A New Resource For 3D Models And Tutorials!
My frequent readers of my website/blog know that I am both a traditional and a digital artist. I use digital process as part of my traditional sculpture and in presentations such as the tiger, or my pitch for a new park piece titled “Move one place on.” I work in Mudbox and as my previous post states, have written a book about Mudbox. I also work in ZBrush well. I’m a proponent for 3D and using it as a tool and am the vice chair at 3DCAMP HOUSTON 2012. I’m also working on another book about artists who are using 3D—their resources, process and products that are created in physical form.
When working on my projects I’m always searching for 3d models. You see how much I talk about Daz3d on this blog as well as Poser. Here, once again is the video I created stating some of my process. Anyway, I wanted to share with my readers a new resource 3DExport apparently has both models, but more exciting for me, is their tutorials. I LOVE TUTORIALS! If I could do nothing but create tutorials I would be a happy camper. I’m kind of obsessed with passing on information. So, be sure to check out 3DExport
Bridgette Mongeon
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is the vice Chair of the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston 2012 http://www.3dcamphouston.com
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast
Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
More Photographs Of Interaction With Richard Hathaway
BEWARE-Our Book Was Stolen By This Website
Last week I was collecting information for an up and coming lecture that I am going to do at 3DCAMP Houston 2012. While searching for one of the artists that I used in the book I decided to Google his name to see if any more images have come up. My thought, I would contact him to see if he is doing anything new that I might be able to add to my lecture on fine artists who are using 3D. How surprised I was to see the images that my coauthor Mike de la Flor and I used in the book Digital Sculpting with Mudbox: Essential Tools and Techniques for Artists were being displayed on another site. I was even more surprised to see that our entire book had been copied-word for word on this site.
I immediately reported it to our publisher Focal Press. My coauthor was also livid. Each of the chapters were displayed as individual tutorial on this website. They had no reference to the book or where they got it. There was no credit to the authors, and no links—nothing. Well, of course it would not have any of this- they stole it.
If anyone was going to “give” this stuff away we would. According to our contract, instead of supplying the CD with the book we had to create a way for the files to be downloaded. So, Mike and I created http://www.digitalsculpting.net If anyone was going to give something away we would and we would have done it there.
I hesitate in putting the name of the website because individuals may be tempted to go to their site and drive traffic to them. But I must put the information here so that other will beware. The name of site is what-when-how.com There is actually copyright information on the bottom of their page.
Copyright Information
The-Crankshaft Publishing’s what-when-how.com claims copyrights to documents only created by The-Crankshaft Publishing and it’s staff. Any information used from The-Crankshaft Publishing’s web site must have a link to the URL from which it came from.
Excuse me… you did not create this. And if others use what you stole from me they have to link back to you? Also it is not it’s it is its.
The-Crankshaft Publishing is not responsible for the content of someone else’s work or the source of the information. We claim no rights to documents created by any other organization or individual.
Content on our website falls in two categories::
1. Articles which are written by technical writers ,part of crankshaft’s staff.
2. Articles which are in contract with several publishing houses,on revenue share basis.
Our entire book, which took months of our lives to create was not permitted to be used on this site. There was a great deal of advertisement on this site. I have no idea how long the book was there or how much money this website has made by using our book on their site. My coauthor sent an e mail to them right away and said they must take it down. They sent us a form to fill out? What the heck.
I wish the lawyers at Focal Press would have done it. I think we are entitled to something. It has been taken down, but I think people need to be made aware of the underhanded practices of such a site. You can tell it was there, all you have to do is search Mudbox under their search engine and every one of our chapters comes up. I don’t really want you to do that, so I’m posting a screen shot on this blog taken at 1:00 on Thursday July 5, 2012. The links are broken, but it comes up. To see our chapters on their website, click on the photograph.
So, I’m writing and wondering if anyone else has had trouble with Crankshaft Publishing or what-when-how.com. What was your experience? I’m also wondering who else we can report them to.
Oh yes, and it pays to google your content.
Please feel free to pass this information on.
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Bridgette Mongeon
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is the vice Chair of the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston 2012 http://www.3dcamphouston.com
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast
Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Poor Evelyn
I sure hate to see Evelyn this way. Not only is she in pieces, but she has welds all over her. I trust in Miguel at Betz Art Foundry. His work is impeccable. She will soon see Evelyn back together. I hate posting the picture with her with the strap around her neck, but we don’t want her to fall over and she is not welded to her base yet. I want to be sure she is going to stand properly so we tack on the arms and check her attitude! She does stand with an attitude and I want to be sure it is there.
You can follow along with this entire process of creating a life size bronze for the ERJCC on the Evelyn Rubenstein project blog located at http://erjcc.blogspot.com/
her base.
The Pouring Of Bronze For The Evelyn Sculpture
This entire process is pretty cool, but watching bronze being poured into the shells, well that is something. Photographs don’t really do this part justice, so I have uploaded a video of that part of the process.
You can follow along with this entire process of creating a life size bronze for the ERJCC on the Evelyn Rubenstein project blog located at http://erjcc.blogspot.com/
Working On A Final Presentation For Grambling
Some thoughts from the sculptor Bridgette Mongeon –
I have been working for two weeks on a final presentation for Grambling State University of the larger than life size tiger bronze sculpture. This is just a digital presentation and modifications of the design will be made as I proceed to creating it in bronze.
Making this presentation has been very interesting, and as often is the case, I am still learning. I’ll add some links at the bottom of the post concerning the learning process. In the meantime, here are some final views of the presentation. There will be sculpted ledges on the rock formation so that people can sit.
ART STUDENTS
You will see by the following posts that often I have to take learning into my own hands. I recently sat in on online webinar titled Advanced Creature Anatomy with Paleontologist and visual Affects VFX consultant Scott Harman. During his presentation he said,
“It is also important to struggle against the medium.”
“…this includes being constrained by what you already know.” Scott Harman
I really like the thought, because that is what an artist does all of the time. In the case of the presentation for Grambling I was pushing past what most would normally use the 3DSoftware for. I was trying to incorporate it into my own workflow. When I do this I often will post everywhere trying to find the answers. I was so thrilled when a fellow artist in Canada created a video showing the process of doing exactly what I wanted to do. I was pushing past my limits and the limits of the material. This section may not make any sense to the average person who is reading this blog, but it may to artists who come to visit, so I will give you the links.
You see, even though I had the video that someone provided for me and is shown in the below posts, I had to walk through the learning process. I took the video from Kevin Salki and then documented on my personal blog my process of working through his instructions.
I hope it means something to someone out there.
Teaching myself and learning from others Part 1
Teaching myself and learning from others Part 2
Teaching myself and learning from others Part 3
Teaching myself and learning from others Part 4
Teaching Myself And Learning From Others Part 4 of 4
This will be a monumental sculpture.
Onward- Not long ago, Kevin Salki performed a great act of chivalry by coming to my aid and helping me with a work flow that I had to figure out.
To recap, I’m a traditional sculptor who uses digital technology to create presentations. The technology assists me in my traditional work, as I use it to have my monumental designs milled out. If you are interested to read more about that it is talked about in these two project blogs- Evelyn Rubenstein, and Prairie View Panther blog . I have been a traditional sculptor for 30 years.
My difficulty that I posed on a facebook forum was, how do I create a bronze material in ZBrush that I can light, and how would I create tiger stripes in a presentation?
This is part 4 of this documentation
Part 1 talks about how I needed a new bronze material instead of a metcap- we are working in ZBrush
Part 2 talks about how I got that material using Kevin’s video ( at the bottom of this post)
Part 3 talks about painting strips on my tiger using a darker version of that material – This is for a presentation for a client
Part 4, this page talks about putting it into my presentation.
Kevin walks me through the entire process above, and then goes a step further into making the sculpture into a presentation.
Kevin states, “this is going to be basic.” Good, I need basic.
He says he loads in a few HDR maps. (What are these?) According to Wiki
High dynamic range imaging (HDRI or HDR) is a set of methods used in imaging and photography, to allow a greater dynamic range between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than current standard digital imaging methods or photographic methods. This wide dynamic range allows HDR images to represent more accurately the range of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to faint starlight, and is often captured by way of a plurality of differently exposed pictures of the same subject matter
Kevin states that Sibl has some pretty good HDR maps. Well, I had to see for myself, this is all about education. The website is intriguing and I could easily float off onto another track, but I’m on a deadline and doing these blog posts is distraction enough FOCUS! Kevin also mentioned a plug in at Sibl but. I’ll have to ask him about what he meant.
In my project I won’t use an HDR, but I do want to see how it works so I uploaded Topanga_Forest_B. I suppose my question is this- Kevin states that the HDR that he is loading will give him a background and source for lighting information for his scene? Hmmm, does that mean that ZBrush takes information from the photograph? Lets check this out. I download topanga forest and have a bunch of things in the file. Kevin clicks around on a few files in the video and I can’t really see, so I’m guessing. I pick forest 3 pk hdr. Nothing happens even after adjusting the gamma, as he states. Still nothing. I change what file I choose, and try again-still nothing. I’ll check with Kevin and clarify this direction.
(I don’t necessarily need to do my background this way, but I’m dedicated to getting through his video and understanding the process, and finding the best way to work this, but because my deadline is pressing down on me, I’ll have to experiment later. )
FYI I Looked around for other free hdr maps her is what I found.
http://freepanorama.blogspot.com/
http://www.unparent.com/photos_probes.html
PROBLEM
Next day after rendering I don’t like how the stripes look. I tried a variety of ways to create them. In the traditional sculpture, I do believe I will put texture over the entire sculpture or perhaps sculpt deeper fur texture where the stripes are. That way the traditional patination can settle into the crevises. (See the previous post for more information on this.)
In the end, I ended up adjusting the color and the Materials Blend Radius in the Render pallet, until I get the look that I need.
PRESENTATION
I would have loved to put my sculpted tiger into the scene of the school, however, I did not have a high resolution image of the school.
This tiger is massive and therefore, I did feel it was necessary to show a relationship to a real person. I move to Poser grabbing a Daz Michael and a Daz Vickie model. Clothing is essential, and I have often said that this part reminds me strangely of playing paper dolls when I was a little girl. I loved paper dolls. Unfortunately, those making daz models and their clothes are often men. This simply means that these men see no need to have real casual clothes for the poor Daz Vickie model. Poor Vickie, she must walk around all confined and pushed up. I’m sure she is sitting in the computer saying, “Hey guys, get real, how about a comfortable sun dress?” So I purchased the most casual clothes
I could find from Daz, and gave Daz Vickie a makeover. After clothing Michael and Vickie, I export them as obj’s and then add them to the scene. I do wish that that this process was easier. As an obj Vicki and Michael are just the color of the material and not life-like. I wish I could import them into my scene totally clothes and with facial texture, hair etc. This would save me a ton of time. I feel I probably will have to learn another 3D program that will allow me to import Vickie and Michael, completely clothed and textured, as well as the complete rendered ZBrush tiger. I’m open for suggestions to additional software to add to my repertoire, though I’m not terribly excited about having to learn a new software. My husband has been telling me the same thing.
Meanwhile, I take the Daz Michael and Daz Vickie from Poser and use lightbox textures, polypaint and Spotlight to help me show some type of reality or at least so that it does not look like the bronze.
I have not used Fibermesh much in zbrush, but I do like it and am thankful for the grass in this scene.
I am sorely lacking in skills on both lighting and rendering and wish I could hire someone to really walk my little brain through this process. Any takers? we can do joint tutorials on my process.
Photoshop is my final stop for this presentation. I like that I can manipulate the color balance as well as the brightness.
So hear are the final versions of the Tiger. A very long but fulfilling learning process. Now, let me get my hands in the traditional clay.
I will be documenting this entire project on a blog, but can’t put it up quite yet. I’ll be sure to let everyone know when that goes up.
Bridgette Mongeon-Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is deeply engrossed in the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston 2012 http://www.3dcamphouston.com
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast
Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
A Contest In 3D Printing? Your Work Printed-Thoughts
Tools and Techniques for Artists- Chapter 7
on scanning printing and milling”. Artwork by Bridgette Mongeon
I have been working diligently on 3DCAMP Houston planning committee. We are still working out all of our sponsors and exhibitors and we have a couple of exhibitors/sponsors specializing in rapid prototyping. I thought it might be a good idea to work out a contest, this would not be just for those attending 3DCAMP Houston, but for anyone. I’m posting this to see how others feel about the contest and to find some suggestions in putting this contest together, and if this is a viable endeavor?
The contest would be open to everyone, and not just those attending 3DCAMP Houston. That way, we promote what we are doing at 3DCAMP Houston and our sponsors, while talking about the contest. It is a win, win situation.
The thought is that individuals would send images of their 3d work ( I figure requesting jpg images from 2-3 sides would be sufficient. We would have to designate the file size.Then if they are chosen they can send us the designated file.)
Then our committee will pick from the designs and then the 3DCAMP Houston visiting sponsors could print out the design. The winners can be displayed in our art show scheduled the day before the conference and stay up through the conference. A copy would be sent to those who have won. ( That same print that is displayed could be sent to the individual, but I’m not sure if we would need it, perhaps we would like to display it again next year?)
Techniques for Artists- Chapter 7 on
scanning printing and milling. “Artwork by Gil Bruvel
I’m just wondering how others would structure such an endeavor, and some of the guidelines. I’m sure that the equipment of some of our sponsors will dictate which piece is printed by which sponsor? For example a piece in color or pieces that move. We are still finalizing our sponsorships and so I can not say what type of machines or who the sponsors are at this moment, as we will be finalizing this in the next few weeks. Just writing to get some general information and thoughts about the idea.
About 3DCAMP Houston 2012
3DCAMP Houston is working with a not for profit organization to educate individuals in everything 3D. The event is for 2- 3 days. beginning with an art show on Friday the 28th of September, an all day symposium with speakers on the 29th of September, and possibly workshops in different software on Sunday for those who register. There is also an exhibitors space. Our event this year is being hosted by The University Of Houston College of Sciences and Mathematics along with the School of Art. We are incorporating STEAM an educational initiative that support Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. For more information please see our press release on the 3DCAMP website. Therefore, perhaps we have categories of participation in the contest that represent different fields? I’m open for suggestions. Any thoughts out there?
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The photographs in this post are from my book “Digital Sculpting with Mudbox: Essential tools and techniques for Artists” Chapter 7 Scanning, Printing, and Milling.
I am presently working on another book that extends chapter 7 of the Mudbox book and focuses on the work of artists and their process of using 3D, for artwork realized in a physical form, as well as the process and pitfalls of these tools. It will also be a source book of resources and vendors for those interested in extending their tools set to include this type of work.
_______________________________________________
Bridgette Mongeon
Bridgette Mongeon-Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is deeply engrossed in the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston 2012 http://www.3dcamphouston.com
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast
Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
3DCAMP Houston Returns In 2012 With The Collaboration Of The University of Houston to Build STEAM
Press Release (Houston, TX—June 24, 2012) 3DCAMP Houston, a local organization supporting education in all things 3D, is proud to announce its return scheduled for Saturday, September 29. The University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the School of Art will host 3DCAMP Houston 2012, featuring a number of expert speakers who will discuss 3D technologies and how they are impacting new and existing disciplines. This year the camp will also feature an art exhibition to showcase the impact of technology on art.
3D technology, once reserved for the likes of sophisticated science fiction films, has advanced to now include a myriad of artistic and scientific disciplines. This year’s camp will showcase these advancements with presentations exploring innovative technologies. From holographic paintings that tantalize the viewer to 3D printers that produce completely formed sculptures, there is something amazing for everyone to experience.
The goal of 3DCAMP Houston 2012 is to encourage and educate individuals about the use of 3D in various disciplines; therefore 3DCAMP 2012 is returning with STEAM, an educational initiative that supports 3DCAMP Houston educational goal of incorporating and encouraging the blending and education of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM).
“The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston is pleased to help further the community’s appreciation and knowledge of the many aspects of 3D applications in our modern world. The rapid evolution in visualization technology is playing a critical role in advancing many important areas, from medical and surgical techniques to new methods of energy realization and information transmission,” said Mark A. Smith, dean of the college. “With the university playing a critical role nationwide in these developments, it is satisfying as well as natural to help bring this understanding to our community through 3DCAMP 2012.”
Rex Koontz, director of the university’s School of Art added, “Technology, art and design are converging into a significant force on our cultural and economic landscape. The School of Art welcomes the opportunity to work with the cast of 3DCAMP to further the goal of creating synergies between art and technology.”
3DCAMP Houston is an all-day event and is open to the public. It features lectures and presentations from professionals in the arts, architecture, engineering, science and much more. Online registration will open in July at www.3dcamphouston.com
Vendors will be on hand to demonstrate the possibilities and uses of some of the most interesting and mind-blowing 3D technology. “The Third Dimension,” an art exhibition comprised of 3D art, will be open to the public on Friday, September 28.
For more information concerning 3DCAMP Houston 2012, the art exhibition, and volunteer opportunities please visit www.3dcamphouston.com.
Media Contact:
Bridgette Mongeon
Please feel free to repost this press release, with photo credits.
Summer Sculpting Internship
Bridgette Mongeon is searching for individuals interested in learning to sculpt. This is an internship creating a monumental bronze sculpture of 13+ foot tiger climbing a rock ledge. In this internship you will assist sculptor Bridgette Mongeon, along with other interns in the armature building, sculpting and mold making process. You will also be trained in the foundry process of casting and the artists digital process for creating presentations and armatures. The project should beginning the first weeks of July and go through August- hours are flexible. Knowledge of sculpting is helpful but not necessary, what is required is a passion for creating and a desire to learn and get connected in the Houston arts. Because of the massive size of the sculpture the sculptor will be relocating her studio to temporary space in a rented warehouse in the central part of Houston. If you are interested in more information on internships check out the artists blog post “What is an internship?” You might like to check out the project blog created for the artist’s last sculpted mascot project created for Prairie View A & M University of a large panther, or the last internship job creating the sculpture of Evelyn Rubenstein The Evelyn Rubenstein project is still a work in progress as the foundry finishes up the sculpture casting.
If you are interested please contact the artist directly concerning your intent and availability.
Bridgette Mongeon-Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
On the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston 2012 http://www.3dcamphouston.com
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast
Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.