The best 3D models and an exceptional Scene uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, May 1st through Friday, May 7th, 2010 are highlighted here.From missiles to power kites. From hot cars to hot art. From “get there fast” to “get there and back safely”. From saving your tree to lighting your way. This week’s Top 10 has it all!

(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. Top 10 – 069 and – 070 are being worked on and will be posted when they’re done, sorry for the delay.)

The Top 10:

Peripheral Vertical Launch System (PVLS) by Arthur (arthurwilson) is a great example of how detailed 3D modeling can inform the viewer more powerfully and more quickly than 2D drawings. Using CATIA V5, Arthur has created an easily understood explanation of many facets of the launch system in one model. [Arthur lives in the US]

Artwork is the focus in Gallery Lee 1.1 by leethegee1 and uploaded in 3DS format. Stop on by and take a stroll around. [leethegee1 lives in the UK]

4 Line Power Kite Handle is just one of many Flexifoil Kites products that will blow your recreational mind! Pete (boarder-pete) modeled this fascinating piece of equipment and uploaded it in VRML format. (PS The model has been removed or made Private by Pete, but it still deserves recognition as one of the best for the week!)

Abu (abu_roadking) is a master of story telling using a combination of both the written word and 3D models. Wings and Roots is his latest meaningful message illustrated using 3DVIA Shape. [Abu lives in India]

The “Neveready” Torch Assem by Rob (rob_cuzner) illustrates the importance of getting the ergonomics of a hand-held product just right. I was part of small team that developed a new ergonomic spray paint gun for DeVilbiss (which, it seems, they no longer manufacture) and getting the ergonomics right was by far the hardest part of the project. Rob used SolidWorks 2010 to create his flashlight.

Yoo Appartment Unit D by _yoo was created using 3DVIA Scenes. It demonstrates the versatility of Scenes (playing video on demand, turning lights on and off and even cooking up something good in the kitchen) as well as the amazing work of yoo as “an international branding, design and investment property company”. Take a walk around and have some fun!

Alfred (alfredix) has shown us another exceptionally well detailed armored personnel carrier. The M113 A1 has been used in many different variants since the 1960s!. “The Military Channel’s ‘Top Ten’ series named the M113 the most significant infantry fighting vehicle in history.” Go ahead and get inside this model. Go up and see the driver’s controls and all the other details. Alfred has modeled his M113 using Pro/E and then translated and uploaded it to 3DVIA using the STEP format. [Alfred lives in Germany]

Fortunately, tganstrom provided two renderings in the Gallery section of his Tree Sav’r model so that we could get an even better idea of what the Miner Products water monitor and graphics look like. Tganstom used SolidWorks 2010 to create these fairly complex surfaces.

Sometimes thinking inside the box is more interesting. Here leethegee1 uses the box to provide an excellent backdrop for his M231 gallery. Take some time to go inside and check out the artwork. It was uploaded in OBJ format. [leethegee1 lives in the UK]

Marian keeps getting better and better as he refines multiple automotive themes. Sunbeam V2 shows nice progress beyond Sunbeam V1.A which was in Top 10 – 051. He uses Google SketcthUp for his modeling. [Marian lives in Romania]

Chassis 1 by chekimagnus is the first section of a car that he is modeling using SolidWorks 2010. He hints that it is a rare car so I’m looking forward to seeing it when he’s ready.

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 (- 069 & – 070 are in the works) – 071

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 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.