3DVIA®

The best models uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, 12/06 through Friday 12/12 are highlighted here. This is the 7th weekly post with the purpose of bringing models to your attention that we all may have missed. The definition of “best” will change as I find new things to help us all become better modelers and enjoy the site more.

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

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:

AutoSave CAMPUS DONE 4 was created by douglass707 using Google SketchUp. I like it because it shows so well how 3D makes it easier to explain where things are and how to get there! Nice job. [ douglass707 is from the US ]

Vicolaships modeled this motorcycle and is still working on the details and textures, but it is already quite nice! [ Vicolaships is from France ]

This is a model of a Hotelfront without the hotel! gaox did a great job on the entryway and signage, especially the coronet (small crown)!  [ gaox is from Switzerland ]

A well-faired hull is difficult to create, both in 3D CAD and in real life, but cie_lab has modeled a very nice one using SolidWorks 2009 SP1.0. [ cie_lab is from the US ]

The only problem with being able to appreciate it in 3DVIA is that it is lying on its side, which makes it hard to explore.

This gives me another opportunity to point out the use of a valuable 3DVIA Player tool, I found a semi-flat surface (check out the image below) that is on the bottom of the model and, after moving the mouse arrow right over the surface, pressed and held down the middle mouse button. That causes everything in the gray circle to show up.

The little blue cone (barely visible at the bottom of the “Repositioning” box) shows the spot where any of the tools in the gray ring will focus when I move the mouse arrow over them and release the button. If you move over the tool inside the green oval (the “Repositioning – Set the new model position” tool) and then let go of the button the model will reposition itself so that the surface you selected is now the bottom of the model! Pretty cool!

Now this great model is easy to look at.

If you own the model, you can use the “Save current settings” button to save your changes. Then when anyone else opens the player, your model will display the way you want it to!

DPV1 did a wonderful job modeling a be-jeweled Ring using 3DVIA Shape. [ DPV1 is from India ]

creature, which was modeled by biomask makes me smile every time I see it! Great job! [ biomask is from India ]

SGRUNT is an airplane concept created by 3dprox with an imaginative flair and lots of details.

metalworks is one of my favorites this week. bachuss modeled it in SketchUp. I really like the attention to detail and the overall presentation. [ bachuss is from the US ]

smike used SketchUp to create this scary Tarantel – Spider. Doing biological models is tough and Michael did a great job with his textures in particlar. [ smike is from Denmark ]

My tennis court (someday) was modeled by gsmith using 3DVIA Shape. It’s a great way to add details to his virtual future! (Some astute readers may notice that this model was uploaded back in September, not within the last week. Unfortunately, the original model was not given credit when it was recently uploaded, so I have kept it in as a winner, since it is still a “Top 10″ quality model. Thank you gsmith, for pointing out the problem in such a nice way!)

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: 

smike continues the arms build-up in the Squirrels War with his Squirrel Scorpion Tank modeled in SketchUp. [ smike is from Denmark ]

This very nice multi-story building 3DVIA Shape Model was modeled by dodi. [ dodi is from France ]

FB Architektur was created by visualtektur using 3DVIA Shape.

Peep Show by Omind is a model you have to go see. The many levels of humor are just great! (For folks outside of where Peeps are sold, they are sugar-coated marshmallow candy treats that have been around for close to forever.) [ Omind is from the US ]

This 3DVIA Shape Model of a nice house with a pool was done by Tereza. [ Tereza is from Brazil ]

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.

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