Enchanted Forest - Environment/Characters - Pixolator

[Adam]

Good looking image! great grass!

What type of enchantment do you have planned.
are you going to have a central charcater or just an enviroment.
explain a little about your project.

[Pixolator]

Adam: Thanks:), I do plan to have an environment and a central character/s but there are so many ideas that can work well within the “Enchanted Forest” topic that I will first do several exploration-sketches.

Here is the first 3D-sketch… (something to do while thinking about the “Enchanted Forest” topic:) )
http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1022667578knr.jpg

-Pixolator

[leigh]

Wow that looks great!!
The lighting could do with some work - not enough contrast, but your branches are really cool! Especially the ones in the bottom right hand corner :)
Nice work :applause:
I like the way your pictures have borders around them - it kinda lends a story book feel to them.

[Kaos]

oh my god.........


i just wet myself.........


oh my god...........

[ZrO-1]

Hey pixolator! Welcome and good luck in the challenge. Not that it looks like you'll need any luck. I'm not sure how you did it but those two pics are pro'lly the most photo-real I've seen yet. That tree texture is sweet. It looks like we finally have someone to challenge Howard Day :D

[visualboo]

Sketch?

[psumo]

Sweet! I can't wait to see what you come up with

leigh: I don't think he started lighting yet

[dobermunk]

Goes to show how tastes differ. I actually love that lighting. Kind of like the mid-level depths of a really thick vegetation. Illustrative. I would love to be able to get this look!

Also, the vegetation is great. Stumpy algae kind of moss - thick as yer thumb! Is it a fur solution or geometry?

[hypercube]

God damn that's gorgeous. :buttrock:

"Sketch" he says. :rolleyes:

I both look forward to and dread what you come out with when it's more developed..

Oh and FWIW I like the lighting as well, it feels very in-a-forest with mostly diffused light and a few hotspots through the canopy.

[Pixolator]

Thank you for a very kind feedback:)

I call this a ‘sketch’ because it was done without any planning, it was quick to create and not likely to be used for the final image, it was just an experiment.
The process was quite simple: I first modeled a tree–segment (see below) and then placed many instances of the object in various sizes and orientations in order to give shape to a larger tree-structure. The object had rudimentary coloring applied to it, the ‘final’ texturing and ‘grass’ were added in 2.5D mode.
http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1022667598obk.jpg
Majority of the time spent experimenting with various materials and light properties. At this stage, there are only two lights in the scene, a cool-colored global light and one warm-colored local light (the local scene will eventually be illuminated by creature-made lights, possibly fire).
I will try to post another sketch soon (tonight or tomorrow).
-Pixolator

[MagnusL3D]

Would it be possible to see perhaps in series of pictures on how this "sketch" was created..im very curious to it, looks very very good and the 2d elements if i understand correctly you added looks renderd ...*confused* anyhow great work !!

[psumo]

what is 2.5D?
paint effects?
thats cheap...

[visualboo]

Originally posted by patlab
Would it be possible to see perhaps in series of pictures on how this "sketch" was created...

I second that :)

[Pixolator]

I will post WIP images and more detailed description with the next update.:thumbsup:

[Naz]

the so called sketch looks already great. looking forward to how the central character might look like.
why is zbrush not mentioned, or did you use something else?
can't be... =)

[Pixolator]

Hi:)
Here is the 2nd test…

>>>Click to view this image <<< (http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1022856741soa.jpg)

I used a low-quality jpg compression in order to keep the file size under 100k, below is a small portion of the image but with slightly better jpg quality…

http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1022856827tar.jpg

Note: In some areas, the tree is covered by a slimy/sticky surface, this was done in preparation for several slimy crawlers that will be added later (unless the plan changes:)).
Still to come… tree refinements, foliage, background, environment effects, creatures…

-Pixolator

P.S. If you are interested in a step-by-step for the above image, please let me know.
Naz: You are correct:), it’s ZBrush (beta version).

[jonaz.dk]

nice stuff Pixie.. you Zbrush maniac.. :buttrock:

Will your entry have characters?

it's always a good thing..

[dobermunk]

Well, since you offer...

The texturing richness is great!

[PedramK]

Woah!
that big..tree looks awsome!
gonna be fun seeing the endresult

[AJ]

Eep!

Good god that's a fantastic tree!

[MagnusL3D]

Yickes...*jawdropping*

[hypercube]

great googly moogly! That's freakin' awesome. :eek:

ZBrush explains how you got all those great flowing natural shapes so quickly, too..that rules. Love the curling at the ends.

This should be spectacular when you're done..keep it coming! :)

[ZrO-1]

The texturing and the lighting are what really impress me. Those slime trails are, well, perfect. They even go so far as to tint the wood under the slime a slightly darker, richer tone. As far as the rest of the textures, the bump is the perfect amount for the scale of your tree. The bark and patches of exposed wood has excelent tonality, and contrast well together.

I'm not crazy about the modeling though. To me it looks more like a cluster of tenticles or undersea coral formations than tree branches and twigs.

If you could keep the lighting you have now, and transfer that simply awesome texture(s) to a decient tree model I think my my brian would boil out my ears and heart burst forth from my chest in sheer amazement and awe of the beauty that you created.:)

[Cockofthewok]

Wohoo! Pixelator is here! I used a lot of your tutorials on zbrushcentral. It's amazing how useful zbrush is yet no one knows about it. the coolest thing about it is it's only 12 megs! (last time I checked) Didn't you head the staff writing the code on that monster?

I hope you don't mind if I show them your gallery?

http://209.132.69.82/user-gallery/getthumbs.shtml?1_Alon&linkall

Well, cheers and good luck!

[Pixolator]

Thanks for kind feedback:)
Zro-1: You managed to flawlessly combine critique with poetry :thumbsup:

Here is the next update…
http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1023049150syl.jpg
Still to come… tree/character refinements, foliage, background, environment, crawlers.
-Pixolator

P.S. There is a noticeable loss of quality and details in the above image due to jpg compression.

[UrbanFuturistic]

P.S. There is a noticeable loss of quality and details in the above image due to jpg compressionYou mean the original's even better?
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/odubtaig/smilies/eek2.gifregards, Paulhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/odubtaig/smilies/coffee.gif

[Adam]

sorry for my ignorance but how did you texture this so perfectly and how does z brush work to allow such fluid branches. is it a paint style or poly modeling

[UrbanFuturistic]

It's like a volumetric painting app. You can paint with depth, and add layers... like sculpting by adding layers of coloured clay... how much is it again..?

More info here (http://pixologic.com/)

Note: I see Pixelator has a few pics in the feature tour :thumbsup:
regards, Paulhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/odubtaig/smilies/coffee.gif

[ZrO-1]

Holy CR^P!

Well I'm way out of my league in this challenge. That thing is so awesome it's inspireing and discouraging at the same time. No crits...I'm speechless (and if you've read some of my long-winded posts you'd know that this doesn't happen often).

[Hexodam]

OMG:eek:

[Prisoner]

Man, your character rulez!
that wood texture.... if i could only do someting like that...
:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Jac]

Oh my holy frickin' cr@p!!! :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: Your character is very, very cool. It flows right with the other branches. Man, I was blown away by your 3d "sketch", if I only knew :D. I'm so out of my league.... I can't even hope to compete with this! I very much look forward to seeing further updates! This stuff :buttrock:

[Sangotten]

Freaking hell!!!

That work of yours is truly amazing, the modeling and the texturing is really nice, it's so good to see such high quality!

Keep it coming!!!:thumbsup:

[Equinoxx]

excellent one Pixolater, very creative . . .

i'd love to see more vines coming outa him tho

[psumo]

Can I see some wire frames??

thanks

[Pixolator]

Odubtaig, Adam, ZrO-1, Hexodam, Prisoner, Jac, Sangotten and Equinoxx : Thank you for your way-too-kind feedback:)
Adam: To add to what odubtaig explained (thanks odubtaig :) ) It is easy to apply accurate texture because it was done in the rendered-ZBuffer (bypassing UV cords transformations).
Psumo: Here are some wireframes (http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1023317437hac.jpg)

Thanks again for your kind replies; I’ll try to work on the next update soon,
-Pixolator

[Traiven3d]

Hey man, you have to be the god of zbrush ( :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: ), awesome work! I was wondering if Zbrush is capable of doing animation, or exporting models made from it? It reminds me a lot of Amorphium... more info here (http://www.amorphium.com)

[UrbanFuturistic]

Originally posted by Pixolator
To add to what odubtaig explained (thanks odubtaig :) ) It is easy to apply accurate texture because it was done in the rendered-ZBufferNo bother, you've piqued my interest in this quite unique product again.

Can it actually maintain true 3D models now or is it still in the domain of 2.5D? I ask because this might be the one product that starts me using Windows again(1)
regards, Paulhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/odubtaig/smilies/coffee.gif

(1)Which I usually call 'the great evil that makes me wanna kill people'.

[AJ]

Shit....

That's far too good for my liking.

Scrap it! Scrap it all!!

*walks off whimpering*

[pascal_blanche]

great character pixolator, master of the Z brush :applause: :applause:

[Pixolator]

Thanks for your kind feedback:)

Traiven3d: Yes, you can keep a 3D object in full 3D mode while modeling and texturing and then export it to be used in 3D animation programs.
Odubtaig: That’s funny:) you need not switch systems; use the Mac version:)
AJ_23: Consider it scraped:)
Virtuoso: Yes, I am not done with this image and more items will be added.
Pascal: Thank you:) (Excellent work in your gallery!)

[Pixolator]

Image updated and posted in the next page.

[levin]

are you human?

[Error323]

uhm.......
















:drool: :bounce: :buttrock: :bounce: :drool:

[UrbanFuturistic]

Nice update... although the guy on the right seems a bit nu-metal/punk rawk (as opposed to rock) in attitude and 'hair'-style... maybe when he gets the weapons. If you feel you're losing too much detail then what's stopping you posting a link to a high-res version? Eh? Eh?

Asides: What makes you think I'm using a Mac? I be Linux Monkey Boy, trying to get to grips with Realsoft3D Linux Beta and finding my GeForce DDR wholly inadequate for what I want to do. I tried to install LiteStep in Windows the other day to give a lighter and more 'me' interface... oh how I cried as I spent eight and a half hours fixing Windows.
Ahhh, 3D on the cheap.... it sucks :thumbsdow

....and you still haven't answered my question, could those creatures you've created by layering by fullon 3D or is it still all 2.5D?
regards, Paulhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/odubtaig/smilies/coffee.gif

[sting]

Great work PIX, Looking forward to see more updates......:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Pixolator]

levin: Most of the time.
Odubtaig: You are correct, the head needs work. The main item that I did not like about the head on the right was that its placement and orientation may falsely suggest that the guardian on the right is attacking the guardian on the left and that’s not good. At this time, they both share the same head shape and mirrored-orientation.
As for your question: You can create/import/edit/texture a 3D object and keep it in 3D domain to be exported to other 3D animation apps but if you are not intending to create an animation then 2.5D allows you to get faster from concept to final image. You may want to check ZBC (http://www.zbrushcentral.com) for more info about this.
About linking a higher res image: I may include a higher resolution/quality image with the final version while keeping the WIP images smaller in size for faster download.
Sting: Thanks, Nice 'seeing' you here:)

[Pixolator]

“Enchanted Forest: Keepers of the Gate”
http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1023616962xrf.jpg
Notes: The guardian on the left will be holding a key while the one on the right will be holding a shield and a torch (or a weapon). Only those who are allowed to pass will be given a key while the unfortunate souls will be sent to oblivion. The wood structure in the middle will be transformed into a gold plated symmetrical gate (lock in middle) with an imbedded precious/shining stone. Part of the gate and the wood/keepers will be red-hot to the touch (glowing yellow/orange/red). Clouds/fog and a moon will be added as well as foliage and whatever else will be needed:)
Thanks,
-Pixolator

[iC4]

wonderful :applause:

[TheBeast]

omg that is so cool! :thumbsup: :eek:

[OZ]

damn amazing work! i never see before sTUFF lIKE uR!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[MagnusL3D]

This is totally amazing..dunno if you answerd this before but are those textures procedural ? or where you just born with insane uv-mapping skills ? :)

[Scott Harris]

oh my lord!
hay thats really cool :applause:

[UrbanFuturistic]

Oh yes that rocks a mighty phat one!

One thing I notice is you've added a bit more detail to the fingers/knuckles... either that or I'm more inebriated than I realise :D

One thing that surprised me is how much you read into my minor crit but it's still an improvement. Now return the individuality of the characters! :bounce: ...and don't take down the older pics, how're people gonna learn from the evolution of your art if they can't see it?

Now I's afraid they's gonna jump out and pull me in :argh:

May try LiteStep install again... now I know I'm drunk :applause:
regards, Paulhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/odubtaig/smilies/coffee.gif

[wlau]

Pixelator,

Hey great work, always nice to see this thread.

However, is it possible for you to post a wireframe of the models please? Does z-brush allow for wireframes? if so, it'd be awesome to see one. Thanks.

wlau

[levin]

this reminds me of the WALL forest creatures in Magic: The Gathering

[Pixolator]

Thank you for kind feedback:)
Patlab: Its a combination of texture and procedural noise material and further adjustments after the object has been ‘stamped’ in the ZBuffer.
Wlau: There is an early wireframes image in page 3.
Odubtaig: I am currently experimenting with various ideas, there is still a long time to go before this challenge is over so I expect that there will be many more changes to the ‘look’ and ‘story’ of the image. (Either that, or finish this image now and start a new thread. :) )

Here is a partial image of one of these tests…
http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1023796287gtp.jpg
Thanks,
-Pixolator

[Guess Who]

:eek:

The veg is great!
The glowing roots are sweet, too!

:drool:

We're not worthy...

:bowdown:

[hypercube]

HOLY ZOMBIE JESUS. That's @$%@$%# insane. And insanely good. And..damn. There aren't enough expletives. Since there isn't a me-commiting-suicide smilie..

:bowdown:

[Kaos]

so Pixolator, i take it then that Zbrush is quite good for this kind of thing.... could you explain the process you went through to create the foliage on that last image?? did you model the plants and then position them by hand or some kind of scatter utility or maybe grow them out of the mesh??

I LOVE your image.....

[Pixolator]

Guess Who: Who?;) thanks for kind feeback.
Hypercube: That’s funny, thanks! (excellent boxed-avatar:thumbsup: *wonders what’s inside?*)
Kaos: You are correct, these are scattered 3D-models. Here are 3 progressive stages…
http://www.pixolator.com/ubb/uploaded_files/user_image-1023859642mnb.jpg
If you look closely, you’ll see that the ‘flower’ model is actually the same 3D model that I have done for the inner
portion of the shield in the previous page:) This was done for testing purposes only, the models for the final image will be more detailed.

Thanks:)
-Pixolator

[ZrO-1]

In your last pic with the version on the left, your foliage is starting to look like a christmas door wreath. :D I think there's too many different colored berries and flowers that are too densly packed into the greenery. :shrug: Just my opinion on the foliage. I love the glow. That works so well, and I love how it fades back into the natural wood so well.

[rolhionjs]

god of 3D + Zbrush = PIXOLATOR !! :) Wonderful.... no more words ! got my vote...

[Wiro]

Bloody hell that's really awesome! The ammount of detail is staggering! I'm still trying to understand how ZBrush works...2.5D doesn't say much to me :)
I checked out the Zbrush features on the website but I still don't get how you can apply that ammount of detail without the PC totally bogging down. All those small tentacly things and the flowers...how many polys are in that scene? Or is that a 2D effect?And the lighting looks like GI or not?
Can you explain a bit how Zbrush works?

Wiro

[UrbanFuturistic]

As Wiro's moniker seemed to fail :applause:

2.5D usually means it's 3D designed to be viewed from only one angle ie: modelling only the side of a building that's going to be seen in the background of a shot. Not 3D because you can't view it from any angle but not 2D because it has depth.

Of course, whether you could view Pixolator's work from other angles I don't know, but the above definitely applied for release one.

Hence the name ZBrush! :D
regards, Paulhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/odubtaig/smilies/coffee.gif

[Bezerker75]

amazing.....is z-brush sorta like paint effects for maya? I could have used something like that for my entry...looking great...keep it going...:thumbsup:

[alaklij]

This is beautiful. I recommend contrasting the entire piece against something blue. I'm not going to suggest anything more tha blue.
Beautiful.:beer:

[impending]

Well Hello Mr. Pix,

Enchanted . . . . . your work indeed belongs in this category. I too look forward to seeing your completed image.

All the best to you !

jd

[j00st81]

aah mAn! Why am I even thinking of going into 3D stuff:surprised
this is like: orgasm-nistic-AWSOME!
http://216.40.201.38/ups/hyper-x/flame.gif

[Galo]

DAMN....thats really nice....

but i don't get it... at http://pixologic.com/ that picture is on the front page, did you made it cause it's not in the galleries... and your name isn't there...

ahh im sorry.... i say it at the gallery's now

[stereo]

your work is really amazing, so many details ans great colours, i mean it is a magical image ....:drool:




:thumbsup: really love this

waiting for next update with environment

[Sama3d]

Pix ya outa make some timelapse videos. That will give us some more info and background on how it works.

-Sama

[mjm]

Galo: Pixolator is Ofer Alon, creator of Zbrush and founder of Pixologic. So that explains why his images are all over the Zbrush site =]

Pixolator: Great stuff, as always. This is definitely getting my vote thus far.

[doohicky]

I love owning ZBrush...its a great visualization app for getting
ideas out quick....and it has real value in the 3d arsenal.....one
of the coolest features are the "tutorials"....anyone can "ZScript"
a tutorial that takes over the interface and literally takes a person
step by step through the process....it opens dialogues, tools and
whatever ....and at the end, you'll have a finished model with textures,etc....that you can save and study for later....Pix has made dozens of these tut's for download....I can create with total
freedom.....

[Sama3d]

Thats amazing, reminds me of the nendo/ painter scripts, but sounds alot better. Someone try and turn one o those scripts into a video.

pretty please

-Sama

[fellah]

really one of my favorites in this challenge, very original. haven't seen anything like this elsewhere,
you've got a vote from over here :thumbsup:

[TVeyes]

Sama3D: I'm pretty sure you can run the scripts using the Demo version of ZBrush (for both Mac & Win ). Try it out. But beware, I tried it last week and now i'm 292.50$ lighter:)

Regarding the pictures....:thumbsup: ...well I better not add any more praise or Pixolators head might very well explode.

[leigh]

Wow AWESOME work!! :applause: :applause:

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