Competition: Into the Light / out of the Dark
So here it is! The next big SubdivisionModelling.com contest. This time we have a very special set of prizes and a set of entry requirements that are a little bit harder to make it interesting for everyone. For this competition there will only be one prize, one single winner and no 2nd or 3rd places. So in the words of the film ‘Highlander’ there can be only one!
The prizes for this competition are a copy of ZBrush, Tarons amazing ‘ZBorn Toy plug in for after effects (that is capable of many wonderous things including acting as a render for Zbrush models) and a Zbrush DVD package fomr Kurv Studios. Thats a pretty good amount of moneys worth of prizes for anyone.
So what is the theme of this contest? ‘Into the Light/ Out of the Dark’, you may pick either of those two titles that you wish to produce your work of art. Yes thats right, this time just doing and rendering a model isn’t going to cut it, you will be judged on how well your ‘art’(along with its concept) conveys either a message of invokes an emotional response from the viewer. You are not limited to just a render either, you may enter animations, composite footage containing models created…basically you have free reign to produce something you personally would classify as ‘art’.
The contest will run for 3 months as we are approaching the festive season. This is so everyone can take part in the contest without missing any of the festive season. The judging for this competition will be a little different to normal, we have some special guest judges lined up. Including Taron himself who’s experience in the industry and world of art speaks for itself.
We also have a very indepth (probably the most in depth ever) interview with Taron himself coming very soon, that covers a whole load of ground and is recomended reading for all. Ever wondered why he chose the name ‘Taron’and where it came from? Want to know what the future brings not only for Taron, but for both ZBorn toy and other exciting projects? Wondered how he manages to model so fast? The interview covers all these questions and much more.
The competition will start on Novemeber the 26th.
A New Beginning
Well if you’re reading this (which obviously you are), then no doubt you’ll be suprised to see a new entry on this part of the site. SubD is about to take a step up ‘to the next level’ very soon and things are being updated and code revised behind the scenes to make this the best site it can be for its users.
SubDivisionModeling.com is a non profit site with a simple aim… to let modellers of all types learn easily in a friendly way and at no cost to them. This was the inital aim set out by founders and owners Glen Southern and Wes Beckwith, although of late we freely admit things on this part of the site haven’t been updated as much as they should have been. Although its fair to say this is going to change as of now.
You’ll notice over the coming days, weeks and months more things being added to SubD, incluiding new sections and some very cool features. We’re not going to spoil the suprise just yet, but suffice it to say that a ‘reloaded’ version of SubD will be phased in soon as we can. Since being asked by Glen and Wes to take over the day to day runing of SubD we’ve been putting together a plan for the future while not forgetting our past. While some of the new things will be part of a back to basics mission, we will be bringing in new things that broaden the ability of us to help users of all levels (especially those beginners / intermediate users.)
So to be frank, do not worry if you see things changing design or site wise for a little while until we get our basic framework in place thats needed for all these new thingies. I know you’ll all be patient and trust us it will be worth it in the end, Although it should have no effect on your day to day useage of the SubD forum. We’re back …and we’re kicking bottom. 
New Full-on Robot Challenge
Hi Everyone,
Here are some details of a series of challenges we’re starting this week: the Full-on Robot Challenge!
I’d like to introduce the model that we will be working with over the next few months - it doesn’t have a name yet, but if anybody would like to make any suggestions, they’ll all be taken into consideration.
Download page here. I’ve tried to convert it into an obj that should be readable by everyone, but I did have a few problems with normals facing the wrong way, so you may have to flip them when they are imported into your modeling program.
If you have any problems downloading please post here.
The model was kindly submitted by Wayne (take a bow). He has graciously given his permission for us to use and abuse it - so we will! Thanks Wayne.
The way these Full-on Robot Challenges are (hopefully) mainly going to work is that the top entries from the first challenge will be used for the 2nd challenge, the entries from the 2nd challenge will be used for the 3rd and so on. There are no prizes (yet) except for the fame and glory of your version of the model being used for the next challenge. And I expect you’ll get into the gallery…
The challenges will probably last for about 2 weeks - some will be longer, some maybe shorter. Details will be posted with each challenge.
You’ll have a bit of time to download the model before the first challenge starts. We’ll try and get a video up with some of the challenges to give people a few ideas before they begin.
You don’t have to do all the challenges. You can dip in and out depending on what takes your fancy.
You don’t have to do them at any set time, although if people are doing them all at once, there will probably be someone who is coming across the same problems as you.
So, have fun with the model. More details on the first challenge soon…
Any questions, please post here.
Adam
Silo 2.0 getting nearer
it looks like current Silo users will be getting a taste of the 2.0 beta soon. Feed and Jamchild have been working like programmers to get this out of the door. I guess there will be a more general release soon, but that is pure speculation on my part.
I for one will welcome our new displacement modeling masters.
Adam
Starcraft Chronicles recruiting
OK, here’s a great chance to make something big and cool - you may also notice one of our guys already in there. If you scroll down to see some of the models, you might have this model before. Nice work!
A team of nearly 40 3D modelers from around the world are gathering to develop a fan-made CGI animation dubbed Starcraft Chronicles. It is a non-profit project made by fans for fans.
On August 14, production will start with a 30 seconds demo to show off their capabilities. Then they will begin production of a 30 minutes CGI film. They are still recruiting new 3D modelers and animators.
DiVX Corporation will offer encoding support and distribution of the fans-made film.
At the bottom of the page they show the Starcraft and non-starcraft artwork of eight of the team modelers, submitted at the time of recruitment, to let us see a glimpse of their capabilities.
www.blizzplanet.com
www.starcraftchronicles.com
Oh, and if you get the job, come back to the forums and tell us how you are doing. We all love a bit of insider information!
Adam
Too many eggs!
Hi everyone, just back from a few days away and I come back to some nice new stuff on the forum: Jason has set up these texturing and rendering sections in a post production forum. Now, we know this is subdivisionmodeling.com, but there’s no point in making a great mesh if no-one is going to see it. So this new sub-forum is going to be a great way of learning about UV unwrapping, normal mapping and ambient occlusion (whatever they are) plus a great place to show off all those skills and share the knowledge.
Jason has also been going around with a pin, jabbing to see if some of our entrants in the Steam Punk compo are awake! Checking through those entries really brought home how much talent and enthusiasm there is on these forums. Jason’s entry is looking super sweet as well although, being a moderator, he’s not allowed to win any of the prizes. Poor Jason! But that’s cool - it’s all about sharing the knowledge.
Talking about sharing the knowledge, Phrenzy has posted this 15 minute timelapse of him modeling a creature head. It’s got some great tips in there - go and check it out.
See you around,
Adam
Jobs Ahoy!
It’s been a while. Deadlines, dontcha luv’em? My little animation is coming along. I may post something if anyone is interested although it’s a bit off-topic. (It is sort of related to modeling.)
We’ve got a new review up, strangely enough in the review section. Andrew Brown has taken a look at Maya for us. Is it worth taking a look at the PLE version or do you stump up the big bucks for the full-on robot chubby version? Take a look.
Now here’s a new addition to the the forums that could change your life. There is now a jobs, projects and reels forum. With jobs already posted in it! Get over there, get a job, make lots of money and remember who told you about it.
Some mad modeling skillz now in the Steam Punk compo. Still a few weeks to go before the big day. These two entries caught my eye (and lots of others). Check out these WIPs from Simesf and surrogatpappan.
And now… if this was a news program, this would be where the fluffy kitten stories go. BluDevil has posted this smashing Whaleboy character. Ahh - Cute. Great model, BluDevil!
See you soon,
Adam
New weekly challenge and speed-modeling session
Well, we didn’t manage to break the chat server on Sunday, but it was nice to say hello to a few people anyway!
There’s a new weekly challenge up for this week - model a realistic heart. Sounds like an interesting challenge to me.
We’ve also got a new speed modeling challenge running? Model a ray gun in less than 3 hours. Don’t forget you can go back to any of these challenges at a later date as well, if any of them take your fancy.
Adam
A few updates to the forums
I’ve just got my shiny new rendering machine set up so I can finally get back online.
I’m sure you’ve noticed already, but Norman has been working like a madman behind the scenes to get some new features on the forums. And he does it all for free. Nice one.
First off is the improved ’spotlight’ system at the top of the page. If you click on any of these images you will get taken to the thread where this work is displayed. There are now six piccies across the top and if you have a look just beneath them there is a little archive link. This will display a record of all the old images so you can have a good look through and check out all the top threads.
The next little suprise is a chatroom which is now listed under the forum headings. When you click on the link, you will have to log in with your forum name and password. It is live at the moment but we thought we’d have a little opening tester on Sunday 18.00 GMT (roughly late-morning to lunchtime in the US) to see if we can crash the server. I just know Norman is going to kill me! Anyway have a look in before then if you want, but I shall be in there tomorrow with a few of the other guys if anyone wants to say hello.
See you then,
Adam
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Three very different models here, but all excellent. Wayne (abgrafx3d) has built a very nice Mystery Machine-ish van from original drawings which is just begging for a lovely seventies style graphic paintjob. Looking really good so far, Wayne.
Another vehicle that I can’t wait to see finished is our very own Jason Clark’s Steam Roadster. There’s just something about it that I really like - the attention to detail, perhaps? I don’t know what his secret ingredient is but check it out to see what I’m going on about.
A forum highlights post just wouldn’t be the same without a bit of (Danger: Nudity!) so here is Leshiy’s new model and yes, he’s been a good chap and posted some wires as well. So topology students, start studying here. What can I say? Очень! (That’s nice in Russian)
Adam