Breech Block's WIP Thread

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Breech Block's WIP Thread // Work in Progress

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Post by Breech Block // May 16, 2009, 4:19pm

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This thread is designed to give forum members a peek at some of the various images I'm working on that fall between all my regular threads such as the Future Fighter, Re-Boot, Heroes Vs Villains and Strange Discoveries projects. Now, I have long since recognised that the wisdom and generosity of the forum's collective 3D knowledge turns my work into something far better than I could ever produce alone. So, whilst your hopefully enjoying seeing some of my one-off work, with a bit of luck, I will be able to grab the opportunity to pick a few brains whilst you're here as I trip, fall and stumble on the path to 3D nirvana. :D

Post by Breech Block // May 16, 2009, 4:57pm

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Well, first of the press is an image created from the models created by Georg for the second Texture Challenge. It is not an official entry, but just something I thought I would do to show support for this excellent venture that was started originally by Kena.


I was really impressed with the models for this so tried not to add much in the way of geometry to the scene other than what was in the original download. I did get a bit creative though and Point Edited objects such as the barrow's wheel into a cushion and a pot plant into a can of beer. Mmmm, beer.:D


All the textures were just painted directly on apart from the paperback which I had to UV map. One of the things that I'm still working on is the uncracked window. I'm trying to get it dirty to match the scene, but not so dirty as you can't see the watering can. The trouble is when you have multiple materials only the base layer is allowed to have transparencies. Does anyone have a good technique for dirty windows, or is it really easy and just me doing something completely wrong?


The other thing I'm not happy with is the lighting. (Mmm, note to Kena, how about a lighting challenge. :D) I'm normally reliant on HDRI to get a good lighting set-up but in this image, it caused all the alpha maps to appear out of synch with the texture. Anybody know if that is normally the case? The main problem was that whilst I thought the background image was a terrific find and really suited the scene, I just couldn't figure out what the conditions would be like underneath all that foliage.


So, this is still very much a WIP and as always, all C & C are most welcome. Any errors you can spot or things you would add/change to help the scene along?

Post by Jack Edwards // May 16, 2009, 6:33pm

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Nice job blending it into the photograph background. I'm still looking for a good background to use for mine, lol ;)

Post by Breech Block // May 16, 2009, 6:53pm

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Thanks very much Jack...and good luck with your search.


Ohh, by the way all, there are bonus points available if you can spot the birds nest and second can of beer. :D


Edit - Ahh, the penny finally drops. I figured out how to do the window, and yes, it was me just being stupid. I had all my layers back to front. Doh! :o

Post by marcel // May 16, 2009, 9:32pm

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All the textures were just painted directly on apart from the paperback which I had to UV map. One of the things that I'm still working on is the uncracked window. I'm trying to get it dirty to match the scene, but not so dirty as you can't see the watering can. The trouble is when you have multiple materials only the base layer is allowed to have transparencies. Does anyone have a good technique for dirty windows, or is it really easy and just me doing something completely wrong?



You can add a plan with an alpha mask front window to simulate transparence or not (corner) and a big plan behind the cam with a forest as texture for the reflexion of the glass. You can use another plan with alpha map to create a shadow of the tree on your scene (when i see the trees on the background i find the wall with the windows too light). With a dark wall, the refflects on the windows will have more contrast.

Post by Georg // May 16, 2009, 11:38pm

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What a wonderful picture, Breech Block.

The textures are very convincing and what a great story. The grass is ready, the fire is on, time for a beer! Ooops, empty already. Off to the kitchen to get more:D


I agree with Marcel that shadow of leaves with (a projectorlight?) could add the sense of being in the middle of the woods, but that is up to you. I like it the way it is. The only comment I would make is the FOV. It is bit too much of a wide angle to my taste, you see distortions in the picture, like the stones of the fire. I would adjust your camera.


There could be another can of beer in the shed, but I am not sure. Probably also empty.

BTW why not an official entry? It is great.


georg

Post by Steinie // May 17, 2009, 4:17am

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This is really nice work Breech. I too would recommend projecting leaf shadows.
Various thoughts and answer to your two challenge questions.
I thought it was a hornets nest under the overhang.
Slightly raise your path stones.
The word "off" is not "of":D
Clever use of the objects!
The other beer can is in your friends hand...ME!:)
@ Georg
Why this work and mine cannot be entered?...no WIP.:(

Post by Finis // May 17, 2009, 4:48am

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Very good. You use layered textures to dirty up things?

I just couldn't figure out what the conditions would be like underneath all that foliage.
Here's a photo from a hike under forest cover. Valley floor. Sun 2 hours from sunset. Bright partly cloudy sky directly above. Peaks, ridges, and tops of trees higher on the slopes are brightly lit. To the eye it was a little brighter than this. The light seems to come from everywhere. Shadows very fuzzy and very close to objects.

When the sun is higher there are large brightly lit patches or strips of ground corresponding to gaps among the taller trees but not much "dappling" with small bright spots except at the edge of bright patches and into the forest on the far side of a clearing. Trees on one side bright.

Post by KeithC // May 17, 2009, 5:05am

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The second can of beer is under the wheel barrow.
Not sure about the bird's nest, yet.

Post by Breech Block // May 17, 2009, 4:18pm

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Marcel @ You can add a plan with an alpha mask...and a big plan behind the cam with a forest as texture for the reflexion of the glass...use another plan with alpha map to create a shadow of the tree on your scene...will have more contrast.


As always, thanks for some great insights, Marcel. All your advice now implemented in revision below. :)


Georg @ What a wonderful picture, Breech Block. I agree with Marcel that shadow of leaves with (a projectorlight?) could add the sense of being in the middle of the woods...I would adjust your camera...BTW why not an official entry? It is great.


Thanks Georg, your great models really inspired me to go the extra mile on this. Roger, Wilco on the shadows. Might have to see if I can squeeze Cliff Richard in there as well.:D Camera now sorted. Previously, it was a last minute change as the apex of the shed roof nearly cut the picture in 2. Not official because of what Steinie said. Gonna post this image in my 3D Artist's on-line gallery if you have no objection (their your models after all). Then I will be able to post a link here for a higher resolution image.


Steinie @ This is really nice work Breech. I too would recommend projecting leaf shadows. I thought it was a hornets nest under the overhang. Slightly raise your path stones. The word "off" is not "of"


Thanks Steinie. Roger, Wilco on the shadows. A nest is a nest, well spotted, Sir. Have a banana.:banana: You gotta be kidding me on the paving stones, Right? It took me forever to subtract them from the lawn, fillet all the edges and alpha plane overhanging grass strands to hide all the edges.:mad::D Where were you when I took my English test?:rolleyes:


Finis @ Very good. You use layered textures to dirty up things?


Thanks. Yep, never really used them before but much needed on this to hide repeat patterns and to grunge things up a bit. Thanks also for the info and reference image. It helped me to get a better feel for the conditions I was trying to emulate. Y'see, living in Scotland we never see the Sun. Didn't even know what a shadow was till I started doing 3D.:p:D


KeithC @ The second can of beer is under the wheel barrow.


Well spotted, sir! Have a banana.:banana:

Post by Finis // May 17, 2009, 5:37pm

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Did you dirty up the left window?


in Scotland we never see the Sun I heard it rains a lot there. I just guessed you lived in a city most of the time.

Post by noko // May 17, 2009, 6:58pm

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Looks great so far!, now why isn't this an entry :confused:. I was going to use broken windows too :D. Not sure if I will have time though :(.

Post by Breech Block // May 18, 2009, 8:53am

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Did you dirty up the left window?


Yep, it looks really filthy on my 24" Monitor - guess it loses its impact when reduced for the forum. :o


I heard it rains a lot there. I just guessed you lived in a city most of the time.


Mmm, a city. I think you would have to raise the population of Scotland above its current level of 107 (if you include dogs & cats) for one of those to be viable. :D


Looks great so far!, now why isn't this an entry .


Thanks Noko. See Steinie's post for not in contest info.

Post by Breech Block // May 20, 2009, 5:22am

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What a difference a few days can make on your life. When I started this thread, I was on a real high. Finally, after years of slog and brain scratching, I created an image where for about the first time I though to myself, yeah, I think I'm beginning to get the hang of this 3D malarkey. That, and I was really looking forward to sharing with the community some great ideas formulating away at the back of my head.


But now, a few days later and.... I'm gutted, just really gutted. I look at all the threads being opened up all around now and I just don't know how to respond to any of them. I'm just at a total loss. So I have come here, away from the general melee of the roundtable to offer a message of thanks.


For the last 18 months, this community has been a large part of my life, inspiring me creatively and helping my imagination to reach out to new worlds. Worlds where the land is patrolled by menacing Spiderbots and the skies are protected by Futuristic Fighters and Snoopy in his trusty Sopwith Camel. And where help is always just a Matrix phone call away. And, as I type these last words, the true impact of what has come to pass is starting to hammer home.


So it just remains for me to say a big, heartfelt thank you, to all those members who have helped and supported me. There are far, far too many of you to name, but you all know who you are. Thank you. For sharing you time, your wisdom and more importantly your friendship.


BB

Post by Jack Edwards // May 20, 2009, 6:17am

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Breech you've been an inspiration to me and I'm sure many others here. Definitely don't give up the fight.

I have a feeling that many of us will likely find our way over to the Blender community. Some may go to Modo, others to other software packages. But there are efforts underway to help maintain the great community that has been developed here.

In the short term, Prodigy is making a public forum for us to gather at and share projects we're working on. I'll be creating a developer community to help the plugin developers with plugin projects. So it should be a relatively soft landing that will buy time and help ease the period of transition to new software.

Post by rjeff // May 20, 2009, 8:19am

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Yeah Breach don't be so doom and gloom. We will live on over at Prodigy's place. I expect to see you there. I need to send you a private message to tell you why.. so look for it.

Post by Nez // May 20, 2009, 10:21pm

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You know where to find me;)


I'm certainly not packing my bags - I'll be carrying on with TS for many years yet!


'Speak' to you soon....
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