in the crossfire of war.
Bottom Right - Foreground: A heroic battle between an elite general and an evil attacker takes place on a mountain ledge high above the city. The defenders are trying to hold the mountain while evil hordes are climbing up onto the ledge. They fight with guns and chainswords.
Bottom Left - Midground: City in ruins and Mech battle. The focal point here is a huge crater in the Capital Citv that is the battleground for huge warmachines. Some Mechs are firing up at the invading fleet.
Top Left: The invading fleet of inverted and truncated cones (alien spaceships ;) ) is dropping a battalion of landing craft and fighters. Their turrets also rain fire down on the city below. The sky is full of these guys stretching all the way from the foreground to the horizon. The invading fighters are ball shaped with external turrets on pylons.
Top Right: The defending fleet of battlecruisers launch their fighter craft into the fray. These craft travel in beautiful curved arcs that contrast the rigid straight gunfire of the invaders. The cruisers are a kind of eagle shape, and the fighters triangular.
In the background, to the left the horizon is mountainous and on the right ocean.
simoncvy
10-22-2004, 11:24 PM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098483874_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098483874_large.jpg)
The highest area of contrast is the central statue where the rising sun brightly outlines the dark statue of the three species.
Then the land is fairly dark, lit mainly by gunfire and explosions.
The rest of the sky is velvety and starstruck to remember the space theme.
The invaders are dark and symmetrical. The defenders are bright with tightly sprung curves.
The foreground infantry heroes mimic the style and value of their respective fleets.
The highest area of contrast is the central statue where the rising sun brightly outlines the dark statue of the three species.
Then the land is fairly dark, lit mainly by gunfire and explosions.
The rest of the sky is velvety and starstruck to remember the space theme.
The invaders are dark and symmetrical. The defenders are bright with tightly sprung curves.
The foreground infantry heroes mimic the style and value of their respective fleets.
3DZukini
10-22-2004, 11:35 PM
Hi, just checking out your sketches....looks to be a promising idea! I have a similar plot going, but from a different view...and Earth is lost. I like the panoramic sketches better and I like the idea of the dark "monolyth-like" statue. Keep it coming!
Bumbi
10-22-2004, 11:41 PM
I also really like the idea with the statue, it will certainly give it a epic feeling and you've got a really nice mech in that link up there. I hope to see this thread develop further
simoncvy
10-23-2004, 11:09 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098526189_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098526189_large.jpg)
I thought the vast scale and perspective might be tricky so I made a 3D concept sketch to make sure everything was sane.
The fighting heroes in the foreground are still just 2D concept at this stage - and everything else is placeholder art.
This image lacks the compositional elements for gunfire and vapour trails of the small fighter craft.
I thought the vast scale and perspective might be tricky so I made a 3D concept sketch to make sure everything was sane.
The fighting heroes in the foreground are still just 2D concept at this stage - and everything else is placeholder art.
This image lacks the compositional elements for gunfire and vapour trails of the small fighter craft.
simoncvy
10-24-2004, 01:19 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098577141_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098577141_large.jpg)
Crits welcome!
Closeup sketch of the central statue of the three founding species of the Empire - namely human, robot and "other" (at the moment a bug thing - but could be improved!)
This sketch is the same size as the statue will appear in the final print resolution version (I am a bit overwhelmed at this whole print resolution thing - 66Mb per layer is scary when you are used to working on 40 layers in a finished image). The model will be quite simple - but I will need to put some details on it to show it is being damaged by the battle.
Crits welcome!
Closeup sketch of the central statue of the three founding species of the Empire - namely human, robot and "other" (at the moment a bug thing - but could be improved!)
This sketch is the same size as the statue will appear in the final print resolution version (I am a bit overwhelmed at this whole print resolution thing - 66Mb per layer is scary when you are used to working on 40 layers in a finished image). The model will be quite simple - but I will need to put some details on it to show it is being damaged by the battle.
superlayer
10-24-2004, 08:58 PM
I like your concept. remember to add the anger and passion to your scene ;).
Virtuoso
10-24-2004, 09:15 PM
Hi Simon..............Long time no speak.....
I like your premise for this scene.i see lot's of mayhem,a epic battle sure is in the making.Nice plan,and I wish you the best in your execution of it.:arteest:
I like your premise for this scene.i see lot's of mayhem,a epic battle sure is in the making.Nice plan,and I wish you the best in your execution of it.:arteest:
simoncvy
10-24-2004, 09:19 PM
3DZukini - thanks!
Bumbi - Thx 2 :)
superlayer - You picked my weakest skill! ( Hence liking the bezerker more ;) ) I want the foreground characters to look really passionate and angry. I am not so sure about the statue's expression - I don't want it to look too solemn like a memorial - but rather optimistic and forward looking like the Russian revolutionary propaganda.
Any ideas how to add passion to a mecha battle and the fleets of spaceships? The ideas I have for that come down to mini-stories of ships exploding and ships being chased by large gangs of fighters. i guess I can do the same for the mechas - a gun-slinger showdown mini-story, a mecha being crushed by a falling building or somesuch.
Bumbi - Thx 2 :)
superlayer - You picked my weakest skill! ( Hence liking the bezerker more ;) ) I want the foreground characters to look really passionate and angry. I am not so sure about the statue's expression - I don't want it to look too solemn like a memorial - but rather optimistic and forward looking like the Russian revolutionary propaganda.
Any ideas how to add passion to a mecha battle and the fleets of spaceships? The ideas I have for that come down to mini-stories of ships exploding and ships being chased by large gangs of fighters. i guess I can do the same for the mechas - a gun-slinger showdown mini-story, a mecha being crushed by a falling building or somesuch.
simoncvy
10-25-2004, 01:46 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098665182_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098665182_large.jpg)
This is a fairly crazy brainstorm for the invader. I needs a lot of work to look cool, I know. Any ideas on how to add some wow-factor?
(Does anyone know why my nice little 238x300 image has been blown up to huge dimensions after it was uploaded??)
This is a fairly crazy brainstorm for the invader. I needs a lot of work to look cool, I know. Any ideas on how to add some wow-factor?
(Does anyone know why my nice little 238x300 image has been blown up to huge dimensions after it was uploaded??)
AirbORn
10-25-2004, 03:31 AM
I like the look you are trying to create. It has a gothic influence to it. Just for future reference do some research on gothic architecture, it will help you a lot.
Regrading the "wow" factor, perhaps make it more sinister, add long spikes/polls ( in vertical and diagnale directions) try to longate the structure, it feels a little fat. That is my two cent. Hope that helps you. :)
Great work so far.
p.s. I also get the image resize when I upload my WIP not sure why that happens.
Regrading the "wow" factor, perhaps make it more sinister, add long spikes/polls ( in vertical and diagnale directions) try to longate the structure, it feels a little fat. That is my two cent. Hope that helps you. :)
Great work so far.
p.s. I also get the image resize when I upload my WIP not sure why that happens.
simoncvy
10-25-2004, 09:41 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098693678_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098693678_large.jpg)
As suggested I have reworked this to add more verticality and spikiness.
I will play with the actual proportions and bulkiness when it is in 3D since that is so much easier than drawing all these details again ;)
As suggested I have reworked this to add more verticality and spikiness.
I will play with the actual proportions and bulkiness when it is in 3D since that is so much easier than drawing all these details again ;)
terraarc
10-25-2004, 10:44 AM
Quite impressive sketches and thoughts on them! I really like your final idea! The Gothic spaceship looks quite impressive but I believe you can add some more staff as you model it in 3D. Some suggestions are for lots of lights on it and alot mechanical arms on the bottom of it ,like World wars, spitting fire and lighting various city parts....
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
arturro
10-25-2004, 10:56 AM
Hi, great concept for the invader's fleet. But I would add some details sugesting that it's a ship. Maby a little bigger or more visible engines, some docs or landing places, small tecnicalities like radars, satellite dishes, etc...
Nevertheless great and original concept:buttrock:
Nevertheless great and original concept:buttrock:
3doid
10-25-2004, 11:26 AM
very cool man... i love ur concepts... very stylish... keep it up man, best of luck :thumbsup:
AirbORn
10-25-2004, 02:31 PM
With your new adjustments looks and feel a bit better. I am sure once you start working in 3D, it will be easier to add more adjustments like you mentioned.
simoncvy
10-25-2004, 10:23 PM
terraarc & arturro - Thanks for the ideas! Will build them in in 3D
3doid - thanks :)
AirbORn - I quite often do all my concept work directly in 3D - so making changes then is familiar. In fact this will be one of my most sketched 3D images ever!
3doid - thanks :)
AirbORn - I quite often do all my concept work directly in 3D - so making changes then is familiar. In fact this will be one of my most sketched 3D images ever!
Shardana
10-25-2004, 11:32 PM
hey!! I see a very cool project going on here!! and those gothic features are a way cool idea!!! :bounce:
best luck!! :thumbsup:
best luck!! :thumbsup:
madmatt
10-25-2004, 11:47 PM
looking great love the design of the gothic ships the spikes remind me of flying butreses on gothic churches maybe look at the way that religion could play a part in this or alternatively how they used ornate designs to increase the grandure of ther ships ( you are already very close ) can't wait to see more
simoncvy
10-26-2004, 12:01 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098745279_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098745279_large.jpg)
The design for the fighting heroes in the foreground. Also a recap of the whole image to show relative scale.
They fight mainly with had to hand weapons, but have blasters strapped to their wrists as well. This is because personal armour has advanced so far due to micro-field stabilisation that projectile and energy weapons have minimal damage capacity. Instead blades with a nano-active edge are required to deal mortal blows in combat ( Real reason: I am an artist not a sci-fi buff and I like close combat ;) )
I want to make two contrasing armour styles that are obviously from different cultures. The sleek forms of the white armour will match the defender spaceships - and will also echo the armour style in the statue of the three species.
The design for the fighting heroes in the foreground. Also a recap of the whole image to show relative scale.
They fight mainly with had to hand weapons, but have blasters strapped to their wrists as well. This is because personal armour has advanced so far due to micro-field stabilisation that projectile and energy weapons have minimal damage capacity. Instead blades with a nano-active edge are required to deal mortal blows in combat ( Real reason: I am an artist not a sci-fi buff and I like close combat ;) )
I want to make two contrasing armour styles that are obviously from different cultures. The sleek forms of the white armour will match the defender spaceships - and will also echo the armour style in the statue of the three species.
simoncvy
10-26-2004, 12:05 AM
oblivionblack - thx :)
madmatt - Mmm I like your idea of putting some more emphasis on the grandure and spiritual conquest. Ships designed explicity to inspire awe in the peoples they are sent to attack... I will use this to inspire the next version, cheers. Perhaps adding more "symbols" to the design and the character (in addition to the curved spike motif)
madmatt - Mmm I like your idea of putting some more emphasis on the grandure and spiritual conquest. Ships designed explicity to inspire awe in the peoples they are sent to attack... I will use this to inspire the next version, cheers. Perhaps adding more "symbols" to the design and the character (in addition to the curved spike motif)
simoncvy
10-26-2004, 10:09 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098781765_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098781765_large.jpg)
A fairly sleek simple design for the defender. The pods are gun turrets and the black rectangles are launch bays.
I have also drawn some of the launching fighter's vapour trails and the gunfire in the midground - as well as putting more of the elements together to make a 30% finished concept sketch.
Still do do: City, Crater, Invader Mech, Defender Mech, Invader Small Fighter Craft, Defender Small Fighter Craft, Mountains, Sky... and then I can start modelling!
A fairly sleek simple design for the defender. The pods are gun turrets and the black rectangles are launch bays.
I have also drawn some of the launching fighter's vapour trails and the gunfire in the midground - as well as putting more of the elements together to make a 30% finished concept sketch.
Still do do: City, Crater, Invader Mech, Defender Mech, Invader Small Fighter Craft, Defender Small Fighter Craft, Mountains, Sky... and then I can start modelling!
Virtuoso
10-26-2004, 10:16 AM
Your concept art is coming along swimmingly...............very nice effort and results Simon.get those last ones out,and then get to modeling these beauties..................Have fun.:arteest:
terraarc
10-26-2004, 10:46 AM
You're moving along very well mate!:thumbsup: I like the close combat idea but perhaps you should add some hi-tech on the weapons (think jedi-knights but not jedi-knights) also the armors reminds me quite of LOTR, just my view though.
The Defender design is very good but I can't quite tell the massiveness on it. Keep it up and feed us some 3D soon! :wip:
The Defender design is very good but I can't quite tell the massiveness on it. Keep it up and feed us some 3D soon! :wip:
simoncvy
10-26-2004, 11:05 AM
terraarc - The similarity to LOTR might be partly because LOTR was continuing strong sterotypes for monsters and heroes - also seen in the Games Workshop models.
The defender hero is based on Athenian/Greek armour and the invader is based on medieval barbarian armour (spiked armour, German style horns, and scale mail). I appreciate your ideas and will try to add a bit more technical flavour in the next version.
The defender hero is based on Athenian/Greek armour and the invader is based on medieval barbarian armour (spiked armour, German style horns, and scale mail). I appreciate your ideas and will try to add a bit more technical flavour in the next version.
Christoph_H84
10-26-2004, 11:08 AM
Absolutly stunning concepts. I'm amazed how dense your story is and how many sub-plots you've put in there.
Best luck!
Best luck!
simoncvy
10-26-2004, 11:09 AM
terraarc - As for the defender design - I agree it does not feel massive yet - any ideas to improve that? I am thinking of removing the pod at the front since that looks a bit like a human sized cockpit and also making the rest of the ship very flat - much flatter than a conventional aircraft rather than the bulky form it is now - so hopefully it will look more like the deck of an aircraft carrier
Christoph_H84 - thanks :)
Christoph_H84 - thanks :)
simoncvy
10-26-2004, 11:31 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098786674_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098786674_large.jpg)
Sketches of the fighters for the attacker and defender and a sketch of the mountain range for the left third of the horizon.
The fighters will only be tiny - with a closeup of one in the foreground if the model turns out well enough... but at print resolution even tiny details are visible. The largest fighter might only be 90x30 pixels in a 5653x3000 image (That is about half the size they are displayed here)
Sketches of the fighters for the attacker and defender and a sketch of the mountain range for the left third of the horizon.
The fighters will only be tiny - with a closeup of one in the foreground if the model turns out well enough... but at print resolution even tiny details are visible. The largest fighter might only be 90x30 pixels in a 5653x3000 image (That is about half the size they are displayed here)
JamesMK
10-26-2004, 11:34 AM
You've got heaps of interesting ideas going on here - just popping in to wish you good luck for the upcoming modeling work :thumbsup:
simoncvy
10-26-2004, 11:43 AM
JamesMK - Thanks!
I have some tough decisions to make once I have finished sketching - should I get to modelling or make some colour studies first?
A bit of me says to wait until the modelling is done before worrying about colour studies since that is much more in the realm of texturing and lighting which will only begin once the grey meshes are finished. But another bit of me knows how much I like playing with colour! Perhaps I'll save the colour versions as a treat for when I have finished the gig of geometry in this scene :D
I have some tough decisions to make once I have finished sketching - should I get to modelling or make some colour studies first?
A bit of me says to wait until the modelling is done before worrying about colour studies since that is much more in the realm of texturing and lighting which will only begin once the grey meshes are finished. But another bit of me knows how much I like playing with colour! Perhaps I'll save the colour versions as a treat for when I have finished the gig of geometry in this scene :D
kaajey
10-26-2004, 12:20 PM
I like the idea. The scene looks like there are fighting some modern knights.
The invander ship is like some fliying gothic church like Madmatt has mentioned.
Exciting
My thread>> www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?p=1674997
The invander ship is like some fliying gothic church like Madmatt has mentioned.
Exciting
My thread>> www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?p=1674997
Saschi0815
10-26-2004, 01:02 PM
Hi Simon, great ones u start with:thumbsup: I love the idea with the gothic features!
This can truly be a masterpiece, if u build it in 3D!!
Keep it up, man!:bounce:
This can truly be a masterpiece, if u build it in 3D!!
Keep it up, man!:bounce:
Monsoon
10-26-2004, 07:37 PM
I like the contrast between the Gothic looking invaders and the sleeker ships. It accents the differences in species and culture. I also like the composition and the idea of having the statue itself, though inanimate, tell part of the story.
Well done. Boy you are moving right along at a good clip!
Well done. Boy you are moving right along at a good clip!
madmatt
10-26-2004, 10:27 PM
looking fantastic can't wait to see where it goes now.. p.s thanks for all your help with my concept..
terraarc
10-27-2004, 08:08 AM
Hey there mate, a truth I never before thought of about that LOTR thingy (strange I didn't!)
Anyhow, when I read on your thoughts of making more massive the defender the only think that popped up to my mind was hammerhead shark. Of course 90 degrees rotated and placed as a front command center, anyway it's just a thought. :)
The spaceships look good, keep it up!
Anyhow, when I read on your thoughts of making more massive the defender the only think that popped up to my mind was hammerhead shark. Of course 90 degrees rotated and placed as a front command center, anyway it's just a thought. :)
The spaceships look good, keep it up!
ashishdantu
10-27-2004, 08:20 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098745279_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098745279_large.jpg)
Hey, simoncvy,
I like ur concept and ur concept art.. Keep up the good work.. nice way u blend in the gothic feel to it..
Hehe .. if ur concept is something about the future, well , i guess it means > " history repeats itself".. gothik / medieval life in the future !! interesting...
Cheers,
Hey, simoncvy,
I like ur concept and ur concept art.. Keep up the good work.. nice way u blend in the gothic feel to it..
Hehe .. if ur concept is something about the future, well , i guess it means > " history repeats itself".. gothik / medieval life in the future !! interesting...
Cheers,
simoncvy
10-27-2004, 10:05 AM
http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098867944_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/4575/4575_1098867944_large.jpg)
Here is the defender remodelled to give a better impression of size. Thanks for the hammerhead shark idea!
If I finish everything in 3D early I might see about adding some spaceship variations - but I expect I will be burnt out on sci-fi by then!
Here is the defender remodelled to give a better impression of size. Thanks for the hammerhead shark idea!
If I finish everything in 3D early I might see about adding some spaceship variations - but I expect I will be burnt out on sci-fi by then!
Genesisa
10-27-2004, 10:38 AM
hey you do that horizont whit the sides going to down, i dont know if you understand what im talking, i dont know to much english, the thing is that you can do a kind of camera effect later but that shows the sides to th up. like humm i cant find a image to explain you but im talking that you can do it like a "U" and people still thinking about that like a planet, ahh jeje anyway is your desing.
im just trying to do my opinion but its a very very cool concept man, keep working that lots of people donw there really looks like something historic.
good luck and see ya later.
im just trying to do my opinion but its a very very cool concept man, keep working that lots of people donw there really looks like something historic.
good luck and see ya later.
Dark_Drako
10-27-2004, 12:18 PM
Your characters really reminde me a lot of orcs and elves :).
I like your medevil future. Midevil has always been my favorit point in time, and I like seeing someone who can put elements from the past into the future!
I like your medevil future. Midevil has always been my favorit point in time, and I like seeing someone who can put elements from the past into the future!
Monsoon
10-27-2004, 03:07 PM
I personally prefer the original defender ship. However, you have a very interesting and dynamic composition of lateral and vertical lines going here. I don't know why but line seems to stand out to me recently in everything I look at. I think it's a Curvy after effect lol.......
simoncvy
10-27-2004, 06:37 PM
Genesisa - With a wide lens on the camera I think you can make the horizon turn up or down depending on whether it is in the top half of the picture or the bottom half (I think?)
Dark_Drako - Thanks :D
Monsoon - The original defender mothership design will be reused to some extent for the little defender fighters - it just felt too small for a mothership. I read a whole bunch on composition last week, composition by the "Grand Masters" who make complex scenes of multiple characters rather than my usual "man in pose" pictures. I am trying to put what I learnt into practice on this image - but a lot just seems to happen naturally as I place things by eye.
Dark_Drako - Thanks :D
Monsoon - The original defender mothership design will be reused to some extent for the little defender fighters - it just felt too small for a mothership. I read a whole bunch on composition last week, composition by the "Grand Masters" who make complex scenes of multiple characters rather than my usual "man in pose" pictures. I am trying to put what I learnt into practice on this image - but a lot just seems to happen naturally as I place things by eye.
JamesMK
10-28-2004, 12:39 PM
The new ship sketch looks very cool indeed. It has a certain vulture feel to it... like it a lot :thumbsup:
arturro
10-28-2004, 12:49 PM
Hi! You are going in the very good drection with your design:) Great! I think that it would be cool if these gothic ships used lasers also to shoot down the rockets coming from right.
DrEvilBear
10-28-2004, 01:08 PM
hey simon
this is all looking very nice indeed, compositionally splitting it into the sub-stories will give the final image plenty of depth, meaning people can keep looking around and seeing these different things happening, spotting new stories everywhere they look.
i really like the idea of the iconice staute taking centre stage in the image, but i cant help feeling that it has split the two groups of ships up too much. i know it is supposed to attackers on one side, and defenders on the other, but i would like to see a little more einteraction between thses groups; maybe have some of the smaller defenders flyings amongst the attackers or vice versa, merging them together just a little more, rather than being split into two very distinct groups.
designs wise, i love the gothic look to the ship, and as someone said before i feel it may need something about it to make it look more like a ship than a floating castle, not sure what tho...
all in all, i really like where this is going, dont tak any of this as bad, just my 2cents... keep it up, cant wait to see it in 3d!
this is all looking very nice indeed, compositionally splitting it into the sub-stories will give the final image plenty of depth, meaning people can keep looking around and seeing these different things happening, spotting new stories everywhere they look.
i really like the idea of the iconice staute taking centre stage in the image, but i cant help feeling that it has split the two groups of ships up too much. i know it is supposed to attackers on one side, and defenders on the other, but i would like to see a little more einteraction between thses groups; maybe have some of the smaller defenders flyings amongst the attackers or vice versa, merging them together just a little more, rather than being split into two very distinct groups.
designs wise, i love the gothic look to the ship, and as someone said before i feel it may need something about it to make it look more like a ship than a floating castle, not sure what tho...
all in all, i really like where this is going, dont tak any of this as bad, just my 2cents... keep it up, cant wait to see it in 3d!
simoncvy
10-29-2004, 12:14 AM
JamesMK - thanks :)
arturro - Would have the two fleets shooting at each other if it did not spoil the composition - as it is I think it would close the top of the image too much and loose the space above the statue.
Dr. Evil Bear - I like the idea of the small fighters crossing the centre line and engaging the opposing fleets. It keeps the clear iconic separation of the fleets intact while making the image more active, thanks!
arturro - Would have the two fleets shooting at each other if it did not spoil the composition - as it is I think it would close the top of the image too much and loose the space above the statue.
Dr. Evil Bear - I like the idea of the small fighters crossing the centre line and engaging the opposing fleets. It keeps the clear iconic separation of the fleets intact while making the image more active, thanks!
Christoph_H84
10-29-2004, 09:42 AM
Your concept is awesome with all the thinking about the image compositing and relations between certain elelments (don't tlk about detail. You know what I mean.).
I was just wondering, since the mountains with that small fighters are covered with snow, what climat is it? Artic, or what?
looking forward to see your first modelling?
All the best to all!
I was just wondering, since the mountains with that small fighters are covered with snow, what climat is it? Artic, or what?
looking forward to see your first modelling?
All the best to all!
Virtuoso
10-29-2004, 10:10 AM
New version has a more sleek predator style to it.I liked the first,but this is still more intense,more elegant.I like the front nose area/cockpit improvements.............keep it going,and all the best.:arteest:
simoncvy
10-31-2004, 02:34 PM
Christoph_H84 - I was thinking temperate - with the distant mountians a separate climate due to altitude... but you remind me to make the most out of every part of the image, I wonder which climate would be most exciting? I have been thinking of having a grand garden/park surrounding the statue in the centre of the city so it could not be as cold as artcic - perhaps a fairly hot Greece or Italy, with "the Alps" in the distance.
Virtuoso - Thanks!
Virtuoso - Thanks!
arturro
11-01-2004, 07:17 PM
Hi Simoncvy! when talking about climate, I wouldn't vote for the garden/park one. But I'm not sure what would be better... If you went with the Greece/Italy climate, you should be careful about certain things. In my opinion the green and flowery colours are too "happy" and too vivid for this subject, but it depends on how you would do that. So i think that the best way to solve this problem whout be to make a few different colouristic skatches and see which fits best here.
Best regards and keep on workin':bounce:
Best regards and keep on workin':bounce:
simoncvy
11-01-2004, 08:17 PM
arturro - I agree with you on the garden. I still want to introduce something organic into the otherwise too clean city. Perhaps some classical modernist architecture softened by dark shades of Ivy and some broad leaved dark palm trees to set off a semi-grecian look.
Perhaps a once well kept garden, now suffering overgrowth symtomatic of the decay of a once strong civilisation/empire. No bright flowers and only dark dusty greens and stones. Bear in mind the left side of the garden will be ash grey, scortched black, fire red and explosion orange! I will have to think up some clever tricks to balance those colours on the defender side (to the right).
I like the colour sketch plan - in this case it is important to work out the colours early because it will have a big impact on the content of the city.
Perhaps a once well kept garden, now suffering overgrowth symtomatic of the decay of a once strong civilisation/empire. No bright flowers and only dark dusty greens and stones. Bear in mind the left side of the garden will be ash grey, scortched black, fire red and explosion orange! I will have to think up some clever tricks to balance those colours on the defender side (to the right).
I like the colour sketch plan - in this case it is important to work out the colours early because it will have a big impact on the content of the city.
arturro
11-02-2004, 09:10 AM
Perhaps a once well kept garden, now suffering overgrowth symtomatic of the decay of a once strong civilisation/empire. No bright flowers and only dark dusty greens and stones. Bear in mind the left side of the garden will be ash grey, scortched black, fire red and explosion orange!Sounds great to me!! hope you will manage to achieve this atmosphere:bounce:
SnakeFarlow
11-29-2004, 05:24 AM
Hi i like your concept. I only have one doubt, Isn't there a big contradiccion, backthere are very big spaceships, and they are shootin each other, so they have discover the range laser weapons, Then why are those soldiers having a meele fight with an axe and a sword. May be a laser sword like Anakin... don't you think you should check it. Remember this is only a coment, I will check your work again soon.
Keep working.
Snake Farlow
Keep working.
Snake Farlow
simoncvy
11-29-2004, 08:00 AM
Lasers and Bullets are useless against nanotech armour with subsurface polyfibre webbing and multiphasic relective micromirrors.
The instant a laser touches the surface of the armour the nanotech adapts to create a perfect mirrored surface - negating any agressive effect of the weapon and reflecting the beam directly back to the attacker. Lasers are only useful at burning and melting regular brick and metal - nanotech armours are invulnerable to this kind of attack.
Similarly regulatory field dynamics acts as a momentum shield from any simple impact weaponry - thus rendering fragmentary exploxive devices and bullets ineffectual.
To give you an example - imagine attacking a T870 Rhino Buster Tank with a bow and arrow!
The only weapons that are effective to any degree are gravitational weapons and nanotech edged and impact weapons, hence the melee stying of the armour and weapons.
Each suit or armour requires 6 months of the entire GDP of a class E planetary population, luckily in an age of robotics that is not so hard going and entire solarsystems are managed by a handful of sapient beings with the assistance of populations of billions of robotic systems mining and manufacturing devices for the sentients.
The instant a laser touches the surface of the armour the nanotech adapts to create a perfect mirrored surface - negating any agressive effect of the weapon and reflecting the beam directly back to the attacker. Lasers are only useful at burning and melting regular brick and metal - nanotech armours are invulnerable to this kind of attack.
Similarly regulatory field dynamics acts as a momentum shield from any simple impact weaponry - thus rendering fragmentary exploxive devices and bullets ineffectual.
To give you an example - imagine attacking a T870 Rhino Buster Tank with a bow and arrow!
The only weapons that are effective to any degree are gravitational weapons and nanotech edged and impact weapons, hence the melee stying of the armour and weapons.
Each suit or armour requires 6 months of the entire GDP of a class E planetary population, luckily in an age of robotics that is not so hard going and entire solarsystems are managed by a handful of sapient beings with the assistance of populations of billions of robotic systems mining and manufacturing devices for the sentients.
SnakeFarlow
11-30-2004, 01:23 AM
Sorry to bother you again. I really like your composition, and the idea is great, the explanaition you give me was cool, but there is still a contradiction. If they have discovered that nano tecnology why the starships doesnt use it !!!, there are a lot of shooting backthere.
I am only trying to help.
Snake Farlow. The rogue.
I am only trying to help.
Snake Farlow. The rogue.
simoncvy
11-30-2004, 09:16 AM
I refer you to my previous comments regarding the expense to create each suit of nanotech armour... a typical suit of armour weighs 35kgs and takes one planet/year to build... a typical mothership weighs 700 tonnes and would take 20,000 planet/years to build.
The motherships use the same kind of armour as modern day spaceshuttles use on reentry - they can withstand lasers with a power of up to 2.4 GigaWatts per square metre. You will notice there is not much mothership to mothership agression - this is because their weapons are not effective against each other.
The small fighter craft have multiphasic shielding instead (a much lighter and thus more manourverable technology).
The motherships use the same kind of armour as modern day spaceshuttles use on reentry - they can withstand lasers with a power of up to 2.4 GigaWatts per square metre. You will notice there is not much mothership to mothership agression - this is because their weapons are not effective against each other.
The small fighter craft have multiphasic shielding instead (a much lighter and thus more manourverable technology).
Saschi0815
11-30-2004, 09:36 AM
Hi Simon, your explanations are really visionary, man:thumbsup: You should do some storyline for star trek! I'm impressed...:buttrock:
When u are going to do the 3D Stuff? I'm looking forward to watch your next steps...'cause it looks great so far!
Live long and prosper...
When u are going to do the 3D Stuff? I'm looking forward to watch your next steps...'cause it looks great so far!
Live long and prosper...
SnakeFarlow
11-30-2004, 03:41 PM
Ok, ok I am done, your explanaitions are really cool, You are a visionary, And now that you have answered all my doubts, I must say your composition and manage of image is great. I hope could see more updates soon, And sorry if I bother you with mi questions.
Work hard and enjoy it.
Snake Farlow. The rogue.
www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=184160&highlight=andres+paredes (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=184160&highlight=andres+paredes)
Work hard and enjoy it.
Snake Farlow. The rogue.
www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=184160&highlight=andres+paredes (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=184160&highlight=andres+paredes)
simoncvy
11-30-2004, 04:45 PM
How much time do we have left?
The reason I am slow on producing the 3D artwork is that I am currently writing the software that can cope with such a complex scene and high resolution output.
At the moment my best rendering engine (Toxic) would take a 1,000 computer render farm 17 years to render the scene using global illumination and final gathering with 512 fragments per pixel.
So a big part of the work is writing a new GI engine that can support the 3000x5000 resolution I am targetting.
Similarly my 2D software (Painter) stuggles with more than 70 layers at 3000x5000 resolution and it cannot handle complex layer blends so I am saving up to buy a Flame suite to help with the post production - otherwise I will have to buy Houdini - and I can not afford that at the moment. (NB: The current composition has 672 layers at 3000x5000 res). I really need to upgrade to a node based instanced imaging solution, but as I can not afford it I am writing my own editing software to handle it.
The reason I am slow on producing the 3D artwork is that I am currently writing the software that can cope with such a complex scene and high resolution output.
At the moment my best rendering engine (Toxic) would take a 1,000 computer render farm 17 years to render the scene using global illumination and final gathering with 512 fragments per pixel.
So a big part of the work is writing a new GI engine that can support the 3000x5000 resolution I am targetting.
Similarly my 2D software (Painter) stuggles with more than 70 layers at 3000x5000 resolution and it cannot handle complex layer blends so I am saving up to buy a Flame suite to help with the post production - otherwise I will have to buy Houdini - and I can not afford that at the moment. (NB: The current composition has 672 layers at 3000x5000 res). I really need to upgrade to a node based instanced imaging solution, but as I can not afford it I am writing my own editing software to handle it.
terraarc
12-01-2004, 08:51 AM
Man really great explanations! :thumbsup:
Quite a depth in your story! If you think that all the staff you mentioned are peripheral to the main story!
Wishing you the best on your software effort and always waiting for more....
Quite a depth in your story! If you think that all the staff you mentioned are peripheral to the main story!
Wishing you the best on your software effort and always waiting for more....
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