Elegant luxury is found everywhere in this Top 10. From super yachts to super cars and elegant dinners, there are many ways to indulge yourself. For the more adventurous amongst you, we have a hefty helping of urban settings to explore and several vehicles for the air, land and sea! Just watch out for the robot – who knows what it is up to.

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Experience uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, March 31st, 2012 through Friday, April 27th, 2012 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 133 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Experience.)

The Top 10:

Bat4 Limeil was painstakingly built by nikus using Google SketchUp. I keep seeing it as a cake with many layers of apartments and frosted on top with a thick, delicious mix of traditional homes and open spaces. Yummy!

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Yes, I would like to spend several months cruising the Mediterranean or the Caribbean on the MY45-2 – 3D modeled by wpegram. That should be just about long enough to enjoy all the luxury offered by this super yacht. I feel more relaxed just thinking about it. This beauty was uploaded in 3DS format.

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If you want details, grab the biggest box you have and start gathering them from RC Truck by tateowen! There may even be a miniature mechanic in there somewhere fine tuning the suspension. This fantastic model was created using SolidWorks.

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The table centerpiece is what drew me like a magnet to Tente Inox by Romain (romainazurevent). Using Google SketchUp, Romain has created a beautiful setting for a very elegant dinner. The tent itself also helps to provide an enchanting environment to relax and enjoy the company and delicacies.

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Oscar (mynameisoscarjo) has delivered another example of his formidable automotive modeling skills. His Atega GT was created and honed to perfection using Blender and the indigo renderer. No matter where you go in this super car, be prepared to be the center of attention! [Oscar lives in Sweden]

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Apache Helicopter – Gunner’s Weapon Control Instrument was created by smike using Google SketchUp and his own special blend of graphics magic. The details are as finely crafted as the skills the gunner would have to have to use this dangerous part of the Apache beast. [smike lives in Denmark]

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Abu (abu_roadking) really put 3DVIA Studio through the wringer to develop this stunning demonstration of a complex wartime scenario. Missile Defense System takes awhile to load, but the action is definitely worth the wait. [Abu lives in India]

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Robot Quadrupède looks like half of a spider that is twice as scary! It’s so intricately detailed that I’m afraid it’s going to walk right off the screen! Thierry (thierryc – ©M. Gravrand Paul) uploaded this beast, which was built using CATIA V5. [Thierry lives in France]

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If you want to make a smooth and elegant entrance, you’d have a hard time finding a ride better than this truly gorgeous Bugatti T 102 modeled by Marian using Google SketchUp. Marian based it on sketches by TwistedMethodDan on deviantART. [Marian lives in Romania]

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West Quayside represents quite a lot of work by mapplebeck to complete such a complex cityscape. You can zoom right in and check things out for yourself! It was uploaded in 3DS format.

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The Urania is a beautiful and well-detailed model of an Italian Torpedo Cruiser by Thierry (thierry_st_malo) using Google SketchUp. Take some time to explore this unique vessel.

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127 – 128 – 129 – 130 – 131 – 132 – 133

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

We’ve been moving along quickly learning how to master 3DVIA Shape and have reached a point where a review of what we’ve covered so far would be appropriate. This review will be useful as a quick-reference guide to help you find the videos, tools and tips that have been helpful along the way.

The model of the overall castle and town are also at a natural breaking point. It has gotten so large that working with it is difficult, so I’ve broken it into multiple models, which can be worked on separately and then combined.

All of the Castlemania 3DVIA Shape files can be found in the Castlemania Group for you to download and change as you desire. In addition, the Castlemania Group has been published as a Live Marketing App, which you can send to your iPhone or iPad and check for updates while you’re on the go.

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Castlemania Stage One – The Journey to Mastering 3DVIA Shape

In the beginning, we learned a little about castles and why they exist. To build our own castle we needed land that we could protect while the castle was being built, and the town grew around it. This provided the starting point to learn some of the basic concepts of using 3DVIA.com and 3DVIA Shape.

Reference Videos:

- Tips & Tricks – How to Register & Publish to 3DVIA (created by the great folks at 3DPLM)

- Tips & Tricks – Modeling Commands in 3DVIA Shape (created by the great folks at 3DPLM)

- Remixing Models: a quick tutorial

Tools Used:

- “Rectangle”

- “Snap Behavior”

- “Push n Pull”

- “Eraser”

- “Paint”

- “Grid Options”

Tips:

- Be sure to save frequently

- How to open a draft version of a model

- How to use “Save As” and “Publish As”

- A solid yellow line indicates that your line is on one of the major axis

- Look for “~” in a measurement as an indicator that “Snap Behavior” is off

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Castlemania Stage Two – The Big Picture

In this stage we learned about the importance of size – file sizes and model sizes in particular. We then began modifying the land to suit our needs.

Reference Videos:

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #1 : How to Box Select

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #2: How to Select an Entire Component

Tools Used:

- “Paint”

- “Undo”

- “Snap Behavior”

- “Push n Pull”

- “Wireframe”, “Vertex” and “Smooth” modes (in 3DVIA Player)

Tips:

- Find file sizes and number of triangles in the “Stats” tab

- The importance of “triangles”

- The meaning of “Usable in Shape”

- Three-sided polygons give you flat surfaces – four-sided polygons are often curved surfaces

- Use copies of inserted models rather than inserting them again

- Use white “handles on models to change the size/scale

- Use the “CTRL” key to select multiple items

- Change the model color to make construction lines easier to see

- The color/texture of existing geometry is applied to new geometry during changes to that geometry

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Castlemania Stage Three – More land and the Castle Plan

In this stage we learned several more advanced methods for modifying our land and started laying out the castle plans.

Reference Videos:

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #23: How to Use Advanced Push-Pull

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #6: How to Fill a Hole

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #18: How to Use Move and Modify Modes

Tools Used:

- “Select”

- “Draw”

- “Circle”

- “Offset”

- “Deform”

- “Space Bar”

- “ESC” key

Tips:

- After selecting a model, use the blue area to move it and the yellow swirls to rotate it

- Use the “ESC” key to stop using a tool

- A yellow dashed line means it is lined up with another part of your model (inferencing)

- Use the orange “anchor points” shown by pressing the “Space Bar” to accurately paste copies of geometry

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Castlemania Stage Four – The King is Coming!

To help protect the king and the town, we made a lot of fences after learning how to revolve geometry and make patterns.

Reference Videos:

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #4: How to Revolve Geometry

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #24: How to use the Reference Point

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #11: How to Create a Pattern

Tools Used:

- “Deform” tool – yellow directional arrows, yellow rotational curves, yellow scaling handles, white reference point

- “CTRL +C” keys

- “CTRL +V” keys

- “CTRL +Z” keys

Tips:

- You are able to rotate geometry when the profile and axis of rotation change to orange

- During rotation, the degrees of rotation are shown in the little box near the tool icon

- Move your mouse farther away from the center of rotation to rotate by smaller amounts

- Use construction lines to make new geometry as part of the main model

- When using the “Push n pull” tool, the distance moved will snap to an existing line or surface

- Draw on the “Ground” plane to have better control of both large and small measurements on a part

- Zoom in to get smaller measurement increments

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Castlemania Stage Five – The King Approves the Plans

All of the king’s troops needed shields to help protect themselves, so we learned various ways to make curved surfaces and add textures.

Reference Videos:

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #17: How to Use Deform Modes

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #19: How to Use Freeform Deform Mode

Tools Used:

- “Deform”

- “Paint”

Tips:

- How to know when to use the “blue – move”, “green – modify” and “orange – deform” modes

- Use major grid lines as center lines for easier symmetry

- Use straight lines to create a representation of a “curve”

- Press the “Space Bar” to show the “mirror button” tools

- Use construction lines to align different shapes

- Use construction lines to connect separate parts of your model so intersection lines will be visible

- The rotation of textures is limited to 5 degree increments

- Move a copy of a surface and then connect the vertexes to thicken a curved surface

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Castlemania Stage Six – The King’s Changes

The king required numerous changes to the plans, so we focused on how to move and modify existing geometry, learned about grid manipulation and worked with the Freeform Deform tool.

Reference Videos:

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #19: How to Use Freeform Deform Mode

- Modeling a Flag With 3DVIA Shape (created by 3DVIA modeler shodiq38)

- 3DVIA Shape – Tip #1: How to Box Select

Tools Used:

- “Grid Options”

- “CTRL +X” with “CTRL +V keys

Tips:

- Use the “Grid Options” alignment tool to easily draw new geometry

- Use a single rectangle when applying logos with text or a specific orientation

- Thicken your part to get the logo to read correctly on both sides

- Hover the mouse over a circle to see the center show up as a blue point

- When needed, draw lines past the connection point to be sure they end where you want them

- A perpendicular line will be yellow

- A parallel line will be blue blue

- Use the “ESC” key to stop creation of a line when you are using the line to find a measurement

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In the next stage we’ll get back to learning new tools, advanced concepts and building the details that will make the castle even more formidable!
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Links to previous Castlemania Stages:

Castlemania Stage One – The Journey to Mastering 3DVIA Shape Begins

Castlemania Stage Two – The Big Picture

Castlemania Stage Three – More Land and the Castle Plan

Castlemania Stage Four – The King is Coming!

Castlemania Stage Five – The King Approves the Plans

Castlemania Stage Six – The King’s Changes

Add Flags!

The king has approved the castle plans and has required numerous changes to make it just the way he wants it. The first thing he wants is flags. It’s his kingdom, and he wants everyone to know it! Flags and pennants are important symbols and identification markers. Early on, tomy suggested that we add flags, and now is the time.

How to Use Freeform Deform Mode is a good video on the basics of using “Freeform Deform” tool, which is part of the “Deform” tool. These techniques will help us create the flowing forms that show the flag is moving in the wind.

To use the “Freeform Deform Orange Mode”, first select the “Deform” tool, then the line you want to deform and then the orange “Deform Mode” button. Arrows will appear showing you which ways you can deform the line.

A YouTube video specifically about Modeling a Flag With 3DVIA Shape was done by shodiq38, and we’re going to grab some screen shots from it.

First, draw your flag shape and several intersecting lines. Then start selecting the lines with the “Deform” tool and use the “Freeform Deform Orange Mode” to move them.

Be sure to rotate your view often to see what effect your changes are having. Keep moving and tweaking the lines until you like what you have.

The flag for this kingdom is a little more complicated because the king wants his “coat of arms” in the center. I made sure the lines I used to divide up the flag left a big panel right in the middle (red arrows).

He also wants the coat of arms to read correctly on both sides of the flag. If I left the flag as a single surface, then the other side would read in reverse. To make a thicker flag, I copy and paste a second surface just a little distance away and keep it on the same axis as the first surface. You cannot use the “Push n Pull” tool to do this.

Then I connect all of the vertexes (where the lines meet), and I now have a thicker flag (red ellipse). I then apply the logo to both sides, add color to the rest of the panels and have just what the king wanted.

Outside Wall Tower Changes

The king wants all of the towers of the outside wall to be changed to prevent any invaders from using the wall to easily get from one part of the castle to another.

The foundation has been modified on all of the outside wall towers, and one is almost completey built.

The layout on the left is what the king wants. On the right is what I have right now. The easiest way to accurately draw the lines I need is to re-align the grid, so that I’ll be drawing normal to the grid.

First I draw a line from the center of the circle (hover your mouse over either of the circles and a blue center point will appear) to the center of the existing 45 degree line (red ellipses).

Next I select the “Grid Options” tool…

…and select the line I just drew (starting and ending with red ellipses). Immediately, the entire grid is aligned with the selected line. Hit “ESC” to close the grid tool. I can now draw all the lines needed to make the changes and then, with some careful erasing of lines and surfaces, end up with what the king wants. When you are done, you can switch the grid to match any other lines that you are working with.

Notice that several lines are drawn past the desired connection point (green ellipses). This is because sometimes the end of your line will not snap to exactly where you want it, but if you go past the intersection point, then it will stay perpendicular (yellow line) or parallel (blue lines). In these cases, it is easier to erase the extra bit of line and know that the line is exactly where you want it.

This shows why the king wants all of the outer wall towers to be done this way. If the good guys are in control, they leave the wooden bridges in place and can move around the castle quickly.

If the bad guys get inside the castle, the good guys can remove the bridges leaving the bad guys without any good options to move past this tower.

Bigger Openings For Traffic

The king has ordered all the passageways for wagon and cart traffic be made wider to allow more traffic through quicker. During a battle or during the busy days of building, it will be important to have easy access.

Fortunately “Box Select” will allow us to swiftly make these changes in our plans.

The video How To Box Select does a great quick job of explaining the overall concept.

The king wants all openings to be 12′ wide. To find out what size my openings are now, I start to draw a line across the opening and without letting up on the mouse button, I can see the actual measurement (8′), but then just hit the “ESC” key and not draw the line itself. This way I can get a measurement, but not have to erase the line afterward – this can be very helpful.

Without selecting any tool I can draw a selection box by clicking the left mouse button and dragging it out to include the parts I want (red arrows).

After making sure my “Snap Behavior” is on, I’ve “Box Selected” the right hand gatehouse and as soon as I release the mouse button, I’ll see exactly which geometry has been chosen (red arrow). Then I’ll select the “Deform” tool and pull the yellow arrow (red ellipse) in the direction that I want to move the gatehouse.

By watching the measurement in the little box at the arrow tip (red ellipse), I can move the entire right gatehouse 2′. Then I’ll follow the same steps to move the left gatehouse 2′ in the opposite direction.

Now the opening is 12′ wide and big enough for more people, horses, and carts.

Bigger Kitchen and Add a Garden

Like most people, the king does not to want to wait for his food and wants fresh vegetables to stay healthy. So he required that the kitchen be made biger and that a garden be added.

What I want to  do is move the entire wall in the red ellipse down to line up with the wall as shown by the yellow line. I’ll use “Box Select” for the majority of the change, but you can also box select a smaller section (right side red ellipse) and use “CTRL X” to remove a section and “CTRL V” to paste it in a new location.

For the rest of the wall moving, I’ll use “Box Select”and pull down on the yellow arrow (red ellipse) until it snaps to the edge (yellow ellipse) I want. Now the kitchen is “king size”.

Adding a 50′ by 60′ garden is easy using the “Rectangle” tool and then the “Offset” tool. Then I just use the “Push n Pull” tool to make it about 1′ tall, and the king will have plenty of fresh vegetables.

Add Arrow Slits to the Castle Main Entrance

The main entrance of the castle should provide access to the Inner Ward, but should also be easily defended in case of attacks.

The king heartily agrees with the master engineer’s plan of creating a more difficult path for the bad guys by having a blocking feature (green ellipse), which forces all traffic to slow down and make two turns before entering the Inner Ward. But the king wants to add firing slits to the blocking feature. If the bad guys have made it past all of the other fortification and are getting close (red arrow), then there needs to be an additional defense position at that point.

In the right image, the changes that the king required have been added. Now five archers can fire on the bad guys while still being protected themselves.

You can see that each archer has a good range of angles throught the arow slit, and is very difficult to hit from the other side.

Bigger Blacksmith Shop

The king also demanded the planned blacksmith shop be much larger. It’s a big castle, and there will be a lot of work.

Since the blacksmith’s work is essential in all stages of building and maintenance, it is the second fully functioning section of the castle to be completed. The water well had been started and completed during the planning stages.

The blacksmith shop is in a corner of two of the castle walls, so those walls were the natural starting point for castle construction. Now the blacksmith shop has two forges with room for a total of four blacksmiths and their helpers. They all are lodged in the shop itself, so they’re close by and protected as well.

Next time we’ll start adding important details to the walls and towers as the construction continues. We also have to start working on a river landing for both the castle and the town to help move supplies in more quickly. We still have plenty to do!

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Links to previous Castlemania Stages:

Castlemania Stage One – The Journey to Mastering 3DVIA Shape Begins

Castlemania Stage Two – The Big Picture

Castlemania Stage Three – More Land and the Castle Plan

Castlemania Stage Four – The King is Coming!

Castlemania Stage Five – The King Approves the Plans

Have you ever had to choose your future real estate investment based only on a simple 2D plan and a few rendered pictures? Then you know how difficult it is to imagine what it will eventually look like.

Together with Explorimmo, a leading online real estate marketplace in France, 3DVIA has made future real estate come to life with “The Virtual Real Estate Project”. Put simply, people will now be able to explore real estate online in 3D before it is actually built!

Powered by 3DVIA Studio, our next-gen development platform, “The Virtual Estate Project” represents real estate innovation at its finest. In addition to providing real estate professionals with the possibility of marketing future programs in an exciting way, the technology also gives potential buyers the ability to decide for themselves if they are truly happy with the layout of their future investment. Real estate hunters can even explore spaces before setting up a meeting with real estate agents, saving both parties lots of time and energy.

Watch the video below to see how users can walk around and discover their future apartment with or without furniture (the set in this experience is provided by Ligne Roset), change the time of the day to study the sunlight orientation, apply weather effects, choose flooring, apply the 3D relief feature and much more.

What are you waiting for? Take the virtual estate experience to the next level and visit http://www.explorimmoneuf.com/3d to discover the demo.

Fun is a big factor in this month’s Top 10. You can go a zillion miles an hour, take a swim, blow things up, get shot into the sky, party hard, explore an amazing cityscape, be enthralled by the elegance of a granary or relax all by yourself with the most comfortable headphones you’ve ever tried. Don’t wait for me, get going!

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Scene uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 through Friday, March 30th, 2012 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 132 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Scene.)

The Top 10:

La Halle Au Blé D’alençon, by groupeLM, is beautiful both in form and in modeling. Using 3DVIA Shape, groupeLM has created the minimum of geometry and used textures to the maximum. Beautiful work!

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Not much work would get done in this world without the help of gears! This fact is evident in For Upload by bugmenotplease. It is as much a sculpture as it is a workhorse. SolidWorks was the modeling tool.

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This may be a little spooky, but it is also amazingly well executed. Crania Anatomica Filigre has become a sculpture in the hands and eyes of Joshua (shshark). Check it out from every angle to fully appreciate the delicacy of the forms. Joshua uploaded it in STL Binary format. Also check out his web site for more examples of his wild imagination. [Joshua lives in the US]

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When the only thing that will work is excess, then grab your Exona Supercar Concept and put it through its paces. Everywhere you go there will be jaws dropping and a fierce wind behind you. Nikola (zenox) created this delight and uploaded it in OBJ format. Nikola did all of the renderings too. [Nikola lives in Serbia & Montenegro]

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Landdoor shows how Enrrique (perecat1) is using landscaping more and more in his models, not only to add a comfortable feeling to the whole environment, but also for the fantastic opportunities for his imagination to come up with new and amazing forms. His creativity and mastery of 3DVIA Shape are top notch! [Enrrique lives in Spain]

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Asnaucno’s White Space makes a great case for using 3D to plan your space and equipment placement. Those machines are heavy and work flow is critical, so it is best to put everything in the right place the first time. Asnaucno used 3DVIA Scenes.

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The Kamov KA-50 Pilot’s Chair is another great example of smike’s ability to get the most out of his intricate textures and Google SketchUp. The Kamov KA-50 is a single-seat Russian attack helicopter, so if you need to get out there in a hurry, this is the seat to have! [smike lives in Denmark]

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If you see this coming toward you, you are in big trouble! Your first impulse will be to run for the hills, but the fact that this monster is coming means that you’re standing in a minefield and had better be careful with every step you take.

German Bundeswehr Mine Clearing Tank “Keiler, by Alfred (alfredix), is best seen in real life from behind it or when it is not doing its job clearing mine fields. Alfred made this exceptionally well detailed model using Autodesk Product Design Suite and translated everything to STEP format before uploading it. [Alfred lives in Germany]

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3D Projekt…, by oljon1986, makes me want to party right now and this looks like the place to do it! Oljon1986 made a LOT of models using 3DVIA Shape to put this whole party palace together just the way he wanted it. Great job!

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The SPZ01, by mpirotta, is a headphone set that uses a new way to add to the wearer’s comfort. Each earcup is attached to the main unit with a flexible, sensuously curved sub assembly that moves without having as much effect on the main frame. I’d love to try a pair of these!  It was published to 3DVIA from 3DVIA Composer.

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This great model just makes me laugh every time I see it. The 3DS mannequin model is seen hard at work in hundreds, probably even thousands of models all over the world. In Product1, Kevin (KEVIN2269) finally let’s us in on what they do in their spare time! My favorite is the fellow in the innertube. Kevin modeled it using CATIA V5.

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127 – 128 – 129 – 130 – 131 – 132

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

1 How to Box Select – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

2 How to Select an Entire Component – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

3 How to Use Sketch Points – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

4 How to Revolve Geometry – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

5 How to Create Tangent Elements – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

6 How to Fill a Hole – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

7 How to Use Existing Elements to Draw – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

8 How to Draw a Perpendicular Line – Here is a link to the model so you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

9 How to Draw a Parallel Line – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

10 How to Use Alignment in Offset – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

11 How to Create a Pattern – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

12 How to Create Symmetry – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

13 How to Change a Radius – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

14 How to Create Pyramids – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

15 How to Create Octagons – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

16 How to Create Arches – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

17 How to Use Deform Modes – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

18 How to Use Move and Modify – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow along in 3DVIA Shape.

19 How to Use Freeform-Deform Mode – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

20 How to Scale Elements – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

21 How to Copy Elements – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

22 How to Change an Anchor Point When Pasting – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

23 How to Use Advanced Push-Pull – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

24 How to Use the Reference Point – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

25 How to Align a Complex Shape – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

26 How to Deactivate Snapping – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

27 How to Put an Object on the Ground – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA Shape.

28 How to Rotate With Precision – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA

29 How to Use Boolean Operations – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA

30 How to Remove Flickering Using Boolean Operations – Here is a link to the model so that you can follow the tutorial in 3DVIA

31 How to Add and Adjust Textures

32 How to Align Textures With Geometry

33 How to Manipulate Similar Textures

34 How to Create an Umbrella

The big day has arrived. The king is surveying the castle plans and town for the first time. He and the master engineer will review the drawings for the castle and then walk around the castle plan, which has been marked out in full size.  The master engineer will record the king’s changes and then ask for his approval for building to begin.

The king’s visit is going to be quick, so he has only brought along the necessities for the group’s needs as they travel to the castle and on to their next destination. The castle and town will provide everything for the group during their stay here.

Wherever the king and his forces go, they rely on their weapons and their shields to keep them safe. Shields are also vital as a direct form of identification. In this Stage we’re going to concentrate on how to make a shield using 3DVIA Shape.

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How to Use Deform Modes

In this stage we’ll look at different ways to move or “Deform” geometry that has already been created. Be sure to watch the video to get a good overview.

There are three Deform Modes which you can access by first selecting the “Deform” tool, then selecting a point, line or shape…

…and then hovering the mouse over the middle blue button.

The Blue (Move) Mode, allows you to move your geometry along the three major axis.

The Green (Modify) Mode, allows you to scale, rotate and push or pull surfaces.

The Orange (Freeform Deform) Mode, allows you to push or pull points or edges of surfaces.

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The king and his group enter the town through one of the Town Wall gates. There are lots of knights, lancers and people from the town to greet him.

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How to Use the Freeform Deform Mode

We’re going to start learning about the most interesting Deform Modes. Freeform Deform Mode allows us to create complex curved surfaces and is a lot of fun to use. Using the Freeform Deform Mode requires some practice and patience to create the shape that you want. We’ll do a simple Freeform Deform operation to help make a medieval shield with a curved face. Most of the construction steps use tools that we’ve already learned in previous stages, so this will be good practice for those tools too.

First draw a 4′ x 4′ square so the graphic can be centered on a major grid line. Then add a graphic/texture and center the points on the center of the square. We’re using the texture to also provide a guide for the shape of the shield. Be sure to leave some white space around all of the edges. This will be important later. If you’re using a solid color then just fill the whole square.

Draw a center line on the square. You want to do this after applying the texture so that you don’t have to add two textures and try to match them up.

Then start adding straight line segments like in the red ellipse. Be sure all the lines connect to each other and that the ends of the first and last lines connect to the center line.  Draw enough lines to get a reasonable “curve”, but not so many that later on you’ll have too many to connect.

Add lines to just one half of the shield and leave plenty of green, since the other half may not be exactly the same.

Now hold down the CTRL key and select all of the line segments. Copy and paste them, hit the space bar and then click on the horizontal “flip” symbol.

Click on the point at the top of the shield and drag it over until it snaps to the other top point. Now you can see the reason for leaving some green outside of your lines, since the right side of the shield is not exactly the same as the left side.

Next, carefully delete the three center lines.

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After traveling through the town and noting its defenses, the king reaches the temporary royal residences.

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Draw another 4′ x 4′ square and a vertical center line. Select the “Deform” tool, then the center line and  then move the mouse over the blue button and then down to select the orange button.

Pull the line up about 4 inches using the yellow arrow. Notice how the grid lines disappear as the surface deforms. This will be the final shape of the shield, but we need to cut the deformed surface to the outside shape of the shield. To do this, start by drawing a vertical line more than 4 inches long up from the center line. Then zoom in and draw a one inch horizontal line.

Select the shield shape that you created. Copy, paste and click the space bar. Then select the point at the top center of the shape. Drag the shield over until the point snaps to the end of the one inch horizontal line. Now your shape is properly positioned to  cut the deformed surface.

Use the “Push n Pull” tool to push the shield shape through the deformed surface. If you look inside the green ellipse in the second picture, you’ll see that there is no black line where the shield form intersects with the deformed surface. A missing black line means that the shield form is not geometrically connected to the deformed surface. This can be easily fixed by drawing a line that connects the two parts, like the one in the red ellipse.

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The king is greeted with great delight by the master engineer. While the rest of his group gets settled in, the king and the master engineer will carefully go over the drawings.

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Delete everything except the deformed shield surface and your original square and graphic. Rotate your view to be sure to delete all of the unneeded surface, including those underneath the shield.

You must add your texture one half at a time because of the center line, which you cannot delete. Add each side and re-size and move/rotate as needed to get them to match. The rotation of textures is limited to 5 degree increments. If you are using a solid color, this step is much easier.

Rotate the entire shield 90 degrees and move it up so you can easily see the whole thing. Select the shield; copy, paste, click the space bar, select the top center point and move the copy about 1/2″ back, aligned with the original.

Now connect all the points to create edge surfaces. This is where using fewer lines at the beginning will make your task easier.

Select a color and paint all of the edges and back of the shield. You’re done!

There are at least five other ways to make this shield. I discovered two more just as I was writing these instructions. Some are shorter and easier, but this method is still a good one that introduces new concepts and helps reinforce ones that you’ve already learned. You may discover your own way to make your shield. That’s part of the fun of working in 3DVIA Shape and making 3D models.

Have fun and explore!

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After looking at the drawings, the king and the master engineer go out to the full size layout. You can see that they are checking to make sure that a group of lancers  and an ox-drawn cart will be able to easily move through the spaces provided for them.

At long last; the king has had all of his questions answered, has made his change requirements known to the master engineer and approves the start of building! There is a lot of work ahead, but this critical step has been accomplished at last.

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Links to previous Castlemania Stages:

Castlemania Stage One – The Journey to Mastering 3DVIA Shape Begins

Castlemania Stage Two – The Big Picture

Castlemania Stage Three – More Land and the Castle Plan

Castlemania Stage Four – The King is Coming!

In late January, a-lab Architects helped organize a BIM (Building Information Modeling) seminar in Oslo, Norway and presented to approximately 150 influential building industry people. The objective of the event was to educate business partners (entrepreneurs, building firms, property developers, etc.) on the newest technologies available in the BIM and visualization industry. One technology a-lab Architects actively promoted was 3DVIA Mobile for the iPad.

Over the past several months a-lab Architects has successfully incorporated 3DVIA Mobile for the iPad into their workflow process, using it to present in-progress design work to clients.  a-lab Architects featured 3DVIA Mobile at their booth by connecting iPads and computers to projectors. Seminar attendees were taught how to use 3DVIA Mobile and discussed the advantages of incorporating it into presentations. After the demonstration, many attendees were quick to download the app, and the the seminar proved to be a great success.

3DVIA thanks a-lab Architects and their collaborators and sponsors for taking the initiative to organize and present this valuable information to people that can (and did) immediately put it to good use.

The king is coming! It’s time to get everything as ready as it can be. The town and its defenses are growing stronger every day, but the king’s approval is necessary before real work can get started on the castle itself.

The main defensive ditch and berm for the Town Wall has been completed, and the palisades are starting to go up. The defensive dry moat separating the town from the castle has also been finished.

Much more detailed castle plans have been laid out and temporary residences for the king and his attendants have been built. You can see from the tiny size of the workers that this is a big castle!

The master engineer will be able to show the king his drawn out plans, and then they can walk the full-size layout to work out the last details. (Click on the image above or on this link to go to the model, which you can download and work on yourself.)

How to Revolve Geometry (follow the link to watch the video)

We need to keep pace with the workers, so we’ll be learning how to build a section of fence. This will help teach us a lot of new tools that will be useful throughout our castle-building project. In the image above, the fence sections are combined to form a ring of protection around the temporary royal residences.

Even though the fence post will be vertical, I’m drawing it on the ground plane because it gives me more control. The post will be 9′ long and about 1′ in diameter with a bevel around the top. This is the size of the palisade posts. Once we’re done it will be easy to scale the whole thing down to the size needed in other places, like around the royal residences.

In the left image, you can see it is easy to draw the 9′ long line when I’m zoomed in so the boxes of the ground grid are 1′ square with 12 minor divisions for the inches.

In the second image, I’ve zoomed in a little, and the grid has stayed the same. I can still draw a 6″ line for the radius fairly easily.

In the third image, you can see I’ve had to zoom in a bit more so the grid is now made up of 1″ squares. Now I can draw my bevel much more precisely. This is always true – when you need more precision, zoom in closer to the model. The grid will change in precision as you zoom in and out.

Now I’ve completed the post outline/profile with the small bevel at the top. To revolve this profile, I select the “Push n Pull” tool and move it over the profile. That’s when the “Revolve” tool will appear; this is the one we need.

Move the mouse over and select the “Revolve” tool; it will be the only tool you see, and the profile will change to orange. Now it wants to know what line (axis) it should revolve the profile around.

As you move the mouse over various lines, you’ll see the little arrow appear (inside the yellow ellipse), which means you can revolve around that line; select the line as shown. The axis will now appear as a heavier orange line on the profile and as a dashed line beyond the profile as shown by the red arrows.

As you move your mouse, a little box will appear with the number of degrees it has been revolved. Just as with other rotation tools, if you move your mouse farther out from the center of the rotation, you’ll get smaller increments, and if you stay in close it will snap to the standard larger increments.

In this case, we want a completely round post, so pull it around until it snaps to 360 degrees – then click the mouse button and you’re done.

Even though half of the post is “underground”, that is not a problem. Think of the ground plane as a semi-transparent plane we can see and select through. We can still select and infer from those parts that are underground. We can also rotate our view to see, select and act on parts of the model that are underground. Later we will rotate the post so it is properly upright.

Since we’re going to be using this fence post as a pattern for a fence section which will be used to make a lot of fences, let’s make sure we put in the important details. The fence sections will need cross braces, so let’s put the cuts in now.

To create the slots for the braces, I need the right size shape to cut with. For the first slot, I’ve picked a spot about 1′ from the bottom of the post and drawn a vertical line (red arrow) up to an arbitrary spot above the post. This line will keep the new geometry as part of the whole model. Then I drew the rectangle using lines along the axis to keep everything lined up.

Draw a 3′ long horizontal line from one corner of the rectangle.

Copy (“CTRL +C”) and then paste (“CTRL +V”) the first rectangle, and then move it along the line until it snaps into place at the end.

Now use the “Push n Pull” tool, and pull the first rectangle down until it is past the bottom of the post.

Do the same with the second rectangle, and if you move the mouse over to the corner of the first rectangular column, it will snap to the same length.

Now you can erase all the planes we won’t need. As the rectangles were pulled through the post they created new planes as needed inside of the post, so when we erase the outside planes we still have the planes we want (red arrow). Just be sure you don’t click on the “Select All” icon (yellow arrow), or you’ll delete the whole model. If you do this by mistake, just use undo (“CTRL +Z”) to bring it back.

One last thing to do is to draw a line from the edge of the post to the center. We’ll use the center point in our next construction stage.

How to Use the “Reference Point” to Move Geometry (follow the link to watch the video)

You can select the whole post and then the “Deform Tool”, or the tool first and then the post. The results look complicated, but the tools can be figured out quickly:

- The red arrow points to one of the yellow directional arrows. Selecting one of these and then dragging will move the post along that axis.

- The orange arrow points to one of the yellow rotational curves. Selecting and dragging one of these will rotate the post around the center point.

- The yellow arrow points to one of the yellow scaling handles. Selecting and dragging one of these will increase or decrease the size of the entire post in the direction that the handle indicates.

- The red ellipse shows the reference point tool. When this is clicked, the white reference point will move to the center of the other tools as shown below.

When you hover the mouse over the white point it will enlarge a little to let you know you can select it. Left click on it and hold the mouse button down…

…then drag it down the post to the center point we created earlier. Once it snaps into position release the mouse button. Now any changes you make using the arrows, curves or handles will be centered on this point.

Select the rotational curve indicated by the red arrow. You may need to rotate your view to make sure you select the correct curve.

Once you’ve selected the curve, hold the mouse button down and move the mouse. You’ll see the degrees of change in the little white box. Rotate the post 90 degrees, and it will now be standing up  straight and be on the ground where we want it to be.

How to Create a Pattern (follow the link to watch the video)

After adding color or textures to the post, it will be complete and ready to use to copy as many times as we want. It’s a good idea to publish this single post all by itself, in case you want to modify it and make a different post later. Once you have created copies and joined them together, your single post will no longer be a separate part.

Select the post and use copy and paste. Then move the copy along the yellow line that will appear when you have it in the same plane as the original. Now you can move it back toward the original until it snaps to the point on the edge of the cut. There will be a slight overlap, but this is not a problem here. To make additional copies, just use paste again and place the new post where you want it. Continue the same steps until you have five posts all lined up together.

You can now copy the whole section of five posts and follow the same steps to quickly create a much longer fence. In this case, I’ve kept it to a section of ten posts.

Remember if your pasted copy is not lining up using the point that you want, just hit the space bar to show all the available points, and you can choose the one that you do want.

To add the cross braces, I’ll create a rectangle that matches up with the cut using the inferencing lines to guide me.

Then all I have to do is use the “Push n Pull” tool to drag each rectangle to the other end of the fence section and let it snap to the point on the cut in the last post. Be sure to publish your results so you can use it to create other fences. You can also keep copying and pasting this first section to make a completely new fence. Just be sure to use “Publish As” so you don’t overwrite your first ten-post section model.

At the other end of town, the full size fence sections, with braces added, are being used to construct the defensive Palisades. This initial Town Wall will be replaced by a stone version once time and workers are available, but some protection is needed as soon as possible.

We’ve certainly learned a lot of important new tools in this Stage Four lesson! You’ll use them over and over to quickly create lots of new models. Bring on the king!

Links to previous Castlemania Stages:

Castlemania Stage One – The Journey to Mastering 3DVIA Shape Begins

Castlemania Stage Two – The Big Picture

Castlemania Stage Three – More Land and the Castle Plan

3D modeling is at its best when it is explaining a plan or a process. You can’t beat this outstanding batch of models for doing that and more! Whether it’s the cockpit of a helicopter or the bowls you use for cooking and storage, you’ll learn and understand more in 3D. Concepts come to life and the details are there to explain what’s going on. Enjoy your trip!

The Top 10 3D models will now be posted monthly, so the competition will be even more fierce than it already is. Time to dig deep and bring out the good stuff!

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Experience uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, January 28th, 2011 through Friday, March 2nd, 2012 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 131 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Experience.)

The Top 10:

What a beautiful and totally informative model this is! Completed Project for 3DVIA by Mark (markjordan2011) is a fantastic example of conceptual clarity. I only wish it was being built for me! Mark used Google SketchUp and a great ability to translate 2D plans into a 3D experience.

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If it looks real, it must be smike’s! Sikorsky S65 MH-53-J – Cockpit Interior Section doesn’t have the outer skin yet, but it does have many of the really hard parts completed. The instruments are absolutely amazing. It looks like a real pilot and co-pilot could strap in and fly this thing! Oh, that’s right, we’re still missing a few other bits and pieces to make up the whole thing. Smike uses Google SketchUp for his geometry work.  [smike lives in Denmark]

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Clean oceans and waterways benefit everyone. Ecoceane specializes in providing vessels to do that cleaning and maintenance. Be sure to visit the Ecoceane web site to see the extensive lineup that this SG 460 belongs to. And definitely watch at least one of the videos to see the vessels in action – what they can do is great to see.  Ecoceane uploaded this member of their team using 3DVIA Composer.

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The ANT the Line Follower Bus, by Pranav (pranav_satpute), envisions a complete change in the way buses help riders get to their destination more quickly and in an environmentally cleaner way. It might take a few trips to get used to having no driver, but soon enough, you’d be comfortable. Pranav created his vision using Dassault Systemes V6.

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Stand Nach Staffelung 2012 02 10 has to be one of the strangest parcels of mixed uses ever! Out of the chaos, investmentgroup has developed what looks like multiple environments that would actually be great to live in. Google SketchUp is the modeling tool used to translate the ideas into an understandable model.

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Futuristic Infantry is best explained by his creator Matthew (matthewdoyleart) – “A low poly futuristic infantry unit modeled in 3D Studio Max to be used for a 2D Flash tower defense game for PC and mobile platforms. Inspired by Warhammer 40k and Starcraft II.”

What is truly amazing is that this entire model was modeled in less than 60 KB! Fantastic! Visit Matthew’s web site for even more cool stuff. [Matthew lives in the US]

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In each image showing Complete Dieset by danielai, you can see the strip of metal as it is progressively punched and formed into the final product.  These die sets are amazingly complex and the accuracy required throughout the process is almost unbelievable. It was uploaded in VRML format. [danielai lives in Hong Kong]

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Ali (alihussein) amazes us all again with his master skills using 3DVIA Shape!  Sporty Crossover uses every  tool and every amazing technique that I can imagine – plus a few more. Excellent modeling!  [Ali lives in Canada]

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Architecture is a 3DVIA Experience created by Leo (leofelix) using 3DVIA Studio. You can enter the experience and walk around through the tree-lined paths and around the building too, all with a wonderful city backdrop to make it even more realistic. Great job!

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The hardest products to design so that they are exceptional, are the things we use every day and take for granted. Scoop Bowls Asm Feb3 12 by Punchshot is an example of function and form taken to the level where they are elegant! I would love to have a set of these just to enjoy seeing them and “playing” with them. Absolutely beautiful! They were uploaded in VRML format.

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Pack a lunch and wear strong shoes when you head for Sealand 11-1-012 Step 37 by Enrrique (perecat1). You’ll definitely have plenty to explore and enjoy as you move around through this  imaginative space with even more stunning buildings! The images are from Enrrique’s Gallery on the model page. His architectural imagination using 3DVIA Shape is unsurpassed. [Enrrique lives in Spain]

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127 – 128 – 129 – 130 – 131

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

Castlemania Stage Three is broken into two big sections; one about adding more land/terrain, and another about drawing your castle floor plan. Both steps are easy and there are many ways of accomplishing the goal, so bring your imagination and let’s get moving.

You can see our castle requires more land than just what the castle is built on. The castle relies on the town as part of its defense and as a place for the people to live and prosper. If you click on the image and then zoom in on the model, you’ll see I’ve started adding more houses, some soldiers to help protect everyone and have started digging the basic outlines of the town wall.

More Land!

Let’s add some land to the terrain that we made in Castlemania Stage Two so we”ll have the room we need. I’ll demonstrate three different methods.

The easiest way to add land is with the “Push n Pull” tool. First draw a line across the cliff about halfway down, then use the “Push n Pull” tool to create more land. Since the castle sits on the highest land, this is an interim height which will lead down to the plateau height where the town will be built.

If you follow the same steps again, you can see how quickly you can add all the land you need for your town. Here I’ve added 150′ of land at a height of 40′ and then another 1000′ at a height of 10′.

You can use the same method to add to the sides of your land too. After that you can add a more natural-looking riverside profile using the technique we showed in Castlemania Stage Two or you can try one of the following methods, which were suggested by 3DVIA Shape users tomy and abu_roadking.

The method tomy used in his model shown above (be sure to visit the model and check out all the new ideas he added) uses the “Advanced Push n Pull” tool feature, which is demonstrated below and also shown in this video tutorial.

First, draw the line connecting the lower height section of land to the bottom profile shown by the red arrow. Then draw lines on the ground as shown by the yellow arrow. Rotate your view as needed to make sure your lines are actually on the ground plane.

Note the angle and length of connecting lines are shown as you draw. Since we’re making things up as we go, the exact length and angle are not important.

Now click on the “Push n Pull” tool. When you select the face you want to pull (1), the “Advanced Push n Pull” icon will appear (red arrow); then click on the line (2) that indicates the direction you want to Pull.

Go ahead and Pull and the face will follow along the line you chose. Let it snap to the end of the line.

Then do the same thing for the second line.

Now you have an interesting shore line with a big gap to the main land. To fill up the hole, draw the lines (red, orange, yellow, and green arrows) between the two sections to fill the hole.

You must draw all four lines so the geometry becomes a complete “box”. Otherwise when you delete the unneeded line (white arrow), it will also delete the whole edge surface (which I’ve changed to white to make the line show up better).

How to Fill a Hole is a good video tutorial about how to fill other types of holes in your geometry.

Abu_roadking’s method for adding land makes use of the “Deform” tool:

The “Deform” tool is very powerful, and we’ll only cover a few of its functions here. After clicking the “Deform” tool, you can select just a line, and you’ll see many choices.

Since we are trying to keep the terrain flat in order to keep the modeling easy, be very careful what you click on and pull. Try to use only the “yellow arrows”, because they will pull the terrain in a flat direction along one of the axis. The “blue arrows” will pull in directions that may move your terrain in unexpected ways.

You can also select an entire face and modify your terrain that way. Again, try to use only the tools that will keep your terrain flat. Here the “green button” is highlighted, and you can see there are additional choices there and under the “orange button” as well.

Check each modification carefully so you do what you want to do, but also have some fun trying different options. If necessary, you can always use the “Undo” button, or “CTRL +Z”, once (or several times) to put things back the way they were.

You can also select and use the entire top surface to modify the terrain using just the arrows…

…or together with the button choices. We’ll be using the “Deform” tool many times and ways as our models become more complex. How to Use Move and Modify Modes is an excellent video tutorial that helps explain the “blue” and “green” deform modes.

Be sure to visit Abu’s model, and check out his Gallery of images too.

The Castle Plan!

Finally! Let’s start drawing a floor plan for the castle.

To follow along, open the model Castle – Basic Plan – Beginning using “Edit>Open in 3DVIA Shape”. If you’re using the existing model the rectangle will already be there for you. If you’re doing your own plan, use the “Draw” tool or the “Rectangle” tool with “Snap behavior on” to draw the basic rectangle using the grid snap points.

Use the existing drawing or the grid units as a guide to draw the two angled corners.

Use the “Erase” tool to delete the two corner pieces. Then use the “Offset” tool to click and hold the left mouse button inside the outline and move the mouse until you’re happy with the width of the offset from the outside.

Use the “Offset” tool again to start creating the inner wall. Then use the “Draw” tool to draw the top line across to make a rectangle and the bottom line to more closely match the drawing on the left.

Note the yellow dotted line that shows the line about to be drawn is lined up properly. Before you click to start the bottom line, move the mouse over the left drawing, and it will automatically select points to line up on. Without clicking the mouse, choose your point and move over to the right side; the yellow dotted line will tell you that you are still lined up. Then click and draw your line.

Erase all of the extra lines and use the “Offset” tool one more time to make the inside of the inner wall. Then erase the two areas indicated by the red ellipses.

Use the “Circle” tool with the center lined up on the circle to the left and pull it up to a radius that is close to the one on the left.

The circle is a little too close to where I want to copy it to, so I’ll move it. Use the “Select” tool to (on the left) select the whole circle, and then (on the right) move the circle by left click and holding anywhere in the blue area or on the yellow swirls to rotate it.

When it’s located where you want it, just release the mouse button and click outside of the swirl area to deselect it or hit the “Esc” key on your keyboard.

Since there are a lot of towers in the castle, we can save a lot of work by adding the inner circle now (red arrow) and using “CTRL +C” and “CTRL +V” (copy and paste). To put the copies where we want to, use “CTRL +C” and then “CTRL +V” then press the “SPACE” bar on your keyboard before you click anywhere. This will show all the orange points which you can use to place the element (yellow arrow).

Left click on the orange point you want (red ellipse) and hold the button down while you move the element. As you pass over eligible anchor points, the point you are holding will snap to it. Keep going until you find the one you want, let it snap to it and then release the mouse.

In this case I’m going to put the tower bases on all corners of the outside wall.

I’m also going to copy and paste a couple tower bases on both sides of the outer wall, this time using an inner diameter point (red arrow) to line up with the wall edge and a point on the drawing to the left.

I’ll also make a bigger tower base for the thicker inner wall and copy and paste that to each corner of the inner wall.

There is still a lot of drawing and erasing to be done before the new drawing matches the existing one, but the same basic tools are used throughout.

In the next Castlemania Stage, I’ll work on the gatehouses and lots of other details that we’ll need before the owner will approve it so that building can start! We’ll also need to build some appropriate housing for the royal retinue so they’ll have a nice place to stay during their many visits during the castle construction.

Have fun trying these different methods, and be sure to upload your models so we can see your imagination being used!

Check out the new Castlemania Group!

It has all of the models that are part of the Castlemania 3DVIA Shape Tutorial Series in one easy-to-access place. You can join and add your own models to the group too!

On January 20, 2012, after completing eight grueling competition phases, the winners of the UPM 2011 International Academic Competition On Underwater Gliders Design were rewarded for their hard work. This year’s winners were  presented with their prizes and awards during the solemn presentation of diplomas, awards and distinctions ceremony, which is held annually at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales (ETSIN). The competition, which attracted seventeen international teams, was organized and facilitated by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) in conjuntion with the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales. The first phase was started in June, 2011, and the final functional testing and competition was done in December, 2011.

“The objectives of this international academic competition were:

1 – Promote the development of the underwater gliders.
2 – Involve the university students in the underwater gliders design.
3 – Optimize the underwater gliders designs.
4 – Obtain new ideas for the future application of the underwater gliders in the scientific and business environments.”

The major sponsors, Dassault Systèmes and Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB), along with a large group of collaborators, offered prizes worthy of the effort to be required. The opportunity to go on a research project, visit facilities and win money were all incentives beyond the honor earned for one’s university. All teams were eligible for certain prizes, groups of the teams were eligible for other prizes and only the five finalists were eligible for the top prizes. See the winners below for more prize and award details.

What is an underwater glider? The UPM Rule of Competition document can help us with that:

“Ocean gliders are small underwater unmanned vehicles with very low energy consumption. They are able to cover great distances using only the energy of small and light batteries.”

As you might imagine, there’s more to it than just that, but you can check out the details in the rules document. The underwater gliders were all tested in the Canal de Ensayos Hidrodinámicos of the ETSIN (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales) of the UPM (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid).

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Phase 3, where the five finalists were selected, was a major hurdle to get over:

“The Technical Committee will select the best 5 projects based on the following criteria:

1 – The quality of the submitted report.
2 – The quality of the submitted 3D model.
3 – The originality and viability of the application of the proposed design in a scientific or business environment.
4 – The quality of the theoretical calculations or experimental data used for the design of the underwater glider.
5 – The adaptation to the technical requirements of the competition.”

This selection process whittled the field down from seventeen to the five finalist teams that moved on to the Construction Phase:

1 – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with the “Nitrogliderina Team”

2 – Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche with the “Industrial Ocean Team”

3 – Indian Institute of Technology Bombay with the “SHWAS Team”

4 – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with the “Madrid AC 07 Team”

5 – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with the “Yellow Submarine Team”

(Click on the Team name to see their model in 3D.)

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In Phase 4, each underwater glider moved from concepts and drawings to the construction and testing of a real, functioning prototype.

Dassault Systèmes PLM products had already been put to good use by every team to create and present their concepts in Phase 2. Now those 3D models and drawings would be crucial in constructing each contender.

There were a multitude of technical, fabrication and assembly challenges.

The only way to get it all done and make it work properly was with strong teamwork.

The underwater gliders were remotely controlled through an antenna and buoy system. Every team had to work with radio control equipment provided by the competition organizers.

Let the tests begin! The J’Mon Team underwater glider is being settled into the canal to begin one of the two required Phase 7 competition opportunities.

The SHWAS Team entry is shown during one of its Phase 7 competition opportunities as it makes one of two required returns to the canal surface.

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Both the J’Mon Team and the SHWAS Team entries were able to travel the full test distance of ten meters, while performing the tasks that had been established as the basis of the competition.

The J’Mon Team underwater glider reached the total distance in the least amount of time and was the overall winner. You can watch the extensive video of their efforts here.

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The SHWAS Team underwater glider also completed the specified course, but their best time was just slightly slower. You can watch the complete video of their efforts here.

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The three other teams were unable to complete the prescribed course for various technical reasons.

The Nitrogliderina Team had the largest of the prototypes presented, but after positioning their underwater glider in the canal they heard a slight fizz. Hearing this sound made ​​them decide to remove their glider as soon as possible to verify there was a leak or crack at a joint that might make it inoperative for the test.

In the second round, they managed to start the trial. However, instead of moving in straight lines along the canal, their glider began to trace a helical path caused by technical problems related to interference with the remote control system, which in turn prevented them from completing the test. The team was still selected for the Port Authority Award.

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The MADRID AC 07 Team tried to address technical issues before the start of the final round of competition. In the first attempt, they had to remove their underwater glider from the canal and attempt to resolve the problems which prevented them from performing the test. Unfortunately, they were unable to solve them before their turn in the final round and had to leave the competition.

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The Ocean Industrial Team had to retrieve their underwater glider from the canal in the first round. The team attempted to resolve technical problems before the start of the second, but the subsequent attempt also failed to make it work properly, and it did not complete the test.

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Even though the Yellow Submarine Team entry was not selected to move into the Construction Phase, it was still awarded the Dassault Systèmes Prize.

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Our sincere thanks go to Ernö Péter Cosma for his major effort in participating in the competition as an official member of the Organizing Committee. We also thank him for his unstinting efforts to promote the competition and continuous work to bring 3D modeling and lifelike experiences to the ETSIN (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales).
     
Be sure to look into both the 3-D Seed project, an initiative that comes from the ETSIN with the goals to show 3D models created by students or staff of their Educational Center, promote 3D culture between students and also help develop 3D. You can find final project 3D models, ship design, historical ship hulls in cooperation with the Madrid Naval Museum and much more on their blog  and on their supporting YouTube video channel.

In the Stage One article, we introduced our Castlemania Series about mastering 3DVIA Shape and building an incredible castle at the same time. This time we’re going to cover some 3DVIA Shape basics you really need to know about, and one method of making the terrain that will help your castle become a safe place to live and easy to defend.

First, we need to cover some basic concepts you need to know about 3D modeling:

1 – The size of your model file matters! It’s better to know the limitations at the beginning instead of spending a lot of time making a model and realizing you can’t do what you want. The maximum 3DVIA Shape model size you can make is a hefty 25 MB, but most of your models will be much smaller than that.

It is a good idea when building a complex scene, like a castle, to keep checking the size of your model and any models that you want to insert into it. It’s a bit like a bowl of fruit. The bowl (the biggest model) takes up space itself and will only hold so many pieces of fruit (inserted models). An apple will probably be a smaller file than a bunch of grapes, which is much more complicated.

Figure out which model will be your most complicated and make it your “bowl”. The models which will be added will be the “fruit”. The “bowl” can’t be any bigger than 25 MB once you’ve added all of the “fruit”, and each piece of “fruit” can’t be bigger than 2 MB.

You can find the size of any model by clicking on the “Stats” tab on the model page over to the right of the model image.

We at 3DVIA encourage you to build complex scenes more easily by re-using models in the 3DVIA content library that allow it. Each model you select will show whether it can be inserted into your Shape model or not. Just click on the same “Stats” tab on the model page and look farther down in the list.

If it says that you cannot use the file in 3DVIA Shape:

…click on the “(?)” to find out why. This can be important with your own models too. You may just need to change your licensing or re-mix setting to fix it. The model does not need to be a 3DVIA Shape mode for you to be able to insert it. It may have been made in one of many other formats.

Once you have inserted a model (even a 3DVIA Shape model), you will only be able to change its size, its position and make copies of it. Making copies of already inserted models will keep your overall model size smaller than if you insert multiple copies of the same model. The examples below helps demonstrate this.

You can see the first image shows an inserted house all by itself. Then I added one inserted man and the file size went down slightly because of the 3DVIA processing routine. Then I added 50 more men, and the file size only went up by 1 KB!

Another big factor is that all 3DVIA Shape models are constructed from triangles. Even what appear to be curves are actually line segments connected into triangles. This means models that are made of all straight lines and flat surfaces will be smaller than files with lots of rounded surfaces and edges.

You can clearly see this in any model by selecting the  “Wireframe Mode”. You can also select the “Vertex Mode” or the default “Smooth Mode” by clicking on the button in the player that looks like a globe.

Bear this flat-vs-round factor in mind when you need to make your file just a little smaller to get under the file size limits. You may be able to simplify your model a little bit or make some of the rounded parts as separate models, which you can then insert.

When you look at a model this way it is easier to understand why we collectively refer to the lines and shapes we create as “geometry”. Everything we model is controlled by the rules of geometry.

If you need a refresher on how to insert/remix models watch this video: Remixing Models a Quick Tutorial.

2 – The scale of each part of the entire the model is also important. If you want it to look realistic, each part of the castle should be the right size when compared with other parts. Our castle is built using an average medieval man as the basic unit of size. A man needs to be able to fit through the doors, ride his horse though the gates and to fit on the walkways without falling off.

If you insert a model and the scale is wrong, you can select it and then use the white handles on the corners of the box to make it bigger or smaller, as illustrated below:

I made the man using real dimensions, so I know he is 5′ 8″ tall. That means that this inserted house needs to be bigger to fit the man.

Left click on the house and then on one of the white dots (handles), hold the left mouse button down and drag it to make the house bigger (or smaller if you want a doll house).

The house is the now right size. You can see the man will fit in the doorway. Exact scale is not as important as relative scale, so just getting close is fine.

Now you know how to scale your models so they look right together!

3 – Being able to select the object or a line in your model is vital for both making and erasing parts of your models.  Depending on how you choose to do it, you can select part of the model, the whole model or just a single line or point. As you’ll see in the videos and as you work, whenever you select something in 3DVIA Shape, it turns blue so you know what you’ve selected.

These are two excellent and quick (about 30 seconds each) videos that explain the basic concepts of selection in 3DVIA Shape:

How to Box Select – shows how you can “box select” part of a model or the whole model.

How to Select an Entire Component – shows another way to select a whole component in your model.

When you are building a model there will be probably be more occasions when you want to simply select a line or a sketch point and not large parts of the model or the whole thing. As you use the various drawing tools they will show your results in either white lines or white surfaces.

Once you have several white surfaces it is hard to see the white construction lines, like in the left hand image below. I like to add a simple gray color to my model as I make it so that I can see those construction lines more easily.

Selection is also important when you are trimming lines or erasing them completely. You can select single items with the left mouse button or you can hold down the “Ctrl” key and use the left mouse button to select multiple points, lines or surfaces at the same time.

Be very careful that you are selecting what you think you are. If you have drawn a rectangle and only want to erase one line, hover over the line until you see it is the only line selected before you click to erase it. When a line is selected it will be blue and dashed. The same is true for single points on a line. If you’re not sure – zoom in closer. The “Undo” button or “Ctrl z” will help you fix a mistake.

Now we can start working on our castle plan again!

4 – There are lots of ways to make terrain. I’ll show you one way this time and you can use that, or you can experiment and make up your own way! In later stages of the series, I’ll show you more ways to create the ups and downs and ins and outs that make your model look more realistic.

Open the basic model of the 700′ x 800′ x 80′ Land Block With One House in 3DVIA Shape. Insert the model Castle – Basic Plan (yellow arrows) to make sure you have room for your castle while you  lay out the cliff tops. The castle layout represents the general size and shape of the castle as planned by the master engineer, but without all of the details. It is about 1′ thick so it can be seen more easily.

With “Snap Behavior” off (so you can draw the lines you want more easily)…

…use simple straight lines (red arrows) to lay out your cliff top edges. After making sure “Snap Behavior” is back on (so the measurement is exact)…

…use the “Push n Pull” tool…

…select the surface with the left mouse button, hold it down and start pushing the surface down.

You can see it indicates a depth (30′) for the cut as you move the surface. In this case, we want to cut all the way to the bottom of the cliff (80′).

It should snap right to the bottom surface, then let go of the mouse button. Notice the color of the existing geometry is automatically applied to the new geometry as it is created. This could save a lot of time if we wanted to keep our cliffs green.

Now turn off “Snap Behavior” and draw the bottom edges of your cliffs (red arrows).

Use the “Erase” tool…

…and click on the land outside your cliff edges to delete it.

Then draw connecting lines from the bottom of the cliffs to the tops. To keep things simple, draw from the end of one line to the end of another line, but when you need to – like in the right hand circled example above – just pick a spot you like on the line and end it there instead.

Now you have a lot of four-sided polygons that would require curved surfaces to fill them in. This is where the triangles we talked about earlier come in handy…

…just draw lines that divide the four-sided polygons into triangles, and you’ll get nice flat surfaces instead! The direction you draw the line in will affect how the triangular surfaces are oriented, but in this case it doesn’t matter.

After you paint your new cliffs, you can do the cliffs on the other side the same way and have a nearly impregnable projection of land to build your castle on. Notice I’ve inserted another man in two places, in addition to the existing house and man, to help remind me of the overall scale of what we’re making.

With these changes and the inserted models, the size of this model file – 700′ x 800′ x 80′ Land Block With One House – has gone from 661 KB to 819 KB. That’s almost half of the maximum size allowable for an inserted model, so I better plan my next additions carefully. After the king, queen or lord approves the castle layout in the next stage of the series, I’ll probably delete the Castle – Basic Plan model to get back some model size. I’ll leave the master engineer’s house, since he’ll need to be close by throughout construction.

I made sure that I did a “Publish As” so the original model is still available for you to open and make changes. You can also open this new model – 700′ X 800′ X 80′ Land Block With Cliffs – and use it to help with your castle if you want to.

That’s it for this stage of construction. Next time we”ll talk more about how to draw the layout that you want for your castle. Thanks for following along and making your own land and castles too!

Have fun and be sure to upload your models so we can see your imagination being used!

Check out the new Castlemania Group!

It has all of the models that are part of the Castlemania 3DVIA Shape Tutorial Series in one easy-to-access place. You can join and add your own models to the group too!

The 3DVIA Modeling Community has many highly qualified modelers who demonstrate various ways to create model geometry and textures. One of the best is smike, who has been a 3DVIA Featured Artist, had his work included in 3DVIA’s Best of the Best 2011-2010-2009, as well as numerous 3DVIA Top 10 3D models posts. Smike’s work was also recently featured in a Discovery Channel episode!

Over the years, smike has become a virtuoso with his Google SketchUp modeling, teaching himself the skills to be a master of textures! The difference between a color-only model and the same model with smike’s textures is amazing. When it comes to complex 3D models with incredible textures, we can all learn something from smike’s tips and tricks! Accurate geometry plus excellent textures equals a fantastic model!

Most of smike’s models are major efforts that involve bringing together dozens of models to create a final masterpiece. To help us understand the process that he uses, he has kindly sent us a big batch of images that he created while he has been  modeling a Sikorsky S-65 MH-53-J Pave Low combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter.

This image shows the major assemblies completed so far in the development process. The rotor blades, rotor engines and thrusters, wheels and wheel boxes are all in separate files. We’ll be concentrating on the file that contains the cockpit interior hull and full instrumentation.

Every one of smike’s models is started with his meticulous research to find accurate information to create both the geometry and his textures.

One of the key elements to adding proper textures is to have an extensive markings map available. From this, smike can pull many of the elements that are common on the models that he makes. Everything from warning markers to mascots become part of this ever-growing map.

Creating the inner cockpit hull geometry is critical to the proper sizing and position of everything else in this major component.

The cockpit and instrument panels are usually the most complicated parts of any aircraft, so smike has many pre-made geometry “workbenches” that contain common 3D items like instruments, buttons, switches, levers, and indicators.

Here a workbench is being put together specifically for the S-65 MH-53-J. Smike can add, move, and delete items as he works and as his research indicates changes need to be made. Now would be a good time to include smike’s advice on using textures in Google SketchUp:

“SketchUp has a great feature built in, so when a texture has been added to an object you can send it directly from SketchUp to your image editor, make some changes to it, and when you save it – it’s sent directly back to SketchUp.

You can use any picture format you want, but it’s best to use the PNG format because they are compressed without cutting down on the quality of the image. It keeps the quality that you started out with, even as you modify it.

Even though JPG does more compression and makes the file size a lot smaller, JPG files are re-compressed every time you send it back to SketchUp. This re-compression each time distorts/blurs the image a little more. After editing it 3-4 times, the image is useless and items like text become unreadable.”

That sounds like good advice that will save you a lot of time and frustration!

The latest geometry and textures are all put together now. You can see and explore it as a completed model – Sikorsky S65 – Mh-53-J – Pavelow Main Dashboard And Middle Panel Controls – Screens On.

Even as smike builds his models, he’s always doing research to find new details. The instrument panels that you see above are not the same as the newest ones in the previous image – smike found better information on the latest instrument panels, so he updated everything on the fly! It’s starting to look like a real cockpit.

There are many variations of grips available, so smike has several already modeled, textured and ready to install. These are all collected in one model for easy viewing of more detail – Mason 702 Cyclic Gribs Variations Collection.

This is the completed model of the S-65 MH-53-J Cyclic And Collective Sticks.

The instruments and inner hull geometry are now being assembled.

Now the pilot and co-pilot seats have been added along with the overhead controls. We’re getting much closer to being done with this major component.

Once the cabin wall with its textures has been added (construction lines are also shown in this image), it’s done – until smike finds something new to change. :)

Now you know some of smike’s secrets for making his outstanding models. If you’re ready to tackle something as complicated as this – go for it! And be sure to check smike’s model page for other great models to inspire you.

Thanks smike!

As a start, you can view an example 3DVIA Live Marketing App HERE.

Talking with many 3DVIA users over the past year, one topic has repeatedly come up. People love the 3DVIA Mobile Apps for the iPhone and iPad, but want to know how they can create a customized version.

Materials Needed:

• A 3DVIA user account
• Some 3D models
• 10 minutes of your time

Step 1: Set up your App

Before getting started, you will need some 3D content to be used in your App. If you don’t have any models in your 3DVIA account, you can download and upload the models to your account. [ Room ] [ Lamp ] [ chair ]

You will first set up the way your App will look. Using either the main menu command You->Create an App or on your 3DVIA Dashboard, click the command Create a mobile App.

Step 2: Enter your App information

The information here will determine the overall look of your App.
Title = mobile App name
Description = information describing the app which will show up in the Table of Contents
Cover Image = the image used as the splash screen or cover of the App
Privacy & Permissions
Note:  The Community Group is free to create but anyone with a 3DVIA Account may add content to the group.  If you wish to create a mobile app that only you add content, you can create a Public Gallery.  If you want to create a private app to be viewed only by an invited group of users, you would create a Private Project. 

Step 3: Add content from your model inventory or upload some models

You should already have some 3D models in your 3DVIA account which will show up in the left column of the content table. Just pick on the models you want to be used in your App. After clicking on the model, the model should be moved to the right column. To remove the model from your App, click on it again in right column.

Step 4: Publish and share your App

Add up to 5 email addresses that you wish to distribute your new mobile App to and click Share

Now go to your iPad and iPhone and view the email. Clicking on the Launch link will run the app.

Congratulations!  You just created your first 3DVIA Mobile App.

Additional Tips

Enhance your models

For the majority of your models, you will want to change the description and add some gallery images on the model page. To update the model, click the model’s preview thumbnail on either the Group Page, your Dashboard or the Search page. Once on the model page, click on the description text and edit. To upload gallery images, click on the Gallery tab and upload.

Set the App’s homepage icon

To personalize the App’s icon on your mobile device, upload or edit your Profile Picture. Use the You->Edit Profile command and then upload teh desired Profile image. This image will be used as the icon when installing the App to your homepage

Re-publish your mobile app

To send your app out to addition people, you can use the Publish as App link on your Dashboard, the Group Page, your Dashboard.

Feedback Wanted

We are always looking for ways to improve our products so any and all feedback or questions are welcomed in our Forum.

We’re definitely going places this time around with the Top 10! Whether you want to get there in a car, bus, ship, or even a dirigible – we’re ready to go. Just be careful around the trailer full of explosives if you’re on the way home or to visit the Grand Palais!

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Experience uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, January 14th, 2011 through Friday, January 27th, 2012 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 130 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Experience.)

The Top 10:

Alberto Santos-Dumont was born in Brazil, but did most of his creative work in France. His Santos Dumont N4 dirigible has been modeled in fantastic detail by lemog3d along with the creation of the fantastic image shown in the first frame. Lemog3d uploaded his model in OBJ format.

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3R-SpineBuSter is shown here in images from its creator icey10. Between the ride of the car and the number of speakers shown, it would indeed be a tough test for your skeleton – and your ears! CATIA V5 was used for this imaginative beast.

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Grand Palais by lemog3d is stunning! The entire model is only 1.5 MB in OBJ format, but the use of excellent textures and careful 3D modeling has yielded a result that is truly a visual treat!

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The TASE300 Gimbal Alpha with Top Hat by advancedcoherent caught my eye because of its intriguing form and obvious flexibility for capturing different kinds of imagery. It was modeled using SolidWorks.

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The Texture Master, smike, has done it again with his Bell 212-412 Cyclic and Collective Sticks. These are jewels that show off his ever-present attention to detail and ability to create amazingly real textures! Smike uses Google SketchUp. [smike lives in Denmark]

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The French cruiser Lavoisier is beautifully modeled by thierry_st_malo using GLC_LIB. Zoom in close and check out all the hard work that went into making this an exceptional model.

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I can’t even begin to tell you all of the construction details and features of the High Speed Bus by M.S. Abhimuktheeswarar, so you’ll have to go to the model and read it for yourself. This takes the business of making a bus up to the level of artistry! I’d love to take a trip any time in one of these! It was created using SolidWorks.

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Both the novel trees and the liberal use of black make the Conjunto V1 3D-Ajuste Enero 17 De 2012 by Calitos07 an unusually striking development plan. Well done using Google SketchUp.

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If you watch the YouTube demonstration video first, then the M200 MICLIC (Mine Clearing Line Charge) Trailer by Alfred (alfredix) will make a lot more sense. The little dark spot highlighted in the last photo shows how small the unit is compared to the power it carries! Alfred’s meticulous attention to detail is conveyed in the first three images, but there are even more  in his Picasa Web Album. He used Autodesk Product Design Suite to make the models and then translated everything into STEP format for upload. [Alfred lives in Germany]

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If you don’t have much to spend, then a visit to the Virtual Jewelry Show Room, may be just the right thing! You can walk in and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and admire the sparkling goodies without spending a penny. Rathinasamy A has created it using 3DVIA Studio.

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For some vintage fun take a look at the Sam Loovers Saloon by Marian. All he had to go by in creating it using Google SketchUp was pictures and blueprints courtesy of http://lester.demon.nl/superm/joe90/sams-car.html. He did a great job! [Marian lives in Romania]

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127 – 128 – 129 – 130

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

Welcome to Castlemania: a bi-weekly tutorial series designed to turn any 3DVIA Shape modeler into an expert. Castlemania will cover how to use all of the tools available in 3DVIA Shape while you build an amazing castle model step-by-step. Each tutorial will highlight different tools with examples and links to videos that show how the tool works in more detail.

We’ve chosen castles, because they can be simple or fantastically complicated depending on what you imagine them to be. Feel free to download the models that we make and re-use them or change them into your own design.

This is the first tutorial in the Castlemania series.

Let’s get started!

1 – Before you can create your own models and re-use the models we’ll make, you need to have a 3DVIA.com account. You’ll also need to know how to Publish your models to your account. This video helps show you how to do both.

2 – Next, you’ll need to download and install 3DVIA Shape. Just go to the 3DVIA Shape page, click on download and follow the instructions.

3 – Once you have 3DVIA Shape installed, watch this video that briefly explains each of the tools in 3DVIA Shape and where they are on your screen.

4 – This video explains how to Remix models that have already been uploaded to 3dvia.com, like the models we make to help illustrate this series.

5 – The default measurement unit in 3DVIA Shape is the meter. If you want to work in feet instead, simply click the grid tool on the horizontal toolbar (it looks like a grid with a tape measure on it),

then look up to the top of the screen and click on the “US” button.

Now everything you create will be in inches and feet. You can change back and forth whenever you need to, and it will not change your model geometry. We will be creating our models in inches and feet.

Now you should be ready to start your castle!

Our Castle
We’ll be building our castle as it might have looked in the year 1275, toward the end of the Middle Ages. There are many different types of castles. Ours will be a concentric style castle, one of the strongest designs ever developed.

Your Castle
Your castle can be anything you want it to be! It is your fantasy home. Have fun building in your own style and at your own pace. The tutorial blog posts and our other tutorials will be here to help guide you.

Why did people build real castles?
Even a king or queen, their lords and ladies, and their knights needed to have a safe place to live. They also needed to be able to defend themselves and their people from other kings and queens who might try to take away their land. A successful king or queen built numerous castles for themselves, and their lords were encouraged to build their own castles on land granted to them by the king or queen. The land provided food for everyone in peaceful times, and food was also safely stored in the castle for times of war and siege.

Castles were built in strategic parts of a kingdom. Each new castle made the kingdom stronger and more stable. As the towns grew and became more prosperous, there were more opportunities for the people and the need for war gradually diminished.

Start by planning where your castle should be
Pick a suitable piece of land; easy to defend, with water close by, access to good land to grow your crops and graze your livestock on and reliable, long-term access to suitable building stone, wood, food and other supplies. The castle and town are big projects and it will take a long time to finish them.

This is the land that we built to meet all the needs of the castle and town. The “little” spot of land at the end of the arrow is where the castle will be built and the town will be on the land next to it. You can build your own land or use ours by clicking on the image above or the following link to our model called “Castle – Good Land Selection“. If you go to the model page just click on “Edit>Open in 3DVIA Shape”.

Go ahead and change things around to what you want or leave it the way it is. As you work, be sure to “Save” your draft frequently. Each time you “Save” you will write over your existing model. First click the “3DVIA Shape Menu” tool -

- and then the “Save” button.

Type in a title and then click the “Save” button. This saves your model to your hard drive.

If you make a mistake in your modeling or just change your mind, you can always “Open” your last saved draft and try again.

First click on the draft model that you want to open and then click “Open”.

It’s also a good idea to “Publish” your work fairly often if you are making big changes. Some modelers like to change the name slightly each time that they are done working. That way you can always go back to where you were. Use the same “3DVIA Shape Menu” button -

- the first time you Publish, select “Publish” instead of Save. Make sure that the title is what you want and click “Publish”. This will upload your model to 3dvia.com. You can also add Tags and a Description now or later.

If you want to change the name so that you have a second draft model or published model – be sure to click “Save As” or “Publish As”. This will save your work with the NEW name and NOT write over your previous model.

To make a more simple piece of land to build your castle on, use the rectangle tool to make a rectangle at least 700′ by 800′. A castle takes up a lot of space, and you want to have enough land to build on.

Be sure that your “Snap Behavior” tool is on so that as you click and drag your rectangle, it will snap to exact numbers. If the horseshoe magnet symbol is grayed out, that means it is off. Just click the tool to turn it on or off.

You can also use the drawing tool to draw each side of the rectangle.

When your line is on an axis it will be yellow. It is good to try to keep your lines on an axis if you’re trying to keep things rectangular. You can also use the automatic “inferencing” (the dotted yellow line) that shows you are in line with other parts of your rectangle.

Now let’s give your land some thickness. Select the “Push n Pull” tool and then left click on your rectangle.

The rectangle will turn light blue, and you’ll see an arrow indicating which way you will be adding thickness. As you move the mouse, you’ll also see an indicator that tells you how far you have moved. If there is a “~” in front of the dimension, it means that your Snap Behavior tool is turned off. Just press “Esc” and click on the Snap Behavior tool to make it active. Keep pulling until you’re at the thickness you want and then left click again.

Now let’s add some color or texture to your land. Click on the “Paint” tool -

and then select a texture or use the drop down menu for more choices -

Click on the model surface that you want to change the color on. Then you can change to a different color or texture and select the other surfaces. Be sure to rotate the model so that you can color all the sides and bottom too if you want. There is much more to learn about colors and textures that we’ll cover later in the series.

You now have a simple piece of land big enough to build your castle on.

Next time we’ll work on ways to add more land for your town and starting the development of a plan for the castle and town. We may even start some digging too!

Have fun trying these different methods, and be sure to upload your models so we can see your imagination being used!

Check out the new Castlemania Group!

It has all of the models that are part of the Castlemania 3DVIA Shape Tutorial Series in one easy-to-access place. You can join and add your own models to the group too!

Hold on to your hat if you get close to the fury of sound from the blue roadster or take a ride in the exquisite yacht! If you’re feeling elegant, pick up your luxury bag after appreciating the gorgeous flower arrangement and head out. You have two choices of beautiful homes and two wonderful places for your other activities. Just don’t let that pesky little mosquito puncture your fun.

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Scene uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, December 31st, 2011 through Friday, January 13th, 2012 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 129 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Scene.)

The Top 10:

Deco-03-OK is a beautiful sculptural arrangement of graceful elements by kikoooooo913 . The flower modeling is particularly impressive due to the delicacy and the included details. It was uploaded in 3DS format

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Enrrique Perez (perecat1) created Urban Center over a period of time and allowed us to see his progress by uploading his fantastic 3DVIA Shape model as he completed each of his working sessions. With staggering patience, he has added details that will keep you coming back over and over again to see more. The model is 24.5 MB in size – just under the 25MB limit! [Enrrique lives in Spain]

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If you’re going to have a yacht, it might as well be the sensuous Coque Yacht, which was modeled by gruz29 using SolidWorks. Wherever you go, it will be in the greatest possible comfort!

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The difficult plot topography didn’t deter marofa from imagining and creating the inspiring building 1 -2. Take some time to zoom in and all around to appreciate the great detailing. Marofa used Google SketchUp.

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Even though I have AC/DC blasting through my headphones right now, I’m not sure that I could even get close to  S200TUN-1, by samshama, without being physically held in place by the massive volume of sound waves coming from all of those speakers. It’s an incredible sound machine that samshama created using Google SketchUp.

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For a more elegant experience, we have the DSLC 2012 – Benetton – The Sac – Simplified – Tpz. That is one BIG bag! It might even fit all of my bowling gear (and some groceries too). Mayk04 crafted this beautiful model using Dassault Systemes V6.

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I love the many bungalow styles that have been designed over the decades. Bungalow W Wagon, by jigesh looks like a great place to live! Jigesh used Google SketchUp to make this cozy home.

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The level of detail in the Flying Insect model by dreatern is simply amazing! Even the hairs on the body and legs are there. Scientists don’t know the purpose of many of those details, but they’re still included. Dreaturn used ZBrush for the modeling, did the retopo in 3ds Max and baked it with xNormal. All of the rendered images were supplied by dreaturn in his Gallery on the model’s page. He also included video links so that you can see his modeling in ZBrush. [dreatern lives in Brazil]

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Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort is one of tomy’s favorite summer vacation spots. Using 3DVIA Scenes, he has created the Mini Golf Building with a complete indoor mini golf course, a video arcade, and a store as well. You can check out the map to find it if you get the hankering to play a round or pick up some necessities. Tomy has been busy stocking the shelves and getting ready for his visitors. At last count there are 80 models and he’s been adding more all the time.  [tomy lives in Canada]

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Ifguerra modeled Aula Móvil TICs (TIC Mobile Classroom) using SolidWorks and then published it to 3DVIA.com from 3DVIA Composer. To find out more about this great way of taking the teaching to those who can use it to learn new skills, go to their web site (in Spanish) AULA MÓVIL. [Ifguerra lives in Columbia]

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The importance of landscaping to the appeal of a home is wonderfully shown in 8 Suvla St Marketing by mbiggin. The careful selection of plantings, building materials, textures, and colors successfully provide a beautiful visual focus for the homeowner. Google SketchUp is the 3D modeling tool that mbiggin used.

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127 – 128 – 129

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

It was an exceptionally busy year for everyone here at 3DVIA! One result was that the weekly Top 10 blog posts became bi-weekly instead. This means that there are 28 Top 10′s to gather data from, compared to 47 last year. To be statistically more accurate, the Best of the Best 2011 compilation now determines the Top 5 modelers of 2011.

Because of a tie for fifth place, 6 Truly extraordinary 3DVIA modelers are recognized here as the Top 5 modelers for the models that they created in 2011! CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU! The Best of the Best 2011 is a celebration of these individual modelers and the depth and quality of all of our modelers here at 3DVIA.

It is also a time to recognize all of the other 186 folks and their outstanding models that were included in the Top 10 posts for the year 2011! The quality of the 3DVIA Community’s models has continued to get better and the range of subjects modeled continues to expand.

Our Top 10 goal of being neutral territory for models created in any 3D modeling software is continuing to work. If we break down the total of 281 Top 10 models (the number is off by one because Top 10 – 116 had 11 winning models) by the software tool used to create them; it works out to: 82 Google SketchUp, 39 3DS format, 31 CATIA V5, 27 SolidWorks, 25 3DVIA Shape, 12 each Blender and Autodesk Product Design Suite, 11 3DVIA Composer, 8 each Dassault Systemes V6 and OBJ format, 7 Pro/E, 5 each IGES and VRML format, 4 STEP format, and 1 each 3ds Max, Bryce, Open Collada, PLY, and 3DVIA Printscreen. That’s 19 different 3D modeling tools in just the Top 10 posts. The entire model pool contains many more!

Now – on to declaring the Best of the Best 2010. The year started with Top 10 – 102 (01/01-2011 to 01-07-2011) and ended with Top 10 – 129 (12-17-2011 to 12-30-2011). For each winner below, I chose my personal favorite from their Top 10 models to represent them here and included a link to the Top 10 where you can find it.

Now might be a good time to repeat the caution in each Top 10 post: These are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

In first place is Alfred Schallert (alfredix) with 19 Top 10 models!

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2nd is  Michael Petersen (smike) with 16 Top 10 models.

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3rd is Novak Nikola (zenox) with 7 Top 10 models.

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4th is Shannon Sands (sandman14) with 6 Top 10 models.

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Tied for 5th with 5 Top 10 models each (in alphabetical order by user name):

architurn/architurn2

Top 10 – 102

Jarand Midtgaard (jarandm)

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CONGRATULATIONS to EVERYONE on in the Top 5 and to the rest of the community for keeping them honest and nipping at their heels with your own fantastic models!!

Easy links to the 2010 or 2009 results.

Easy links to all of the Top 10 posts in 2011: 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127 – 128 – 129

Inside or outside, moving or stationary, hot or elegant, wild or relaxing – we’ve got you covered! Pick up that fiddle and get a move on to see this week’s 10 best!

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Scene uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, December 17th through Friday, December 30th, 2011 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 128 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Scenes.)

The Top 10:

We’re familiar with Heart in Your Hand’s work with heart defect models, but Spinetest, modeled by hyhteam, is in a whole new realm. The presentation of the x-ray film along with the 3D model is fantastic for visualizing the surrounding tissue and for providing an axis for checking misalignments. It was uploaded in OBJ format [Heart in Your Hand is in the US]

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Join the party at the CircuitWorld for CircuitSummit 2012, created by CircuitSoft using 3DVIA Scenes. There’s no excuse for not having a good time watching the fireworks and seeing the whole place change colors! [Circuit Soft is in the US]

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It’s just plain gorgeous and top-notch modeling too! Chopper, created by Gopal (gopalakrishnan), knocks my socks off. The details are exceptional and the decorative artwork is particularly well done. Gopal used SolidWorks.

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When it’s time to kick back and enjoy your private time; 3DFinal, by arkitec3, looks like a great place to do it. The things you’ll need will fall readily to hand in this beautifully designed space. I especially like that there are books everywhere. I have a stack of about 10 beside my bed too. :) Arkitec3 used Google SketchUp.

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I can’t even begin to explain IC 1 Setups, by LVDP, so you better go to the model and read about the four different Alternative Internal Combustion Engine concepts, which were modeled using Google SketchUp. For even more details go to the web site.

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Violin, by Puss_in_boots, is a delicious blending of the classic with the latest technology and it even has a big helping of attitude thrown in (check out the bridge image). Wouldn’t you get a rush listening (like I’m doing as I type this) to The Devil Comes Back to Georgia played on this?  Puss_in_Boots used CATIA V5 to create this masterpiece.

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If you need to move it and happen to have something stong enough to pull it, then Alfred (alfredix) has the trailer for the job! Both his M149A2 Water Trailer and the M105 1.5Ton Cargo Trailer are based on his M103 Trailer Chassis. It seems to me that you could have quite a party with all of the goodies you could carry in just one trip! One truck brings the food, another brings the drink, and both are needed to get everyone home safely!

Alfred did his meticulously detailed modeling using Autodesk Product Design Suite, then translated everything into STEP format for upload. [Alfred lives in Germany]

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The JW-150-M-5 – Kopia by JW-Boats is a beautifully proportioned boat and presented in a way that demonstrates the importance of station sections in creating properly faired and functional hulls and the appropriate superstructures. Great job! It was uploaded in 3DS format. [JW Marine Design is in Sweden]

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Being somewhat mechanically-minded, I absolutely love Christmas Tree by VolumePlus! It’s beautifully sculptural and the decorations really make it humorous too! It might take up some extra room in the off-season, but I’d love to have one all my own. It was uploaded in VRML format.

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Smike puts an amazing amount of effort into each of the multitude of sub-assemblies that make up his complete models. Here he has presented a single pod so that we can appreciate some of that hard work. The Lockheed Martin Sniper XR Listening Pod is aerodynamic and gray, like a lot of things on armed forces aircraft. Then you see the detail of the business-end of this pod and your attention perks right up! Smike’s attention to detail is mind-boggling.

The next time you see one of smike’s complete models, remember this single element and spend more time checking out ALL of the goodies. Smike uses Google SketchUp for his modeling and PaintShop Pro for his incredibly detailed graphics. [smike lives in Denmark]

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This amazing McLaren MP4-26 has been created by tbradd. A modern F1 car is an aerodynamically and mechanically complex beast. Despite the problems that he has had with his Google SketchUp textures not behaving well in our model viewer, tbradd persevered and it shows! McLaren would be proud of him!

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127 – 128

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

There are THREE 3DVIA Scenes in addition to the 10 excellent models this week! Think of them as a holiday bonus. :) More and more modelers are seeing the value of putting their models along with other free models from the 3DVIA model collection into a 3DVIA Scene to give their viewers a way to see their work in a more realistic environment.

The models for this last Top 10 in 2011 (Top 10 – 129, covering December 17 to December 30, will appear in early 2012) are as varied and wonderful as ever! Each is both beautiful and functional in their own way. From the digital preservation of a historical monastery to the fear-inducing water slide, they all can be admired for the modeling skills and the gorgeous forms displayed. 

Enjoy all of them and your year-end and year-beginning holidays and celebrations! We at 3DVIA wish you all the best of everything in 2012!

The ten best 3D models and THREE(!) 3DVIA Scenes uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, December 3rd through Friday, December 16th, 2011 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 127 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Scenes.)

The Top 10:

Tours, by operamoon, is an absolutely gorgeous way to start this Top 10! You can study and enjoy the forms and surfaces to your heart’s content by going to the model and spending some time moving around it! It was created using a VRML generator.

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Pet Shop, by tomy, is a showcase for his 3DVIA Shape modeling skills, his thorough knowledge of  using 3DVIA Scenes, and his unbelievable patience! There are 99 models in this one Scene, so you should definitely be able to find what you need, whether you have a pet or are looking to get one.

The maximum number of models that you can add to a Scene is 100 (including the shop itself), so tomy certainly took advantage of every last bit of content that he could add. Please be patient while it loads – it is worth it.  [tomy lives in Canada]

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 This excellent Ford Tractor was created by stonyknoll in exacting detail and uploaded using an IGES format model. It looks like it’s ready to get right to work! [stonyknoll lives in the US]

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Testproba01 has proven once again the incredible value of using great textures to make your models just heavenly with his Monastery PD . What a great way to document and make historical treasures more accessible to all of us! Google SketchUp is the modeling tool used.

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Magicone, by Polin, is just one possible section that you can combine with others to create your own terrifying – I mean exciting – water park slide. It may be meant to provide fun and excitement, but the construction technique is anything but simple – “We use polyester with a glass fiber reinforcement blanket. This is called a composite material with high strength and durability.  We use the RTM closed molding technique, which is unique in the amusement park industry. This is an aviation-space craft production technique. We have over 1800 projects completed in 86 countries.” 

If you really want to have some fun, “Look for ride videos on YouTube, search for “Polin water slides“. The company, Polin Waterparks & Pool Systems, is based in Turkey. The model was uploaded in 3DS format.

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The F-16 Fighter Support Hanger – Bunker by smike shows his ability to tell a story using Google SketchUp. You can explore his version of what it might be like inside of the Danish Air Force hangers. I love his description of the F-16 itself: “it is very, very lowpoly and is not meant to be a precise or exact model of a F-16 Fighter – I just had to include it since it’s a F-16 support hanger.” I’d have a hard time making a better one for use by itself!

I just can’t beat his presentation (where I got two of the images above) for the details and great descriptions that smike provides, so check it out! [smike lives in Denmark]

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Crystal Beta, created by AlejandroStudios, is one 3DVIA Scene that will truly amaze you when you open it. It will be very disorienting and you’ll wonder why you’re moving around and so are the models! My suggestion is to just keep backing up and you’ll be even more struck by the uniqueness of this Scene. As you can see in the images above, you will very quickly shrink to a very scary small size. Just stay out of the way! The gsmith Smart Object Dog Walking has been put to great use here.

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The spaces, interesting shapes and giant wall murals make 111207 4101 Yeosu4 by THG1 a place that looks like it would be great to visit and see the exhibits or attend a presentation in the auditorium. THG1 used Google SketchUp.

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This a wonderful and beautiful variation of a Galileo Gravitator (Night Light). Yoana has done a fantastic job with her skillful geometry additions and great textures using 3DVIA Shape. [Yoana lives in Bulgaria]

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Dave (dave_sumn) is quite the intake master modeler! He built this amazing Griffintake using CATIA V5. Somehow, I suspect that these are made into the real thing for use on some of the hottest cars around. [Dave lives in Australia, so keep an eye out for one of these monsters!]

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Power Plant Tour, by mrcampbell85, is a great example of using 3DVIA Scenes to give the viewer a truly lifelike experience in a place we would not normally be able to go. Take your time checking out the whole facility, but remember – “Safety First!”  [mcampbell85 lives in Canada]

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Glass Cloud is another  fantastic model by Jarand (jarandm). He explains his concept well - “I am very curious when it comes to complex geometries and the possibility to experience the shapes and in-between spaces in real life.” Please be sure to visit the model, read his description, and explore his Gallery of images, which includes images of the multiple development steps that he went through. I’ve only included a couple of teasers here, so you’ll have to do some exploring on your own! Jarand uploaded his model in 3DS format. [Jarand still lives in Norway]

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I would love to go on the production floor to watch, hear, and be enthralled by Petrin at work. Rfaucher has already made it much more visually accessible with this thoroughly detailed model shown here using 3DVIA Composer.

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126 – 127

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

This has been the hardest Top 10 that I’ve done so far. There were so many deserving models that I could barely keep up with them. Making the selections was extremely difficult! What a great group of modelers we have here on 3DVIA! Thank you all for your tremendous work! 

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Experience uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, November 19th through Friday, December 2nd, 2011 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 126 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Experience.)

The Top 10:

I can’t imagine trying to understand the intricacies of this interchange without a model like Norrtull3 by Daniel (GamieTrashberg) to help guide me! It’s a great example of how 3D modeling can provide so much more useful information to help us understand our world – even if it’s one interchange at a time. Daniel uploaded it in OBJ format

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Need a bridge like RIGHT NOW? Alfred (alfredix) has modeled the M-48 AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge) in all of its intimate details! To see even more images of the building process and details of the construction, check out Alfred’s Picasa album.

I’ve seen the real thing deploy and it actually takes an act of heroism by one of the crew members and more than a few minutes to accomplish, but it is utterly amazing. Alfred did his modeling using Autodesk Product Design Suite and then translated everything into STEP format for upload. [Alfred lives in Germany]

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1121-Google by jkclub is an excellent presentation of just about everything about this complex. From showing the site topography to giving a good idea of what the views from the inside of the building will be like, jkclub used Google SketchUp wisely and effectively.

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Just imagine all of the other complex parts that this one headlight bezel must mate with almost perfectly! Part4 by hit3790 is indeed an exquisite piece of manufacturing sculpture. Take a close look at the incredible detail that has been created using CATIA V5.

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Demo Office New Characters by Octarina is a 3DVIA Experience that you really should take the time to load and watch. It is being developed (they’re not done yet) as “A test application for using the path planning in a simple office environment.” 3DVIA Studio is one of the major tools that they are using to make their study meaningful.

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Tadus (Tadasm) is in the process of modeling “a single seat flexwing trike“ using SolidWorks before he builds the real thing. This Rotax 503 Engine is just one of many models that he has created in his pursuit. It’s not finished yet, but it is still a great example of modeling excellence. I think Rotax would be pleased at how well Tadus is doing. [Tadus lives in Lithuania]

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Housing Project In Oslo was designed and modeled by Jarand (jarandm) and then uploaded in 3DS format. He is usually great about adding conceptual information about each of his projects and this is no exception - “What I find interesting in this project are the voids in between the buildings. The voids are very complex and seem different, even though it is only one building type all over.” This concise information allows us to view the model from a different perspective and draw our own conclusions. [Jarand lives in Norway]

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The Smikorsky Mini Lynx Single Person Helicopter – Long Distance Refit by Michael (smike) is a well thought out model. Now smike can make those long virtual journeys with far fewer worries. I can never capture the detail that smike does in his presentation, so visit there and see for yourself the story of the making of the model and the detail highlights. Google SketchUp is his modeling tool of choice. [Michael lives in Denmark]

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This clean and handsome model of the Peugeot Boxer LWB was created by flashalpha and uploaded in 3DS format. You’ll have a hard time telling the difference between his model and the real thing.

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MiG-21 Fishbed H J by Ali (alihussein) is probably the most impressive model made to date using 3DVIA Shape! At first glance that may not seem to be true, but the great job that Ali did with his textures and camouflage have also hidden the amazing collection of difficult modeling tasks that Ali has mastered.

In order to show it off better, I did a remix in Shape and changed most of the panels to gray so that I could concentrate more on the underlying geometry. The more I look, the more I see. It is simply fantastic!  [Ali lives in Canada]

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Of course, an Orca can be a dangerous killer, but this pair by 史努比 give me a restful feeling. It looks like a mother and her offspring just doing what orcas do. So, as long as I don’t show up as a virtual seal, I should be OK. Google SketchUp was used to model these beautiful creatures.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125 – 126

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

Peeter Loomus (petzl) is our newest Featured Artist! Here on 3DVIA he specializes in making his models with 3DVIA Shape. Peeter is #12 on the all-time 3DVIA Top 10 winners list and moving steadily upward. He was in the #9 spot in the Best of the Best 2010 and has already been in a total of nine Top 10 selections – so far.  Peeter was also the winner of the Model Spotlight in Issue #6 of the 3DVIA Shape newsletter and has one of the Models of the Month in Issue #7!

His models are always interesting, colorful, and filled with details that are often not easy to create using Shape.  Each time Peeter figures out a way to get it done.  We can also always count on Peeter to have kind and encouraging comments to help other modelers and to be a strong member of the 3DVIA community.  This is especially appreciated.

As Peeter notes later in his answers, he is passionate about photography and that translates well into his rendering skills.  Every image in this article (except the title image, which I’ve cropped a bit) are Peeter’s images – just as he sent them to me.  I’ve made no changes.  Bear that in mind as you review his work. They are all done quite well!

Now, I’ll leave you in Peeter’s capable hands as he tells us about himself:

Hello, I’m Peeter Loomus, also known as petzl in the 3DVIA community.  I absolutely love 3D modeling and I’m glad I am being featured – I’d like to thank the whole 3DVIA community for that.

I’m a 21 year old college student from Estonia.  My hometown is Rakvere, but currently I study at the Tallinn University of Applied Sciences and my specialty is mechanical engineering.

I’m not working anywhere during school, but I really enjoy working during summer time.  I’ve worked in Finland as a pizza chef and carpenter.  In Estonia, I’ve worked as a construction worker and decorator.

Q1: How long have you been 3D modeling?
Sadly, I don’t remember the exact date, but I’m really interested about this myself, so I’ll do some calculating.  I think it was slightly before 2009 when I bought my laptop, but as I look at my 3DVIA profile, I joined the 3DVIA community on August 26 in 2008.  Well, I had desktop PC before I got my laptop, so I probably started modeling when I joined 3DVIA even though I don’t remember modeling on my desktop PC.  Anyway it must have been around the end of 2008, which means I have modeled for almost 3 year now.

Q2: How did you become interested in 3D modeling?
I’m not sure, but I think I wanted to create something that I couldn’t do in real life.  So I looked for a program that would be free and easy to use for making 3D models. That was the point where I met 3DVIA Shape.

Q3: What types of 3D modeling do you do?
Mostly I like to do realistic models from objects that surround me.  It makes modeling much easier when you have exact measurements and shapes given.  Sometimes when I have some great idea, but don’t have any example in front of me, I just try to model it by using a ruler or measuring tape and picturing the sizes of parts.  Sometimes I also let my imagination  fly and do something inspirational.

Q4: Do you use 3D modeling for professional or personal use?
I use it for personal projects, but in the future I’d really like to be involved professionally as well.

Q5: What part of 3D modeling do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part is probably when I finish the work and can look at it on 3DVIA.  One of the best parts is also the feedback.  It’s really inspiring to get comments and different recommendations.

Q6: How does storytelling play a role in your 3D modeling?
Actually, I had not tried storytelling in 3D modeling before I recently made the model Stairway To Heaven, which is based fully on storytelling.  I got the idea by listening to one song that I really started to like – and it was the title of the song which inspired me to make this model.  While making this model I realized it’s actually bloody fun to have some story in your models and I’m definitely going to make more storytelling models from now on.

Q7: What sources of inspiration do you use for your 3D models?
Mostly I make realistic models from objects that surround me, so these objects actually inspire me the most.  If I’m trying to do a model that I don’t have an example for, I use Google to find pictures or dimensions of the model.  I also get inspiration from music, movies and books.

Q8: What additional software do you use to create your 3D models and images?
Mostly I use 3DVIA Shape – it’s just such a fantastic program because you don’t need much of knowledge to make models with it.  I have also tried many different 3D modeling programs such as SketchUp, AutoCad, SolidWorks, and CATIA, but mainly I feel I don’t have enough experience to work with these programs.

Right now I’m using Solid Edge for school and I have studied it for about 4 months.  Probably I’m going to use this program more often in the near future.  My teacher said: “When you know how to use one of the CAD programs, you can easily learn others”.  I believe it’s true and I’m probably going to also practice some other 3D programs when I’m more experienced in Solid Edge.  For rendering I use KeyShot and for editing the pictures I like to use GIMP and Picnik.

Q9: What are your tips for staying focused on a large 3D modeling project?
Most of the models I create take me an average of 8 hours with pauses, and I don’t consider that a large project.  I have done some larger projects also (for example My Apartment), which took days to finish and actually there will be still lots of things to add after finishing it.  So the way I stay focused during large projects is by listening to good music and sitting comfortably.  And it’s always useful to make pauses because you’ll just get tired if you sit too long behind the computer.

Q10: What are your thoughts on the value of 3D modeling to help us all learn about the world?
I think that 3D modeling is getting more and more valuable in this field.  A few years ago most people didn’t even have a personal computer, so at that time 3D was pretty much unknown in the meaning of computer graphics.  But now I think people can learn a lot about the world from 3D modeling.  3D modeling develops logical thinking and by simulating an engine, for example, you can learn how things work.

Q11: How do you think 3D modeling is different in different parts of the world?
The environment that surrounds you definitely matters.  For example if you live in the area where there is a lot of nature and the wild world, you probably get different inspirations than people who live in the big city. But it’s not necessarily like that.  Nowadays the internet plays a huge role in 3D modeling and this makes 3D modeling almost the same everywhere, no matter where you live.

Q12: What do you like to do outside of 3D modeling (books music, games, sports, etc.)?

One of my favorite hobbies is riding my bicycle – I do it any time I can, but Estonian weather is not always perfect and usually I don’t ride while it’s raining or during the winter time.  Same goes with rollerblading, which I just discovered lately and have started to love.  I like all kinds of different sports including rock climbing, hiking, swimming, running and others.

I also like old cars such as the VW Beetle, VW Camper, old Fiats and others.  I love the design of old cars and also the engines.

Photography is my passion – I love taking pictures and walking along the streets or forests to see anything interesting to shoot.  I’ve always used mobile phones to take my pictures.

I do like to read books but I don’t have any specific favorites.  I have several favorite movies and mostly I like drama, comedy, adventure, biography, disaster and zombie movies.  Some examples: The Shawshank Redemption, Into the Wild, The Road, and The Walking Dead series.  My music choices are very wide, but my favorite genres are rock, alternative, funk, reggae, and punk.

Thank you Peeter for sharing so much of yourself with us!  I definitely feel like I know you better now, both as a person and as a modeler.  May your future hold all kinds of interesting 3D modeling and photographic challenges. You’ll be ready!

Visitors of the 3DVIA LeWeb booth will see:

1. Online 3D printing
   Use 3dvia.com to print real 3D models of your uploaded content through our partnership with 3D printing service, Sculpteo.
   

2. The easiest way to publish 3D games to Facebook
   One-click and your 3D game can be published to Facebook to share with the entire world! Check out Billions, Save Them All, the first title built and published to Facebook with 3DVIA Studio.
3. Augmented Reality through magic
   Moulla the Magician, 3DVIA’s former intern, began his Augmented Reality project while working at 3DVIA and has recently connected with Microsoft to demonstrate his magic at 10 shows in France, including LeWeb!

To get real time updates on 3DVIA’s LeWeb adventures, become a 3DVIA Facebook Fan or 3DVIA Twitter Follower!

]]> http://www.3dvia.com/blog/three-things-3dvia-will-showcase-at-leweb-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/first-3d-immersive-experience-on-facebook-with-3dvia/ http://www.3dvia.com/blog/first-3d-immersive-experience-on-facebook-with-3dvia/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:18 +0000 kellye1357 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/?p=26599

It’s not every day you have the chance to win an iPad2 by simply answering a few questions, but if you’re up for the challenge, we’re prepared to bounty up the prizes.

3DVIA has launched the first total immersive experience on Facebook with 3DVIA technology. This cutting edge quiz allows players to virtually travel through a mysterious medieval environment and answer quiz questions along the way.  Made in 3DVIA Scenes, the quiz offers an intuitive and interactive interface. Compete with your friends and share results or go in for the kill by earning a chance to bring home the prized iPad 2.  Are you up to the challenge?

The quiz is now available online at: http://on.fb.me/uZ6axV

Not sure if you’re interested? Watch the trailer and see for yourself!

]]> http://www.3dvia.com/blog/first-3d-immersive-experience-on-facebook-with-3dvia/feed/ 0 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-top-10-3d-models-126/ http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-top-10-3d-models-126/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:30:59 +0000 dswavely http://www.3dvia.com/blog/?p=26772

Lots of building going on this week! Everything from guitars to stores and homes, complexes and all the way to an entire solar system! And, of course, let’s not forget the mobile AA weapons system, the truck or the bridge and sculpture too. Dig in and find what you like the best!

Just a note about this Top 10 and the next few – the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US delayed this Top 10 and the following ones will also be off of our normal schedule due to vacations and more holidays. We hope that you too have a good end of your year!


The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Experience uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, November 5th through Friday, November 18th, 2011 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 125 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models and 3DVIA Experience.)

The Top 10:



Cardio 100 by fdecomite provides endless opportunities to discover beautiful new views. No matter how you look at it, it looks great. Go exploring and have some fun! It was created using Blender and uploaded in VRML format.

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It would certainly take awhile to learn all the nooks and crannies of Alam Damai 14 April 2010 by Patrick (patrickho) . There are so many intimate spaces and open areas that you could, no doubt, find the right environment to suit any mood. Patrick used Google SketchUp.

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I can only imagine Solar Model System by VolumePlus in full motion, but it makes my head spin anyway. It’s not difficult to imagine the incredible detail required to make all the planets and their moons correctly orbit one another! Great job! It was created using SolidWorks and uploaded in VRML format.

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Pixelated Wave by Jarand (jarandm) has a mission: “The sketch for the Pixilated Wave is an attempt to investigate scale and the pain limit of size and repetition. When this limit is reached, the structure is toned down by blending the roofs with the ground and making them green. Then the structure becomes almost invisible from the air and highly visible from the ground. In this specific sketch I find this shift to be rather interesting.”

The series of images that Jarand has provided in his model gallery show how well he has accomplished his goal and he has enlightened us as well. It was uploaded in 3DS format. [Jarand lives in Norway]

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Bridge Assembly by Steve (steveh1976) is chock-a-block full of intricate details to make sure that this is one strong and secure bridge! Steve used SolidWorks.

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2011.10.07 by Monoz looks like it would be an interesting shopping experience. The store walls and fixtures all add up to a unique environment. Monoz built it using Google SketchUp.

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Hubble by chichi92 is the winner of the Make It Work 3DVIA Studio Challenge. If you have an ounce of space dust in your curiosity mix, you have to go explore this 3DVIA Studio Experience! If you know your astronomical coordinates from a hole in the ground then you should have a blast!

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The M-247 Sergeant York by Alfred (alfredix) was not a big success in fulfilling it’s military goals, but it wins big here as another example of Alfred’s amazing modeling skills using Autodesk Product Design Suite. Be sure to view his Picasa Album to see the level of detail that he goes to. After all of the modeling is done, Alfred translates everything and uploads it in STEP format. [Alfred lives in Germany]

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I couldn’t make up my mind which of Shannon’s (sandman 14)  guitars I liked the best, so I included four of them: Sands Holy Guitar, Peavey Captain America Guitar, Ikon Arachnoid Guitar, and the Jackson Randy Piper Skull Guitar. You can make your own decision as to which is best. My secret top choice can be see by clicking on the image. Shannon made all of them using Google SketchUp. [Shannon lives in the US]

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I really like that Jenkins – Proposed – 110711 by mjennings has so many levels and outdoor areas to enjoy. Then there is also the view and the water. So many good things to choose between! Google SketchUp was the creative tool used.

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This great ECS Showtruck by Harald (haraldwesp) was a shoe-in for the Top 10. The design is challenging and fantastic – exactly what you want in a concept. I’d love to see one of these with an equally impressive trailer delivering the goods! Harald let his creativity loose using CATIA V5.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124 – 125

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

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height=”367″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” marginheight=”0″ marginwidth=”0″

src=”http://www.3dvia.com/scenes/D88C02CEE0F2C4D6?output=embed&width=610&height=343&avatar=1&chat=0&edit=0&

amp;title=1&pla

yvt=1″></iframe>

]]> http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-top-10-3d-models-126/feed/ 12 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/make-it-work-3dvia-challenge-winners/ http://www.3dvia.com/blog/make-it-work-3dvia-challenge-winners/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:52:40 +0000 jdelrio http://www.3dvia.com/blog/?p=26816

 

We asked for a lot, and the 3DVIA Community responded with some AMAZING challenge entries!  As always you guys made our jobs even harder and some medication was needed (chocolate!) to calm all the judges.  This challenge consisted of creating an experience with 3DVIA Studio; if you haven’t yet checked out all the latest goodies from the latest version of 3DVIA Studio, check out the announcement blog!

 Your 1st Place Winner for the Make it Work Challenge is Chichi92 with the very polished Hubble Telescope Experience!



Congratulations Chichi92! You’ve won an iPad 2 and the admiration and jealousy of all the 3DVIA Community!

There were so many great entries and all of you put so much effort into your experiences that we are Awarding the $100 USD Amazon Gift Card to the following entries:

Concept Car – Make it Work by OperationNT
Light Experience by Log_Ops
Lego 4993 Cool Convertible by Sebwouaib

(Appologies for lack of screenshots, some experiences didn’t let me capture, so in fairness…)

Congratulations everyone and thank you all for participating in the first Make it Work 3DVIA Challenge!   There will be more challenges in the new future so keep practicing and keep asking questions in the 3DVIA Support Forums.

I will be contacting all of winners on Monday (Thanksgiving Holiday this week) to get the details and send the Prizes!

THANK YOU ALL for the fantastic turnout. We will be doing more contests soon so if you didn’t win this time, you might next time :)

 

-Juan

]]> http://www.3dvia.com/blog/make-it-work-3dvia-challenge-winners/feed/ 13 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-mobile-hd-update-1-4-now-available/ http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-mobile-hd-update-1-4-now-available/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:30:55 +0000 David http://www.3dvia.com/blog/?p=26783

 

3DVIA is proud to announce the latest update to the 3DVIA Mobile HD 3D viewer for the Apple iPad. The update is focused on improving the application’s value as a sales tool and entirely new way to present your work to groups. From being able to display your work on large screens to facilitating private mobile group sharing, you won’t be disappointed with these application renovations.

Existing users can upgrade directly through their devices. New users can click here to install 3DVIA Mobile HD for iPad now.

 

New in the 3DVIA Mobile HD for iPad

• Present work on the big screen by using standard external output with the iPad 2
• Full screen 3D in landscape orientation, with option to move model list off screen
• Wireframe visualization to demonstrate 3D model quality
• Search capabilities within both MyModels and Groups


Wireframe visualization of your 3D models


3DVIA Mobile for iPhone User?
We’ve also added the new MyModel and Group search functionality to the iPhone version! Upgrade your app today or click here to install it.

]]> http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-mobile-hd-update-1-4-now-available/feed/ 3 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-top-10-3d-models-125/ http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-top-10-3d-models-125/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:00:23 +0000 dswavely http://www.3dvia.com/blog/?p=26659

Through the eyes of a jaguar we take a look at this week’s excellent group of models. From sculpture that is meant to be sculpture to mechanical wonders that could be mistaken for sculptures, we cover quite a range. Purpose and elegance feature strongly in many of the offerings. Fantasy and hard-core reality are in the mix too. Go look for yourself to see what I mean!

The ten best 3D models and one 3DVIA Experience uploaded to 3DVIA.com during the weeks of Saturday, October 22nd through Friday, November 4th, 2011 are highlighted here.

(Easy links to all 124 previous Top 10 posts are right after the current week’s models, 3DVIA Experience.)

The Top 10:



School would be a lot more fun with these chairs to pick from! School Chair – Molded Collage by Nigel (Nigel_fitzsimmons) is a great system for schools (and other places too!) who are looking to brighten things up! Nigel used SolidWorks to model them.

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With the M-48-A3 Patton, Alfred (alfredix) introduces a whole new line of vehicles based on the M-48 drive train. This is one huge model file at close to 60 MB (and even so, Alfred really had to work hard to get it under his 100 MB limit). When you zoom in and look at the detail or visit his Picasa Album, you’ll know why! This is fantastic modeling done in Autodesk Product Design Suite and… (it’s easier if you read Alfred’s comment at the end of the post, since it is so convoluted :) ) and then translated and uploaded in STEP format. [Alfred lives in Germany]

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I absolutely love the way Jarand (jarandm) describes his Scene of Greenhouse - “A sketch made for fun more or less. No engineers have been consulted. :) Just an architect with a relaxed relationship with gravity.” I won’t even try to beat that! Jarand uploaded this amazing structure using the 3DS format.

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Nikola (zenox) has continued his series of more highly detailed models with his Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011. It’s chunky proportions and trademark Jeep features come through loud and clear! Nickola uses Blender. [Nikola lives in Serbia & Montenegro]

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69ZJBEAJ3SA 678 29 by kipungae is a real mouth-full, but stand back and take it all in. Through the wonders of 3DVIA Composer, I was able to show some of the amazing interior detail of this incredibly complex metal press.

The top picture shows the whole thing, the middle has the top of the press removed so you can see the final piece (in gray), and the final shot shows the bottom half of the die buck and its supporting frame and components. The whole thing was done using CATIA V5. Great work! [kipungae live in South Korea]

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Vince Home-Theatre Experience by Vince (Vince_M) (now that’s a surprise! :) ) is an Experience that is really worth taking some time to explore its subtleties. You can get a great feeling for the space using the different camera views and can move your view around the room too. Like a kid, I keep running the projection screen up and down and up again! I hope I didn’t break it. Vince certainly knows his way around 3DVIA Studio. [Vince lives in France]

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Antoni Gaudi certainly challenged the status quo of his time and has continued to inspire artists for almost a century afterward. Travis (travistroxell) is one artist familiar with Gaudi’s work as he shows with his Gaudi Inspi’ sculpture. Love it or hate it, it makes you explore your own spectrum of forms. Travis used Google SketchUp to model his inspiration.

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African Domino Mask by Yoana is a powerful model. It shows the beauty of Africa and combines it with the energy of the jaguar to create a striking mask and holder. It is also a powerful use of 3DVIA Shape, showing mastery of many of the tools available. Get right in there and rotate the model all around to see the full effects of the concept.

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3DVIA Composer gave me the tools to combine MLM Etage and MLM RDC by Jmvmenuiz into one version that helps illustrate the details of the design and also show it in a more complete way. The design makes me want to visit and spend some time in such wonderful spaces! The original model was created using Google SketchUp.

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The mirror of time passed can allow us to enjoy dinosaurs like the 1971 Skylark CountryCruiser STW modeled by Monty (Monty228) using Google SketchUp – without paying the price at the pump to keep the beast alive. I can easily imagine the floating feeling as you ride down the road, paying close attention to the upcoming curves and planning ahead to make sure you can finesse your way around them. This model is so well-detailed that those memories easily pop into my mind. Wonderful!

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Origin 36′ 1 Bedroom by BluHomesInc appeals strongly to my sense of keeping things simple, yet elegantly functional. This is just one of the many BluHomes offerings that have been modeled using CATIA V5 for us to explore and enjoy. To see more of their fantastic offerings visit the company web site.  [BluHomesInc is in the US]

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Just so everyone knows, the order that the Top 10 are displayed is based on color, type of model and how I’m feeling, not any particular ranking. I just rearrange them until I like the way it looks. It’s as simple as that!

Easy links to the previous Top 10 lists: 001 – 002 – 003 – 004 – 005 – 006 – 007 – 008 – 009 – 010 – 011 - 012 – 013 – 014 – 015 – 016 – 017 - 018 - 019 – 020 – 021 – 022 – 023 – 024 – 025 – 026 – 027 – 028 – 029 – 030 – 031 – 032 – 033 – 034 – 035 – 036 – 037 – 038 – 039 – 040 – 041 – 042 – 043 – 044 - 045 – 046 - 047 – 048 - 049 – 050 – 051 – 052 – 053 – 054 (seven weeks in one) – 055 – 056 – 057 – 058 – 059 – 060 – Best of the Best 2009 – 061 – 062 - 063 - 064 - 065 – 066 - 067 – 068 – 069 – 070 – 071 – 072 – 073 – 074 – 075 – 076 – 077 – 078 – 079 – 080 – 081 – 082 – 083 – 084 – 085 – 086 – 087 – 088 – 089 – 090 – 091 – 092 – 093 – 094 – 095 – 096 – 097 – 098 – 099 – 100 – 101 – 102 – 103 – 104 – 105 – 106 – 107 – 108 – 109 – Best of the Best 2010 – 110 – 111 – 112 – 113 – 114 – 115 – 116 – 117 – 118 – 119 – 120 – 121 – 122 – 123 – 124

Here’s a brief recap of what I look for when I select the Top 10:

Variety – One of the most important factors. I try to show models created using lots of different software products and showing lots of different ways of using 3D. I include brief comments on why I chose each model.

Creativity, unusual subject matter and humor – These are big factors. We should all be having fun and feel free to model our passions!

There is no reward given – Other than the satisfaction of being noticed, spotlighted and being brought to the attention of more modelers. In my personal experience, the pleasure of having my work appreciated is the ultimate reward anyway.

From time to time I will make mistakes and not follow my own rules – I will review these mistakes on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes I will change the post and sometimes I won’t. I will be consistently inconsistent. I am human.

Your comments are always welcomed and encouraged! Your responses will help the modelers and the 3DVIA community as a whole. Feel free to bring other models to my attention and let me know why they attracted you.

(PLEASE NOTE: In order to make it easier to explore, all photos are linked directly to the model’s page.)

One final note of caution: these are my choices (dswavely) and my choices alone. So, aim the tomatoes appropriately.

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]]> http://www.3dvia.com/blog/3dvia-top-10-3d-models-125/feed/ 12 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/display-your-3d-models-anytime-anywhere/ http://www.3dvia.com/blog/display-your-3d-models-anytime-anywhere/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:15:22 +0000 kellye1357 http://www.3dvia.com/blog/?p=26667

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