The best models uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, August 29th through Friday, September 4th are highlighted here. We have quite an eclectic mix of model subjects this week. Everything from a concert hall to the Lovell Telescope at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. And let’s not forget some odd characters, both real and imagined. Have fun checking them all out!

In case your attention span is extremely limited, you can watch the following video in 33 seconds and see all of the included models before you forget what you were trying to remember to do. :)

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

The Top 10:

Once again, shodiq38 shows his mastery of 3DVIA Shape by modeling the Leonardo da Vinci Helicopter. He has a fantastic understanding of the Shape’s modeling tools and makes great use of them! [shodiq38 is from Indonesia]

Brokebot by prolithic is funny and sad at the same time! The little details give it great character and make it seem almost “unbroke”. [prolithic is from Australia]

Take the time to really check out the details of this excellent Giant ATX750 bicycle by coffida. He uses CATIA V5 to model just about every possible detail of this complex vehicle that has everything hanging out and on display. Beautifully done!

Creepy is about the only word that fits this really well done model of Aliester Crowley, by krystalfoto. Crowley was a real individual and was indeed quite odd by most standards. [krystalfoto is from Norway]

sandman14 created The Black Diamond Guitar using Google SketchUp, but left it up to the 3DVIA users to name it for him. Parth came up with the name that Shannon picked. [Shannon is from the US]

Fitting right in with the 3DVIA fascination with squirrels, toymaker made Where Did That Squirrel Go using Google SketchUp. Yet another nutty model to add to our collection. [toymaker is from the US]

Let the Music Play V4 – Concert Begins by XQH_XXX is the culmination of much effort and many models created using 3DVIA Shape. He has been gradually creating and gathering all the elements to bring this concert to life! Be sure to comment on the model and I’ll bet that he’ll invite you too. [Parth is from India]

This 3D model version of the Hassan 2 Mosque in Casablanca was created by jackRED using 3DVIA Shape. The real mosque is an absolutely amazing piece of architecture. “It stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque’s adjoining grounds.” [JackRED is from Morocco]

sady2′s skills using 3DVIA Shape continue to improve and diversify as he demonstrates with his Nihal’s Sword. [sady2 is from Romania]

The Lovell Telescope is just part of the JodrellBankObservatory and is exquisitely modeled by squarefountain. His structural work is fantastic and the use of the terrain image helps his model feel even more real! squarefountain used Google SketchUp.

Honorable Mentions:

I never knew what one was until bobinos created a TN Trans Moffet Mounty using 3DVIA Shape. [bobinos is from Belgium]

Panzerschnellbruecke Biber by alfredix is another of his series of outstanding models based on the Leopard tank chassis. Alfred models using Pro/E and then translates them into STEP format for upload to 3DVIA. [Alfred is from Germany]

Those of you who are familiar with some of the “characters” here in the 3DVIA community will appreciate the notes that tomy left for those attending his truly epicurean Breakfast. The notes and the cooking were done using 3DVIA Shape. [tomy is from Canada]

Cadline Atrium by NickHarris looks like a great place to work or shop.

As the summer ends, take one more chance to visit a Hot Dog Stand courtesy of Junior117 and created using 3DVIA Shape.

Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 and Honorable Mentions 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!

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.