3DVIA®

The best models uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, October 25 through Friday, October 31 are highlighted here. This is the first of what will be a 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 to become better modelers and enjoy the site more.

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 comments on why I chose each model.  Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor will also be big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passion! 

To be considered, models must be uploaded by the original modeler. Many times I find models that I think would 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 (like commercial models) are a welcome addition to the 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, highlighted 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.

This is Toymaker’s first model (PKN) on 3DVIA and he impressed me for several reasons. Most obviously, the great silhouettes are creative, fit the Halloween theme and his lighting is excellent. Also impressive is the fact that the first time he uploaded the model it was face down and the color wasn’t working, but he kept at it and made it into a model that is top notch. The model file format is kml, so I’m guessing it was done in SketchUp. Great job Toymaker!

Eclou is another recent contributor to 3DVIA. His head model (FinalHead_ForMaya002) was created using Maya and I include it here because it so clearly shows how much work it takes to create a believable human face and keep the polygon count down. In CAD applications this isn’t a consideration, but in gaming and other multimedia realms you live and die by polygon count. Also; in CAD materials, textures and colors are less important than the underlying geometry. Here, Eclou hasn’t developed his textures yet, or at least he didn’t include them in this model. That will be a big undertaking, especially with a human head. Thanks Eclou.

AllenBrooks is yet another recent 3DVIA contributor. His 1935_Auto-Union_Type_D shows a different type of complexity and challenge. Take a look at those wire wheels, exhaust louvers and pipes. Staying reasonably true to an iconic race-car form is also tough. Textures will be equally challenging, since he will have to work with so many different materials to make it right. I hope we all get to see the finished model Allen.

On the other end of the spectrum is smike, who is one of our first users and also a major contributor both in content and in helpful comments for other modelers. smike has 194 models (at last count) on 3DVIA! And they range all over the place as far as subject matter. He uses SketchUp as his modeling tool.

This week he uploaded his USS Yorktown CV10 Aircraft Carrier model and blew me away. The level of detail is just outstanding, especially since it is from bow to stern, including a below-decks hanger and island details that are amazing. He also always provides lots of information about the subject too. This helps make viewing the model almost like visiting a museum where we can learn as we enjoy. As always, thank smike!

mvcomputers is also well-known to 3DVIA regulars. He is the current Featured Artist and always has a great comment about most models and a cheerful attitude when helping and commenting. This model, mainboard, is an excellent example of how much textures matter to a 3DS Max model. The underlying model can stay fairly simple if you let your textures work for you. I also love this model because it reminds me of a miniature city. Thanks Matthew!

Imagine3D is also a regular contributor to 3DVIA. I included his Golden Fish as one the week’s Top 10 because it makes me laugh every time I see it! Imagine3D uses 3DVIA Shape to model with and a happy fish is a challenge to make in Shape. Thanks Imagine3d for all of the smiles!

DD Riviera2.0 is Pgauthier’s 3rd model on 3DVIA and it is so nice that I want to go live there. A lot of work and attention to detail went into this 3DVIA Shape model. With terrain and interior details galore, I can’t wait to move in. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do next Pgauthier!

This windmill model was done in 3DVIA Shape by petzl. It made the Top 10 this week because of the attention to detail in texturing on door and window details. The icing, actually the cake itself, is the spiral staircase hidden inside! Try making that and you’ll appreciate the patience and ingenenuity required. Thanks petzl!

Apartamento was modeled using CATIA by raribeir and it is only his 2nd model on 3DVIA. Where we live is important to most of us and apartment and house models are always fun to look at. Raribeir’s model has plenty of details to check out and they give us an idea of what it would be like to go home there. CATIA is more commonly used for simple things like entire jetliners and cars (just kidding about the simple part), so it is great to see it used for an apartment. Great job raribeir!

Another recent new contributor is Kcraik, this is his first model! Karl provided an excellent Craik Watch modeled using SolidWorks. SolidWorks is another CAD tool that we are looking forward to seeing more of here on 3DVIA. The details are pretty amazing. Check out the engraved details. The rendering is a link that Karl provided to show what the model looks like with full on photo-realistic rendering. It made me stop cold. More Karl, please!

Your comments are welcome and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and give reasons why they attracted you. I will do follow-up posts as conversations develop and I learn from all of you.

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