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December 2015 New User Contest - Free Render Month (WIP Thread)

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  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548

    I see lots of improvements on everyone and think we are going to have some wonderful renders this month  I wanted to work on a second one and possibly a bit more on the first but just didn't have the time to do it.

  • isidornisidorn Posts: 1,601

    I've been afk the entire x-mas weekend and it's very nice to come back to see a whole bunch of great renders in the entry thread. Keep up the good work everyone!

  • KnittingmommyKnittingmommy Posts: 8,191
    edited December 2015
    Ice Dragon Art said:
    Knittingmommy said:

    Ati and Kimset - Yeah, I'm going with the middle one.  I just did the last one to see what it looked like.  I figured since I was playing with Ron's brushes, I would just add that to see what the brushes looked like.  While it might  be fun to use for some things, I think it detracts from the scene a bit.  I really like how the middle one turned out and I'll be entering that one in the contest. 

    I left the original render running all day yesterday and all night and, to me, it looks the same as the raw image I posted.  I see no difference.  It just hit 5007 iterations and says it is still only 50% complete and has now been rendering for 34 hours. So, I'm stopping it, saving it and moving on.  I did, however, learn a lot with these last two month's contests.  It has been fun trying to improve my Iray skills as well as postwork skills.  I think I might actually try using 3Delight for next month's contest to see if I can improve my skills there.  So far, Iray has been easier for me to learn how to to use to get nice renders.  3Delight has been a nightmare for me, but I think I will need to just bite the 3Delight bullet and try to figure it out.

    lol this is exaclty how I feel about Iray.  Just decided that I needed to suck it up and learn how to use it.  I am also working on learning to use Reality as well

    I have it and have used it a couple of times, but not with great results yet.  At some point, I'll play with it again, just now not right now.  I, also, have Luxrender and haven't had great result with that yet, either.  I really need to try and get a handle on 3Delight.  I'll play with the others later.  So far, though, Iray is my favorite.  I seem to understand it better and can get good result much easier than with the other render engines.

    Post edited by Knittingmommy on
  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548
    Knittingmommy said:
    Ice Dragon Art said:
    Knittingmommy said:

    Ati and Kimset - Yeah, I'm going with the middle one.  I just did the last one to see what it looked like.  I figured since I was playing with Ron's brushes, I would just add that to see what the brushes looked like.  While it might  be fun to use for some things, I think it detracts from the scene a bit.  I really like how the middle one turned out and I'll be entering that one in the contest. 

    I left the original render running all day yesterday and all night and, to me, it looks the same as the raw image I posted.  I see no difference.  It just hit 5007 iterations and says it is still only 50% complete and has now been rendering for 34 hours. So, I'm stopping it, saving it and moving on.  I did, however, learn a lot with these last two month's contests.  It has been fun trying to improve my Iray skills as well as postwork skills.  I think I might actually try using 3Delight for next month's contest to see if I can improve my skills there.  So far, Iray has been easier for me to learn how to to use to get nice renders.  3Delight has been a nightmare for me, but I think I will need to just bite the 3Delight bullet and try to figure it out.

    lol this is exaclty how I feel about Iray.  Just decided that I needed to suck it up and learn how to use it.  I am also working on learning to use Reality as well

    I have it and have used it a couple of times, but not with great results yet.  At some point, I'll play with it again, just now not right now.  I, also, have Luxrender and haven't had great result with that yet, either.  I really need to try and get a handle on 3Delight.  I'll play with the others later.  So far, though, Iray is my favorite.  I seem to understand it better and can get good result much easier than with the other render engines.

    apparently luxrender comes with reality now.  Reality has some interesting features.  I have decided to start a character project ( I have a ton of characters, many of of them freebies) so I am going through each generation and doing a test portrait of each character in each render engine, 3 delight, iray and reality.  I figure I will learn some things along the way and will also see what each of my characters really look like lol. 

    I am excited too for next months contest, and very interested in seeing everyone's final renders.

  • dracorndracorn Posts: 2,345
    edited December 2015

    Just go around to this!  I have had DAZ Studio for a while, but with an older computer.  I have only been able to do full backgrounds and lighting since October when I bought my new computer.  I was experimenting with various shaders in 3Delight for the clothing, hair and jewelry.  I used Flinks Snow.  Image rendered in 3Delight with no postwork. 

    Winter Queen

    Winter Queen 2.jpg
    1782 x 1188 - 499K
    Post edited by dracorn on
  • KnittingmommyKnittingmommy Posts: 8,191

    Sounds like a good plan.  I have a ton of characters, too.  Some freebies, some purchased, most I've made myself.  I love spinning those dials and coming up with someone new.  I'm kind of hoping that I have an easier time with next month's theme.  The last two months have been brutal trying to figure out how to do the things that I needed to do to get the look I wanted.  I'm just glad my renders turned out halfway decent.  I really liked how your wolves turned out.  We need a theme Isidorn can get inspired by so he can jump in again next month instead of cheering along the sidelines.

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    dracorn said:

    Just go around to this!  I have had DAZ Studio for a while, but with an older computer.  I have only been able to do full backgrounds and lighting since October when I bought my new computer.  I was experimenting with various shaders in 3Delight for the clothing, hair and jewelry.  I used Flinks Snow.  Image rendered in 3Delight with no postwork. 

    Winter Queen

    This is a lovely portrait dracorn.  You have a nice monochromatic feel to the image.  You picked some great textures for her dress.

  • Babalar1Babalar1 Posts: 71

    Hey all   I've not had a chance to participate in the wip forum lately but still read up on what people have been saying for advice and watching everyone's progress when I get the chance.   Just having some fun trying to think outside the box for this month.  Like always, for me, every month is a challange to learn new things about Daz but this time I went with, like others, a little help with the falling snow in postwork.  Nothing I tried worked as well when I attempted falling snow in Daz unfortunately.   

    Still some cleanups needed and maybe I'll send a little one out with his/her sled to trudge through the storm if there is time but mainly wanted to say hi and if someone wanted to toss any ideas (technical or esthetic) for improving the scene that would be appreciated.  

    winter scene with girl in front 3 dec 28 .jpg
    800 x 640 - 855K
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    noseeum said:

    Hey all   I've not had a chance to participate in the wip forum lately but still read up on what people have been saying for advice and watching everyone's progress when I get the chance.   Just having some fun trying to think outside the box for this month.  Like always, for me, every month is a challange to learn new things about Daz but this time I went with, like others, a little help with the falling snow in postwork.  Nothing I tried worked as well when I attempted falling snow in Daz unfortunately.   

    Still some cleanups needed and maybe I'll send a little one out with his/her sled to trudge through the storm if there is time but mainly wanted to say hi and if someone wanted to toss any ideas (technical or esthetic) for improving the scene that would be appreciated.  

    Hi noseeum.  One suggestion I have is to move your figure to the left side of the image.  You have a path that looks well trodden and your character is walking in the snowbank.  You may need to adjust the tree on the left.

     

    The warm lights from the houses certainly stand out against the overall cold light on a winter night.

  • SaphirewildSaphirewild Posts: 6,669

    I am still looing for inspiration for this months challenge!!

    I need to find some snow flakes I can use in psp9 so I can make a blizzard type snow!!

  • Babalar1Babalar1 Posts: 71
    edited December 2015

    Hi noseeum.  One suggestion I have is to move your figure to the left side of the image.  You have a path that looks well trodden and your character is walking in the snowbank.  You may need to adjust the tree on the left.

    The warm lights from the houses certainly stand out against the overall cold light on a winter night.

     

    It did become clear that the figure appeared to be walking in the snow bank after reading your comment Kismet so I changed her position a little to make it more of a standing pose which was the intention I was going for.   The child walking with sled hopefuly makes use of the path  and I redid the snow (gimp)  The tree on the left (out of focus) i'm afraid is not going to get better unless I rerender with the camera settings changed which might happen but not in time for the deadline.  Thanks for the tips!     

     

    winter scene with people layer 2 dec 29 .jpg
    800 x 640 - 1M
    Post edited by Babalar1 on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    noseeum said:

    Hi noseeum.  One suggestion I have is to move your figure to the left side of the image.  You have a path that looks well trodden and your character is walking in the snowbank.  You may need to adjust the tree on the left.

    The warm lights from the houses certainly stand out against the overall cold light on a winter night.

     

    It did become clear that the figure appeared to be walking in the snow bank after reading your comment Kismet so I changed her position a little to make it more of a standing pose which was the intention I was going for.   The child walking with sled hopefuly makes use of the path  and I redid the snow (gimp)  The tree on the left (out of focus) i'm afraid is not going to get better unless I rerender with the camera settings changed which might happen but not in time for the deadline.  Thanks for the tips!     

     

    I like the addition of the child with the sled.  This completely changes the story in this image.

  • Babalar1Babalar1 Posts: 71

    Thanks Kismet,  Added a couple of tweeks and looks like I've done what I can.  Happy New Year all!

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548
    Knittingmommy said:

    Sounds like a good plan.  I have a ton of characters, too.  Some freebies, some purchased, most I've made myself.  I love spinning those dials and coming up with someone new.  I'm kind of hoping that I have an easier time with next month's theme.  The last two months have been brutal trying to figure out how to do the things that I needed to do to get the look I wanted.  I'm just glad my renders turned out halfway decent.  I really liked how your wolves turned out.  We need a theme Isidorn can get inspired by so he can jump in again next month instead of cheering along the sidelines.

    I hope Isidorn jumps in next month!  And I hope that the rest of the newbies who have posted late or just posted finished renders in the contest thread join in on the wip in progress next month as well.  Half the fun of doing these is getting to know everyone!  I agree its been a difficult couple of months (although, they were my first two months so I dont' know why I expected it to not be difficult lol)  Getting what's in my head to match what's on the screen is definitely a challenge!

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548
    noseeum said:

    Hi noseeum.  One suggestion I have is to move your figure to the left side of the image.  You have a path that looks well trodden and your character is walking in the snowbank.  You may need to adjust the tree on the left.

    The warm lights from the houses certainly stand out against the overall cold light on a winter night.

     

    It did become clear that the figure appeared to be walking in the snow bank after reading your comment Kismet so I changed her position a little to make it more of a standing pose which was the intention I was going for.   The child walking with sled hopefuly makes use of the path  and I redid the snow (gimp)  The tree on the left (out of focus) i'm afraid is not going to get better unless I rerender with the camera settings changed which might happen but not in time for the deadline.  Thanks for the tips!     

     

    Nothing wrong with post work, it certainly has its place in a render.  I for one love doing postwork but I do want to make the render that best that it can be before it goes to post work.  So here  I am lol.  this looks lovely and really like the child and the sleigh

  • Shinji Ikari 9thShinji Ikari 9th Posts: 1,188

    This will likely be my last version this month, thanks for all the feedback that I got on it. Have a happy and safe new year everyone.

    dec2015l.jpg
    1026 x 872 - 534K
  • KnittingmommyKnittingmommy Posts: 8,191
    Ice Dragon Art said:
    Knittingmommy said:

    Sounds like a good plan.  I have a ton of characters, too.  Some freebies, some purchased, most I've made myself.  I love spinning those dials and coming up with someone new.  I'm kind of hoping that I have an easier time with next month's theme.  The last two months have been brutal trying to figure out how to do the things that I needed to do to get the look I wanted.  I'm just glad my renders turned out halfway decent.  I really liked how your wolves turned out.  We need a theme Isidorn can get inspired by so he can jump in again next month instead of cheering along the sidelines.

    I hope Isidorn jumps in next month!  And I hope that the rest of the newbies who have posted late or just posted finished renders in the contest thread join in on the wip in progress next month as well.  Half the fun of doing these is getting to know everyone!  I agree its been a difficult couple of months (although, they were my first two months so I dont' know why I expected it to not be difficult lol)  Getting what's in my head to match what's on the screen is definitely a challenge!

    Totally agree with you there.  There are times when I have this vision in my head of what I think it should look like, but I just can't get it to look how I picture it in my head.  This was only my third time entering and I didn't expect it to be all that difficult either.  At least I learned something.  That was the main reason I decided to try the contests.  It was suggsted on the Book Covers thread to try the contests, and, I have to agree, trying the contests have really upped my skill level.  Having a particular aspect to focus on helps, too.  I hope Isidorn jumps in next month, too.  I like his style of renders.

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548
    Knittingmommy said:
    Ice Dragon Art said:
    Knittingmommy said:

    Sounds like a good plan.  I have a ton of characters, too.  Some freebies, some purchased, most I've made myself.  I love spinning those dials and coming up with someone new.  I'm kind of hoping that I have an easier time with next month's theme.  The last two months have been brutal trying to figure out how to do the things that I needed to do to get the look I wanted.  I'm just glad my renders turned out halfway decent.  I really liked how your wolves turned out.  We need a theme Isidorn can get inspired by so he can jump in again next month instead of cheering along the sidelines.

    I hope Isidorn jumps in next month!  And I hope that the rest of the newbies who have posted late or just posted finished renders in the contest thread join in on the wip in progress next month as well.  Half the fun of doing these is getting to know everyone!  I agree its been a difficult couple of months (although, they were my first two months so I dont' know why I expected it to not be difficult lol)  Getting what's in my head to match what's on the screen is definitely a challenge!

    Totally agree with you there.  There are times when I have this vision in my head of what I think it should look like, but I just can't get it to look how I picture it in my head.  This was only my third time entering and I didn't expect it to be all that difficult either.  At least I learned something.  That was the main reason I decided to try the contests.  It was suggsted on the Book Covers thread to try the contests, and, I have to agree, trying the contests have really upped my skill level.  Having a particular aspect to focus on helps, too.  I hope Isidorn jumps in next month, too.  I like his style of renders.

    Yes the shortened learning curve was a big reason I joined in.  Plus, it forces me to a. DO something lol.  and B. pushes me out of my comfort zone and makes me try new things

    Shinji, it looks great! 

    Isidorn are you listening?!  lol, you have to join in next month

  • KnittingmommyKnittingmommy Posts: 8,191
    edited December 2015
    Ice Dragon Art said:
    Knittingmommy said:
    Ice Dragon Art said:
    Knittingmommy said:

    Sounds like a good plan.  I have a ton of characters, too.  Some freebies, some purchased, most I've made myself.  I love spinning those dials and coming up with someone new.  I'm kind of hoping that I have an easier time with next month's theme.  The last two months have been brutal trying to figure out how to do the things that I needed to do to get the look I wanted.  I'm just glad my renders turned out halfway decent.  I really liked how your wolves turned out.  We need a theme Isidorn can get inspired by so he can jump in again next month instead of cheering along the sidelines.

    I hope Isidorn jumps in next month!  And I hope that the rest of the newbies who have posted late or just posted finished renders in the contest thread join in on the wip in progress next month as well.  Half the fun of doing these is getting to know everyone!  I agree its been a difficult couple of months (although, they were my first two months so I dont' know why I expected it to not be difficult lol)  Getting what's in my head to match what's on the screen is definitely a challenge!

    Totally agree with you there.  There are times when I have this vision in my head of what I think it should look like, but I just can't get it to look how I picture it in my head.  This was only my third time entering and I didn't expect it to be all that difficult either.  At least I learned something.  That was the main reason I decided to try the contests.  It was suggsted on the Book Covers thread to try the contests, and, I have to agree, trying the contests have really upped my skill level.  Having a particular aspect to focus on helps, too.  I hope Isidorn jumps in next month, too.  I like his style of renders.

    Yes the shortened learning curve was a big reason I joined in.  Plus, it forces me to a. DO something lol.  and B. pushes me out of my comfort zone and makes me try new things

    Shinji, it looks great! 

    Isidorn are you listening?!  lol, you have to join in next month

    Shinji - I agree with Sonja. It looks great.  I really like how this has progressed.  Nice work.

    edit: Oops, it the post button too soon.  I think the pushing out of the comfort zone has probably been a big help for me, too.

    Post edited by Knittingmommy on
  • isidornisidorn Posts: 1,601

    Nice to see my name get mentioned here without me even having a wip render going. Just be careful you don't inflate my ego too much! wink

    I actually have a render cooking now that I put together this morning. Not sure if there will be any time to take advice on it and do changes, but at least I will have something so I can say I participated in this month's contest. smiley

  • LinwellyLinwelly Posts: 5,956

    I love how everybody got really nice renders together for this month and I wish you good luck with the contest. I'm sorry I was too much absent in the last week but Kismet has given wonderful advice so you were in good hands.

    I wish everybody a good start into 2016, enjoy the last evening of 2015, it was a bitch at times but it brought me into DAZ and that was the best thing happening to me in years.

    Isi I guess your ego will rather fall into the cleavage of a well dressed lady devil(nice one)

     

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    There is still time to enter this month's contest.

     

    Good luck to everyone.

     

    Happy New Year!  image

  • isidornisidorn Posts: 1,601
    edited December 2015

    Haha Linwelly! You spotted my latest gallery upload? (and thanks)

    Here's the first (and possibly last) draft of Ralph the Winter Wonderland Llama! Even if I don't get any changes done in time I'm happy to recieve critizism and suggestions if anyone has any to spare.smiley

     

    Happy new years everyone!

    Oh, and Shinji, don't forget to submit your render in the entry thread!

    Llama.jpg
    1920 x 1080 - 1M
    Post edited by isidorn on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    A very nice, whimsical image isidorn.

     

    My eyes are drawn righ to the Llama. 

  • KnittingmommyKnittingmommy Posts: 8,191

    Isidorn!!! Great to have you finally get inspired!!!  I almost bought those llamas.  Very nice render.  I love how the clouds frame the bandstand and how the sun is just behind the llama.  Very nice.  I can't think of anything to offer advice except to let you know that I think the preferred color for llamas is PURPLE!!!!  But, I suppose you can keep the pink if you really need to.  Sigh.  It does make me want to go find a good pair of sheers, though, so I can grab that coat and start spinning.  I wouldn't even need to dye it first!  Now, don't forget to post it  Loved your new gallery upload, btw.  Absolutely brilliant!

  • AtiAti Posts: 9,131

    Why have so many Llamas in the picture? Ahh, never mind. ;) Happy new year everyone! :)

  • Shinji Ikari 9thShinji Ikari 9th Posts: 1,188

    Final render, (contest at least) of the year. Now to name it.

    Sonja, Knittingmommy, and anyone else who gave me feedback on this, I thank you all and wish you all a happy and safe new year.

    dec2015m.jpg
    1026 x 872 - 609K
  • isidornisidorn Posts: 1,601

    I did 2 other version but none of them were an improvement so I've now posted the first version in the entry thread even though it would have needed some more tweaking. Almost midnight here now so I'm calling it a night and a new year. smiley

     

    Ati said:

    Why have so many Llamas in the picture? Ahh, never mind. ;) Happy new year everyone! :)

    It was either Llamas or women in bikinis, and I'm sure no one wanted that. cheeky

     

    Thanks everyone for another great month here at the New User Contest. Now on to the new year and new challenges!

  • White RabbitWhite Rabbit Posts: 231
    edited December 2015

    Here's the latest version.  I wasn't too happy with the hare's profile so added several morphs to push back the nose, and other subtle body changes.  The Hare's fur is LAMH which I modified so it rendered better in Iray.  

    Iray_X-Mas_2015_Lady_Riding_Rabbit_v27.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 540K
    Post edited by White Rabbit on
  • White RabbitWhite Rabbit Posts: 231
    edited December 2015

    I liked the look of this shot taken from the same scene as the lady riding the hare.

    Iray_X-Mas_2015_Lady_Riding_Rabbit_Portrait_v21.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 585K
    Post edited by White Rabbit on
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