ALIENWARE Challenge Entry: Ricky Cox

[rickycox]

I'm just going for something simple to start with, playing with abstract form.

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1067101375_large.jpg

[juanitopablito]

Amazing design, but structures look like simple rock formations. Are you planning on something special for the materials?

[klingspor]

I'd agree with juanitopablito, it looks interesting but not exactly what I'd call "alien"... looks quite earthly really, like a storm in a desert!

[rickycox]

I'm going to try and keep it as loose as possible and working with a limited palette in terms of colour.

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1067617335_large.jpg
http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/002.jpg

[ZrO-1]

Man riki, I love the style you have with this concept piece. It kind of has a classical-asian / far-east feel to it.

If you could manage to get your render to have a similar feeling you should have a truly first-class piece on your hands.

:thumbsup:

[opendesigner]

Hi, I really like your sketch......
from now I' m just working on the Idea.....so I will post something later.....

GOOOOOODDD WOOOOORRKK ;)

AND GOOD LUCK :P

Open

[rickycox]

Thanks for the positive words. I've been trying to refine the concept, but finding it difficult to draw with a mouse. Plus Photoshop crashes continually when I use the brush tool.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/000_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/000.jpg)

[Powell]

Looks good so far..The colors work really well together, but it does feel a little too earthy right now...kinda like a swamp.
Yer crazy paintin with a mouse!:p
keep up the good work:thumbsup:

[rickycox]

Yet another variation, remix version.

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1067436813_large.jpg
http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/003.jpg

[rickycox]

Kicking off with the Terrain

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1068981476_large.jpg

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/004.jpg

[rickycox]

I've just been looking at Dusso's site, there's some amazing work here for inspiration.

Check the Matte Paintings

re: http://www.dusso.com/

[Gobbledoc]

Looking good so far, one of the most alienish entries i have seen... i like the abstract feel.
Sounds like you could do with a new alienware PC if photoshop crashes when using brushes etc. ;)
good luck, it's good to see a fellow lightwaver in the challenge.

[rickycox]

Testing how the mesh deforms. I can see some problems here with the two flat N-gons, that I'll have to sort.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/005.jpg

[pigwater]

absolutely fab sketch work ... i have no idea what your gonna model, but the sketches are works of art for sure:thumbsup:

[ZrO-1]

Hey riki, I like the direction your 2D work has taken here. The more abstract composition is extremely cool.

If you can approximate that level of abstraction in your 3D piece you should have one masterfull work on your hands.

[Designer2]

the rocks are crystalizing in a beautiful manner, i expect to see more inspiring thoughts,

keep going the creativity,
:hmm:

[dixit13]

Nice sketching ,,,,please explain more about the concept behind it ............looking forward to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup:

[rickycox]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. My concept is fairly abstract, and I guess that reflects the way I like to work.

[kjc]

I really admire your work. Looking at the pics it seems that you play a lot with opacity values in layers? no? And 'bleeding' images into eachother. I like this style and going with the alien concept I might suggest that it's a location where there are echoes of past/future civilisations... playing on a coextensive environment that has - shall we say rips in which we can see the other possibilities. Now all you have to do is represent a rational spot from which we the viewer can behold this anomaly.

Can't wait to see updates. This has really great potential to be amazing.

[rickycox]

I've started adding some detail, plus a wire of the shell in it's clean state. Click on the image to see the wireframe view.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/006_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/006.jpg)

[rickycox]

I've been rethinking my original concept, trying to push in new directions. The end result probably won't look at all like the inital sketches. But it's all part of the process.

[Atwooki]

Starting to look real interesting, riki!

pigwater:
Great avatar! Did you design/build this guy? Gotta big render?

Atwooki

[rickycox]

Thanks Atwooki I need all the encouragement I can get

:beer:

[pigwater]

riki ...really like how it's come along .. nice tight work

i hope you have a place in it for your "cosmic vomit" preset:)

will be curious as to see what's next:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

---------------
pigwater: Great avatar! Did you design/build this guy? Gotta big render?

i hope you don't mean this one ...

[rickycox]

Originally posted by pigwater
i hope you have a place in it for your "cosmic vomit" preset:)

LOL ooohhh I think I'll give that one a wide berth :) I really want to stick to muted colours. Lighting and texturing is going to be a huge part of this. Hopefully I can get the mood right.

It's funny I always think something looks good, that is until you make it better, then you look back and think, uuugh that sucked :)

[rickycox]

For the story line I was thinking of some kind of pit, that's been gatherring bones over the years and these giant encrusted shells. I'll expand upon this idea as I go.

[Segmoria]

undoubtedly, the highlight of your renders are the cubicles.
I marvel them, and what a splendid material they have!
I could see something hidden being nested up there...

did you used nurbs for modelling them?
can you post a wireframe of them ?

[rickycox]

Thanks, just updated one of the above images to include a wire of the shell.

[Bungjo]

Hey man, i've got some pointers for you. By the way great picture, keep improving the lighting. I like the elements you made here, especially the shell like alien objects. Ooo, whats that thing hovering? keep it up man...

http://webpost.net/jd/jdbpix/RickyCox_suggestions01.JPG

1. try to setup the steam/smoke in different witdths cuz of perspective. You know things gets bigger when close and smaller when far. It just creates depth. Play with the scale of your 'alien, spike objects' too.

2. An IDEA: I thought you might add an effect that the holes under the water would create bubbles. You world looks something like from a hot springs [hence your steam/smoke effect].

3. about those spikes, I dont know if you've explained it what they are.I think those single spikes does nothing to your composition. Its a bit distracting. Maybe just take it out or maybe trim it, just like what im showing here and spread on to your 'alien object'. It would look cool and dangerous man.
:eek:

[Ian Jones]

Bungo: Your image is making an authentication box pop up! remove it please.

[rickycox]

Thanks Bungo, really appreciate the feedback. I like your idea with the bubbles, will also fix up the steam etc add lots of grunge to the shells.

Lots of work needed on lighting. I'll try and post some comments on the storyline next to explain the image a bit better.

[rickycox]

Started texturing long long way to go. Haven't started on the shells yet. They will look completely different hopefully when I'm done.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/007_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/007.jpg)

[splotch]

nice work ... I like your color I suggest to make more debth in your scene ...

good luck :applause:

[rickycox]

Hi splotch sorry for the slow reply, someone else mentioned the same thing in the Newtek forum. I am working on the background, just winging it as I go. Hopefully I'll have something to show next post.

[rickycox]

Made a tentative start on the background.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/008_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/008.jpg)

[TheFirstAngel]

Hey riki, you're doing a nice Job here!
See, your modeling lets grow an interesting and cool landscape.

I mention you should add there something to set the dimensions,
but whatever great work so far, I'll wait to see more!:thumbsup:

[Designer2]

very good work so far, i agree with the1st_angel about giving your models a depth and bit dimensions, reflections in the foreground looks closely to mirror if that's what you were up to, then you got it if not i think you should redo that with new values.

:thumbsup:

[rickycox]

BTW if you click on the image it'll take you to a larger version.

I'm working on the background still. I've decided that it needs something other than hills or canyons. I'm thinking of making some kind of ribbed like structure that fades into the distance and gives the impression of being in some sort of pit, lit from above. I also need to play around with DOF.

Just to give some idea of where I'm going and what I still need to do. I have to work on the water, maybe add some bubbles from a thermal vent and ripples on the surface. I've started scunging things up with HV on the waterbed, I want to continue this further, mixing a variety of HV types. Whatever works. maybe scunge on the water-surface as well.

With the snow-like terrain, I've started to experiment with other sufracing options, hoping to stumble across some happy accidents. I want something to contrast with the metallic looking clay in the centre.

I'm going to change those antenna like spikes on the shells and add some variety to each shell so that they don't look like three clones. I might use an alpha map to break one of the shells up a bit and surface with weight maps. I also purchased a copy of 'Wrinkle' but so far have had more success adding detail by hand.

I like the current leathery surface, but it's a preset that I downloaded from a previous Newtek Comp. I guess there's no laws against using presets in the CG Challenge Comp but I may mess with it a bit. I wasn't too keen on the bump.

I have to spend some time on the lighting, which isn't my strong point. I tried using radiosity and set the scene up to render overnight but made little in the way of progress by the following morning. I guess I need to check 'Respower' if I want to go down that path. Any lighting suggestions would be great. To my eye the current setup looks okay.

PS fill me in if you have any tips. Is it possible to use HDRI? using Policarbs technique with the normal res images. Obviously a hdri with a blue sky and a green field isn't going to work well here.

I'm thinking about having a few thermal vents on the surface that will emit light and smoke and help add to the errie feel. Eerie is good. People like that. I can't see myself winning the comp, but I'd like to have an extra image to add to my folio and maybe contend for the Alienware Coffee Cup ;)

I'm also going to redo those spline like structures and add more detail, extra layers etc. maybe throw a few more new elements into the mix if I can find the room. Maybe an egg-sack, suspended from above or some kind of urchins on the waterbed.

I do want to go mad with the scunge and cobwebs (for want of a better word). Basically I mean layers of crusty looking dirt and grime, that's been building up over time.

Any suggestions please add. If it sucks please let me know.

[Designer2]

oh, there is still much to do, then keep groovin man and let us go WoW as angel says... :D

[BClaw]

WOW! Very nice!

[TheFirstAngel]

Hey mate, why this depressive undertone, you doin' good!
Well the water could use a bumpmap that lets it look like water also, this helps to set the relations, cuz of the wavesize, so make the structure be smallscaled... the reflections are getting complex broken will make it look it like water. You could use a celular kinda map from high angles, standartwater in max, looks shitty, maybe lightwaves waterstructure looks better, just experiment....

If you work with snow, remember its a transluscent material, you could work with a few secondarylayers and a very fine noise as oppacity and bump, so it will get the effect of being complex. Bring in some relations, wich means, if this is snow, snow comes from above and also is landing on all the other objects, bring the objects into relations with each other, repeat parts of the matrials with each other, bring snow on the metallic rocks, let metalstructure become visable into the convex parts of the snowy fields.

And also let a few things stick trough the watersurface. This will make the whole scene more complex without much more objects: the key is, substructuring, and build on a style you create on your base, and yours is fat.
Now kick some butts, and make us fall of our chairs, rock this thing and make us go wow!!!!:applause:

[cobalt1410]

I really love how your piece is coming on. When I saw your sketches I have to admit that I thought there would be no way that you would be able to model it but you have proved me wrong, it's looking amazing and I can't wait to see the next step.

[rickycox]

Thanks guys for the encouragement and merry christmas to all. When I look back through these pages I can't believe how long I've been going at this. Only a month to go.

Here's a small update, the render times are getting larger and larger. I think this took about 4 hours and I've already redone the glacier surface. (a better version than shown here) I have done another version with ripples on the water, but still tweeking it to get it right.

Viper doesn't seem to show transperancy which makes it hard to tweek.

Okay back to the grind, coffee grind that is :)

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/009.jpg

[Ian Jones]

Really wacky, very gritty and nice pallette. The materials are really great. IMO it lacks the 'vastness' described in the guidelines, but I'm unsure how important that is anyway. More importantly I think your image needs some work to soften it up a bit and make it less 'cg'. You'll probably be moving onto that next, but I'm just saying that it needs some atmosphere and a bit of post work to help move it away from the cg look. Anyway, I love the way you aren't getting carried away with bright and oversaturated colours, like some ppl seem to be doing. The de-saturated and rustic kind of feel is really great. I hope that helps.

[rickycox]

Here's a slight variation that I wanted to show to highlite a couple of issues. Just ignore the metallic gonad in the forground. It probably won't be there for much longer.

The surface here looks more like snow. Very Christmassy I guess, which also doesn't fit very well with the brief, but I'm having fun with it which I guess is the main thing.

Anyway the first issue: I'd really love to get a combination of this snow like surface mixed with the glacier/ice like surface show in the previous image. I'm just not sure how that can be achieved.

The second issue: I really love the HV detail at the foot of the image but the darker water with the ripples tends to mask this a lot. I've been trying to get that balance right but it's not quite there yet.

Thanks Ian, I'm hoping to add some background elements which might add a sense of scale and grandeur. I haven't finished modeling yet but when I'm done, hopefully next week, I'll focus on some of the finer details.

I have to agree with you on the colour issue. I think using a limited pallete can really be effective.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/011.jpg

[rickycox]

This is an idea of the final comp so that it fits with the suggeted/required image size re: 2657W x 3636H. I'm thinking about adding some ambient background detail. Just something subtle to add a sense of scale.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/010.jpg

[Ian Jones]

Ahhh yes... this extra headspace is good. Balances things out a lot more. It already changes the feeling of scale, since it seems more like an epic scene when you can see the expanse of the sky. It really helps those bone like structures, because now they have something to reach out for.

[rickycox]

Thanks Ian, I think your right. I'm going to attempt a matte painting for the background. I've done some tests and the results look good so far, will post some shots when I'm done.

Today I've just been messing 'just for fun' with this Robocop preset from Luxology. I don't intend to use it, but wanted to share the amazing results. It looks almost Toon Shaded, almost gives my shell a batman feel.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/012.jpg

[TheFirstAngel]

Hi Mate! Felt down the last days a bit, and because I wanted to bew able to give some usable suggesions, it took me a while to sit here down.
I agree with Ian Jones so far, the extraheadspace gives you many possebillities to get a lot more out of the potential your composition has.
The glaciers on the last shot llok brilliant, I like that holething, but the composition looks more ballanced and lighter without it.
The ripples do the water good, now, it looks much more like water.
I have a suggestion about the bone towers. I think it would look great if the have a bit of weathered bones, a bit bump like some darker or different matt/specular mixed up areas, they look too clean yet and regular, I think it'd be cool if you break hat up a bit.

Can't wait to see your mattepainting! The batmanshells are cool,
and if you ever should decide to enter Gotham City, letme know I'm with u! (can i model catwomwan?)
Keep your wonderfull work goin' mate, love your unique style.
Have fun, be inspired, and keep on rockin' mate, make me go wow!:buttrock:

[tr1cky]

It's pretty cool and very unique looking right now. Adding things to the sky will be a problem, one I'm having as well. But hopefully we'll both figure something out! :)

[rickycox]

Hey Tricky do you have much more modeling to go?? It's looking good.

We're almost on the home stretch now, only three weeks to go. It should be fun.

[tr1cky]

not so much more riki. I'm just playing with shaders right now, I'll post some shots of me playing around pretty soon. It's gonna be tight pulling it all together in the end ;)

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/013.jpg

I have to admit the milestones become a bit blurred, not sure if I'm modeling, texturing or lighting :) The blank space at the top will be filled once I drop the bgd plate in.

This render took 6 and half hours on my 400 G4 with 384m of Ram. I've been checking out respower, setup the ftp connection last night. Still sussing it out.

[Wanksta]

wow man this is real goood, the modelling and texturing is just... excellent! 6 hourd of rendering... my alien scene it's aLOT shorter rendering (quite a beginner ;p)

just great work man, the whole thing is a very good composition :D

[rickycox]

Thanks Wanksta, This is my first "real" attempt at a complete scene. I just wish it would could come together much quicker. I guess it takes time to develop speed.

I'd love to play around with radiosity, GI, HDRIs, Fog etc etc. Not sure if it's needed?? But worried about how it might effect the render times.

The backgrounds not right, still haven't made a serious attempt at that yet.

The snow section still needs to be broken up with a layer of ice. Plus I started modeling some organic matter coming out of the water, but most of that can't be seen. I need to do lots of fine tuning. But generally happy with the direction it's taking so far.

[rickycox]

This is just a crude test, with a crude matte background plate, crudely composited. Just thinking aloud, obviously the lighting isn't right, but I'm wonderring if I can pull something like this off effectively with maybe some secondary 3d detail in the mid ground. I'd have to do it properly, with a proper drawing. But what do people think??

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/014.jpg

[TheFirstAngel]

midground: (main object section) is already nice and complex

background: looks too close to the midground now to my eyes. Try to bring in a bit more distance. Loved the particles you have made in your step before

The round thing that looks like a mine: would fit better into the scene i think if the sticks looking out of it would be some rusted metal. Just a thought.

Lightning: try attenuation to let lightning fall off and more tageted illumination, a slight colored backlight could look cool, blue or cyan offer in earthtones as they are complementary and look also nice on the snow.

To experiment around, with fog or lightning and not to wait 6 hours (respect, your patience, wow!) you can build lowpoly objects of the same dimensions with the same mass and placement like your scene objects, and blend the highpoly parts out. (just for tests such as lightning or fog aso.)

Goodluck and be inspired, and keep on rockin' makin' me go wow!:buttrock:

[BClaw]

Very creepy and cool! :cool: I'm excited to see the final version. :applause:

[tr1cky]

Looking very interesting and very original. Have you tried a more directed light source? (like coming straight from the top), right now it just seems ambiently lit with no real shadowing.

[rickycox]

Hi angel, I gotta say this is doing my head in. "give us another month please CG!" :) Just joking.

I agree with you on the need to add more distance. Not really sure the best way to do that, but it's on my list.

I just uploaded a new version of the mine, with rusted spikes. But I think I'm going to drop it altogether from the scene. Maybe replace it with something more organic and alien like, rather than any references to humans. It sticks out too much plus I think the overall scene would look more creepy without it.

Thanks also for the tip on using low poly-stand-ins, that going to definately save my bacon :)

Thanks BClaw, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to seeing the final version. Only 3 more weeks to go.

Thanks Tricky lighting is a really big issue that I have to deal with. It's coming slowly, surely, hopefully :)

I really appreciate the feedback. It helps me to look at the image in different ways.

[TheFirstAngel]

The mine looks much better now, good to hear the tip with stand ins helped. Can't wait to see your next update!
Keep on rockin' this is one of my favourite treads at all, keep on make me go wow!!!!:beer: :buttrock: :applause:

[rickycox]

Thanks Angel, last night's experiment sucked. Anyway Have a great NY everyone.

[TheFirstAngel]

:bounce: Update Update!!!! :bounce:
Check your PM's mate! Happy New Year!

[rickycox]

Eeeeeerrr yesterday was really unproductive. Trying to get Respower working but no luck so far. Also been messing around with the camera angle, but no joy to date. The weekends almost here (Friday arvo in Sydney) so check back for an update "so soon!" :)

[rickycox]

Time for a small update. I've got Respower working for me now and I've started outputting some high-res passes. I can see now that this is really going to come together in the compositing stage. Still lots of work to do yet though.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/015_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/015.jpg)

[TheFirstAngel]

Hot stuff riki! Looks absolutely Awesome!:buttrock:

[rickycox]

Uuuugggh I just finished a 12 hour render, it was looking great and then Digital Confusion turned the whole pix to grey Muck.

I didn't realise with Lightwave if you open and close the DC panel it activates automatically, then you have to hunt through the system to deactivate it. Not user-friendly if I might say so.

[TheFirstAngel]

Update update!!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[rickycox]

Hey angle here's a small update, added some scunge to the shells. Also renderred out some high res background passes today, getting everything ready :)

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/016.jpg

[TheFirstAngel]

Cool, gives a "things in Swamp" athmosphere now, so I can't wait to see your next update!:scream: :thumbsup: :buttrock:

[rickycox]

Yep looks like swampy space urchins is the way to go :)

Only two weeks left. Can't wait to get this thing finished.

[TheFirstAngel]

:buttrock: Of corse rikis swampthings rock, give em a really natural touch! Makes me curious how your next update will look like!:beer:

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/017.jpg

Only two weeks left, must be time to sign off on the concept art. Isn't that how it works, with real world clients :)

[Designer2]

Hi riki this is getting very nice, i like the water it is now very realistic, keep up this nice work, you rock.... :buttrock:

[rickycox]

Thanks Mohammed, I'm really happy with the water, I just need to build up that level of detail in a few other sections.

[rickycox]

Sorry no updates, having problems trying to get my scene to render. Hopefully work something out soon.

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/018.jpg

I'm going to spend the next two days finishing off the modeling process.

[eska]

VERY NICE.
I like the feel of old paint on it
Best:bounce: :bowdown:

[rattlesnake]

hey, really original stuff here, your models and effects looks really cool, but i dont understand, this is only your concept sketch, wow:eek: cant imagine the final entry:surprised good work

[Defonten]

Agreeing with Rattlesnake! Looks very promising! Can't wait to C FR !!!

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/019.jpg

Just coverring my Modeling Milestones, sorry that last pix was also meant to be Modeling, not Concept. Duh my bad.

Thanks Defonten, Rattlesnake and Eska, I really can't wait to see that FR myself. Maybe for different reasons though. :)

But I feel good today. I've been getting some good advice, really hoping to nail the last of the modeling tomorrow. Sounds like an impossible task but not much time left.

Okay back to Work. :wip:

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/020.jpg

Just some quick tests, you can download my LW surface preset from the Luxology link below.

[TheFirstAngel]

Seems your days get more productive.
Love your impressionistic way of work, this is fineart and CG in a fantasic fusion, your "finishing touches (minor details) look very cool. IWhen I interpret your Sketch right, you plan to add 3 vertical and 1 horoizontal Objects, so more eyecandy is on the way!
Keep it up Mate, can't wait to see your bombasitc Final Render either! Keep on Rockin!:buttrock:

[saturen3]

:wip: oooohhhh
your modeling,lighting and materialing Realy is amazing.

[rickycox]

What is Iron Chef riki cooking up for us today?? Looks like a 40 foot Brontasarus tail. Sorry I should get out more :)

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/021.jpg

[TheFirstAngel]

Haha. wow, no WOOOOW, heavy metal you put on the dish again! Yummy, crack, oh damn, that was my last real tooth... :surprised:
Trash me, flash me bring on that lightwavehotstuff! Keep on rockin' chef Riki! :buttrock:

[rickycox]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1074089508_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1074089508_large.jpg)

Some preliminary tests with volumetric lights.

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/022.jpg

Testing my bone textures in situ.

[rickycox]

I'm feeling fairly confident now tht I can nail this pup.

The above render is just a quick test with no displacement maps, volumetric lights removed, and no AA and SubPatch Render level turned down. The render time being 7 minutes rather than 7 hours.

I've got Res sussed, been testing split renders and their auto-stitcher, plus start playing with FLX format for the first time. Lots of fun.

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/023_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/023.jpg)

Still a way to go, but starting to take shape.

[TheFirstAngel]

Yess mate, it's wicked wild and thats why i love it! The new elemets rock big time!
Keep Groovin Matey!:buttrock:

[rickycox]

Thanks big-time Sacha :beer:

I've still got to get the lighting right, add some hint of a distant background, add all the HV detail and the glacier highlites to the snow. Plus I've got this oily looking scunge texture that I want to add to the mix somehow.

Also I think it needs some sort of dynamic element, wind, vol lights, or something just to set it off.

Should be in for a long weekend. So much to do, so little time.

[TheFirstAngel]

Dynamic details: Loved your particlestorm, could imagine to have a big "splash" raising like a big bow over your composition, in that same powerfull style you already done before...
rushhour rushhour :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: let's get busy mate!

[JamesMK]

Now this is shaping up real good. I like the new background structures a lot. I'd look into losing some of the specularity in the objects towards the bottom of the image. Or break it up with some dirtmap or procedural noise. In my mind at least, specularity doesn't go well with stuff that's supposed to be really big and somewhat organic.

Keep going now, time is running out!

[rickycox]

I need to dirty my image up a bit, add some background is high on the list and I really think it needs some sort of dynamic element. As you can see in my rough concept sketch I'm thinking along the lines of a blizzard. Just not too sure how to go about that in 3d. Any hints send them this way.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/024_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/024.jpg)

[JamesMK]

For a blizzard in 3D I have to assume you would want to try some particles bundled up with wind and turbulence modifiers. At least that's what people usually suggest - never got any decent results myself though... If you manage to get something OK out of the particles, then you can fix the last tweaks in 2D with a little bit of painting.

A blizzard would fit very well with the snowy and icy stuff that seems to be going on in your scene. Hope it works out!

[rickycox]

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1074262661_medium.jpg (http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/3/358/358_1074262661_large.jpg)

Playing with ideas for a bgd image.

[saturen3]

:bounce: so amazing!
could you tell us how did you do it?It`s a 3d image or a photoshop image?
powerful:drool:

[eska]

This is BEAUTIFUL WORK.
I LOOVEE the perfection of your picture.
But the main compliment what I have to give
is for the freedom of your artistic mind:

you are not afraid of braking harmony with diagonal lights,
arrange the objects together in a provocative manner,
and present everything in a baroque way.
You are definitely making ART here.
Best of the best:beer: :bowdown: :wavey:

[TheFirstAngel]

Very cool BGs, Love the painterly feel of them. I'd go for a lowcontrast BG so the FG Objects come out good. and light up the scene with a nice particlewave...
Keep on rockin' mate! :beer: :buttrock: :wip:

[rickycox]

Thanks saturen3 the matte background were done in photoshop using a number of sunny blue sky photos, pictures of rust and oil stains. I keep blending and working them up until they no longer look like photos.

The dark versions look a little too heavy, when added to the mix, I need to lower the contrast, to just a faint hint for distant background detail.

Thanks Eska I really appreciate your comments, it gives me extra power to stay focused. Keep going I can't wait to see your final render.

Hey Sacha, 54 hours are you kidding me ???? :) It's making me dizzy just think about it. I'm hoping and praying I don't leave the big render to late. My plan is to finish development tonight, do a small overnight test render. Final tweeks tomorrow morning and then hit the renderfarm asap. I can spend Monday on Post FX and upload monday night.

Well that's the plan, what could possibly go wrong :rolleyes:

ooohhh lets not go there :)

[saturen3]

:thumbsup: amazing working.!
You work with photoshop so stronge and its very good .about rendering i had a question from you:
How could i get the 300dpi resolution from render size.Every size divides to 72 or I can render in my size and create my photoshop image at 300dpi resolution ?

Visit my alienware challenge here please: (http://www.cgtalk.com/newreply.php)

[rickycox]

Just a rough 10min test without AA to see how the composit will look before I comit to the final render.

The final version contains volumetric lights, 2 HV scunge passes, HV particles, a glacier layer mixed in with he snow, and a deformation map on the metalic rock section.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/025.jpg

[rickycox]

Hi saturen

uuuuggghhh almost done :) I think we just render at 72dpi but as large as possible (2657W x 3636 H) is the suggested dimension. I think that's to go with Expose. I did read something about no renders smaller that 1500. I hope I'm giving the right info. maybe someone else can clarify.

But they did say not to size up in photoshop. Which makes sense.

uuuughhh no sleep tonight :) Keep going mate
:buttrock:

[saturen3]

Tnanks dear riki.
YOu are ok.It means that we must render at 72dpi and new file in photoshop with 72dpi.Its my mean.

visit my alienware challenge here (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1084433#post1084433)

[Cullen]

hey riki.
the bg image added looks great.
your piece looks awesome.
good luck in these final days.

[kjc]

Hey Riki looking great , on the render size, make SURE that you render your final image at a 300dpi resolution. For the final submission in TIFF format that is. 72dpi should only be for the milestones. Good luck. Keep at it mate.

[rickycox]

Thanks Kjc, but Lightwave doesn't have an option to render at 300dpi, 72 is the max. I'm just going by the specs 2657W x 3636H That would be a massive file at 300dpi.

[TheFirstAngel]

OK, to add this finishes hopefully the questions. DPI do not matter in 3d. Just render the required amount of pixels (around 2700 px width for portrait orientation or 3636 px on landscape) dont think about dpi's in 3d resolution, its anyways gonna be 72dpi normally. Set the DPI to 300 in Photoshop (image size, uncheck the 'resample image' option) and there you go.
Save as .tif and then, resize the resoluition to 72 dpi, this time with resample checked. Save the small file now as JPG, this is your final submission for the thread. Compress the TIF with zip, and send it with the form to CG Talk. Thats it.

Hope this was complete now.
Hey Riki, Keeeeeep grovin and hold da pace, love the particles, can you add such a great splashing wave agan like the small one you did in youtr previous versions? Loved that dynamic!
Keep Groovin' mate!!!:buttrock: :beer: :wip:

[rickycox]

Thanks Angel your a life saver :)

I'm gonna write you back but gotta fly before I get further in the krap :)

[TheFirstAngel]

Best Luck Mate!!! And may the Coffe bring Force to you ;)

[saturen3]

:bounce: Thanks first angel,you always give us the urgency helps.:thumbsup:

[rickycox]

I can't believe it. It took me 1 hour to render on the renderfarm , then 5.5hrs to download the 120Mg file on my dialup. uuuggh. I was using 128. FLX format I think I'll have to stick to something a bit easier on my system.

[BClaw]

Very nice! :bowdown:

It looks like summat *very bad* happened here! :eek: A scary mystery!

Anyway, good luck in the final judging! :bounce: You do really nice work! :thumbsup:

[cucaracha]

hey hey

gogogo now! We're in the exciting phase now, can't wait to see your finished result!
(also goes out to sacha... yes, you!! a couple of post above me)

no crits from me so far. Maybe the water could be a bit stranger, wilder.

:buttrock: cu

my entry (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=109350&perpage=15&pagenumber=3)

[rickycox]

Thanks everyone, looks like I'm going to make it. I'm at the tail end of a 24hr render. I've had ten, count them, ten 2 GHz Pentium 4's with 1 GB of RAM working on it round the clock, just waiting for the final bucket and the bill :rolleyes:

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/027_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/027.jpg)

Just making sure I've got all my milestones well and truely coverred :)

[rickycox]

And a baroque version for eska.

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/028.jpg

[eska]

Ricky you are lovely.
Now, If I could, I would throw
myself in this small deep water,
there in the middle of the oazis,
till I am also a part of your
AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL WORK.
Thanks dear buddy,
and how angel would say,
let's rock together.
Best luck of the luck of the luck....:bowdown: :love: :wavey:

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/029_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/029.jpg)

Urgent advise pleeezze, I like the dank heavy post FX treatment but what do other ppl think??

[dreamer3dchic]

I like your last edition with the compositing. You should follow your instincts on this one (they seem to be doing you good so far). If there was one last thing you might want to change, I might suggest working with that last dark layer that you added, by making it feel more dimensional. That is. . that is appear in front of some objects, but behind others, so it feels more integrated with the rest of the environment rather than layed over the top.

Good job and good luck!

[RKurczewski]

Looks great IMHO. Only thing that I'd say is mising are small details that will give user impresion of the scale of entire structure.

[rickycox]

http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/030_sm.jpg (http://www.suture.net/files/cg_challenge/alienware/030.jpg)

All Done!

[JamesMK]

That turned out really good, Ricky! High weirdness coefficient indeed.

Good luck!

[rickycox]

Seriously, how good does it feel to be finally finished. It seems like I've been working on this for ages.

In the end I decided to go with the simpiler version. I'm happy with the results, have learned heaps in the process. Hopefully the next project will be bigger an better.

Many thanks to all the friends I've made in the process, can't wait to see all the final works.

Time for beer

:beer:

[eska]

Riki

I love your work. I love everything about it - and that's simply it.
Best of the best of the best of the best of the best....................
And a big good luck
:bowdown: :wavey:

[rickycox]

Thanks Eska and James, yeaaahhhh we made it. Time for party.

http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/party/party-smiley-020.gif

Just waiting for angel now.

[TheFirstAngel]

The grandfinal of a flashing most impressing imressionistic peiece of true Art in heavy steelworks shells and bones is pure eycandy and always was!!! sorry for the "little " timedelay, had a bit of troubles here but seems i hopefully made it in on the last mile now too!!!! nHAha, best luck of course on the Hudgement and let me congratulate on your stunning piece here, this not just rockz, hehe, thats heavy metal in rock da house def tribal h2OBooooobaztik man! haha gime an r gime an i gime an r gimi an i, who rockz da house???? haha, go Riki, Go Riki GO GO GO GO!!!!!Bbeer::buttrock::beer:

[saturen3]

Realy here is a strong sence back of this image.

Feeling of inversing or destroying any thing and creating all of them from the first.

Certainly i like it because of riki has broken many laws here and i think it`s the essence of ART.

Nice image and good techniques.

Thanks and best luck to you :thumbsup:

[rickycox]

haha LOL

yeeeah angel, keep rockin mate, so glad to see you made it in. I think my last challenge got about 3 votes, so I should blitz the 'most improved' category.

I'm looking forward to the next one. My GFs not looking forward to it, but should be fun.

:beer: :beer:

[rickycox]

Thanks also saturen3, I somehow missed your comment before?? Don't tell me I've unsubscribed from my own thread :)

I'm really happy with the results. Part of me wants to go back a tweak a few things here and there, but also keen to start something new.

Good luck to everyone. Voting is almost over. I'm not that concerned with the results, more looking forward to the next challenge.

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