United3dArtists Archive

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 20 Sep 2009, 11:14

Getting back in the saddle again has been pretty tough. I'm relearning a lot of stuff I had forgotten. But you know me and my scenes. Still have more work to do on this but I like the way it's coming along.

- Need to add a puddle or two (using Weevil's method)
- Need to add a little more of the "dirty look"
- Maybe tweak the lighting a little more
- find some good plants to put in the pots

As always, comments and suggestions always welcome.

LeonRegis · Post by **LeonRegis** » 20 Sep 2009, 13:34

Hey Tahnoak is looking very good, as you said just need some dirty look and some improvements with the lights, apart from that it's just perfect!

Cya

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 20 Sep 2009, 15:11

It is about time.

Looking good. It has your signature style, feel, and talent for composition.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 20 Sep 2009, 16:32

Aha! I turn my back for five minutes and I miss this. Been waiting ages for another one of your pieces. Can't wait to see this one finished

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 20 Sep 2009, 21:21

See tahnoak we really did miss you!
Nice feeling to this piece.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 20 Sep 2009, 21:37

Thanks for the encouragement guys...I wonder why I was away for so long (as my 2 year old twins bang on the office door crying)...

Here is an updated screenie. Still trying to work in the puddle effect from Weevil but tweaked the lights and I really like the detail that the new light brings to the foreground.

LeonRegis · Post by **LeonRegis** » 20 Sep 2009, 21:47

Getting better tahnoak this is the way

Breech Block · Post by **Breech Block** » 21 Sep 2009, 13:57

Looking good, especially with the new lighting.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 22 Sep 2009, 00:19

Thanks Breech...

I am relearning another valuable lesson.. save early and save often.. SOAB!!!

For some reason now my scene takes forever to load and if by chance I make a mistake and use the undo feature, it randomly modifies the texture of one of my objects to some other texture. I had forgotten about this problem that I had previously on other scenes. I am now struggling to try and get back some of the textures that I was using as well as the overall feel of the scene but with the impossible load times and overall hanging of the program it is making it difficult to stay focused on this.

I have no idea why it is taking forever to load the scene. I think one of my problems may have been a three layered texture. I recall that giving me issues in the past so I deleted that texture and will try again.

So, bottom line is no new progress on the scene. I have spent a bit of time over the past few days trying to "recover" what I had prior to this incident.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 22 Sep 2009, 01:22

Workspace or Model Side?

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 22 Sep 2009, 02:13

Finis wrote:Workspace or Model Side?

Model side, I do all my work on the model side. I haven't figured out the workspace side yet

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 22 Sep 2009, 03:07

Turn the bridge off. That helps with lots of stuff. Maybe it will help with the slow load time.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 27 Sep 2009, 11:47

I am still trying to recover from the system issues (for a lack of a better term) which completely messed up my textures and the overall feel of the scene. While in my stupor I decided that I did not like the light fixtures in the scene so I made new ones. Here it is. I am not totally satisfied with the glass in it but since I only have TS and none of the other programs that do caustics particularly well I will settle for this.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 27 Sep 2009, 13:21

Finis wrote:Turn the bridge off. That helps with lots of stuff. Maybe it will help with the slow load time.

Thanks Finis.... I did that and it seemed to have helped somewhat but it is hard to tell because I also cleaned up the multi-layered textures.

I'm now trying to update the lighting (per my previous post) and then trying to decide how to "dirty it up". Then maybe add some drain pipes and either phone lines or power lines draped along the alley.

Suggestions always welcome..

Breech Block · Post by **Breech Block** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:58

I love the design of the lamp, great detailing. Your definately going to have to add some grime to the glass to make it more apparent though. In addition, it looks as if your light source is illuminating the top of your lamp's geometry. If you look carefully at your image, the top of the lamp should really be in shadow, yet it is brightly lit. HTH.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 27 Sep 2009, 16:08

Breech Block wrote:I love the design of the lamp, great detailing. Your definately going to have to add some grime to the glass to make it more apparent though. In addition, it looks as if your light source is illuminating the top of your lamp's geometry. If you look carefully at your image, the top of the lamp should really be in shadow, yet it is brightly lit. HTH.

Thanks, as always, for the great feedback Breech, I had to study the pic a few mins to get what you meant. Ultimately the top of the lamp should be a darker tone than the lower part of the lamp because the light is beneath it. Got it.

Yeah, griming up the glass is going to be tricky but I'll figure something out.

Trent

Breech Block · Post by **Breech Block** » 27 Sep 2009, 18:24

tahnoak wrote:...I had to study the pic a few mins to get what you meant. Ultimately the top of the lamp should be a darker tone than the lower part of the lamp because the light is beneath it. Got it.

lol, yeah, it took me a few minutes to work out what it was myself. Knew there was something wrong, but couldn't figure out what it was at first.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 27 Sep 2009, 19:15

Updated screenie with the new lanterns. I know there are no lightbulbs in them but baby steps

I also need to fix the issue with the tops of the lanterns (thanks again Breech)

Also, the new lamps throw some freaky shadows in the alley but I like them.

Added the BAR sign too. I am hoping to get more of a neon look to the bar sign but did not give it a lot of time yet.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 27 Sep 2009, 22:42

You could try mapped shadows for the lights in the lamps. That might soften the shadows they project.

Did you choose the Golden Ratio (close enough) for the proportions of the picture or shape it intuitively?

I thought this was old. Before electricity or maybe with gas lights. I will be interesting combining that look with more modern things.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 27 Sep 2009, 22:55

Finis... Your observations are big parts of my problems when I do scenes. I don't think them through. Meaning, I don't sketch them out or anything I just start with a thought and then kind of model and texture as I am progressing. In my mind I am envisioning a darkened alley in a very old city (not menacing by any means but just darkly lit) in Europe (maybe Italy or France) which leads to a small "hole in the wall" local bar. I may even try to give the lights at the end of the alley a warmer and more inviting look so that it gives the "this family lives at the end of this dark alley but their home is still a home" kind of feeling.

I am not meticulous enough with my hobby to use measurements and proper scale so I just kind of eyeball it.

I'll check out the lights to see if I am using shadowmap. I thought I was but maybe not.

As always, thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 28 Sep 2009, 01:27

Don't underestimate yourself. Your methods are not problems, they are strengths. The way you work is part of the reason your art expresses moods and feelings so well. You know a thing is right not by measurement and method but that it creates the feel of the picture you have in your mind. This is the "artist's eye".

I think the current bar sign looks like an old one with cut out letters, a color gel, and a light inside. But if neon is what you need wasn't there a post in the Caligari forum about techniques for that?

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 28 Sep 2009, 08:41

Finis wrote:Don't underestimate yourself. Your methods are not problems, they are strengths. The way you work is part of the reason your art expresses moods and feelings so well. You know a thing is right not by measurement and method but that it creates the feel of the picture you have in your mind. This is the "artist's eye".

I think the current bar sign looks like an old one with cut out letters, a color gel, and a light inside. But if neon is what you need wasn't there a post in the Caligari forum about techniques for that?

It may be a bit of underestimating myself but I don't look at my processes as a negative thing. However, I do look at my lack of desire to spend time doing a lot of the tutorials that are available as a negative thing

For example, I see people talking about using a loop for this and that and everyone piles on with agreement or not. But in my mind I am thinking WTF is a loop?

I will check the Caligari forum for that post. Thanks for the tip. I keep forgetting that the site is still available.

LeonRegis · Post by **LeonRegis** » 28 Sep 2009, 09:44

Tahnoak, I don't see tutorials to learn. When I need to know about HDRI I go and see the tutorial but never when I don't need it. Until now I just see 3 tutorials, and about the loops, they are in the Workspace. See the Organic Modeling tutorial, very good!

Cya

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 28 Sep 2009, 11:23

leonregis wrote:Tahnoak, I don't see tutorials to learn. When I need to know about HDRI I go and see the tutorial but never when I don't need it. Until now I just see 3 tutorials, and about the loops, they are in the Workspace. See the Organic Modeling tutorial, very good!

Cya

leonregis... I understand. I often wonder if I would be better off doing tutorials to see what I can do BEFORE i try and do something. Because once I get into the flow of a scene, that is not really the time to break that rhythm and try to find out IF I can do what I want to do. But, knowing me, just because it would be smarter doesn't mean I am going to do it

Here is an updated screenie. I worked on a puddle texture based on Weevil's info and added a drain pipe along the window. I'm not sure about either right now. I think maybe if I add some water stains or even some rust stains to the wall along the drain I will like it more.

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 28 Sep 2009, 11:28

Is it me or is this scene too dark? I noticed that at home and now at work.
What little I could see... the wrought iron work on the top of the lantern needed
to be beefed up more. Also taper the sides of the lantern so that it is not a box shape.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 28 Sep 2009, 23:56

It is dark Steinie. Probably a bit too dark. Let me mess with the lights a little more. I don't want to hide all the detail that is in the scene but it is supposed to be night time (moonless night).

Good ideas on the lanterns. I had not thought of that.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 29 Sep 2009, 02:24

I think it is hard to do a dark scene because it looks different on different screens and under different room lighting conditions.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 29 Sep 2009, 08:44

Finis....great point. I am always adjusting my monitor and things that were in dark shadows at one viewing angle are now standing out and look horrible from another.

nigec · Post by **nigec** » 29 Sep 2009, 12:30

I did a game once that only 25% of people could see, another problem is the image darkens on the net as well.
Have a look at W!zard's gallery he's very good at night time scenes
http://wizitch.com/zenphoto/index.php?album=3d+Art"

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 29 Sep 2009, 12:34

I think the trick is not neccesarily to decrease the brightness, but to either increase or decrease the contrast depending on where you are, if you stare at the sun, change the colours to a bit more atmospheric blue and decrease the contrast. If you're in an alley like that, then the unlit parts from the lamps will be in shadow, so totally black, any light from the lamp will be really bright, so the contrast would increase

Karthogen · Post by **Karthogen** » 29 Sep 2009, 12:49

Interesting concept Weevil, I did not think about that, post process with brightness and contrast could save some time bring out the shadows more and lighten up the scene.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 29 Sep 2009, 15:34

weevil wrote:I think the trick is not neccesarily to decrease the brightness, but to either increase or decrease the contrast...

Yes. Maybe a dark picture doesn't need to really be dark but rather use techniques to give the impression of darkness.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 29 Sep 2009, 22:42

Post Processing!!!!! Doh!!!

That is something that I just don't do, yet! I figure I am done with the scene when I am done modelling and texturing. It never really ocurred to me to tweak it using GIMP or some other tool.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 02 Oct 2009, 11:21

Still working slowly on this. I need to fix some textures in the doorway that I made but ultimately I like the way it looks. Still trying to figure out how to make a neon sign for the BAR.

And who says an alley has to be dirty!?!?!?

I really like this new camera angle too.

LeonRegis · Post by **LeonRegis** » 03 Nov 2009, 20:05

Hey Tahnoak, the scene is already amazing, I loved the texturing work, also the lightning... just perfect!

I would like to see you resuming this project...

Cya

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 04 Nov 2009, 03:20

leonregis wrote:Hey Tahnoak, the scene is already amazing, I loved the texturing work, also the lightning... just perfect!
I would like to see you resuming this project...

Cya

Thanks, I appreciate it. I will as soon as I wrap up the Railroad Crossing. I find that I need to take breaks from my scenes to re-charge my batteries and refocus myself on them.

Draise · Post by **Draise** » 23 May 2012, 04:39

Pretty cool ally!

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 23 May 2012, 17:09

Let's hope his batteries are recharged by now.
Now I'm curious to know if he figured out how to do the neon sign!

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