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Here comes the bus
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Here comes the bus // Image Gallery
Post by W!ZARD // Jan 31, 2008, 7:57pm
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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I've been very busy recently so these pics haven't been fully finessed and in fact are a side result of another project I'm working on. They've been reasonably well recieved at R'osity and elsewhere so I thoughtI'd share them here for you guys to comment, criticise or compliment according to each of your valued opinions!
For anyone who cares, the bus was built using tS7.5 (mostly model side) then optimised for tranfer and exported using LUUV into Vue 5 Esprit for the first picture (called "Here comes the bus") which has a GI lighting setup and has also had some levels work done in the GIMP.
The second picture (called (First bus of the day") is 100% trueSpace/LightWorks and features some textures made with MapZone. It's also had some tweaking using the GIMP. This is the result of two renders, one with volumetrics for the headlights which was a standard colour render. The second render had all the objects painted black and some ground fog - the two renders were then put together using layers in the GIMP.
I'm thinking of also making a version textured with DX9 shaders but there are only so many available hours in the day!
The bus itself is (somewhat loosely) modeled on a 1937 Leyland Titan Double-decker London bus.
So, what's your opinion? (larger versions are viewable at my Rendo gallery - link below in my sig). |
Post by kena // Jan 31, 2008, 8:50pm
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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First pic.
I like most of it, but with that much atmosphere, you would expect a bit of fog.
Like that you are in the pic though. Sitting on that bench talking to the lady.
Second pic.
You really need to put up a tutorial on doing that mask thing and then combining in GIMP. I love the technique, but just cannot seem to get it right.
The destroyed brick wall looks a bit off there. Not sure what it is... Nice masking and all with the texture, but your bricks seem just a bit like wood or something? I cannot quite catch what it is...
Anyway. also a nice pic, but I don't see you in it. :D |
Post by W!ZARD // Jan 31, 2008, 10:09pm
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Thanks Kena. The top picture, rendered in Vue is supposed to be a sort of late afternoon light on a slightly overcast day so I don't know about fog - you can actually see sunshine on the road in the background but the foreground is all shaded from direct sunlight by the buildings. The 'lady'? "That's no lady that's my wife!!! (I've always wanted to use that line!!:D Here name is Nessie (which is short for a name we must never, ever use!) and she's also known as Witchy, so Wizard + Witch = Wizitch.;)
With the second pic - it was sort of thrown together using models from earlier scenes, like the decaying wall.
Oh yeah, and the guy looking out of the window on the top floor is from one of my earlier wizard models so you could say that's me!
First pic.
I like most of it, but with that much atmosphere, you would expect a bit of fog.
Like that you are in the pic though. Sitting on that bench talking to the lady.
Second pic.
You really need to put up a tutorial on doing that mask thing and then combining in GIMP. I love the technique, but just cannot seem to get it right.
The destroyed brick wall looks a bit off there. Not sure what it is... Nice masking and all with the texture, but your bricks seem just a bit like wood or something? I cannot quite catch what it is...
Anyway. also a nice pic, but I don't see you in it. :D |
Post by 3dvisuals dude // Feb 1, 2008, 9:41am
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3dvisuals dude
Total Posts: 1703
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This is just incredible. Fantastic modeling here guy, and the renders are really nice too. Well done... you really never cease to amaze me.:)
- Mark |
Post by spacekdet // Feb 1, 2008, 4:14pm
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spacekdet
Total Posts: 1360
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Very nice bit of modeling, but the colo(u)rs...aaiieee, my eyes!
Is there a story behind that shade of green? |
Post by kena // Feb 1, 2008, 6:29pm
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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gee... and I was put off by the red! lol - guess it depends on your favorite colors. I'm not fond of red, but I usually just let it go. :D |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 2, 2008, 7:50am
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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LOL - Colo(u)rs are based on various reference pics from the net. London buses were usually fire-engine red.
Which shade of green or red are you guys refering to? The 1st pic, the second pic or both? And what do you think is required to sort out any shortcomings with the colo(u)rs? :confused::confused:
I appreciate you taking the time to comment though, thanks for that.
WZRD |
Post by kena // Feb 2, 2008, 8:01am
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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well.. for me. i just don't like the color red at all. You may notice that there are very few renders that I do that have any in them. My current one has some maroon, but no flat red ;) I would say that what you have is very good. The green has a slight bit of acidity, which may turn some people off. Personally, I like it :D |
Post by TheWickedWitchOfTheWeb // Feb 2, 2008, 8:24am
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TheWickedWitchOfTheWeb
Total Posts: 858
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London Buses were/are a slightly darker red. It's too pink in the day pic and too shiny in the night pic. They're usually a bit more matt than glossy. Many districts used to have green buses (Hants and Dorset for example) and some still do but it was definitely darker than the day glo effect you've got going! Think more British Racing Green than cyber-goth club wear! I think the different coloured bonnet and 'running strip' make it looks slightly at odds with itself too.
This sunds like I'm nit-picking, which I'm not, it's just meant to be helpful. So I'll end of by saying that it's a fine, fine model of an English icon. Lots of attention to detail that had me still looking at it long after I would usually. |
Post by Délé // Feb 2, 2008, 1:51pm
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Délé
Total Posts: 1374
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Great work Wiz! :D :banana:
I like that first image better than the second one myself. I think it's the wall in the second one that puts me off a little. The texture doesn't look right with that IMO. I also agree that it might look a little better if the bus wasn't quite so shiny. Other then that it does look very nice though. :)
I really like the first image a lot. I think you've captured a perfect fall day very well. This doesn't happen for me much, but when I gazed at that render I could actually feel and smell the fall air, and good memories seeped into my mind. My favorite times of year have always been fall and spring and I have good memories associated with those times of year. This piece actually captured that so well, that it made me feel good. I feel like jumping into the render. It looks like a place and a day that I would really like to visit. I enjoy looking at it very much. When something invokes feelings and thoughts like this, it must be art. :)
I've always liked your work Wiz, but it's fun to see how you are improving over time too. I think you've reached yet another level here. The modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering are all very nice. Especially in that first one. Great work! :D |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 2, 2008, 3:46pm
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Thanks Kate - I appreciate the input. I'm from Kent myself and was thinking of the Maidstone and District buses which are (or at least were 21 years ago when I was last there) a darker and somewhat duller green green than I've gone for here.
My main reference picture had this colour scheme only the red and green were reversed - darker green at the bottom, lighter green at the top, running strip and bonnet the same red as the contrast strip where the ads usually go. I wanted that 'London bus' feel so I swapped the red and green.
The reference photo was also of a restored bus in a transport museum and did indeed have a glossier finish than I recall seeing on genuine London Transport and Maidstone and District buses which had a more matt finish.
Perhaps I should have used a colour picker to get more accurate shades - I definitly wasn't thinking cyber-goth on a 1937 bus!!! :D.
I have a dual monitor setup - two ancient CRTs which absolutely refuse to show the same colours no matter how I set them up :(. This may also have an impact on the colours. I hope to replace my monitors in the near future as I'm expecting a cash boost soon :banana::banana:.
Anyway, thanks Kate - some might call it nit-picking but I call it useful and valued feedback. |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 2, 2008, 3:57pm
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Thank you very much Délé - I think any artist would be rapt to told "it made me feel good. I feel like jumping into the render. It looks like a place and a day that I would really like to visit. I enjoy looking at it very much. When something invokes feelings that thoughts like this, it must be art. :)"
Technical issues aside if I can trigger an emotional response in just one other person then I'm very pleased. I see these pictures and places in my head and want to show them to other people to hopefuly share the feelings that the places shown invoke in me. To know that I occasionally succeed is hugely gratifying so thanks again Délé - you've made my day!
Great work Wiz! :D :banana:
I like that first image better than the second one myself. I think it's the wall in the second one that puts me off a little. The texture doesn't look right with that IMO. I also agree that it might look a little better if the bus wasn't quite so shiny. Other then that it does look very nice though. :)
I really like the first image a lot. I think you've captured a perfect fall day very well. This doesn't happen for me much, but when I gazed at that render I could actually feel and smell the fall air, and good memories seeped into my mind. My favorite times of year have always been fall and spring and I have good memories associated with those times of year. This piece actually captured that so well, that it made me feel good. I feel like jumping into the render. It looks like a place and a day that I would really like to visit. I enjoy looking at it very much. When something invokes feelings that thoughts like this, it must be art. :)
I've always liked your work Wiz, but it's fun to see how you are improving over time too. I think you've reached yet another level here. The modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering are all very nice. Especially in that first one. Great work! :D |
Post by 3dfrog // Feb 3, 2008, 6:10am
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3dfrog
Total Posts: 1225
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Nice work wizard. I like the lightworks one a lot. It makes me think of aardman for some reason. |
Post by GraySho // Feb 3, 2008, 10:58am
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GraySho
Total Posts: 695
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I like both images and the fresh colors. The paint on the bus might seem to be too glossy for some, but there's something I like about it. The second image shows why the LW renderer still has it's value. |
Post by jayr // Feb 3, 2008, 11:31am
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jayr
Total Posts: 1074
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Something i've always liked about your artwork wizard is that all your image seem to inhabit the same world, amybe different parts but same planet. Even this one fits in with your fantasy ones even though it got a routemaster bus in it! |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 3, 2008, 6:34pm
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Nice work wizard. I like the lightworks one a lot. It makes me think of aardman for some reason.
Thanks Frog - It never occurred to me but of course you are absolutely right - Aardman have always had he ability to grasp the essence of those quintessentially 'British' vehicles like the Morris Minor and the Land Rover. And vehicles don't get more 'British' than a London bus (although I've seen 'London' buses in both Hong Kong and Mumbai). So I'll take you comment as a great compliment, thanks.
The second image shows why the LW renderer still has it's value. Thanks Graysho - there are things that LW doesn't do - caustics, GI, etc - but what it does do it does well, I think. It's still my favourite renderer.
Something I've always liked about your artwork wizard is that all your image seem to inhabit the same world, maybe different parts but same planet. Even this one fits in with your fantasy ones even though it got a routemaster bus in it! Thanks Jayr - it's a pleasure to see that recognised actually. Whilst it's not a major influence on my work it is a recurring theme - most, if not all of my pics are intended to represent an alternative reality and as you've noted, different parts of the same world. Creating them for me is an escape from many of the less appealing aspects of modern life and if that comes across to some of those who see my pics then I'm a happy man! |
Post by Georg // Feb 3, 2008, 11:24pm
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Georg
Total Posts: 270
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Very nice pictures, I like both wit a small preference for the 2nd. Your bus model is super. In the 1st the texture or the model of the front tire is less convincing, something to do with the lights I guess. I agree with Dele, it creates an atmosphere you want to step in.
A minor point of critics would be the use of your banner on the side of the bus. The graphics looks too modern, a bit anachronistic with the atmosphere. I did see the person on the banner is also standing in the street, but you would expect an advertisement for Ovomaltine or something like that, with big square letters.
Georg |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 4, 2008, 2:14am
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Thanks Georg - I clearly need to get myself some more human characters - I didn't even notice the guy of the advert and the guy on the street are the same guy. Whats even more fascinating is that guys name is ... Yep, you guessed it "George"!
I agree with your remarks about the anachronistic aspects of the bus advertisements - part of the key is to remember this is not a London bus, it's just based on a London bus and isn't even on the same planet as London! The object was to try to capture a mood rather than create a realistic historical image - and besides, I figured if I was going to be doing some advertising I figured I should advertise myself and ther software that made the image possible! :D I originally intended to reproduce the adverts on the bus in my reference pictures but then I thought hey! Creative License!
But thanks for your comments - I'm actually surprised no one commented on those adverts sooner. |
Post by kena // Feb 4, 2008, 8:49am
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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Gee. I just figured that you used the image form your Sig... good advertising and what not. and I thought that you MEANT for the same guy to be there. ;) |
Post by 3dfrog // Feb 4, 2008, 9:33am
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3dfrog
Total Posts: 1225
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Yes indeed, being compared to aardman is a big compliment, and thats how I meant it :) Great work. |
Post by Nez // Feb 5, 2008, 5:23am
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Nez
Total Posts: 1102
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Thanks Kate - I appreciate the input. I'm from Kent myself and was thinking of the Maidstone and District buses which are (or at least were 21 years ago when I was last there) a darker and somewhat duller green green than I've gone for here.
My goodness, M&D buses - that brings back memories! Used to use them to get home from school; kind of a nasty almost khaki green with a beige stripe if I recall. You may be sad to learn they don't exist any more in Medway etc - the current bus company uses a more aqua blue-green colour...
Red 'paint' is always a problem in CG it seems - even in real life it can look very different under differing lighting and with age, often tending towards a pinkish tone (especially on older vehicles where it 'bleaches' with age/sunshine). Interestingly, I recently saw a feature on the Transformers DVD which pointed out that red is also a major problem for filming as it is very difficult to get it to look good on screen - this was a key reason for Optimus being much more blue than the original version...
Anyway, really nice job W!zard - really like the bus model itself in particular. Someone called it a Routemaster - not sure 30s buses were technically 'Routemasters' (think that came later - 50s?) but styling similar and brings back more memories - they were still running when I started working in London but have now been phased out by the boring 'bendy buses'... boo... |
Post by W!ZARD // Feb 5, 2008, 5:38am
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W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Hi Nez - I suspected you might be familiar with the M&D buses. I used to use them to get to work. Sorry to hear they're gone but time marches on!
You are right about the Red - I struggled a little to get a distinct enough contrast between the light red and the dark red. I also believe that the film industry often has issues trying to get good reds for the blood in the gory bits!
You're absolutely right, Routemasters are a lot more recent than this one whic is a Leyland Mighty Titan circa 1937.
I suppose one day the boring bendy buses will be looked at with fond nostalgia too - in the meantime if you want a traditional red Double Decker you have to go to Mumbai in India.My goodness, M&D buses - that brings back memories! Used to use them to get home from school; kind of a nasty almost khaki green with a beige stripe if I recall. You may be sad to learn they don't exist any more in Medway etc - the current bus company uses a more aqua blue-green colour...
Red 'paint' is always a problem in CG it seems - even in real life it can look very different under differing lighting and with age, often tending towards a pinkish tone (especially on older vehicles where it 'bleaches' with age/sunshine). Interestingly, I recently saw a feature on the Transformers DVD which pointed out that red is also a major problem for filming as it is very difficult to get it to look good on screen - this was a key reason for Optimus being much more blue than the original version...
Anyway, really nice job W!zard - really like the bus model itself in particular. Someone called it a Routemaster - not sure 30s buses were technically 'Routemasters' (think that came later - 50s?) but styling similar and brings back more memories - they were still running when I started working in London but have now been phased out by the boring 'bendy buses'... boo... |
Post by kena // Feb 5, 2008, 11:21am
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kena
Total Posts: 2321
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Congrats on your Honerable mention for this one (these 2?)
:D |
Post by butterpaw // Feb 5, 2008, 3:34pm
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butterpaw
Total Posts: 831
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W00t! Honorable mention! love these buses and the scenes ^_^ |
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