Parth (XQH_XXX) is one of the most well-known users on 3DVIA as a leader in the community both in modeling and in exemplifying the 3DVIA spirit of friendliness and helpfulness. Rarely does a day go by that doesn’t include an exciting new model from Parth along with a slew of comments filled with suggestions!

Parth is also the leader of the 3DPLM Initiatives that help 3DVIA Shape evolve as a free 3D modeling tool and help the 3DVIA community thrive and grow. You’ll often see the 3DPLM tags that show Parth and his group are busy again.

Parth has well over 200 models here on 3DVIA and that has led to some remarkable results in the Top 10 posts as well. He has had 27 models in 21(!) separate Top 10 posts, which makes him #3 on the all-time list out of 254 recipients. This includes having two of his models in the same Top 10 six times. You can see his excellent models in the following posts: 022 (double) – 033 – 034 – 035 – 038 – 039 (double) – 040 (double) – 041 (double) – 042 – 043 (double) – 044 – 045 – 046 (double) – 047 – 049 – 050 – 052 – 053 – 055 – 056 & – 058!

Parth is King of the Honorable Mentions list as #1 out of 170 all-time recipients after having models in 11 Honorable Mention groups – including two times with two models out of five. Check out the following Top 10 Honorable Mention sections to see Parth’s models: 021 – 022 – 033 (double) – 037 (double)  – 045 – 046 – 047 – 048 – 049 – 050 – 053. Parth’s model Punisher Battleship (shown below) is one of the few 3DVIA Shape models to be among the winners in a 3DVIA Challenge as well, when he won second place in the Spacecraft Battleship Challenge.

Fortunately, Parth is also able to put more than a few words together to help us understand who he is, how he got there and what keeps him going.

It’s all yours Parth…

At the outset, I would like to convey thanks to 3DVIA for approaching me to be their Featured Artist. It’s a great honor for me to share something more than just models.

Hello every one. I am Partha Pratim Das, in short Parth, 25 years old. I am from INDIA and was born and brought up in Kolkata in the state of West Bengal. The city served as the capital of India during British Rule until 1911. Kolkata is noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the Indian struggle for independence to the leftist and trade union movements. The city is referred to as the “Cultural Capital of India”, “The City of Processions” and the “City of Joy”.

I completed my schooling in Kolkata. Upon transfer of my father to Mumbai I also moved there for higher education. Mumbai, The Business Capital of India, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and a group of seven islands in the Arabian Sea. It is the country’s principal financial and communications centre. India’s largest Stock Exchange which ranks as the third largest in the world is situated in Mumbai. Descriptions of Mumbai can not be completed without the mention of Bollywood, the biggest Indian film industry which churns out hundreds of Hindi block-busters every year. The city is referred to as “The city which never sleeps” and the “City of Dreams”.

I completed my Mechanical Engineering degree with first class – distinction from Mumbai University in 2007. Since I have an interest in animation, I have undergone training on software like CATIA and Pro-E which helped me to get a job in 3DPLM Software Solutions, my present company, which is a joint venture of Geometric and Dassault Systemes. I’m presently working as a Technical support / Mnt. engineer supporting world wide customers on DMU (Digital Mock Up). It’s a challenging job to me as it involves regular interaction with customers from different parts of the world.

I am the only son of my parents who have encouraged me and guided me in every second of my life. Their affection and blessings help me to overcome the hurdles of life. My father is working in The Reserve Bank of India, which is the central bank of India and my mother is a housewife, who always takes care of my likes and dislikes. I am proud of my parents.

My first and foremost hobby is making sketches. I started drawing at the age of six. Initially, I liked to draw nature; thereafter I started making human figures. I made drawings for my college magazines. My college friends used to call me as “Rahool” and I use this name for signature :). I am interested in literature and participated in recitation, drama during my school days. Photography is my passion. I stay with my parents and am still a bachelor.

Q1: How did you first become interested in 3D modeling?
During my college days, I was an active member of Cultural Committee. I took part in interior decoration. It helped me a lot to become popular, getting introduced to many people and thus being favored by teachers and friends :). It was during my second year in college that my teacher introduced me to AutoCAD. It’s the first 2D modeling software I learned. I used Autocad to make plans for stage preparations. I had two subjects, namely engineering drawing and machine drawing, which helped me to understand the basic knowledge of how to prepare 3D models.

I always intended to be in the field of animation which kept me interested towards learning 3D modeling software. Once I finished my college days, my dad asked me to learn 3D modeling software. I checked some demo presentations and tutorials and found it is amazing. So I decided and learned CATIA and Pro-E from a training institute. This interest towards learning new 3D modeling software has never stopped and keeps me encouraged even today.

Q2: What types of 3D modeling do you do?
Before I answer to this question, 3D modeling according to me can be divided into different categories as follows:
- Theme-based Modeling
- Story-based Modeling
- Sports & Music-based Modeling
- Engineering-based Modeling
- Abstract-based Modeling
- Humor-based Modeling
- Character (anime, human, alien etc)-based Modeling
I like every kind of modeling because every category has its own charm and while viewing each kind you need to think from a creator’s point of view. But I mostly do theme, story-based, humor, sports and musical modeling.

Q3: Do you have plans before creating 3D models? Where do you go (web sites, museums, race tracks, anywhere) for help, tips and inspiration?
I often make a plan, but in reality it ends up with something else. As the model progresses I change it according to the character to give more attractive shape than what I thought earlier.

Google is always a great friend to help me. Many ideas have popped up into my mind while searching in Google. Also my friends around me give good tips, ideas and send many colorful and attractive emails with interesting stories which help in triggering new ideas of creation.

Q4: What is the primary purpose of your 3D modeling?
I do modeling for passion, developing imagination, fun and above all creativity. While modeling, I like to explore various possibilities that the software offers and I try to push it as per the need. One of the amazing things that I discovered with 3DVIA Player is the “sparkling effect”. To fully understand this you have to open the model and click the button to play 3D. The model will start sparkling like a real jewel as the Player rotates it. Some of these models are Diwali Sparkling Lantern, Let the Music Play V6 – Hi-Fi Surround Speaker, My Love V3 – Golden Bangles, and My Love V3.1 – Ring.

Q5: Does 3D modeling play a role in the work you do?

Yes, it does play a peripheral role. In my daily activity, I need to generate different 3D models which are basically used for simulation. I analyze them which helps with the design concept.

Q6: Which part of 3D modeling do you find most rewarding?
There is nothing more satisfying or rewarding than viewing your own imagination in the reality of 3D. It’s well said that “3D is a Life-like Experience”. It’s really great to have responses from other modelers discussing various aspects of the subject. Remember “A good model is incomplete without a good observer.”

Q7: Does story telling play a role in your 3D modeling?
Yes it certainly does. The story is the soul of any model and without which it is not complete. Every model has some interesting story. People share stories to describe the model. But there is another interesting aspect of a story about what inspires people to make a model. Sometimes what inspires you can also inspire others too. Reading a story along with viewing a model adds a great feeling of realism. More importantly, every story has some important message hidden with it.

People may ignore the message if you directly approach it, but they will listen carefully if you
present it as a story. I have also made some models with stories (Great Love Story of Bottle, T-Rex In Town (shown above), Love is Life, May I Know the Time Please?) and each one of them gives an important message to everyone. “To make a beautiful model you need an equally beautiful subject to choose and knowledge of the subject for perfection”.

Q8: What additional software do you use to create your 3D models/images?
CATIA V5

Q9: How much 3D modeling time do you have in a week?
There is no fixed time for modeling. Whenever I get free time I start modeling. I spend most of my weekend time planning the next week’s models that I am going to make for which I gather the required textures (images). Better planning means a great finish. Once I finish my planning I jump into modeling to see my imagination in reality.
Some of my models took 4-5 days to complete but normally I involve myself less in big subjects because of time constraints. I spend more time on the finishing touches, which according to me is the most important part of any modeling.

Q10: What are your tips for staying focused on a large project?
Patience is the most essential key to success. A large project means lots of detailing will be included and without patience it’s very difficult to go along with it. But I would also suggest not pushing your limit to the extreme. It will make things worse. Small breaks always work as miracles.

I usually prefer listening to music during my break. It refreshes my mind. Sometimes I stop working on a project just to think of a better solution. Taking a break never means you have stopped working, it actually means you are working harder for a better result. A little inspiration, encouragement or appreciation helps a lot. Sometimes these are all you need to work hard and stay focused. Take pleasure in what you are doing. If you can enjoy your work it’s very easy for you to stay focused.

Q11: Do you do 3D modeling at home on personal projects?
With my previous job I used to do 3D modeling on personal projects at my home, but now I don’t.

Q12: Do you have any thoughts on how 3D modeling can help young people as they learn about the world?
I think there is no better language than 3D to make things easier and more understandable for young people. For example: kids are given small cube, cylindrical box or sphere-shaped toys to play with so that they can feel it, touch it and realize the actual shape. It also helps a lot to remember things if we can project the image of whatever we say in front of us in 3D. I believe 3D is a doorway which helps people to imagine or develop new concepts. Remember “everything has been developed from someone’s imagination”.

Q13: Do you have any thoughts on the value of 3D modeling to help us all learn about the world?
The 3DVIA community gives us a great opportunity to upload and share our models and views. We represent different parts of the world having different cultures, activities, music, festivals and monuments. Through 3D models we can share all of these with each-other and help each other to know more about the different parts of the world. For example: I came to know about the “Orange festival” through 3D models and also wished “Diwali” from India.

The more you share the more you learn. I was quite impressed by the way perecat1 (from Spain) described my model Fantasy Exotic Guitar (shown above) or mgbaron (from USA) explained See What You Mean. I could have never imagined or seen the way they perceived my models. By sharing ideas it helps a lot to increase own knowledge and to know a different perspective. “An idea can be helpful to create many ideas”.

Q14: Do you think 3D modeling is different in different parts of the world? How?
I don’t think 3D modeling can be different for different parts of the world, but I would say 3D modeling varies from person to person irrespective of the person’s own identity. This is because of the person’s individual likes, talents, choice of subjects, working exposures and many others. But finally we all understand the language of 3D. That is why we all are same.

Q15: Just for fun, what is your favorite game?  movie?  comic book?
Favorite games: Need For Speed racing, DOOM 3, Halo, Tomb Raider, Half Life 2, Hitman
Favorite movies: Final Fantasy, Ants, 9, Terminator2, Transformers, Next, Batman Forever, Lord of the Rings
Favorite Comic Book: Tintin, Spiderman, Hulk

Q16: What are your favorite hobbies other than 3D modeling?
I have many hobbies that I try to explore all the time. I love to make drawings. I started drawing in my childhood and even today it’s my favorite hobby. I would like to share few of my sketches. As I grow and meet different people, I come to know about many interesting things about others. Every one has different ways of thinking and different likes. As a result my interests in different hobbies grow as well. I also love photography and my interest lies in scenes of nature. In my school days I used to write stories for magazine and had won many prizes. I love music and watching animation movies.

Thanks from My Heart
This Featured Artist article can’t end without thanking those who have encouraged and helped me all the time:
- I thank my parents who acknowledged my interest and introduced me to the world of 3D.
- Thanks to Gaurav Joshi and Shuvradweep Gupta who helped me to learn 3D modeling software.
- Thanks to Amit Sagrolikar, Mithun Kulkarni and Prabhu Hiremath who encourage me all the time to make models.
- Thanks to my friends Rajan Pawar, Pranav Khurjekar, Rakesh Singh, Arpit Pattewar, Samrat Patil who give me new tips, ideas and suggestions for improvement.
- Thanks to Vaishali Hable, who is a great friend and helps me overcoming difficult times.
- Thanks to my community friends Michael Petersen (smike) Shannon Sands (sandman14), Jack Red, Tomy Smith (tomy), Sady, Bruce Lehmann (Omind) and Abu who encourage and appreciate my efforts all the time.
- Finally, a special Thanks to Don (dswavely) for being a great community manager, putting in all the effort to help the community grow, making comments, suggestions and helping with every problem.

Thanks for staying with me patiently till the end. I am awaiting your comments.

Wow! That is a complete profile of you, your inspirations and your results. I always look forward to seeing what you’ll be working on next!

Quick links to previous Featured Artists:

Abdullah Shaikh (abu_roadking / trigram_QWQ - 14 Sizzling Snacks – Tommy Smith (tomy) – Michael White (toymaker) – Shannon Sands (sandman14) – Alfred Schallert (alfredix) – Corey Papadopoli – Mark Biasotti (mbiasotti) – Michael Petersen (smike) – Matthew Negrier (Balgin) – Benoit Caselli (Benoit-Caselli) – Matthew Viets – Rob Rodriguez – Blake Metzler – Peter Anderson – Bryan Silva