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Well, as a newcomer, you don't need to use replicators :) Remember, the newcomer category has simplified rules. You don't even need to create or significantly modify any content that you decide to use. All you need is to play with the shaders or at least 2 of the objects in your scene and you'd be completely satisfying the newcomer category rules. Anything else is optional and completely up to you.
After watching that mixed shader tutorial, I think you are fully ready to participate! :)
Thanks for the update, EP.
@Misty, there is a list of free Cripeman tutorials in a sticky at the top of the Carrara forum (Dartanbeck's resources link). They are very helpful, and they usually have plenty of Kapow!
Bunyip shows some nice modeling progress for a deckhouse and battlestation. Plus, a very clever lantern held by a dragon.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345/#734679
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345/#734853
Evilproducer provided a freebie for a string of decorative lights.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P345/#734697
Evilproducer also has a WIP of a pair of woolly mammoths. Check out the hair and the tusks!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P360/#734990
EP also explains spiky crystals, which are essential o frosty scenes.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P375/#735202
I posted my setup for a custom ground plane, a shading domain to control replicator placement of background trees, and adjustments to leaf shaders to mix in some snow. Plus, a sleepy bear is curled up in a fur ball.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P360/#735070
and then EP gave me a great tip on correcting the translucency in my shader for the leaves.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P360/#735173
Stringtheory explains custom normal maps used to create the path of the ski trail. This is a great tip. Worth bookmarking.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P360/#735154
And adds smoke to the lodge.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P360/#735184
Antara presents another composit element for the room - this time a frost version.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P375/#735195
Also, don't hesitate to come on over to the WIP thread and ask some questions! That's why it's there! Even if you decide not to enter this time, there's still no reason not to come on in and say hi!
BTW, if you use a shader with transparency and refraction (there are glass shaders that came with the native content), you could drop them on a simple primitive, put in a plane or something else to provide a surface for the object and then turn on Caustics, it will look cool. What makes it even cooler is to change your light to a 33% intensity and change the color to pure red, then duplicate the light and leave it in the exact same spot as the original, and change the color to pure blue, then finally duplicate the light again and change the color to pure green.
As long as you leave the lights in the exact same spot and equal brightness, the light will appear white, The 33% brightness is cumulative, so all three equal 99%. You can increase the brightness, but all three should be the same level.
Here's the really cool part. If you have Caustics turned on and the light(s) shine through your object, the caustic effect breaks the refracted light into an RGB rainbow effect.
If you try the caustics with a plain white light it doesn't break it apart that way.
Also, don't hesitate to come on over to the WIP thread and ask some questions! That's why it's there! Even if you decide not to enter this time, there's still no reason not to come on in and say hi!
BTW, if you use a shader with transparency and refraction (there are glass shaders that came with the native content), you could drop them on a simple primitive, put in a plane or something else to provide a surface for the object and then turn on Caustics, it will look cool. What makes it even cooler is to change your light to a 33% intensity and change the color to pure red, then duplicate the light and leave it in the exact same spot as the original, and change the color to pure blue, then finally duplicate the light again and change the color to pure green.
As long as you leave the lights in the exact same spot and equal brightness, the light will appear white, The 33% brightness is cumulative, so all three equal 99%. You can increase the brightness, but all three should be the same level.
Here's the really cool part. If you have Caustics turned on and the light(s) shine through your object, the caustic effect breaks the refracted light into an RGB rainbow effect.
If you try the caustics with a plain white light it doesn't break it apart that way.
Thatis a very cool caustics trick, EP! I didn't know about it. And I love using Caustics, so it will be very useful. Thank you!
It is a pretty neat effect.
Just remember, it's not real world accurate in how the light is broken apart. An object in Carrara that light passes through has no real volume, they're just skinned shapes after all.
Also, when using the lights must be in the same spot and orientation for the effect to work.
pretty! i luv caustics.
Page 28 of the WIP thread is well underway. There's some more WIPs, some discussion on how to use some cool Carrara features and some reference images that inspired one of my entries.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P405/
Antara has posted some more WIPs on how she is creating a frosty interior. It is very cool and well thought out!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P405/#735606
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P405/#735613
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P405/#735687
I show my scene as it was originally designed, and how it is winterized:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P405/#735582
My scene was inspired by the realWisconsin Dells. Not the water parks and timeshares.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P405/#735628
Justin case someone needs this:
more clarification about the sizes, in this case - biggest sizes within Forum rules:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/726352/
and for really precise measurements:
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/726407/
The submission deadline approaches. Some great scenes are coming together.
I put together a late entry inspired by The Nutcracker and the "Reading is Fundamental" initiative.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P405/#735729
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P420/#735794
Bunyip's dragonboat is really looking good.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P420/#735819
Varsel shows how to create the stream base for the snowflakes. There is also sample snowflakes.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P420/#735840
Fenric presents his scene set up and the realistic fox. The breath in the cold air is amazing.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P420/#735931
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P420/#735920
Chickenman's long flowing robes and horse-drawn sleigh is making great progress. There is a discussion of addressing light through transparency and eye issues.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708/P420/#735957
heheh :cheese: found the caustics presets.
pretty.
animated gif output looks a lot better with the dithering. :)
Very beautiful!
Do you think you can enter the challenge? there is still half a day left... :) It can be a very simple image.
i'm ny time, gives me til 3 am or something. :) gonna try my best
So am I... :) Yes - you have until 3AM :) Good luck!
Anyone with a Daz account can vote. The voting thread (entries thread) is here.
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/49155/
Just to avoid confusion, when voting just list any 4 images (not artists).
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/49155/
There are more votes being cast, but we need you to vote!!!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/49155/
There are many fine entries, and also many new participants, so please, show some love and encouragement!
Anybody with a DAZ 3D account can vote, so if you can post to the forums here, you can vote!
If you do decide to vote, as diomede pointed out above, at the very least list your votes by entry number. Comments are also welcome!
I also encourage you to check out the WIP thread at your leisure. There are many fascinating WIPs, tips and tricks. Some of them, such as vertex modeling, lighting and postwork tips can be applied to other software!
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708
Still time to vote (anyone with a Daz account). Just to be clear
see entries and vote here -
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/49155/
and the work in progress thread with lots of tips and discussion is here -
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/48708
There is still a little time to get a vote in, as anyone with a Daz account can vote. Definitely want to take a moment and thank Antara for choosing such an inspirational theme, and happy to see some folks who are new to Carrara participate. I think if the voting ended now, one of the top three slots would go to a (Carrara) newbie. Plus, Antara generously arranged for another prize that was specific to newcomers (who did an amazing job!).
You can still see the entries and vote here -
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/49155/
Just a heads up that Antara announced that the voting thread closes at 11 tonight and that SukyL generously provided a previously undisclosed prize. Or, at least I did not know about it.