The best models uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, May 9th through Friday, May 15th are highlighted here. This is the 28th week of bringing models to our attention that we may have missed from that week. 025 is still in the works. Then I’ll be all caught up with your previously uploaded great models. Wahoo!

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 – 026 – 027

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:

Philippeminez has created this wonderful sculpture,  Part 1, using CATIA V5. It has interesting forms that are a pleasure to explore in the 3DVIA Player. Each shader option provides a different experience. The top two images were created using the Cartoon shader and the bottom two were created using the Fresnel shader. Be sure to experiment yourself with the shaders when viewing models. Usually someone will mention in the comments about a model if it looks best with one particular shader.  [Philippeminez is from France]

Casa by macchine just plain makes me happy! The simple scenery and vibrant colors put a smile on my face every time! Great job!

A-7 Bomb-loading Scene by alfredix tells a more complete story than any of his huge collection of  excellent models can by themselves. alfredix used Pro/E to create this operational scene and then uploaded it to 3DVIA using the STEP format. [alfredix is from Germany]

mastic takes story telling to the mythic level with this incredible scene that he calls Unpacking the First Neurons. Each of mastic’s models are fantastical stories with amazing surfacing and subtle coloring.

Here he continues to also show the importance of believable body forms that magnify the reality of the position. In particular, check out the neck and upper chest area and notice  how the concentration in the face is carried through there to emphasize the feeling. I was amazed when I went inside the head to find even more mysteries! CATIA V5 gets a real work out from this master modeler!  [mastic is from Spain]

Jackson Concept Quad V guitar by sandman14 is one of my favorites for its great shapes, colors and detailing. sandman14 uses Google SketchUp to create his great guitars. [sandman14 is from the US]

The Story of the Pencil by abu_roadking combines 2D and 3D story telling in a novel way. Whether you’re open to the story’s message or not, the modeling itself is simple, but captivating. 3DVIA Shape 3.0 was used to bring a well-known story to even more people. [abu_roadking is from India]

All right, the 24 Heures du Mans race is coming up soon (June 13-14), so I can’t resist this great creative interpretation of an LMP endurance racer by langnickel.  X1-C was created using Blender 2.48. Thank you for feeding one of my Jones’! [langnickel is from the US]

Wasserpumpe is a wonderfully detailed peristaltic water pump modeled by MartinBecker. I really appreciate the detail and completeness of the model. [MartinBecker is from Germany]

Stagate Fixed by Jessexual is beautifully detailed – that’s a lot of work! It is so well done that it made me realize how little I knew about Stargate and kicked me into learning mode – always a great result from a model! [Jessexual is from Australia]

alfredix takes his story telling to a new level with this complex Folding Bridge Diorama. I tried to include images to show how the true purpose of the scene unfolds as you get closer and closer and view it from the viewpoints of the various participants. Including terrain in a model with this much information  is a big step up and alfredix handles it well! He created the scene using Pro/E and then uploaded it to 3DVIA using STEP format files. [alfredix is still driving, riding and modeling in Germany]

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

Honorable Mentions:

Red Toy Car by Vladvivlad is simple, but well-proportioned and with just enough detail. Vladvivlad used 3DVIA Shape 3.0. [Vladvivlad is from Moldova]

Aga Gospoda by manoy24 appeals to me as a wonderful use of 3DVIA Shape 3.0 to convey a lot of information very simply and make it easier to visualize an entire complex operation.

Bathroom 20 by Phil78_B is included because of the great use of a reflection in the mirror! That’s good thinking. Phil78_B used 3DVIA Shape 3.0. [Phil78_B is from France]

We can never have enough Pizza, even if it is virtual! Vladvivlad made this yummy treat using 3DVIA Shape 3.0. [Vladvivlad is still from Moldova]

AMX-10 RC by meisterd is nicely detailed and well-modeled in CATIA V4 and uploaded via CATIA V5.

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.

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.

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.