For questions/answers on the Challenge, please post here…
[b] 1. Please read the instructions before posting here.[/b]
[b] 2. Please help us to answer questions. If you see a question already answered, please refer the person to that answer so that we don't keep repeating ourselves.[/b]
Thanks;
Mibus
[b]Technical Support[/b]
For all registration errors, or technical errors while using the Challenge site, please email me (Robert Mibus, [email="robert@ballisticmedia.net"]robert@ballisticmedia.net[/email]).
[color=White]- Challenge-Specific -
[/color]
Q: How early do I have to start submitting milestones?
A: As early as possible. Although there is no due date earlier than the final closing date, part of the final judging vote puts emphasis on Community Interaction, which means that people who ‘hold back’ their work in progress till the last minute can be penalized.
[b] Q: Can we work in teams? What about pairs?[/b]
A: No, this is not a team challenge.
[b] Q: I'm using a new email but the challenge keeps sending stuff to my old one. How do I fix that?[/b]
A: You go into CGTalk's UserCP (User Control Panel) and change your email address there. If you still have problems, email me.
[b] Q: What if I am a winner and I want a different prize? E.g. What if I win the Grand Prize but I want the Runner Up prize instead?[/b]
A: You can contact the other winner with the prize that you want, and ask if they want to do an exchange. What you guys do with your prizes is up to you, and we’re not going to be involved in it.
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[/color]Q: How do I actually enter the competition?
A: Go to the challenge site and click on “Enter The Challenge”. Upload your pictures through the challenge site submission (“Submit Your Entry”).
[b]Q: Do I tag every concept sketch uploaded as a milestone, or just THE final concept sketch. [/b]
A: Everything is a milestone until you do the final image.
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[/color][b]Q: How i can get out of this challenge?[/b]
A: Just stop submitting.
[b]
Q: Can I have multiple entries?
[/b]A: No. As stated in the guidelines, no multiple entries although it's possible to enter both the 2D and 3D challenges as long as the two are vastly different in concept.
[b]Q: Can I upload my WIP images to my own server? Is that counted?[/b]
A: No. Please use the Challenge site facility to upload your Work-In-Progress. The purpose of the image hosting on the Challenge site is to give everyone the equal opportunity to post their work-in-progress, and have it hosted. At the conclusion of the Challenge, you will undoubtedly remove any Work-In-Progress images from your personal website and generate broken links all over CGTalk - so please use the Challenge upload facility.
[b]- Technical[/b][color=White][b] -[/b]
[/color][b]Q: Are random or parametric terrain and foliage/plant generation software (Bryce/Vue/Terragen) allowed?[/b]
A: Yes
[b]Q: Can I use Poser, Daz 3D or pre-fabricated models?[/b]
A: No. The purpose of the "Challenge" is to challenge artists in creating original concepts and characters. Where's the challenge in using pre-fabricated characters as main subjects?
[b]Q: Can I use Poser to make background characters?[/b]
A: No, if your characters are tiny it won't take you much effort to model some lowpoly humans anyway.
[b]Q: Can I use a trial version of a software?[/b]
A: Yes. We don't care. The final image must not have watermarks on it.
[b]Q: The guidelines in the instructions says that the resolution for the final image should be at least 2657 pixels wide and/or 3636 high, 300 DPI (portrait). Why do you need such a high resolution for?[/b]
A: We want to train people to create artwork for print. Therefore, things such as detailed textures and meshes become important in the creation of your artwork. The final image needs to be prepared for print, and we want everyone to work towards producing work that is print quality by habit.
[b]Q: What resolution do you want the final image to be exactly? What about if we make the image a different aspect ratio and orientation?[/b]
A: Your final image aspect ratio and orientation will dictate your final resolution. We want images that will print at 300dpi on a 22 x 30cm page (whatever orientation). Please do your research and work this out yourselves. Your final image will need to be rendered at enough resolution to print and hold up detail.
Q: Because of hardware limitations, is it ok to render a part and use it as a background, or render in “layers” and composite it all togueder later?
A: All post trickery is allowed and encouraged.
[b]Q: Any problems if I do it with a student license of Maya?[/b]
A: If it is watermarked then yes. Otherwise, no.
[b]Q: Is it ok to use vray, RenderMan or 3rd party renderers for rendering?[/b]
A: Why wouldn't it be? (yes)
[b]Q: While I know its ok to use 2D textures in this 3D project....is it going to be ok to use a 2D element as a back drop? Like a background....like a matte painting?[/b]
A: Yes.
[b]Q: Are we allowed to use web downloaded textures?[/b]
A: Yes, but they will have to be modified to suit your image. If stock textures are recognised there may be a penalty by the community and the judges, consciously or unconsciously.