The best 3D models and one exceptional 3DVIA Scene uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, April 10th through Friday, April 16th, 2010 are highlighted here. Smike is back with a roar! And he’s better than ever. On top of that we have an eclectic mix of imaginative and creative models from a giant tractor to a visually challenging Mobius Strip. We also have sculptural industrial parts, mathematical constructions and one really messed up iPhone! Take a gander and have some fun!

(The “Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists” is getting really long, so it has been moved to right after the current week’s models and Scene.)

The Top 10:

Tractor -it’s big! It’s beautiful! It’s a hard-working machine and it was created with obviously strong emotions by chas99 using 3DVIA Shape. One of the best Shape models on the site!

ASI Front Brake Holder by Andreas (ASP_SWX) has it all – complete detailing, rich functional application and sculptural beauty! SolidWorks 2010 was his creative tool. [Andreas lives in Germany]

Visual illusions are fascinating and Structure S – Mobias Strip by Abu (abu_roadking) is no exception! He used Structure Synth to mathematically construct his illusion. [Abu lives in India]

Pure sculpture is disguised as a Product in this creation by sunilroc395 using Dassault Systemes V6. Function leads directly to beauty of form in this case!

Michael Petersen (smike) is an incredible modeler who has been investing even more time over the last few months to hone his art to a higher level. He has been working on the accuracy of both his models’ geometry and the clarity and accuracy of the textures – with fantastic results.

Stampe SV-4 A – ID: T-IGER is the second model to benefit from this exacting new way of modeling. You can see Michael’s presentation here. The first Stampe is the Stampe – Vertongen SV-4 Trainee Aircraft, which also has its own presentation by Michael. Both models are a huge step forward and we all get to enjoy them by simply taking the time to appreciate them!

The Stampes were  modeled in Google SketchUp and uploaded in 3ds format. We’re looking forward to exploring more aircraft in the future as Michael has time. [Michael lives in Denmark]

I have no idea what happened to the Wendelstein iPhone by michab100, but it’s amazing and I have a blast looking at all the craziness of the nonsensical bits and pieces as they break up and move to unexpected places! Great job using 3DVIA Composer. [michab100 lives in Germany]

This fantastic model is a Midline Swage Machine by Jag380. I would love to see and hear this in operation! Great details and another example of sculptural beauty in an industrial application. Jag380 did his work using SolidWorks 2010. [Jag380 lives in the US]

Rodd (rhalstead) gets a lot out of Structure Synth and Expanding Rainbow Staircase is another colorful example that is enjoyable to spin and zoom and just get visually lost inside of. [Rodd lives in the US]

Newstation by Kreator01 is a such a nicely detailed model! I can easily see myself buying a ticket and relaxing while I wait for the train. Kreator01 uploaded it in 3ds format.

No matter where you go in  Claws of Pwnage Grassy Field by claws-of-pwnage there is plenty of eye candy to keep you mesmerized. Claws-of-pwnage used one of Rodd Halstead’s models and 3DVIA Scenes.

Ducati 900SBK is being continually added to by disouj using CATIA V5 and the details are worth poring over. Be sure to check out the Locjoly Racing Team web site too. Ducati’s are one of my favorites! [disouj lives and races  in Italy]

Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 – 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 -018 – 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 – 045 – 046 – 047 – 048 – 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 – 063 - 064 – 065 – 066 – 067 - 068

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

Models must be uploaded by the original modeler – Many times I find models that I think will add to the community and will upload them with credit given to the modeler. These and other models that I can’t be reasonably sure who modeled them (for example – commercial models) are a welcome addition to the 3DVIA community, but the goal of the “Top 10″ is to encourage individual modelers and reward their special creativity.

Models entered in the 3DVIA Challenge contests will not be considered – They’re already getting plenty of attention and I want to spotlight models we may have missed.

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you. (PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.