The best models uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, 11/15 through Friday, 11/21 are highlighted here.

This is the fourth weekly post with the purpose of bringing great models to your attention that we all may have missed. The definition “best” will change as I find new things to help us all become better modelers and enjoy the site more. I’ve moved the definition of “best” and some other comments towards the end of the post so we can get right to the models!

Be sure to visit the previous Top 10 lists: 001  – 002  – 003

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.

Since our users live all over the world, I’m also adding to 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:

Tobogan was modeled by imagine3d using 3DVIA Shape 2.0. I included it because of the excellent ball that is a small, but important part of the scene. It adds a playful touch and allows me to point out a feature of the 3DVIA Player that allows you to visualize how a model is constructed, which can give you some hints for your own modeling.

As you can see in the first closeup, the ball seems quite round. When you click on the tool that is highlighted, your view will change to show you the Wireframe mode (clicking again will take you to Vertex mode and then once more will take you back to Smooth mode). By looking at the polygons, the Wireframe mode will give you a good idea of how the model was created. Rotating the model will show you (in the third image) that the ball is actually made up of many, many polygons, just like the rest of the scene.

I often use this technique to look at a particularly tricky part of someones model. I can appreciate their work and learn something too! [imagine3D is from France]

Product is an intricate manufacturing model from olivier-betton, which was created using CATIA V5. It attracted me because of my own manufacturing background and because it so clearly shows the value of 3D modeling as a tool to help plan manufacturing setup before investing all the time and money to do in the “real world”.

M3XD was, not surprisingly, modeled by M3XD using 3DVIA Shape 2.0. I really like the exuberant use of textures to make a visually exciting model . [M3XD is from Canada]

Berliner was modeled by 3DVIA user yanguin. He has added quite a variety of useful models to 3DVIA in just a short time (click on his username to be taken to his models page). His models are in 3ds format, so I can’t be sure what he’s using to model with. This one attracted me because of the humor and the use of both simple and complex modeling techniques. [yanguin is from Germany]

Planetary Survey Vehicle – Housing Unit by smike. Michael Petersen uses Google SketchUp to stretch the universe and our imaginations. He’s always trying new things and daring to make models that may never be made for real, but may inspire the next generation of explorers. As always, his attention to detail and appreciation for the commonsense needs of those who “inhabit” his worlds make this model worth exploring. [smike is from Denmark]

This model just plain makes me smile! The title says it all – House, Building & Birthday! That’s a great combination. Happy Birthday! miloambrus used 3DVIA Shape 2.0 to make this fun model. [miloambrus is from Brazil]

DSP Factory was modeled by 3DVIA user machinist using CATIA V5. It shows the versatility of using 3D models to convey a lot of information quickly. Customers will know where to park and where to go in the building before they ever get there! The well-detailed production equipment is also great!

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts was modeled by mvcomputers (Matthew Viets has been a 3DVIA Featured Artist) using 3ds Max. I have a hard time resisting the real thing and these make my mouth water every time I see them. [mvcomputers is from the US]

Escher Gallery was modeled by Omind to be a vrml [Virtual Reality Modeling Language] experience. The first three images are from the 3DVIA Player and the last two are from one of the free vrml viewers that Omind recommends. If you haven’t explored the vrml world, it is definitely worth it. Thanks, Omind for providing an introduction with this model and your own website WBandD. [Omind is from the US]

Cornucopia was modeled by toymaker using SketchUp and gives me the opportuity to wish the folks in Canada a belated Happy Thanksgiving and an early Happy Thanksgiving wish to our US visitors and to everyone in the world, a wish to be thankful for what we each have. [toymaker is from the US]

Due to the challenge of narrowing the number of great models uploaded each week down to just 10, I’ve added a new section to include Honorable Mentions to spotlight another 5 modelers!

Honorable Mentions:

House2 by Daniel089 – love the chimney! [Daniel089 is from Australia]

Apartman4 by Majnejm – one of four wonderfully colorful models

Nefertiti by Sylvie - created with a vrml generator and just one texture! [Sylvie is from France]

Cutting Tool Company Building by CuttingToolProvider - zoom in to see the excellent structural work

3DVIA Shape model by etraud – nicely done and an interesting building

Here’s the stuff that I moved down from the top of the post that gives you idea of what process my odd brain goes through to help me select the “Top 10″ and “Honorable Mentions”:

Variety will be one of the most important factors. I’ll try to show models created using lots of different software products and I’ll include my brief comments on why I chose each model. Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor will also be big factors. We should all have fun and feel free to model our passions!

To be considered, 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 modelers and reward their special creativity.

There will be 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. (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.