The ten best 3D models and one exceptional 3DVIA Experience uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, October 2nd through Friday, October 8th, 2010 are highlighted here.We have our eyes on you this week! It could a raven. It could be Carl. Or, it could be Spy Bee zeroing in on your derriere for a big surprise! You better keep moving by checking out the other models including a cargo truck and a supercar or an apartment building and a church. On top of that – wait for it – we even have a zeolite molecule to delight and amaze you. Dig right in, but keep an eye out for that Spy Bee!

(Easy links to all 92 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and Experience.)

The Top 10:

Using Dassault Systemes V6 Abu (abu_roadking) and his 3DPLM team created the fantastic (and believable) flying Spy Bee – the model! This bee carries a real sting too. Anatomically, you’d be hard-pressed to be able to tell it from the real thing before it performed its job of surveillance – or worse… [Abu lives in India]

Abu (abu_roadking) and his 3DPLM team next took their fantastic Spy Bee model and used 3DVIA Studio to create Spy Bee – the Experience! Fly the bee around the room, change your camera view, emit a smokescreen and even play your choice of theme music as you do it!! What a great job!!! [Abu still lives in India]

Zeolites take on a whole new meaning when you look at Ace AlPO4-5 Micro R-X by Couloumb! Who knew that at the molecular level a zeolite could be so attractive? It was created using a VRML generator.

St. Peter’s by Paul (rollofthecat) demonstrates the full value of 3D by combining several models with photos from the actual work site.  Whether you’re looking for exterior or interior details, Paul tells the complete story using photography, 3DVIA Shape and Google SketchUp.

Michael (smike) did a fantastic job on the textures for his low poly Eurocopter EC665 Tiger Spanish Air Force LP using Google SketchUp. To see ALL the details go visit his online presentation. [Michael lives in Denmark]

There is no mistaking Nevermore by Michael (toymaker) as anything but a raven after he got done with it using Google SketchUp. Look at those claws and the feather textures – beautifully modeled! Those beady eyes send a shiver up my spine! [Michael lives in the US]

Stand back and watch your head and toes! This HEMTT M977 Cargo Truck by Alfred (alfredix) means business right NOW! If you’re in the way of the load on that crane you’re going to have a real bad day. It is meticulously modeled using Pro/E, then translated into STEP format for upload. [Alfred lives in Germany]

Biribiri by Giorgetto (saltamurella) is a soothing and sculptural form that is relaxing to view and move around even as a 3D model. It was uploaded in 3ds format.

The Tramontana R Supercar was modeled by Nikola (zenox) using just pictures and Blender. Check out the real thing here and you’ll be pleased to see what a great job he did! [Nikola lives in Serbia & Montenegro]

Malone-01 is another excellent presentation by Paul (rollofthecat) created using Google Sketchup and, in this case, a video showing the neighborhood (with buildings that he constructed) and how it would appear if you were to  drive right up!

Take a good look at Carl by Brozesurfer. This excellent model lets you zoom right in and see all the amazing details and realistic textures. “Carl” was created using a VRML generator.

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 Best2009 – 061 – 062 – 063 - 064 – 065 – 066 – 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092

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.