CG Blogosphere #1

Engine 3D model from TOP10 in November by best3dmodels.blogspot.com

When everybody is in a hurry and bussy working, there's very little time left to check what's interesting happening in CG community. So I collected the links of what attracted me when browsing CG blogs and sites this week.

• ---

  Jean-Denis Haas from ILM tells us how important are social skills in an animation career. Sure, we all have to focus on perfecting our 3D skills. To show the world something astonishing and beautiful in the first place. But being active and open in communication are the traits that can multiply your publicity many times. And we all know how important for us to get the feedback on things we put all our heart into. This is the force that gives us energy and drives us to do more. Nice article about things we often forget when hurrying to create more and more. Read the article here.

• Obviously I don't need to introduce Ronen Bekerman who talks with 3dnotos studio about making of house on the coast. This comprehensive tutorial includes modeling, clearly explains textures and shaders preparing. This article also in full-scale presents post-production steps which perfectly illustrates how to create amazingly combining colors from simple 3D render. Ronen well knows which works are the most exclusive and worth featuring. Also I would like to thank 3dnotos for revealed tricks and secrets how to create so extremely attractive view.

• Playing with V-Ray glass is new tutorial from Ciro Sannino where he shares a nice trick on how to use negative fog bias in Vray shader for making colored glass, illustrated with catchy glass like blobs. Ciro calls it a little introduction about general Fog Color settings is needed but it's very useful for all people who want to improve their skills working with Vray.

• Improve your renders with reflection maps is another great Ciro example on making realistic glossy reflections by combining textures in different material channels. Also reading this blog you will learn how to adjust default 3dsmax bitmap values to give that crispy look to your textures. This tutorial is perfect for those who specializes in reflection maps and helps 3D artists to create attention to the smallest details.

• Rendering with HDRI and Daylight System in 3ds Max with Vray was posted a just week ago. In this new tutorial Aleso3D tells us how to illuminate interior scene using 3ds max daylight system together with HDRI texture to produce. If you want to analyze this way you can buy full scene with all objects and settings for very small price. You will get not only 3D models but also all materials, lightening and rendering settings. Whole website has lots of valuable tutorials and resources which can inspire you for a new shiny ideas.

• Alejo Grigera, the author of mrbluesummers.com blog, is the necessary source for everyone interested in CG. For those who cannot allow themselves to buy 3D Studio Max yet, Alejo offers to test free 3D imaging programs. He found 10 free programs, and the lists is very helpful for CG starters. Last year Alejo Grigera posted a very detailed article on how to earn passive income how to earn passive income through Turbosquid. This is absolutely in line with CGTrader's focus: selling your 3D models can earn the artists extra money on the side. But CGTrader's approach to the CG community relations contradicts with Turbosquid's one, as we promote peer-to-peer 3D model sales instead of sales via middlemen. Turbosquid says "Have a 3D model? Sell it and we take half of the price!" (this strikethrough phrase is usually skipped).

And we say: