3DVIA®

Happy New Year!

Due to the multitude of holidays at this time of year, this post covers two weeks. I do hope that all of you enjoyed some extra time with your friends and families.

The best models uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the two weeks of Saturday, December 20th through Friday, January 2nd are highlighted here. This is the 9th post with the purpose of bringing models to your attention that we all may have missed.

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008

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!

Be sure to check out the models that received Honorable Mentions too!

Our users live all over the world, so I include in my comments where each modeler is from. It’s great that language and distance are not barriers when we’re all sharing in 3D! (Modelers may choose not to share where they are from, so some countries of origin will remain a mystery.)

The Top 10:

SolidWorks 2009 was used to create Lunettes BOSS by Ycannistra. It is an interesting contrast in sweeping surfaces and small details.

If you like cars, trucks and the whole emergency response world, you have to check out MrTRL’s models. This one is WFD hazmat truck and it certainly gets your attention! It’s nicely detailed and the graphics make it all the more real. MrTRL creates his models using Google SketchUp and he has a big presence in the Google Warehouse as well, where he goes by TRL. I hope we see more of his models here too! [ MrTRL is from the US ]

Aksakof’s model arch seems simple enough, but the textures bring it to life. Check out his other models for some really good 3DVIA visitor comments and suggestions on making your own models more life-like. [ Aksakof is from the UK ]

mvcomputer wow’s us again with his bumblebee Grinder model created in 3ds Max. Details, complex surfaces and textures all work together to make this a great model. [ mvcomputers is from the US ]

Flower, by neilnathanson, is a beautiful example of sculptural modeling. As Omind pointed out in his comment on the model, using the Fresnel Environment Shader (or clicking on the Mode button to switch to wireframe or vertex modes) will reveal a hidden part. [ neilnathanson is from the US ]

smike continues to amaze me with his range of subjects! This great model is the Tintin Shark Submarine used in Red Rackham’s Treasure. smike uses SketchUp to keep us guessing what he’ll model next. Right now he’s into a series of dragons and ogres! [ smike is from Denmark ]

Skull dgr was created in Blender by Vtor67. I enjoy the complexity of the interwoven blade surfaces. [ Vtor67 is from the US ]

TELcentrala is another example of how simple geometry can be used with detailed textures to create a very believable environment. Gitisns used SketchUp to create this buidling and then covered it with detailed textures. I started wondering whether virtual tagging would become another form of expression.

This is one research-device that I’m hoping is on my side! Necronom created it and has left it up to our imagination what might be the subject of research. Cool model!

This nice realistic conglomeration of building styles is simply called tmd by Gitisns. Another nice reflection of the complexity of the actual world.

Due to the continuous challenge of narrowing the number of great models uploaded each week down to just 10, I’ve included five Honorable Mentions to spotlight even more modelers!

Honorable Mentions:

Viuu used 3DVIA Shape to create this floor layout. [ Viuu is from India ]

SolidWorks 2009 was used by Gol10dr to create a very nice Fireplace. [ Gol10dr is from the US ]

Building Environment 1 was modeled by Aksakof and includes some nice gritty details. [ Aksakof is from the UK ]

gsmith modeled my office using 3DVIA Shape. [ gsmith is from the US ]

lordantonius modeled this elegant lady’s watch using Wings 3D [ lordantonius is from the US ]

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the “Top 10″ and “Honorable Mentions”:

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.

There is no reward given beyond 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.

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.

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