Computer Generated Pictures.

[complicity]

Ok, this is a bit of a shot in the dark, but I was wondering if any of you out there in Lit-land have any experience with CG. I’ve done some sketching and photography but would like to create my own computer-generated fantasy images. Not animation just still pics. Any help pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Comp

 

[Bobmi357]

Ok, this is a bit of a shot in the dark, but I was wondering if any of you out there in Lit-land have any experience with CG. I’ve done some sketching and photography but would like to create my own computer-generated fantasy images. Not animation just still pics. Any help pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Comp

There are essentially two types of computer generated images. Those that are hand drawn into a drawing program such as adobe illustrator and those that are generated mathematically.

My avatar for example is one that is generated mathematically using a series of 3D shapes, textures, light sources and a process called rendering.

Micrographx used to sell a program called Simply3D which generated photo quality rendered imagery. Unfortunately I'm not sure that particular program is available any longer. But now at least you know what to look for, a 3D Rendering program if thats your cup of tea.

Free hand illustration is much more commonly available. There are many programs available which allow free hand illustration. The features available can make the cost of such programs range from under 100 dollars to several thousands of dollars.

When someone says to me "Computer Generated Pictures", I tend to think of rendered imagery, fractals and the like. But if you want to "draw" your own fantasy scenes, then what you want is not a computer generated image, but rather an image drawn on a computer. And that takes a program that turns your machine into a virtual canvas.

From a commercial standpoint programs made by Adobe are extremely popular and versatile. And expensive compared to other drawing programs. Adobe's programs are available in both PC and Mac compatible versions.

Hope this helps.

 

[JoseIsWild]

I use AutoCAD extensively and also Photoshop. I use AutoCAD for drawing illustrations and diagrams and I use photoshop for cutting people out of pictures and pasting onto a different background; unfortunately most of the pics look as though that's what's been done. I have only done that a few times but because they looked crappy, I never used them for anything.

 

[four]

If you want to find out how to do computer aided images you have to decide if you want to go the 3d route or the 2d route.

If you go the 3d route your gonig to want to invest in programs like 3dmax, maya, lightwave, or some other.

If your interested in the 2d route, photoshop, or painter is a must, but Opencanvas and some other painting programs will do if you cant afford ps or painter. You should also look into buying a Wacom tablet, either form ebay auction or from their site www.wacom.com

If your looking for some communities that deal with art digital and traditional Sijun is a great place "http://forums.sijun.com". In addtion, eatpoo forums "http://www.eatpoo.com/phpBB2/index.php" have alot of great 2d digital art. there

IN any case this link here will set you up for tutorials on 3d as well as 2d artist and lots of fun links, enjoy http://www.sumaleth.com/links/

 

[complicity]

Bobmi, JoseIsWild, and Four,

Please accept my apologies for neot getting back to you all sooner.
All your advice has been very usefull and has aided me in my decision to use Maya onec I have upgraded my 'puter.
Thank you for your time and advice.

Complicity.

 

[LLs Man]

Maya's a very nice program, but the user interface is not the friendliest, & it's SOOOOOOOO exepnsive!!! I'm a miser & use Bryce & Poser, not as versatile, but both together are a fraction of Maya's price & there's lots of free stuff available for them.

This is a pic done in Bryce, which is very good for landscapes & has some good atmospheric effects such as fog & haze.

 

[Weird Harold]

This is a pic done in Bryce, which is very good for landscapes & has some good atmospheric effects such as fog & haze.

Impressive. It's a bit dark and possibly not the best choice for demonstrating the full capabilities of a program, but a very impresive piece of artwork nonetheless.

 

[LLs Man]

Yeah, you're right about that, so here's a brighter one. This is a hybrid of the two programs. The dragon & rider were posed & textured in Poser (people & animals are what it does best), then imported into a Bryce scene.

 

[LLs Man]

Or another one, this time with bigger people in it This one's done entirely in Poser 5. Severely JPEGed to get it down to posting size

 

[Weird Harold]

Or another one, this time with bigger people in it

You do good work.

 

[bsbrian]

Maya's a very nice program, but the user interface is not the friendliest, & it's SOOOOOOOO exepnsive!!! I'm a miser & use Bryce & Poser, not as versatile, but both together are a fraction of Maya's price & there's lots of free stuff available for them.

LLs Man ... I like your work! How user friendly are Bryce and Poser for a newbie?

 

[LLs Man]

Very easy learning curve, though some parts of Poser 5 are harder to learn (but you don't need to use those to begin with). Poser 4 is still available though, under the name Poser Artist. Bryce 5 is available from http://www.daz3d.com & Poser from http://www.curiouslabs.com . There's a free demo of Poser ProPack (now Poser Artist I think) from the Downloads section of the site, but unfortunately there isn't a demo of Bryce

 

[MagicFingers]

Check out this beautiful picture

I don't know about the program used, but this article refers to the site where the contest was held. A digital art contest.
This very beautiful woman was supposedly computer generated.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/11/07/digital.diva.reut/index.html

Ah, here is the link to the contest site, which has a lot of interesting information and pictures.
http://www.missdigitalworld.com/MDWContest/showpage/16
Cool stuff!

 

[Marcius]

LL'sman;

That dragon1a is very Pern-esque. Was that an inspiration or am I seeing things not really there?

 

[LLs Man]

Well, since I'm also a member of Anne McCaffrey's site (& was lucky enough to meet her at Dragon*Con this year)...

 

[sirmed]

4 years of Maya.. .and can do some background stuff. and mix it with 2d images... Creating people walking is a bit outhere yet for me.. but closeing in.... but My vote is get wet with some starter programs and then jump to Maya...

a lot of money to just jump out there with... I use Photoshop and Maya just about every day.. and Maya is still out there..... for me...