Jerry CGI+

Category: Rendering

Pretty pictures (most of the time)

  • Lotus

    I decided to give Turbosquid a turn to see what I hadn’t downloaded. Out of over 3000 free items, I grabbed four that I felt were exceptional. This was one of them.

    Lotus

    Not only is it a decent human model, it also presents a number of challenges, such as retopo (the original is triangle based). I had to reduce scale by 100 (1%) and turn X rotation to -90°, then zero everything, to make it work properly in modo. It’s a good model for practicing texturing as well.


    I also got a Star Wars battle droid, an ant, and a bunny eater. All were exceptional. In times past, I may have grabbed around 150-200 items out of the 3000 for the library. But I have it pretty much covered with what I’ve amassed.


    Made the split pea soup, finally. Took a while before I could find the energy.

  • Gas Tank

    Just a quick model and first render in modo 12, a propane tank.

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  • Toolbox

    Going over the basics in the most recent version of modo.

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    .1111111111111111111

    The DVD of Duck arrived yesterday.  I have been wanting a copy for years, and I finally have one.  The cover had a cosmetic dent (1/2″) in it, but it was still in the original wrapper, so I got it at a price that was right for my budget.  Enjoying it immensely.

  • The Offline Drones

    (written one day before restoration of internet services and the publishing of this entry)
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    The storm Monday morning was quite a blow, damaging structures, snapping trees, and generally making a mess of things. Fortunately the property here was spared the brunt, and only one cedar tree was snapped, putting a dent in the swing set. It could have been much worse, considering the force of the winds.
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    I feel pretty good about how I handled the 6 day, storm-induced internet severance. (Dropping by the neighbors with the jPad for email checks doesn’t count.) There were some cursor rituals, to see if there was any magic in the microwave transponder up on the pole here. But over all, I kept my dignity. I chuckle a lot too.
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    I did get reading material on Muse, getting myself oriented while the net is down. I think I see the mentality behind the process. Some InDesign, some Photoshop, some something else, GoLive maybe? I haven’t designed anything yet, but I am starting to see the tools available and what they do. Here we go again…
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    Not sure what will happen in a week. Myka may be returning to Brenham. I’ll face that in a week when it happens.  (Update, looks like I’ll be heading back to Brenham around the first of the month.)
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    The refurb is handling quite nicely, though it still feels a little barren. No permanent collection folders yet. Most document files get sticked over to the old one right away. It’s still my trusted library index. (And it still has QT7 on it.)
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    A couple of renderings in modo.

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  • Alphas

    Here is a quick render from modo 10, using a TIFF alpha image (ZBrush, etc) as a displacement texture.  The refurb seems production ready.

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    I’m also experimenting in Muse, starting to learn the ropes.  I’m hopeful that I will be ready to use it for production soon.

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  • Rattan

    I rather fancy this rattan chair that I found at 3D Sky.  It took a bit of basic texturing, as nothing in the FBX held true to modo.  But it pretty much universal for all textures.

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    rattan

  • Cherry Martini

    A cherry martini in modo, some things borrowed, some things new.

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    cherrymartini

  • Vase

    Playing with textures on this vase in modo, some interesting glaze effects.

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    vase

  • Pebbles galore

    In the great blues and zydeko tradition:

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    pebblebot

  • Decanters

    Decanters in modo. (Back in the upper 90’s today.)

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    decanters

  • Poor Magician

    Poor Magician

    I found this at 3Dsky in the sculpture section.  I love the dog to no end.  Gave it a jade (-ish) shader in modo that best showed off the mesh.

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    poormagician

  • Glass jars

    I was working on a project with glass that got cancelled, so I fond new glass to raise my spirits.

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    jars

  • Screwed

    Use of a displacement map to create a screw head in modo.  (The party is today.)

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    screwhead

  • Changes

    The Takamine popped its bridge last Friday, not a complete separation, but a distinct crack and detune.  It has been retired.  I have reached for it a couple dozen times in the last four days.  I miss it.  Vince and Sarah are sending me a Yamaha 6 string that Vince got for a trip, only been played three times.  It should be here tomorrow.

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    Like a fool, I went to Craig’s List and found a Meenie clone for $350, barely been played, in San Marcos.  I can’t justify the $350 at this point.  Dumb thing to do.

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    I have been hunting distractions all weekend and this week.  Nothing quite replaces the void.  One of the distractions in modo.

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    cracks2

  • Playing with fire

    In modo.

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    figurine

  • A cool spell

    Hasn’t gotten out of the 30’s today.  Grumble grumble.  Myka stayed inside today.  I’m making her a house cat for a while, going into the entertainment business.  Meow.  Lots of mouse flipping and other calorie burners.  Every square inch of the house has been inspected.  Make her tired and sleepy.

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    I can’t seem to get warm enough.  I’ve held off turning up the thermostat.  I may have to give in.

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    A good day for sleeping under covers.

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    Pine needles test in modo, using fur materials.

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    hairpine

  • Canisters done

    I’m done with modeling the canisters.  The last model of 2014.

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    I’m ready to let 2015 arrive quietly.  I am partied out.  Food is ready for tomorrow, cornbread, black eyed peas, pastrami and Jarlsberg, and cheesecake.  A shot of Patron Anejo at midnight.  Plenty of quiet fireworks.

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    Happy new year.

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    canister3bcanister3a

  • Canister models

    Almost done with modeling the kitchen canisters in modo 8.  I still need to tweak a few loops to tighten up a few slopes, but it’s just about done.

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    canister1canister

     

  • More xfrog free samples

    xfrog has a new set of 31 freebie samples, including a bottle tree.  Looks like I could be here another week to care for Ava (cat).

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    bottletree

  • Balloon

    Been dealing with blood pressure issues since yesterday.  Internet issues too.  Not a good combination.  At least Myka has been considerate, except when it comes to slipping outside.  I’m handling all three, but it sure eats time and saps energy.

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    Need to trim my fingernails.  Too many typos on the right side of the keyboard.

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    cooler

  • Glassware

    My first render in eight weeks.  THANKS, MYKA!

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    in modo, of course.

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    glassware

  • Summer

    Summer is finally here.  Ugh!  90’s without A/C.  Oh well, I can wash my hair daily in cold water with no discomfort.

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    LazyBoy slipped a dowel.  I may sleep in the truck tonight, maybe in the little LazyBoy.  It is fixable, will just require coordination and schedule.

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    Internet has been a pain today…..  what else is new?

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    modo 8.0.1 SP1 was released this week.  Fixed some bugs.  I’m happy.

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    The Meenie is being tamed.  Added Cribbage and Canasta to the iPad to keep Pinochle company.  Staying busy mentally, if nothing else.

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    guido

  • Indian plate

    modo, of course.

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    plate

  • Offline

    I’ve had no internet for the last two days.  Not a lot of fun.  Took the time to work in modo.

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    bat plant-1

     

     

     

    hensteeth

  • Thin Film

    Working with one of the new shader nodes in modo 8, thin film.  This is a surface shader that adds an iridescent sheen of color to a transparent material.  This is an even sheen.  A varying sheen, like a soap bubble can be made by mapping (image or procedural) the thickness of the film (an angstrom shift, in theory).

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    fish 1