Jeff Mottle

By popular demand a new CGarchitect Challenge has been set up. This month we will take a break from the bridge that was created in the last challenge, and have everyone use an existing model. This is similar to other challenges you may have seen, but there are few catches that make this challenge unique so be sure to carefully read the rules below:

Challenge #2 (Photorealistic Lighting)

Challenge Start Date: August 12, 2002
Challenge End Date: September 12, 2002



This challenge requires you to render an existing model of Casa Gaspar designed by architect Alberto Campo Baeza. The goal is to light the model as realistcially as possible. (A huge thanks to Matt Vinoir for creating the model for this challenge)

Rules

To ensure that this challenge still adheres to our goal of creating both a fun challenge and an oppourtunity to learn, you must follow the following rules:

1. You must use the model provided and not alter geometry in any way that affects the actual architecure of the model. You can however make modifications to optimize the model or make it earier for you to use in your rendering application.

2. Entourage elements (trees, stones, tables etc) can be added to the model, as depcited in the photographs, but they should not deviate too much from the original design intent. In other words, you should not turn the walls into an art gallery, add a swingset to the courtyard or have pool toys floating in the water. I'm sure you get the idea. Be creative but not crazy.

3. Throughout the course of the challenge you MUST post at least one Work in Progress (WIP) to the WIP forum. The title of the post should be as follow:

Challenge#2: Your Name - WIP#?

ie: Challenge#2 : jmottle - WIP#1

In your post please indicate what things you have tried, what is and is not working, the areas you want crtiqued, the software you are using etc. The goal is for everyone to learn so by posting how you approached the lighting, the settings you used etc., all can benefit

4. During the course of the challenge you must post at least three critiques on the WIPs that get posted. The posts need to be contructive. Please do not post comments like "nice work" or "looks good", as this tells the artist nothing. Be as demanding of the artists work as you would be of your own work. Post what you think is good and what they need to improve.

5. The most important part of the challenge, and what seperates this challenge from others, is that you must submit your original files (MAX file, bitmaps etc) with your entry submission. Once the winners are announed, your file will be made available for others to download,so that they may learn what settings people are using and how particular elements are created.

NOTE: If your scene uses bitmaps or objects that are copywritted (IE RPC, purchased texture libraries etc) you can substiute them with place holders in your submission. The intent is to have the lighting and shaders made available, not everyone's resources.

6. Once you model is complete, you can post your image to the "Finished Work" forum with the following subject line:

Challenge#2: Your Name - Final

The post must also include:

a) The software used
b) The total rendertime
c) How it was lit (GI or Fakiosity)
d) Category/Categories your are entering

You must then email (jmottle@cgarchitect.com) or make available via FTP/HTTP your files to me. If your files are too big or you do not have access to webspace, please email me for instructions.

Categories

Images will be voted in three categories:

1. Morning/Afternoon
2. Evening/Night
3. Best Overall

You can enter as many as you wish.

The best images in each category will be posting on the site and awarded a small prize. (As I do not want people to be entering these challenges to win prizes, they will be small and may not always be offered with each challenge.)

The awards this time will be SIGGRAPH 2002 CGarchitect T-shirts and a Marlin Studios Texture disk.

Judging

Judging will be done by site visitors based upon the above criteria via online polls. Winners will be announced the second Monday after the close of the challenge. (September 23)

DOWNLOAD FILES HERE

http://www.cgarchitect.com/cgi-bin/u...=000004#000000

The zip file includes reference photographs, the VIZ file, a DXF and a 3DS file.

If there are any questions, please post them here.

Good Luck and have fun!

[ September 15, 2002, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: Jeff Mottle ]

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Jeff Mottle
CGarchitect.com

matt_vinoir

The plans are geometrically correct but the height of the main block was unknown and as such was guessed , could be a tad too tall and if you feel that it is vastly different to the perspective then i presume it is ok to alter to suit. Best ask jeff i guess!

matt_vinoir

Remember that photograph 5 in the pack is actually a computer render (fr). This was the inspiration for achieving the lighting quality

Alfred

When I try to open the Max file, I get a warning saying missing DLLs. List include Sunlight.dlo, physun.dlo DLtonerep.dlu and DLsrr.dlu.

After that, Max crashes.
What do I need to open the file?

STRAT

in the material "PLASTIC-RED FIBE", the actual map - redfibre.jpg is missing. is this important? do we really need this file?

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STRAT

hi matt, just another quickie -

i work at a scale of 1 unit = 1 mm, so i'm having to scale up the model by a factor of 1000.
Also, i've noticed a few modelling annomolies - verts not meeting, a gap or two, over lapping faces (naughty boy). So i'm just fixing my model for this too.

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matt_vinoir

i didn't use that map strat? weird! Do you want me to send you the original model with just a basic texture map on it all?

matt_vinoir

hey what can i say strat!! you pay peanuts you get me!! lol. Before i get any horrible crits. I only got viz less that a month a go!! Before that i though a boolean was a type of monkey or something! I hope there aren't too many anomalies but if there are i'm really sorry but i'm sure the geniuses on this site can fix it no probs eh!

STRAT

only the jpg if you think it's necessary.

Also to Jeff - a final rendering size of 800x600 pixels?

(i pressume WIP's can be what ever size we wish?)

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Jeff Mottle

Hey Guys,

Go ahead and use the model as is. If you want to modify the geometry to match the photo that's fine too.

For the MAX people, the MAX file was created in VIZ so is not compatible with MAX. I'll post a MAX compatible version tonight. You can also use either the DXF or 3DS file too if you don't want to wait.

If somebody can use the VIZcopy tool here:
http://www.discreet.com/support/max/ to convert this file to a 3DSMAX format please email it to me and I'l post it sooner.
Hope that clears things up.

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Jeff Mottle
CGarchitect.com