2014 Holiday Season Carrara Challenge - time to VOTE!
Antara
Posts: 444
Happy Holidays, everyone!
It's time to vote for 2014 Holiday Season Carrara Challenge entirs!
ANYBODY with a DAZ account can vote! Please stop by, take a look at the entries and cast your votes!
VOTE HERE: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/49155/
Voting Rules:
- Each voter can vote for 4 images ONLY. (without any regard for categories - just vote for whatever images appeal to you most) - you may choose ANY 4 images out of ALL 20 entries.
- Anyone with DAZ 3D account may vote.
- If you have a justifiable reason to want to cast your vote anonymously, please send me a PM with your vote and your reason for anonymity. (My own entries are excluded from entries eligible for anonymous voting.)
- Votes will be counted per image and the image with most votes will win. If an artist submitted 2 images, only one of their images (the one with the highest vote count) is eligible to win a prize (the other prize will go to another artist's runner up image).
- The honourable mention will be decided as the 4th place image.
- The newcomer category winner will be decided by a panel of judges (TBA).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have a multiple choice question for you:
Do you have Carrara?
a) Yes! And love it!
b) Yes. But it's just sitting there on my hard drive and I never/rarely use it...
c) What is Carrara?
Well, if your answer is a) or b), I've got some great news for you!
(And if your answer is c), you might still want to read on, too, as the program is currently on sale: http://www.daz3d.com/carrara-8-5-pro (78% OFF for PC members) and you might want to check it out after learning what Carrara can do! :))
Over at the DAZ Carrara forum we are currently running a special Holiday Season Carrara Challenge with AMAZING prizes from our generous sponsors
DAZ 3D and JACK TOMALIN
And in addition to the regular winning categories, we also have a special prize especially for New Users and Beginners, sponsored by me, Jack Tomalin and an additional prize from Philip Staiger!
There's never been a better time to give Carrara a try, and maybe win some great things for it. :)
We've got a fun theme, a friendly and welcoming community and a lot of fun in store for the next 6 weeks.
If you'd like like to check it out, head over to the WIP thread and see what's cooking, get inspired and participate!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/
And if, for some reason, you don't feel like giving Carrara a try this season, we'll still welcome you after Christmas - to vote for the submitted entries.
Dates to remember:
Challenge WIP Thread Opens for WIP submissions: November 14, 2014
Challenge Entry Thread Opens: November 24, 2014
Challenge Entry Submission CLOSES: December 24, 2014.
Challenge VOTING period: December 25, 2014 TO December 30, 2014.
Winners announced: December 31, 2014.
Enjoy the season, and I hope to see you in the Challenge! :)
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Comments
Since the WIP thread is running on full cylinders already, here are some useful posts for inspiration (these can be useful to you regardless of your challenge participation - just to get the creative boost for whatever images you are working on this season :)):
In addition to some inspirational resources listed in the main announcement, other participants have posted inspiring images with various takes on the wintery theme:
Historical:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/713570/
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714072/
Punny :) :
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/713979/
Starightforward:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714082/
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714090/
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714486/
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714612/
And maybe more to follow ;).
It might be a good idea to have a post that collects and organizes some of the technical tips that people include in their works in progress. Can try to do that here.
For starters
Replicating objects(lights) on a tree:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714153/
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714157/
Lighting up a foggy image:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714379/
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/714417/
Replicatng trees on a terrain and adjusting vertical for slope
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714431
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714467
Creating frost in a the spline modeler an applying to a tree
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714471
Creating falling snow with two planes
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P75/#714691
METABALL PARTICLE SYSTEMS
Tips and tricks for metaballs! In addition to a Hexagon-like vertex modeler, Carrara has a spline modeler, a formula modeler, and a blob modeler based on attractions. In these posts, Antara and Dudu discuss using metaballs emitted from a particle system. Dudu explains using zero velocity for a still image rather than an animation.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#714979
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715002
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715018
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715039
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715079
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715091
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715099
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Edited to add
creating paths with replicated grass and signs on sidewalks and aging concrete
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715559
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715945
Bryce heightmap to Carrara terrain modeler
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715793
composition, camera angle, POV
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#714999
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715056
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715090
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715120
Fur and snow embedded in fur
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715282
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715440
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715555
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715559
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715826
Overcome a problem figure with .cr2 adjustment (polar bears)
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715550
replicated lip gloss (candy)
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715839
Using Sparrowhawke's plugin for multiple colors in replicated objects (instances randomizer)
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P135/#716029
Using multple terrain objects at different distances for a single image
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P135/#716043
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Edited to add
Using the fire primitive to create snow powder
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P135/#716399
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Edited to add
-----------------
creating a stream bed with snowy banks and icy edges
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180/#718674
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180/#718912
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#719169
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719424
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719465
------------------------
using carrara dynamic hair
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#719246
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719481
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notes on postwork, desaturation
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719406
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backdrop scene setting, IBL lighting
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719414
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Making toon sun from a plane
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719475
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Bright light atop tree with flare
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720424
If you are new to the Carrara challenge
Using content is welcome and encouraged.
Here is a thread dedicated to best practices for integrating Genesis and Genesis 2 in Carrara.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/45361/
This could be a great opportunity to try making your own custom content.
Here is an illustration of modeling pants for Genesis using Carrara's vertex modeling in the Assemble room http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48102/#704154osts (posts 4, 6, 7, 8)
Here is a summary of a second method to create Genesis content in Carrara
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48102/P15/#707485
Here is how to convert those custom clothes using the Daz transfer utility.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/45361/#676987
Here is a quick guide to the Carrara interface
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48102/P15/#707269 (posts 19-21)
Here is a Carrara information manual thread
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/15970/
I hope chickenman makes an appearance this month
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48772/
;-)
It is early but the artists have already demonstrated a wide range of theme interpretations and are using a wide array of Carrara's tools. In addition, there are many examples of integrating Carrara in a workflow with other programs, including Silo and PSE. Challenge coordinator Antara has been giving excellent suggestions for WIP and starting interesting discussions on related approaches. Metaballs! We need more exploration of the metaball modeler!
Mark is working on an urban scene set in a park patially lit by trees with multiple holiday lights. He replicates lights in a dome around the trees. Thepark is surrounded by rowhouses modeled in Carrara's vertex modeler. Mark's working title is "Crazy Winter Jogger is Coming."
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P30/#714153
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714424
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P75/#714605
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P75/#714691
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P90/#715090
Darwinsmishap expands on a great envrionment product, Carrara Vista in the Clouds, by creating Carrara trees and customized snow layers over the rock textures. With hot point advice from EP, Darwinmishap replicated the custom trees on the mountain slope for an amazing landscape. (You might think the landscape was Bryce, but it is Carrara).
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714424
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714458
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714473
Evilproducer demostrates how to use Carrara's spline modeler to create hoar frost to be replicated on tree limbs. The WIP could anticipate a beautiful inerplay between light and ice.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714471
Some of EP's reference photos can be found here.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P60/#714486
Dudu_0001 is working on a scene with snow covered plains and a herd of herbivores tracked by northern peoples in traditional garb (my description doesn't do it justice. Check out both posts). Dudu uses real references for the patterns on the traditional clothing. Dudu also converted a Carrara terrain to a vertex model to smooth the tundra.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P75/#714497
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715138
Stezza has already revealed his title, Winter Heat is Coming. He is using Carrara's vertex modeler to create and assemble a variety of "niknaks," including an ice cooler, a frosty beverage, and spooky guy (incorporating textures made in PSE).
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P75/#714683
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715213
And Mark revealed a secret message in his image (not so secret now).
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715211
booksbydavid uses Silo to model an outfit for Victoria 4. He uses Carrara's hair modeler to place fur on the hat and coat collar (definitely a must see, along with another fur demonstration by SileneUK).
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715282
Pimpy demonstrates how to model a pair of snowpeople with an arm around eachother. The arm poses convey emotion very well.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P105/#715408
Check it out
Thank you!
:wow: Now I don't have to keep going pack and fourth through the fast multiplying pages to find things! This is an absolutely great amazing thing, so very helpful! :wow:
Ah ah… I didn't know this forum and it seems that it's a central point for all the other more specialized forums !
All that I can say, it is that Carrara challenge is very hot this month, and moreover, it is opened to the newbies with a special classification for them.
It's an excellent manner of making discover the enormous possibilities of Carrara because when one arrived at the limits of DAZ Studio and that one wants to go further, it's Carrara the solution.
Moreover, the program is filled of a great quantity of items which will make an easier work to them.
You can believe me, I test (almost) all the softwares of the market and it's Carrara which remains since of very many years my preferred!
Welcome with all and many thanks Antara to manage this very exiting challenge !
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/
Some great progress recently
Varsel shows some great polar bear fur using the Daz polar bear by AM. Varsel modled a sled nd harness so the bears could pull the snow queen in her chariot. He also uses a free instances shader randomizer plugin by Sparrowhawke to create fall leaves and a leafy ground cover. There is another bear poking out of the woods which is intriguing.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715550
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P135/#716029
Mark has been adding additional details to his park. My favorite is the holiday-themed caution sign. Worth checking out.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715771
Mark also shows how to age his seawall by panting cracks and applying to the shader tree.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715945
Stezza's image looks like you can fry an egg on the rcks of a burning desert. Some great concepts and fun models. Not sure if it because the Earth is getting warmer or because Winter up here is summer Down Under.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715793
David has two great tips in his newest WIP. In one, he shows how to embed snowflakes (replicated) in dynamic hair. In the other, he shows how to replicate candy bits on his character's lips.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P120/#715826
Pimpy shows the construction of his canyon/valley environment.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P135/#716043
Stringtheory9 has added some WIPs. This artists shows a very creative way to make snow powder spraying from the edges of skis. Repurpose the fire primitive! And, custom trees with snow covered limbs are in the works. Great job.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P135/#716399
Yay! There has been a sighting and it looks intriguing. I'd link to it but I'm not on a device that is easy to copy and paste. Go to the WIP thread to check out Father Chickenman, and a whole lot of other fun and informative posts.
We're up to page 13 already, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was 14 by tomorrow!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180
There's some really cool things being posted and some of them are nearing completion.
Just to give a bit of a taste as to what is being done in the WIP thread, this picture that I'm working on uses tree presets from Carrara. I customized the tree shapes and textures, then I loaded a really cool snow covered spruce needle leaf from Howie Farkes' Snow Scene to replace the default leaves.
Those of you from the upper mid-west of the United States may recognize the area of Wisconsin that I'm basing this scene on. There's still a lot of work to add snow, icicles and a partially frozen river. Pop on over to see how it progresses.
I also have an idea for a scene with hoar frost that I've been working on.
I have been away from my computer but looking in on my Ipad when I can get internet access. The challenge participants are doing some amazing work.
There is still plenty of time to get started on a new entry. Challenge runs through late December.
Having said that, several participants are getting to their final image.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pimpy created some accessories for his snow people. Pimpy also provided the assemble room setup and explained making the star bulb on top of the tree.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180/#718651
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180/#718831
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#719310
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#720224
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720424
---------------------------------------------------------------
Evilproducer provides some great explanations of creating a snowy stream bed. (Editorial statement, I plan to show another way to create a stream, but I plan to have a beaver dam and a pond - are you in suspense?)
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180/#718674
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180/#718912
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#719169
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719424
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719465
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark showed the arrangement for his park scene. Close to final render.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P180/#718886
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719406
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Antara gives some great practical suggestions for each of the participants in two long posts. What a great resource. I am bookmarking this one.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#718952
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720511
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Dudu shows some updates to his terrain (a must see) and the traditional tundra people costume.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#719128
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#719206
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Stringtheory explains the method of creating the jacket for the man skiing. Also, some expaeriments with hair turned out very well. Just ask the King.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P195/#719169
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719481
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719484
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Stezza shows the draft render. See how well the toon sun on a plane worked! Great job.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P210/#719475
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720431
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720505
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varsel is getting closer to a final image. Varsel shows the winter queen being pulled in a chariot by polar bears toward a forest with leaves (autumn colored) as ground color. Great use of replicators and the sparrowhawke instances shader plugin.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720326
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Bunyip provides an example of an image with icy edges and transitions (and hints that might be able to do an entry when a current project is finished.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720351
Check it out!
Back from my trip and found that the participants have been busy.
Pimpy explains the lighting method used to create the bright star ato the tree.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720424
Stezza is close to his final scene setup. What a great collection of characters are hanging out by the cooler with tasty beverages. Check out the platypus!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720431
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P225/#720505
Evilproducer demonstrates creating an ice fall. Great use of Carrara’s translucency channel.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P240/#720889
Darwinsmishap is also close to the final render. Beautiful presentation. Remmeber, the theme of the challenge is to create winter is here/coming art for the NYSubway, so presentation is important. Nice job, DWM.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P240/#722244
Varsel has adjusted the winter queen image for a more gradual transition from the snow to the fall leaves/grass. And, the polar bears now have misty breath. I love the fall colored trees on the far right. Plus, a demonstration of creating chain links for the polar bear chariot rig.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P240/#723061
Dudu and EP have a discussion of the merits of using the meatball modeler for the ice fall. I can’t ever get enough discussion of metaballs.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P240/#723395
Roygee has a wolf howling at the moon. Great job on the fur. The terrain was fine tuned in Bryce then brought to Carrara. Plus, the starry sky and Aurora Borealis were painted in Gimp and used in the backdrop.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#723842
and definitely check out Roygee’s update
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#724215
Dartanbeck chips in with a great tip on maintaining a focus on a figure in a large scene. Hint, it involves repositioning cameras.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#723886
Fenric will be joining the fun. Fenric is creating a beautiful winter weather scene with custom snowflakes.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#724168
This might be important because it clarifies the rules regarding final image dimensions:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/724880/
The idea is that the ratio is maintained, so if the image is bigger than 800pixels high, then the width would change accordingly based on 800x1033 ratio, 800x1043 ratio or 800x1567 ratio.
Two beautiful renders have been submitted.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/49155/
There is still time to get started. Plenty of time to get an entry in.
Quick update while I wait for my own computer to return from repair. While I am temporarily sidelined, the entrants are making fantastic progress. There are some great tips in this set, especially how to add wrinkles to ski pants that bunch up against ski boots. Hey, my updates, my preferences get emphasized in the updates. ;-)
Roygee explains how he combined two personal photos of rocks in Carrara's shader mixer channel to create the terrain shader. Also explains a revised Aurora Borealis.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#724866
And then Roygee "What I did with the next WIP is to put two particle emitters into an empty scene, one with a flow force and the other with a point force. Did several alpha renders at different points in the animation, combined them and gave some motion blur in Gimp, then layered that over my render of the scene."
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#724946
Antara gives a great tip on how to create the Aurora Borealis and still use volumetric clouds.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#724880
Fenric has a revised WIP with the fox (definitely check it out) and with a snack for the fox (WIP includes the modeling room for a mouse. Tasty).
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P255/#725478
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P270/#726378
Stringtheory9 has a WIP detailing a winter lodge for the background. Great incorporation of a model from 3dwarehouse, with an explanation of adjustuing the shaders for a great image.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P270/#725535
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P270/#726534
** Then Stringtheory9added another really cool tip. Using the wave parameter to create wrinkles in ski pants. Definitely something worth adding to the toolbox! **
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P270/#726394
Great progress on all fronts.
Several of the most recent WIP demonstrate integrating Carrara in a workflow that includes Blender, Hexagon, and Daz Studio.
Dudu's job creating the traditional clothing for the polar peoples is amazing. Great tip on creating a tundra-type terrain. This is how Dudu describes the project. "The title will be: the last sun (of the year), because afterwards, it will be the polar night…"
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P285/#727029
Roygee explains the reasoning behind changing the eather setting for the wolf baying at the moon, and alludes to a lot more modeling. I am intrigued.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P285/#727124
Roygee provides a great set of WIPs for a second project. In this one, there is a combination of a cloak modeled in Hexagon, draped over M4 in Blender, then covered i fur using Carrara's hair modeler. Also a disucssion of addressing issues with millenium dog's joints.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P285/#727985
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#728152
Bunyip is doing a great job integrating the dragon3 and an ancient ship for an amazing exotic image. I lovethe transparency of the wings.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#728038
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#728755
Mark is putting the final touches before getting ready to render. Interesting discussion of best modeling practices.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#729660
And Evilproducer leads a discussion with Bunyip on the many ways in which ice interacts with light, water, plants, that can affectits appearance. Great WIPs, yes, but also some links to wonderful reference pics.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#730028
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#730159
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#730546
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#730617
Progress on all fronts. Even some intriguing second entries.
Evilproducer explains his strategy for creating hoarfrost, which are ice spires that grow from surfaces. Interesting reference photos, too.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P300/#730710
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#732917
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#733039
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#733062
and an explanation of the shaders
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P330/#733407
There are also reference photos for a white out.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#733048
Evilproducer also has a preview of his final image
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P330/#733607
Varsel shows his second entry start (which may have been the original plan but is now the second?) Beautiful winter queen blowing snowflakes.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#731397
Roygee is nearly completed the second entry.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#731416
Antara shows the component renders of the room for the host's entry.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#731842
There is a lively discussion of reference photos and the creative process more generally, divorced from any single image.
starting here and continuing for several posts.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P315/#730763
EDIT:
Missed a page.
Chickenman shows the setup of a sleigh in a winter setting with a customization of a Howie Farkes scene.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345/#734089
those arrre good prizes.
They are :)
And there is still time to enter!...
:)
diomede64, thank you so much for the index!!!
do beginners really haz a chance though?
1) This month there is a special prize for which only beginners are eligible.
2) A first-time challenge participant has won the top prize too often for my personal pride to admit. The number placing 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention are also high, and those prizes are pretty good also.
My understanding is that beginner in challenge terms is more defined as someone who hasn't been using Carrara very much, or never, (even if they have had an old version for a long time -sort of like myself and Hexagon) than beginner in 3D or Daz programs more generally. So you'd be a beginner in the challenge sense even though you are not a beginner in Daz stuff.
never heard of surface replicators before
They are actually very easy to use, and very handy. They can be used for anything from placing trees on a terrain, to scattering leaves under a tree, or constructing a parade or an army from a few figures, or placing furniture in an auditorium.
Some replicator resources follow.
free youtube tutorials
Cripeman tutorial on replicators
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXthnav9rUc
Marcelo Teixeira
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf6D7jagRIo
Forum thread on replicators methods, tips, and tricks
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/38177/
Thread on Landscapes in Carrara
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/28368/
Thread on using Carrara terrains and replicators to create oceans
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/28506/
Note - it is absolutely NOT a requirement to do everything in Carrara. Integrating Daz content is encouraged, as well as content from other sources. Similarly, people integrate Bryce terrains, as well as hexagon, blender, zbrush, and silo models. So if you want to do a lot of the setup or creation in a program that you are more comfortable with, that is fine. The first page of the WIP thread will have this month's minimum Carrara requirements (they can change from month to month).
I'm serious when I say that it is not uncommon for first time participants to win.
thanks.
i dabbled in carrara when i first bought it. haven't launched it in several months.
i used to lose the framing window thing, lol
couldn't see how it opened the littler replicator without leaving the assembly room?
forgot about that skeleton layer thing when loading genesis.
well, using genesis isn't the point, eh, it's learning how to use the software. replicators, modifiers, lights, etc
You definitely qualify for the beginner category. You'd be competing against other beginners for the beginner category prize, but if you happen to win the regular category prize instead, that is also a possibility and by entering as a beginner you will not be excluded from regular prize competition, so by all means go for it! And the WIP thread is really friendly, so if you are having any issues, as you learn and play with Carrara please ask.
I formulated this challenge with beginners in mind, so the special prize category is there precisely to guarantee that a beginner will win!
And the prizes for beginners might get even better ;)
Is the replicator giving you issues? If you double-click on the replicator instance in your scene list, it will take you to the replicator settings and you can add objects to be replicated, set up object distances, formation, randomization, etc. Or if it's a surface replicator, you can also select the surface on which to replicate your objects, use a shader to restrict distribution of objects, or restrict the replicated objects to a specific shader domain..
You don't need to use any humanoid figures if you don't want to, as you correctly mentioned, it's all about learning the software. And the theme is wide enough not to require any particular figures.
I really hope to see you enter! And best of luck!
I think you should give it a shot, Misty!
If you're afraid of a popularity contest, I should point out that SukyL was new-ish to Carrara and a first time entrant and won.
dustrider was a first time entrant and won, although he was not a new user.
The prizes are great, but what I like better is learning new things in the WIP thread. It is a fun and relaxed way to get to know Carrara and other Carrara users. Ask any question on how to do something and you will usually get more than one way to accomplish your goal, with some pretty thorough explanations and usually some screen shots or other graphics to illustrate.
Page 24 is well underway!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345
Bunyip02 and Chickenman have posted some more WIPs.
Bunyip02 shows a dragon light that he's going to replicate on a structure There's some nice screen shots showing how the scene is coming together:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345/#734853
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345/#734870
Chickenman has a nice description and overview of his scene, and some nice screen shots and test render:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345/#734089
this one popped up after i watched the replicator one.
Carrara Multi-Channel Mixer Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DQhtVZ1-8U :bug: wow
'kapow' :)
not up to the replicator yet,
i see a checkbox to turn on caustics, delusions of grandeur :lol: