Luxrender

Update 3: Here is a collage of 4 images built from the rendering I’ve had 6 computers working on now for 17.5 hours.  Luxrender makes it really easy to use multiple computers for a task like this.  I’m also posting the fullsize version of a 12 hour render of my first try.

Update 2:  I remade the model after some trials with the first one and made the M to look like it is made from a sapphire. Here is a 1 minute render just to test the lighting.  As I’m going to bed now, I have 6 computers in the house working together to render the same view with all options at max.  I’m really looking forward to seeing what it will look like when complete.

Update:  Here is another image made using LuxRender that took 5 hours.

After spending quite a bit of time using Blender, I decided to try one of the third party rendering engines compatible with it called Luxrender. I had tried to get it to work before, but had problems. Now with the real release version of Windows 7 on my main computer, everything has worked perfect so far and Luxrender installed without any errors. I decided to try it first on a model I’ve been working on for a new logo for the organization my brother works for called the Maslow Project.  After I clicked the Render button, I was surprised at the first glance of what I saw, it was a VERY grainy image after about 30 seconds.

But then I did some reading about the program and I found out what it’s capable of.  After a little big of time, I had my computer plus 4 other computers in the house all rendering the image After 5 hours 13 minutes, here is the final image.

Click to Watch!

Mattang’s First Home

Well we have a great deal working out for us as we start off Mattang.  My dad found some great warehouse space and got it to use as storage, but he decided to try to offload it as it’s too big for his needs.  Combined with him though, it’s a great size for both his stuff and for Mattang to start.  To work on the layout, I modeled the space using Blender  Check out the layout.

Mattang Angel – The Reason I Started with Blender

I’ve made a few posts now about using Blender and I have to say I’m SOOOO glad I started using it.  It’s taken my graphics capabilities to a whole new level.  I thought I was doing pretty good with Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Flash, Fireworks and others, but now that I’ve started using Blender, it’s SOOOO much easier to create great looking pieces of art.

I knew that in order to properly do this, I would need a 3D model.  This is why I started looking for a good 3D program and found Blender.  A month later (while participating in the biggest joint military exercise in the world and planning/conducting multiple rehearsals for a visit by the Secretary of the Navy which was canceled 3 hours before he was supposed to be here) I can finally say I have made the model of the drawing I started Blender for.

3D Modeling and Music Inspiration

I recently found some old files and ran across something that made me do a google search for Animusic.  I was amazed with what I saw and I have to say I’m very inspired by what I’ve seen.  Check it out.

This is the first one I saw, check out the rest of this post to see the others I was able to find on YouTube.

Read the rest of this entry »

1st Mattang Design Imported into Blender from Illustrator

After spending a lot of time this last week learning how to use blender (standby for some posts about some of the projects I’ve been working on) I have finally been able to import a file we did as vector graphics in Illustrator directly into Blender and use it’s wonderful capabilities to turn it into a 3D model.  There are so many things we can do from this point with our designs and I’m just getting started in seeing what is possible.

These two pictures are almost identical except that one of them had the Mattang logo placed between the sun and the object to cast a shadow on it.

Getting started with Blender

It’s been many years since the last time I did any real 3D work in any programs.  I’ve been a little reluctant to start again because I knew I would have to start from scratch.  I used to do quite a bit when I was in High School but that was 13 years ago and back then all my 3D work was in AutoCAD.  I’ve heard about a lot of the different programs out now, 3DMax, Maya, Mudbox, Z-Brush etc.  I didn’t really want to pay for any of them because I knew I would never have the time to learn to the level where I would be able to justify the expense.  Well recently I stumbled upon Blender and s0me of the videos people made with it and I will admit I was blown away that something so capable is completely free.  Not only that, it seems that everyone has jumped on the bandwagon and the speed of development plus the commercial/professional grade of the program is extremely impressive.  There are alos a ton of free tutorials out for it that are providing a great starting point.

After watching about 1 hour of video and doing a little reading, I made my first image.  A Chess Pawn that I applied a texture to and sat on a chrome like surface.  I am really impressed at how easy it was to make this.  Here are a few of rendered images.