3DVIA®

The best models uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the week of Saturday, 11/8 through Friday, 11/14 are highlighted here.

This is the third weekly post with the purpose of bringing 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.

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

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.

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!

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.)

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:

Matthew Viets (mvcomputers) is up to his crazy and quick 3ds Max modeling again. When he found out that fellow 3DVIA user mgbaron was recently married - BOOM – up went the virtual wedding gifts with some humor thrown in too! [Matthew is from the US]

User Rguyen uploaded this really nicely detailed home that he made using 3DVIA Shape. Very, very nice. [ Rguyen is from the France ] (01/26/2009 – editor’s note: this model was originally credited to another user, which I just found out and have corrected to give Rguyen the proper credit.)

This is Mfunny69’s first model on 3DVIA, but it really caught my eye. It was uploaded in 3ds format, so I’m not sure how it was modeled, but it a really striking abstraction that is beautiful to explore. Check it out. [mfunny69 is from the US]

smike is one of our most consistent 3DVIA contributors and this week was no exception. His Liebherr Rail Mounted Gantry Container Crane is amazingly well-detailed. It’s incredible how much information smike can glean from photos and internet research. [smike is from Denmark]

This is also Horatuka’s first model on 3DVIA. It caught my attention in the same way that Mfunny69’s plant did. The bamboo is so simply and elegantly done. It was also uploaded in 3ds format, so I’m not sure how it was modeled, but it is wonderful.

Its_pradeepsc uploaded his modeled named “Christmas” and I really like the way he used 3DVIA Shape to create his own world. Check out all of the details. I think those are even partridges on the windowsill. This is a fun model with whimsical touches that make it a pleasure to explore. [Its_pradeepsc is from India]

Another great example of using 3DVIA Shape is tomy’s model called “3DVIA Neighborhood”. He has gathered a group of 3DVIA homes together and created his own street of friends with a river and sailing at one end. Looks like a nice place to live! [tomy is from Canada]

Matthew Viets (mvcomputers) made the original model of this gorgeous drill. Bellaflu changed the color and neglected to give credit to mvcomputers. We hope that users will bring situations like this to our attention (as Matthew did) so that we can correct mistakes as quickly as possible – thanks Matthew!

petzl tells us that his model “house” is not done yet, but I couldn’t wait. His models keep getting better and better! The attention to detail is amazing and it has been created using 3DVIA Shape. Just like a real home, the views from the windows and from one room to another are well thought out and create pictures to enjoy. This is also a good example of how taking the time to open a model and really look carefully can yield unexpected delights. I’m looking forward to seeing what else petzl adds. [petzl is from Estonia]

Leonardo Camero (Neivanito) created this excellent video camera using Blender. He is kind enough to explain in two languages that he couldn’t find a video camera on 3DVIA, so he went ahead and made one – thank you! [Leonardo is from Columbia]

Honorable Mentions:

collége by jordan78 - clean and very elegant [jordan78 is from France]

War of the Squirrels by Omind - way too funny [Omind is from the US]

Living Room of Justice by Dubilla - way too funny too [Dubilla is from the US]

RED’s World by Jackred - very nice and accurate model [Jackred is from Morocco]

  saana by Visualtektur - cool textures, lots of possibilities

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