The New SMC's - 012 - Thirsty? Pt.2

[Marty_McFly-3DT]

1, Each challenge we'll post a subject for you to model along with a time limit on how long you should spend on it. Spend no longer than the allocated time then post a render of your model. No cheating, we are relying on your honesty here and the idea of speed modeling is to simulate a "real world" environment. If you are working on a project and asked to show a concept model you'll need to be able to get somewhere near the target in the allocated time. Your submission should be a model created especially for this challenge and not one you have stored on your hard drive.

How you interpret the brief is up to you as long as the final model conforms to what we have asked for. Any images of models that do not match the brief can be removed and the poster disqualified.

2, You may enter as many times as you like as long as each model is completely new and uses no components from other entries. Entries using models which are not original will be removed and the poster disqualified.

3, Your entry may contain as many views of your model as you like but it must include a clear and easy to see wire frame of the mesh before any smoothing/subdivision has been applied. Please use a screen grab. No other method is acceptable and any "wire renders" or wireframes we can't see properly will be removed and the poster disqualified.

4, You must include the following details with each submission: software used and time spent creating the model. Any further information is voluntary but posts not containing the required information can be removed and the poster disqualified.

5, Post only one image submission per entry which must be no larger than 1024x768 pixels in either landscape or portrait format with a file size of no more than 195k. These images must be uploaded to our servers using the "browse" button on the forum reply page. Do not link to external images files. Images larger than the maximum size or posts containing links to external images (other than for reference materials) will be removed and the poster disqualified.

6, The creation of displacement maps, normal maps and any splines drawn out in an external program other than your modeling software are to be included in your modeling time.

7, Time spent on rendering or texturing or building a scene in which to display your model is not included in the allocated period to allow those with slower machines to participate on an even playing field. What we are looking for is the quality of the models you can produce "under pressure". If your model is not complete, you can still post as long as it's recognizable.

8, Posting the same entry twice in a challenge is considered to be double posting and will result in a disqualification. When asked to fix a previous post due to DQ or any other reason, you must fix the first post, or delete it altogether and create a new one.

These rules apply to everybody taking part there will be NO exceptions!


Time limit - 60 minutes
Deadline - 22.00 G.M.T. Wednesday 24th of October 2007
Subject - Beverage Dispenser / Vending Machine


Beverage Dispenser / Vending Machine: Well now you have your beverage... but where did you get it from? Yes, part 2 to the Thirsty? Challenge is more about the source of your drink. To enter this challenge, you are to use your entry from the last challenge as a prop for this challenge. For those that modeled a beverage that does quite fit into this challenge... fear not... for all is not lost. You may model a new beverage as a prop for this challenge, but it must be submitted as though it was an entry in last week's challenge. (That means, if you wanted to make a soda can, model it following the guidelines of last week's challenge and submit it there, then use it as a prop for this week's challenge.) My starter should hopefully show what I mean.

Have Fun and Good Luck!

My Starter:

[NitroLiq]

Nice sample, Marty. Love the 60s feel.

[ClassicGamer-3DT]

I love this idea! To be fair, I thought we were going to be making Glasses, Mugs, Cups that we'd drink our beverages in and i'm kinda glad that were not!

I love that custon Marty/Coca Cola with a cool Ice design, this'll be fun

Good luck to all, and I hope we'll see lot's of entries

Kind Regards

Classic Gamer

[Mosmuis]

whoohoo. i was hoping for this!. way better then a cup/mug or anything hehe looking forward to making my coca-cola vending machine

[Trimyr]

Well, I'm sorry I missed the last challenge, especially since there were a few new contestants, and a lot of great entries (though I snagged that high res Powerade graphic hours after the challenge started ).

The fact that we have to model last week's topic as well may keep me from this one too - though not out of any protest; I tend to like the multi part challenges. It's just that over the past few months I've seen a steady increase in both our number of clients and the scope of work from each.

Unfortunately, this has led to ClassicGamer dominating the threads again. Then again, as long as he keeps up the mini-recaps, who cares? I did see H20 posting a bit with his usual insanely high standards (I saw that remote and instantly knew you would win that one).

Anyway, I doubt I'll be in this one, since honestly I spend an AVERAGE of 2 hours on textures and rendering once the modeling is finished. Sometimes more, especially if it's a complex model that needs close-up wireframes and I have to figure out the best composition angles. Unfortunately, I just don't see myself having what would be almost a full workday to enter a 60 minute challenge.

At this point, I can safely estimate how long most objects will take me to model. That being said, there are a large number of items every week that I choose not to model. I don't want to do something that takes me 15 minutes. In my mind, that defeats the purpose of these exercises masked as competitions.

I very rarely start a model as soon as I decide on it - even if it only exists as a few concept sketches or just an idea in my head. I have to think about the mesh structure - If I start with a box, how many segments on each side will I need? What would be too many/too few? How will it affect later extrusions? I go through that sequence in my mind, many times. The benefit? I can look at almost any object and see a wireframe. That doesn't mean I can make it in an hour; it doesn't mean I can make it at all.

What it does mean is that every challenge I've done has helped me. Right now I'm staring at my digital camera, sitting in front of my keyboard. Looking at the back, at first glance it's a mess. However, if you were to lay a grid over it, that mass of buttons would suddenly gain some order (remember, almost every rapid-prototype was designed in Rhino or AutoCAD). The ring of buttons in the middle-right might have given me a problem, except for the fact that I'd already encountered that when I modeled the PSP. The system of cuts I used there to create an editable perfect circle from within a rectangular mesh can be applied anywhere I need.
I have to admit - a lot of credit for that goes to Marty_McFly. I used his method of crosscuts that he posted to pull out those shapes.

In simpler terms, challenge yourselves. Nobody wants to see a lathed spline that took you two minutes. If you're having trouble doing a model fast enough, finish it anyway. The second time around, you'll remember what slowed you down. If it's still pushing the limit, do it a third time. I guarantee you will use those same techniques again in later models. (Of course, if it's taking too long after the third try, it might be time to start cutting some details.)

And last, ask for help if you need to. Even if you don't need to. Seriously. If you're uncomfortable asking your fellow competitors, try the 'Modeling, Lighting, and Rendering Help' topic (although you may end up waiting a couple days for an answer there). There is no other community more ready to give advice, help, directions, or friendly constructive criticism than our fellow 3D modelers. Beyond even the open source software supporters, we seem to want every artist to be as good as humanly (and, I suppose, technologically) possible.

In a way I can understand that. A good program is good, whether it's 10 years or 2 months old. If it's good, it serves a purpose. That's fine..blah blah

We're recreating reality - 60 minutes at a time.

(disclaimer for the software thing - BS in Comp Sci, MA in Visual Comm, so I can't really help it.)



BTW - Marty - Nice starter. I'd love to see the McFly Labs, though in the future, try to use less than three wholly unrelated typefaces.

NitroLiq Actually, the vending design is more out of the late 40s-early 50s, while the "Marty's Drink Station" font seems so closely related to something made by Eric Gill during the 1920's, judging by it's strong geometric lines. The McFly~Cola text is, just like its Coke inspiration, based on the Spencerian script style, created by Platt Robert Spencer in 1850.

[ClassicGamer-3DT]

Me dominating the threads! how very dare you! no you spot on I do take over a little at times, but i'm the same as everyone else, I wanted to model much more entries last week but due to illness and working on trying to make a 3d icicle text (try it, it's harder than it sounds) I didn't model as much as I wanted.

I've got a few idea's utilising my entries from last week.

Trimyr - You know alot about the history of vending machines and coca cola, either that or you wen't onto wikipedia before posted....... either way you've impressed me

CG

[Trimyr]

Heh. Actually I just enjoyed learning a lot about different typefaces, believe it or not. It's really amazing just how much the shape of your text defines someone's opinion of an idea or product. Oh, and don't get me started on Helvetica.

The vending machine thing was simply general history, combined with what I have just coined "Style Genealogy"

[Marty_McFly-3DT]

Originally Posted by Trimyr

...exercises masked as competitions.

Oh-uh... someone has seen through our ruse! Now we're going to have to come up with something a little more clever!

Originally Posted by Trimyr

I have to admit - a lot of credit for that goes to Marty_McFly. I used his method of crosscuts that he posted to pull out those shapes.

Here I must say Thank You. It's always nice to hear that something I've done has helped contribute to helping someone else in any way. It's one of the things that has kept me around these challenges for so long... the slight chance that I just might help someone out there!

Originally Posted by Trimyr

We're recreating reality - 60 minutes at a time.

Hmmm... I just might have to steal that if you don't mind.

Originally Posted by Trimyr

BTW - Marty - Nice starter. I'd love to see the McFly Labs, though in the future, try to use less than three wholly unrelated typefaces.

NitroLiq Actually, the vending design is more out of the late 40s-early 50s, while the "Marty's Drink Station" font seems so closely related to something made by Eric Gill during the 1920's, judging by it's strong geometric lines. The McFly~Cola text is, just like its Coke inspiration, based on the Spencerian script style, created by Platt Robert Spencer in 1850.

In defense of the multiple unrelated typefaces... The can's label wasn't actually designed by me. I had someone else create the label for me because I really wasn't crazy about using the Coke label I found online for my starter in the last challenge. (I also site my lack of creativity, which is why I recruited third party help in it's creation... a clever person could easily find the label's true creator... ) Also, the vending design is more inspired by the 50's era look. Having been there myself, I've always appreciated the artistic style of that era... and try to use it whenever the opportunity presents itself. Although I will say that I never figured my 'Drink Station' typeface would've been scrutinized carefully enough to be noted that it was from an earlier timeframe than the design of my machine. Honestly, I liked them better than the 'Cola' text design and felt they would give my machine more of a period look.

Marty

[ClassicGamer-3DT]

Originally Posted by Trimyr

Heh. Actually I just enjoyed learning a lot about different typefaces, believe it or not. It's really amazing just how much the shape of your text defines someone's opinion of an idea or product. Oh, and don't get me started on Helvetica.

The vending machine thing was simply general history, combined with what I have just coined "Style Genealogy"

Well if you're not working in marketing anywhere you're wasted lad

I must admit that re-creating reality 60 mins at a time is perfect now I think about it, that statement could go up there with "That's One Small Step For Man, ......One Giant Leap For Mankind" maybe not in the same league but still a clever comment.

Right, i'll shhut up now (that'll make a change) and get back to modelling.

CG

[NitroLiq]

Originally Posted by Trimyr

In simpler terms, challenge yourselves. Nobody wants to see a lathed spline that took you two minutes.

NitroLiq Actually, the vending design is more out of the late 40s-early 50s, while the "Marty's Drink Station" font seems so closely related to something made by Eric Gill during the 1920's, judging by it's strong geometric lines. The McFly~Cola text is, just like its Coke inspiration, based on the Spencerian script style, created by Platt Robert Spencer in 1850.

I knew someone was going to call me out on that. When I wrote it, I was thinking late 50s early 60s and the whole 'retro cool' style, Marty and George McFly, old bebop and jazz records, etc. Not so much, late 60s which was completely different.

Regarding the "challenge yourselves" bit, I agree to a point. For example, I take a similar approach as you where I'll usually get the challenge idea, research images and mull it over for a few days, pre-visualizing how I want to approach it. I may do some quick exercises to see what would work and what wouldn't. Then, when I sit down to do it, I actually have a better game plan. And, though this is a modeling challenge (exercise), sometimes I'll opt to use it as an opporunity to challenge and teach myself other things. With my wine glass from last week, sure it was easy to build. I had originally started with several entries I wanted to do—the wine bottle as a starter, a more complex water bottle which would really be more appropriate for a modeling challenge, and perhaps a cup of coffee with an elaborately molded lid. For me, I ended up getting deep into rendering and lighting the wine scene that I just ran out of time to do any other entries. There are plenty of better entries but do I feel like I didn't challenge myself? Not really. I learned a good deal on working with Mental Ray, the L-Glass shader, IBL setup, Final Gather, etc. I pretty much enter because it's like a class project...it gives me focus and forces me to finish a project whether I want to or not. As long as I've learned something in the end, that's satisfaction enough.

[DigitalPutty]

AAAAAAAAAARGH! IM DOING THIS ONE OR ELSE!!!!!!

[wintermute]

OMG.... First entry? I'm confused....

Anywho, didn't quite get it the way I wanted. I spent about 15 minutes making legs that turned out horrible and ended up getting tossed. The base/bottom is just improvised because of that. So much time wasted during modeling! But I thought it came out ok. I also ran out of time to do handles.

Let's see some entries!

[ClassicGamer-3DT]

Looks just like a tea/coffee urn, I think that's what they are called an Urn.

Looks really great to me, clean modelling and cool chrome material.

I'm determined to not only really challenge myself with this week SMC by making something harder, but also try to get something to look better, I really need to spend more time on my materials and lights more. Trimyr said that my renders can look plasticy and overbright at times, so I need to get better lol.

Kind Regards

Classic Gamer

[NitroLiq]

Nice to see someone else modeling a tap/lever like that. I have to do something similar for mine and from the looks of things, that and creating door hinges are going to be the most difficult parts.

[ClassicGamer-3DT]

Originally Posted by NitroLiq

Nice to see someone else modeling a tap/lever like that. I have to do something similar for mine and from the looks of things, that and creating door hinges are going to be the most difficult parts.

Yeah definately, very tricky but i'm sure you'll manage it.

I've just had to stop modelling my first entry i've missed out a few items but I was far too slow with this one, I strangely just took my time trying to get small details finished before the rest and they aren't even that visibile lol, oh well. I'm rendering it right now, I'm not sure how long it will take to render out, i'm rendering is at 1028x768 with GI 300 samples and a diffuse depth of 3 which usually takes a while, and i've got dispersive reflections on the base material. I've got for a vending machine that I always used to use when I was at college, and when I visit shopping centre's and cinema's, always hugely overpriced aswell.

Anyway, i'm using the Fanta can that was my 4th entry as a prop and i've changed the can's labels for a little more variety as it's unlikely that a drinks dispenser like mine would just have the one drink variety available.

I'm looking forward to seeing your entry NitroLiq

Kind Regards

Classic Gamer