Rob Rodriguez has earned a place for himself as an expert in photo-realistic rendering in fields quite different from the gaming and entertainment worlds. Rob’s expertise is used to help people visualize and make decisions before they make real products. From the architecture we live with to the products that we hold in our hands, Rob’s skills make the things we use better from the beginning. Rob’s business, Axis CAD Solutions, delivers the value and power of rendered images primarily using PhotoWorks from SolidWorks. He also shares his knowledge with others through presentations at annual events like SolidWorks World and at numerous user group meetings throughout the US.    

Q1: How did you first become interested in 3D modeling, animation and rendering? 

Like everyone else I suppose I started designing in 2D with CAD tools like AutoCAD.  I can remember my professors from architectural school saying you have to learn how to visualize your design in 3D as you’re putting it on paper or the screen.  Sometimes this can be difficult when working on a complex design.  I can remember thinking if I can’t “see” the design in 3D then how is the customer going to see it?  2D CAD  was a step up from board drafting but it didn’t solve the problem of visualization for me.  I had worked in the architecture field for a while when I took a position designing decorative cast iron and sheet metal parts for a company that manufactures wood and gas heating appliances.  The decorative cast parts were very free form shapes with a more artistic feel and again I found it very difficult to communicate and visualize this type of design with 2D CAD.  This was the point I jumped into the 3D CAD world using SolidWorks.   I was amazed how much easier it was to “see” my design in 3D since I was working that way on screen.  There was no turning back at that point.  I was in the 3D CAD world to stay and 10 years later I’m still here.  Rendering and animation  just seemed to be a natural progression from modeling.  I used to see very life-like computer generated images while thumbing through trade magazines and they really caught my interest.  I wanted to learn how to create images like this and I’ve been learning ever since.

Q2: What types of 3D modeling, animation and rendering do you do?  

Having been in a number of different industries, I’ve modeled a variety of things.  Residential homes, cabinetry, furniture, sheet metal parts, castings, monuments, mausoleums, etc, etc, etc.  It’s an odd combination really, especially when  people find out I use SolidWorks as my primary design, modeling, and rendering package.  SolidWorks is primarily an MCAD design tool and I’ll be the first to admit some of the things I use SolidWorks to design and render don’t fit with its normal usage.

Q3: What role do your models, animations and renderings play in the product development process? 

That really depends on the context of the work.  If I’m working on consumer type products my renderings and animations typically come at the end of the design process and are used for more of a marketing or sales tool.  Most of my images and animations are used for print brochures, magazines and the web.  If I’m working on an architectural project renderings and animations are used to allow the clients to easily see the design and decide on revisions.

Q4: How much time do you spend, on average, on one particular rendering? 

Typically the modeling is already finished when I need to create a rendering.  I could have created the model at an earlier time myself or my client may have sent me their model to use for rendering purposes.  Since the work of modeling is already completed, the rendering process progresses rather quickly.  I’d say a typical consumer product rendering takes about a ½ day to a day depending on the complexity of the design and what exactly the client wants to show.  Architectural type renderings usually take longer just because the nature of them requires more work.

Q5: What additional software do you use to create your images? 

I like to do as much work as possible in the modeling / rendering package but there is always a bit of post processing required.  For this I use a photo editing program, Corel Draw / PhotoPaint.

Q6: What is your day like?

 I’ll let you know when this one is over J.  It varies greatly but there are some constants.  Having a full time job and operating my own business makes for some long hours.  During the day I would typically be working on design projects for a wide range of customers.  This could include creating models, fabrication drawings, renderings and animations.  I usually have multiple projects happening at once so things can become hectic.  Nights you can usually find me creating renderings for various clients through my own business Axis CAD Solutions LLC.  Again I’m usually working on multiple projects of varying degrees of difficulty  across a wide spectrum of products.  I’ve also branched out into the education side of the software, collaborating on a rendering book for SolidWorks and providing rendering training classes for clients.

Q7: What tips can you share for staying focused on a large project? 

Organization is really the key, especially when you’re working on multiple projects.  Document every detail of each rendering set up, you never know when you’ll need to go back to a particular point in time.  Time management is also very important.  It’s easy to become overwhelmed by  a large project but if you manage your time wisely and work in an organized fashion you’ll be amazed at how quickly it can all come together.

Q8: What part of 3D modeling and rendering do you find most rewarding? 

I really like it when I’m surfing the web or looking at a magazine and I see one of my images.  I can say, “I did that”.

Q9: Just for fun, what is you favorite game?  Movie?  Comic Book?

My all time favorite movie is Rocky I and II.  The whole “David vs. Goliath” theme appeals to me, probably because I’ve felt like the underdog most of my life.  Sci-fi action movies appeal to me the most, probably because of the special effects.  I’m always fascinated by how “real” it all looks in the movies. Star Wars, The Matrix, Alien, all great flicks.

Thanks, Rob, for taking time from your busy work and travel schedule to help 3DVIA visitors understand a little bit more about other areas of the world where 3D models are making a big difference.

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Challenge #4: The Luau has just begun, head over to the Challenge page and prove you have what it takes to be the next 3DVIA Champion!

Pontiac Dragster

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We are also currently up over 2,400 free 3D models in the public warehouse and thousands more stored in private collections. 

Have you read Juan’s 3D Tutorials yet or seen our latest series by Don covering user m2morgan64 efforts to create a game starting with our own free 3D modeling application 3DVIA Shape?

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I have to say that I was a little cautious about Robert Downey Jr. playing Tony Stark but he was excellent in the film and the Iron Man model was amazing.  In this blog we’ll talk a little bit about the suit and what it took to make it real.

The Movie

The movie was fantastic!  It takes you through the transformation of Tony Stark.  From a careless billionaire weapons manufacturer to a self made hero, fighting the good fight. First movie produced by Marvel, and it shows.  Jeff Bridges also surprised me, although I kept thinking he was going to say “Duuuude!” in reference to “The Big Lebowski.”  If you haven’t seen Iron Man, you owe it to yourself because, its not only a good movie, but the first in a series of Marvel productions leading to the Avengers Movie. 

The IronMan Suit

The suit is extraordinary! Over 1,933 pieces of geometry for the Mark III suit.  Most of those pieces were animated as the suit was being assembled or while the suit was in-flight as control surfaces. It took 3+ hours to render each frame of Iron Man when he was in motion.  Film is 24 frames per second,  that’s a heck of a lot of processing power! They did build a physical suit for Robert Downey Jr. to wear but when he found out how well they could composite the suit over his frame, he told the director he was not wearing the physical suit!  He wanted full range of motion, so they ended up doing the CG Iron Man suit for most of the film, about 410 separate shots for ILM alone.

So where do I get one of them there whatchamacallits?

So you think Superheroes are all fiction?  We are closer than you may think to having Powered Armor.  Recently the US Military purchased a company that built a powered exoskeleton, that can lift hundreds of pounds for hours with out the user getting tired.  And in Japan they have redesigned the exoskeleton to be as sleek, and sexy as the Iron Man armor.  It gets better,  the company creating this cybernetic armor is called Cyberdyne, as in the company that created Skynet in the Terminator franchise. The development of these technologies is mainly for the assistance and replacement of lost or non working limbs.  But imagine, a few more years down the line and I’ll be my one One Man Army!  Super powered Storm Trooper Armor, here I come!

-Juan

Ironman

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Although I am probably biased, there is a great article on TIME.com today featuring a certain 3D content site that you may have visited recently. Please check out the Thomas Grose 3D Comes to Web 2.0 article that is all about your very own 3DVIA.com.

“The hosted services and communities of Web 2.0 already amount to an entirely new form of communication. But now a new site called 3DVIA.com is taking the social-networking concept to another dimension — both literally and, well, virtually.” [ Read the Full Article ]

If you are not familiar with TIME.com, it is the online version of Time Magazine which has over 3,250,000 subscribers and is read by nearly 10 million people each week.

Do you have Digg account?
Please Digg the TIME article above.

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In short, Photoshop Extended allows graphic designers to incorporate 3D content directly into their 2D designs.  This gives you the ability to optimize the position and lighting of an element in your design on the fly.  Photoshop accepts .3ds, .obj and .dae files among other formats readily available for free right here on 3DVIA.com. 

If you do not have Photoshop, why not try a similar functionality in our own free 3Dcollage?  All you need is a Facebook account and the 3Dcollage app.  You can read all about it here.

View original post on Templamatic.

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Even though it looks a bit like a hamster ball…I want one! Mehdi from the Paris office, also in the first part of the video, gets to work with the coolest part of the business. I’m trying to rationalize installing the system for our office but have not justified the cost yet. Mehdi - can you ship that over here to the states?

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Just a few detail shots (while Remixing in Shape) give a better idea of how far he went to create the details. Since I was already in Shape, I could use his model to see new possibilities and start modifying his model and learning from that as well. He put a LOT of work into this tractor trailer (articulated lorry)(camion).

The first thing I did was to replace the detailed textures with something that was visually easier to work with. I then selectively deleted bits and pieces, big and small, so that I had just the cab and just the trailer to work with. As I worked I incrementally published the results so that I could always go back and head in a new direction if needed.

Then I took the cab by itself and started playing with that to make a shorter wheelbase cab that I can use with lots of different trailers. (Rguyen already has a new log hauling trailer that he put up today!). Here I’ve removed the sleeper/living quarters section and then shortened the side tanks and reduced the number of lights.

Then the hardest part was ‘box selecting’ the rear axles, tires and other goodies so that I could shorten the whole wheelbase. Not everything moved the way I expected, but with a little fussing I got it to look pretty good.

Then I started to make some changes to simplify and just make it into a 3DVIA cab. Less dressy and more like a fleet vehicle (although the six headlights are pretty odd). Adding some different textures to the grille, stacks and air cleaners made it different very quickly. Shortening the bumper and adding some holes and, of course, dishing the wheels and adding some interesting (although certainly not traditional) wheel textures also helped change the overall look.

From start to finish I had a great time. I started with the best I could find, learned a lot from Rguyen’s modeling techniques and now I have a few different models to start with the next time I want to use the power of Remixing.

Have fun! Make more cool stuff!

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We also passed 2,000 public 3D models at the same time (there are an additional 4,000+ private models being hosted on 3DVIA).  Check out new user smike, who has an amazing collection of spaceship 3D models, and the Earth Alliance “Ivanovas” SA-23E 3D model that he uploaded recently. 

Click the play button to examine the model up close.

You can find out more from smike on his website…Smikes World!

Let’s keep it going! Search for free 3D models now.

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mvcomputers has provided us with a great example of thinking ‘Inside the box’.

Some of you may have skipped right over an odd little box all by itself that looks like this in big mix of things:

Not only is it kinda’ boring, it has the title “Battle Cruiser”, which makes one cringe to think of trying to speed across the galaxy in a black, speckled brick.

However, for the curious there is much to be found! A closer look will reveal some instructions…

…and if one dutifully zooms inside the box…

…the reward is huge! How truly excellent - to use the INSIDE of the box to create one’s own finite galaxy. That is SMART. As long as you stay ‘Inside the box’, you can have a blast checking out this cool cruiser.

For the really, really observant folks (which I was not until I went to write this post and was grabbing some images), this cruiser is not singular. As you press in for the attack, you’ll also have to deal with several companion cruisers ready to minutely particulate anything you might be riding in…

There are several hanging around, so do be careful! My mousing is not precise enough to get super close, but the hangers on look like this when increased in size (the use of the term blown up might be confusing in this context).

So, today’s lesson to be learned is: have fun! try crazy things! make everybody wonder how you did that! make everybody wonder WHY you did that!

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In fact, this is one of the key changes that you will notice this year on 3DVIA.com. Instead of having several big releases, we plan on updating the site frequently to allow you the user to help shape the future of our service…so let us know how we are doing and what we can add for you.  We plan on monthly updates to the site so the suggestions you provide today could be included in the future site.

Here are some of the key updates released today on 3DVIA.com.

Simplified and Improved 3D Content Search
We’ve introduced an updated search feature that allows you to enter a keyword once and then search through our 3D models, people and groups with just a few clicks.

Search by 3D Model Format and Software
We’ve created an easy way to search the model library by format and the software used to produce it right on the search page.  For example, here are the free 3DS models available on the site right now.

3DVIA User Activity Feeds 
To highlight the user activity on the site we’ve begun to introduce Facebook style activity feeds to the site that will keep you up to date on the hottest 3D models and content on the site right now.  The first activity feeds can now be seen on the homepage.

Simple, Simple, Simple…We’re a 3D Content Sharing Site! 
I could have used the passé buzzword K.I.S.S. to describe this update but the sentiment applies.  Simple is our new theme. We’ve made very simple UI and messaging updates to highlight, particularly to  our new members, what you can do on the site.  That is…SEARCH, UPLOAD & SHARE 3D models and your latest ideas in 3D!  So go…search, upload and share!

Stay tuned, we should have an update to the site at least once every month!

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As Bertrand Duplat, Virtools founder and CTO for 3DVIA puts it, “3DVIA has taken into consideration studios’ needs when designing and developing games, especially those that work with large development teams in multiple locations.  Our new development engine encompasses the entire development cycle – from importing content to testing and debugging – maximizing publishers’ investments by allowing them to create content once, optimize it, and publish it across multiple platforms.”

If you are in the game development space, you should check out the 3DVIA MP site for all of the details.  Or you can watch this early trailer for the product below. 

The official announcement for 3DVIA MP was released yesterday at this years Game Developers Conference and the reaction has been excellent.

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Just last month, Microsoft blogger Steve Lombardi posted a great article on 3D mashups created utilizing the modeling capability of Virtual Earth - 3DVIA combined with Virtual Earth technology.  He detailed how developers can embed Virtual Earth 3D maps into their web applications and use our Virtual Earth - 3DVIA product to import custom building models.  You can see the final result here.

Although I did not get a chance to post an article on his creation then, this week delivered yet another great example of a 3D mashup posted on the IDV Solutions blog titled “3D, or Not 3D: That Is the Question“.  The article is a great step-by-step tutorial on how to build 3D models for Virtual Earth.  However, in addition to the snappy title that I know he must have been dying to use, the article contains a link to the incredible mashup they have created on their own Virtual Earth a based application.  It is a great example of what you can be accomplished with Virtual Earth - 3DVIA and worth checking out.

Fans of 3DVIA.com might remember the IDV Solutions 3D building  model as one of our featured models in January.  Here is the model on 3DVIA.com. (click the PLAY 3D button to view it).

And here is the here is the same building within the IDV 3D Mashup built on what they call their “experiment”.  What do you think?

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Check out his latest models below and let mvcomputers know what you think about his latest additions to the 3DVIA collection.

See Through 3D Gearbox Model

3D Gearbox Model - Apart

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The survey should take less than two minutes. Thank you again for your support.

 Click Here to Launch the 3DVIA Site Improvement Survey

If you would like to be notified about upcoming changes to the site, please register for a free 3DVIA 3D model hosting account or leave a comment below.

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For my latest request, please add your links for new years related models.  It could be champagne bottles, party hats…a 3D model of your friends after they’ve had to much 3D Champagne and 3D party hats?  Anything that you would like to celebrate the new year.

Last time, Shadows44 provided his Xmas model for our holiday request.  If you get a chance, check out his Shadows.fr 3D blog (French).

Happy 3D New Year!!!

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If you would like to remix these 3D house models, click here to access the collection - requires an MSN account (Hotmail, etc.).   Hover over the model name, and select “Add to collection”.  In the Collections editor, you can move the model to a new location, and remix it inside of Virtual Earth – 3DVIA.

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We are proud to announce the availability of 3DVIA Shape Beta, our new and easy to use 3D modeling application that is free to install and use!

With just a few clicks, anyone can easily Shape & Share their ideas in 3D.

Shape Your Ideas!

3DVIA Shape will bring your ideas to life thanks to a very intuitive user interface that was designed to allow anyone to easily create realistic 3D models.

Share Your Ideas - Online!

Once you complete your model, you can share it online with just a click of a button. 3DVIA Shape is designed to publish directly to your 3DVIA.com profile where it can be shared with the community, remixed and even posted to your blog.

To get started with 3DVIA Shape:

1. Join 3dvia.com

3DVIA Shape requires you have a 3DVIA account. If you have not yet registered on 3DVIA.com yet, click here to create your account now.

2. Install 3DVIA Shape

Downloading 3DVIA Shape is free and only takes a few minutes! The application is available through the ShapeIt tab located on the site. Run the setup application and follow the instructions provided.

When you have completed the installation, you will be asked to login with your 3DVIA account.

3. Create & Share Your First 3D Model

To get you started, we have created a set of video tutorials that will walk you through your first 3D model. You can also read the 3DVIA Shape documentation. The application is simple to use and you should have your first creation started quickly.

When you have completed your first model, make sure the world can find it. Click the publish button to post your model to 3DVIA. You will find your newly minted model under your “My 3DVIA” tab.

Please note - all models are published as “private” by default. If you would like other people to find your model, please set your model to “public” under the “edit attributes” link on the model page.

4. Feel Free to Remix

You don’t want to create a model from scratch? Take a look at the 3DVIA Shape Models collection and feel free to remix any model of your choice.

Remixing a model allows you to modify an existing model of another user and publish it in your own collection (remix rights must be allowed for the 3D model). You can also remix your own model to create alternative designs.

Still have questions?  Please read our FAQ section and don’t forget to send us your feedback through our Support form.

Enjoy and check back here often. We will be publishing tips and tricks on how to get the most out of 3DVIA Shape soon.

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This easy to use 3D model building application is the result of a close partnership between the Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes engineering teams. Our goal was to provide ordinary people with tools they can use to build a 3D world that combines their unique ideas and vision of the future with real-life places, buildings and structures.

With just a few clicks, you can easily design your house or your favorite building in 3D and post them for your friends and family to view on Virtual Earth.

To get started with Virtual Earth – 3DVIA:

1. Watch the Virtual Earth – 3DVIA tutorial introduction video found on our Tutorials Page

2. Setup your Microsoft Live User Account. Installing Microsoft Virtual Earth – 3DVIA requires you have a Live user account, available at http://maps.live.com/

3. Install the Virtual Earth – 3DVIA application: After you have Virtual Earth running, you can then install 3DVIA modeling software from:

http://maps.live.com/Help/en-us/VE3DVIADownload.htm
(or simply follow the menu links in Virtual Earth to “Add a 3D model”)

We are looking forward to seeing what you build, and hearing what you think about Virtual Earth - 3DVia.

Enjoy!

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We are proud to inform you that Seemage, a leader in the creation of 3D interactive product documentation, is now part of the 3DVIA Family.

For more information:

- Press release on 3ds.com

- Seemage website.

- 3D MOJO

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With TVnima become the new TV show director!

TVnima allows anyone to create a virtual TV news program using their personal media (photos, images, videos).
You can add a voice and import media, choose your camera angles and presenter gestures in just a few clicks.

Diego Mudboarding

Help Diego to rescue the animals that were trapped in a muddy mudslide using his mudboard.

This experience is an online game of Nick.com, the official website for the US children’s television channel, Nickelodeon.

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Take a virtual tour of the Royal court and discover recent renovation of the palace.
Discover the equestrian statue of King Louis XIV or the historical gate and get architectural information.

Go quickly to the experiences page to discover it.

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Search bar: you will now find a Search bar at the top right corner of the website.

You have the choice to search in models, users or groups.

3D Models listing: you can now view and sort models by most viewed, most rated, most downloaded

Users listing:  view and sort users by name, most active, last updated or created ; sort contributors by number of models uploaded, comments received, best ratings …

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- Rotate around and zoom on a focused point

- Change and save model position (save is only available for model owner)

- Change 3D models shaders (Direct X 9C or higher installed)

All these features are avaible from the new context menu

To see the context menu and define the focused point (the blue cone) on the model, click and hold the middle mouse button.

Depending on the functionality selected, the blue cone will be used as the center of rotation, the focused point to zoom on or the new face to place on the ground.

Context menu gives you access to zoom, rotate and pan options. These options are also accessible more rapidly with mouse or keyboard.

New Mouse control

- Activate the context menu and define the focused point: Middle button down (or left button down + Shift)
- Activate the function picked in the context menu: Midlle button up (or left button up + Shift)

- Activate Pan: Left button down + Ctrl

- Zoom: Use the scroll-wheel button

- Rotate: Midlle + Left buttons

New Keyboard control

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Go to the 3D Experiences page to discover them.

Showroom

Visit and navigate inside our virtual showroom.
You will find a camera inside it. Clic and play with all its features. You will be able to use the zoom, take pictures and movie then replay all.

3swym - see what you mean

Discover how the 3D web can change the way brands listen to consumers. See how YOU can, just by clicking, explain how you would reorganize your supermarket. Be creative, pick a brand logo, select a shape and a material to design your first yogurt ! Then store it in your fridge or imagine it on the road… And tell us what you mean !

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This easy-to-use application gives you the ability to save 3D scenes in 3DXML format from both OpenGL and Direct3D rendering API. Everyone can now save and share 3D models, it is as simple as classical print screen usage.

Go to the 3DVIA Printscreen page to download the application.

How does it works?

1. Launch 3DVIA Printscreen application first.

2. Open your application based on OpenGL, Direct3D 8 or Direct3D 9.

3. Grab the 3D scenes. Give focus to the application, then press the 3DVIA Printscreen hotkey (F10 by default). A 3D XML file is saved in your output folder.

4. Upload the result to 3dvia.com.

Enjoy !

Rafale 3D model captured with 3DVIA Printscreen

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3dvia.com will be the meeting point for all communities wishing to improve everyday life with 3D. It will provide both 3D content and 3D services, either very generic or more dedicated to specific goals. It leverages real-time display and behavioral 3D technologies, and provides services for everyone to imagine, create, share, experience or play in 3D.

To keep your old Teapotters profile and activate your account on 3dvia, simply accept the new Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Welcome to 3dvia.com! 

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Now how to update your texture?
You can edit your texture online by updating an existing texture.

1 . Download the original texture
2 . Go to your texture page press the “Edit this texture” button.
3 . Re-upload your texture press the “save & rebuild your model” button
4 . Then wait for processing and that’s it your model has a brand new texture.

Enjoy

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