Challenge Feedback

I would like to thank all the challengers for participating in the first Architectural Visualization Challenge – The GH House Challenge. I would kindly like to ask you all to take the time and fill out this short feedback form. It is very important for me to know what did you think about this event as a participant or visitor of the forums & blog. The GH House Challenge was the opening shot of many more challenges and events to come and so your feedback will be of great value while planing ahead.

Feedback Form

Please use the following form to submit your feedback for this challenge. The personal information is not a must, but it will be nice to know who you are and it will allow me to follow up on your feedback if I need more details.

Extra Images Submission

Apart form the mandatory two images needed to be submited in this challenge, you may add extra images as you like. These images will not be part of the judging, but may be used in online & print publication showcasing your work. As all winners will also have to submit a ‘Making-Of’ article – creating more images is a good idea anyway and surely will not be a waste of your time!

Extra Images Submission Form

Please use the following form to submit all the extra images you have in a single .zip file. Please note that the upload process may take more then just a few minutes depending on your connection speed and there will be no progress bar visible… so just wait for it to end and show you the confirmation message. The upload limit is 24MB.

Final Images Submission

3 Months are almost over and final image submission for the GH House Challenge is set to Monday, March 15th 23:55 UTC / GMT. The level of participation and quality of work showcased during this first challenge has surpassed my expectations and I have to thank you, the Challengers, for doing the hard work and sharing your great art with us all. And also send a big thanks to all of the sponsors for their great support allowing this event to take place.

A few things before you upload…

Your final two images dimensions should be in print resolution (as large as you can possibly render). As a guideline the minimum size of final images should be 3636×2657 or 2657×3636 depending on the proportions of your image (Portrait or Landscape). Try to avoid resizing to achieve this minimum. Even so, do not render larger then the minimum with low settings. It’s best to keep the minimum but rendering it with higher quality.

After you upload your images, please take the time to update the first post of your thread attaching those images to it so that they are visible upon first page open. If your thread name is still missing your full name please update it too.

Brodie Geers was kind to set us up with a Fixed Time World Clock showing the times in major cities around the world for the 15th March 23:55 UTC/GMT deadline.

Visit the Extra Images Upload page if you have more images to add and please consider adding your feedback at the Challenge Feedback page.

Primary Images Submission Form

Please use the following form to submit the two mandatory images (1 Interior + 1 Exterior). Please note that the upload process may take more then just a few minutes depending on your connection speed and there will be no progress bar visible… so just wait for it to end and then you will be redirected to the feedback page. The upload limit is 24MB total for both images.

Merry Christmas and a Fabulous 2010!

I would like to take this opportunity and wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! I plan great things for 2010… first one just got on it’s way – The Architectural Visualization Challenge and the companion Forums, which I hope will become a regular pit stop for you all. Thanks and happy holidays, Ronen.

Instructions

The house model for this Challenge will be provided for you. You will have to create two images – Exterior and Interior. The environment is totally up to you but keep the basic house geometry as it is… other than that you can do whatever you like. You might want to add some details here and there depending the viewpoints you pick since some areas of the model have less detail then others

About GH House 3d model

GH House was designed by Dunsky Kornhauser Architects, an Israeli based firm. By downloading and using the house model you agree to credit ronenbekerman.com blog and original author of the model – Ronen Bekerman. Other then that you may use it for anything you like other then actually building a real house based on this design… the architects will not like that 🙂

How the Challenge will be run

This challenge will be a Work in Progress (WIP) Challenge so that everyone can learn from each other and offer feedback and critique. Each challenger is required to submit WIP images, from the initial concept sketch to wire frame models, texturing in progress continuing to the final render and post production.

What will you do during the Challenge

  1. Enter the Challenge by registering to the blog forum.
  2. Create your Challenge thread and say hey!
  3. Submit your WIP images on a regular basis.
  4. Reserve the first post of your thread for milestone images
  5. Participate in the Challenge forum offering feedback for fellow challenger’s works.
  6. Submit your final entry between 1st and 15th of March 2010.

Deliverables

You are encouraged to post on the Challenge forum as many WIP images as you can. The minimum requirement is to submit an image for each of these milestones – Concept Sketch, Environment Modeling, Texturing, Lighting and Rendering Post Effects and Composting, Final Image. You need to submit two final images in this challenge – Exterior and Interior.

Final Images Submission

Your final two images dimensions should be in print resolution (as large as you can possibly render). As a guideline the minimum size of final images should be 3636×2657 or 2657×3636 depending on the proportions of your image (Portrait or Landscape). Try to avoid resizing to achieve this minimum.

Rules

  • You must register to the blog forums.
  • You must follow me on twitter. You don’t have to follow, but I’ll be happy if you do. 🙂
  • Employees of sponsors cannot enter this challenge.
  • Any image deemed to be the same or similar to one currently published will be disqualified for reasons of copyright liability.
  • Any imaging deemed to contain content that depicts explicit acts that are overtly violent, sexual, cruel or brutal will be disqualified.
  • You can use any kind of software to create your project (full licenses or trial demos allowed).
  • The work you submit to this Challenge must be your own personal works, groups and companies are not allowed.
  • Only one submission per artist is allowed
  • You must not publish the work during the Challenge outside the dedicated forum, you can link to it if you like.
  • The Challenge commences on 15 December 2009 and will run until 15 March 2010.
  • Final images submitted after 15 March 2010 will not participate in the judging stage.
  • To be qualified WIP (Work In Progress) images must have been submitted during the Challenge.
  • All winners are required to write ‘making of’ articles to be eligible for prizes.

Terms and Conditions for Artists

  • The sponsors of this Challenge may use short-listed and winning artwork for marketing purposes in the context of the Challenge.
  • The sponsors agree to clearly credit the artist if any of his artwork is used.
  • To be eligible for prizes, all winning contestants must provide detailed Making Of’s to be published on the blog.
  • ronenbekerman.com may use submitted artwork in on it’s website or other to promote or document the Challenge.
  • All artists will be contacted prior to any hard copy publishing for final image approval.
  • No artwork will be used in any media without clear credit being given to the artist.
  • No artwork will knowingly be sold, in whole or in part, by the sponsors outside of the context of the Challenge.
  • No artwork will be used outside the challenge without the artist’s prior consent.
  • Artists may to use the images created for personal promotion.

If you do not agree with any of the above terms and conditions, please do not enter the Challenge.

The Rules & Terms are subject to change.

Prizes & Sponsors

I am proud to present to you the Prizes & Sponsors for this blog’s Architectural Visualization Challenge I – The GH House. I would like to thank all the sponsors who kindly joined in and donated prizes that value over 12,000$ in total! Information about all the sponsors will follow the prize list below

Judges Favorites

  • LAUBlab, VRAYforC4D
  • Exlevel GrowFX 1.3
Award Prizes
Grand Prize
  • e-on Software Vue 8 xStream
  • Luxology Modo 401
  • Next Limit Maxwell Render 2
  • Informatix Piranesi 2010
  • Itoo Software Forest Pack Pro 3
  • Exlevel GrowFX 1.3
  • Epictor Tourist I Entourage People Pack
  • Epictor Travelers I Entourage People Pack
  • Premium3DModels office complete collection
  • Film Vault Studios 100 credits
1st Runner-Up
  • Chaosgroup V-Ray 1.5 (3dsmax or Maya)
  • Informatix Piranesi 2010
  • Itoo Software Forest Pack Pro 3
  • Exlevel GrowFX 1.3
  • Epictor Tourist I Entourage People Pack
  • Premium3DModels office furniture or office clutter
  • Film Vault Studios 75 credits
2nd Runner-Up
  • Next Limit Maxwell Render 2
  • Informatix Piranesi 2010
  • Itoo Software Forest Pack Pro 3
  • Exlevel GrowFX 1.3
  • Epictor Travelers I Entourage People Pack
  • Premium3DModels office furniture or office clutter
  • Film Vault Studios 50 credits
Honorable Mention
  • ASGVIS V-Ray for SketchUP or Rhino (first pick)
  • Exlevel GrowFX 1.3
  • Film Vault Studios 25 credits
People’s Choice
  • ASGVIS V-Ray for SketchUP or Rhino (second pick)
  • Film Vault Studios 25 credits

Prize & Sponsor Information

Sponsor: e-on SoftwareOfficialE-onLogo

Vue 8 xStream

E-on software is the leading developer of solutions for the creation, animation, rendering and integration of natural 3D environments. Offering a wide array of Digital Nature products and applications, e-on software provides solutions adapted to every project and budget. E-on software products are used worldwide by the film, television, architecture, game, science, educational and entertainment industries.

E-on software products were used in features film such as “Pirates of the Caribbean 2”, “Indiana Jones 4”, “Australia”, “Terminator 4”, “Land Of The Lost”, “KungFu Panda”, “Monster Vs Aliens”, “The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus”, “The Proposal”, “GI Joe – The Rise of The Cobra”, and TV series such as “Battlestar Gallactica”, “Stargate Atlantis” and more. Read more on these stories in e-on software’s Spotlights section: www.e-onsoftware.com/spotlight. The company has achieved worldwide reputation for its award winning 3D scenery generator Vue.

Sponsor: LuxologyLuxology

modo 401

modo 401 from Luxology (which shipped in June 2009) is the 4th major release of this modern 3D modeling, animation and rendering software for the Mac and PC. modo has been adding features to its software at a rapid clip and modo at 401 is now an end-to-end solution that encompasses modeling, sculpting, painting, animation and rendering in an artist-friendly user interface. More than just features, modo is a truly elegant integration of technology, raw horsepower and refined workflow.

The modo community is one of the most active 3D communities on the Web and is populated by many artists and designers working in design visualization and related fields. An extensive Gallery of rendered images and animations from modo users is maintained on the Luxology website and a free iPhone Gallery Viewer has recently been made available.

Sponsor: Next LimitMaxwell-Render

Maxwell Render 2

Maxwell Render™ is a rendering engine based on the mathematical equations governing light transport, meaning that all elements, such as emitters, materials and cameras, are derived from physically accurate models. Maxwell Render is unbiased, so no tricks are used to calculate the lighting solution in every pixel of a scene; the result will always be a correct solution, as it would be in the real world. Maxwell Render can fully capture all light interactions between all elements in a scene, and all lighting calculations are performed using spectral information and high dynamic range data.

Due to its very nature, Maxwell Render enables users to create accurate and extremely realistic images. Maxwell Render is a recognized standard in architectural visualization, product design, jewelry, film production, scientific research and other high-end rendering markets, and the leader in render quality.

Maxwell Render is a rendering engine that accepts models and scenes created in 3D or CAD applications. Several of these applications are directly supported through a Maxwell Render plug-in; others can be used in conjunction with Maxwell Render by importing the geometry into Maxwell Studio, a component of the software.

Sponsor: ChaosgroupChaosgroup

V-Ray 1.5

Chaos Group provides state of the art rendering solutions for architectural, VFX, film, media and entertainment, automotive design, television and other industries. V-Ray became rendering solution of choice for many 3D production houses due to its capability to deliver high quality photo-realistic images in the shortest time. In June 2009 Chaos Group officially released V-Ray RT – the first interactive renderer of it’s kind for 3ds Max. The power of this interactive ray-tracing technology changes the way 3D artists and visualization specialists approach the lighting and shading setup. Now they can use the V-Ray RT intuitive, time saving and highly interactive features to completely enjoy the creative side of the rendering process.

Our portfolio includes the following outstanding products: V-Ray for Autodesk®3ds Max®, V-Ray RT for Autodesk®3ds Max®, V-Ray for Autodesk® Maya®, SimCloth, and Pdplayer – the production oriented image sequence player and viewer for the CG industry.

Sponsor: ASGVISASGVIS

VRay for SketchUP, VRay for Rhino

Rhino and SketchUP users in all fields depend on the ASGVIS V-Ray plug-in as a quick, easy and cost-efficient way to render their most cutting-edge images. Developed with Chaos Group, V-Ray works with Google’s SketchUP and Robert McNeel & Associate’s Rhino 4.0, two of the most popular 3D modeling tools available today.

V-Ray’s robust ray-tracing engine and vast array of materials give designers the ability to generate photo-realistic images of outstanding quality. Top studios all over the world use V-Ray because of its rendering capabilities, making it the only rendering solution that will allow them to Render in Design-time.

Sponsor: Informatixpiranesi  logo

Piranesi 2010

No matter what the creative process, the first presentation of your ideas to potential clients is vitally important. Efforts to get the client to see, and ultimately approve, the concept as a whole (rather than focusing on the detail) can often result in the delivery of a loose and rather impressionistic visualization of the finished building, landscape or product.

Piranesi 2010 excels at turning your conceptual 3D models into wonderfully atmospheric, stylish and (most importantly) persuasive visualisations. Imbued with a whole host of effects that guide the focus of the client’s eye and attention to the key elements of your design, it can truly be a difference maker in the decision process.

Sponsor: Itoo Software

Forest Pack Pro 3

Forest Pack is a plugin for 3d Studio Max, designed to give a complete solution for creation of vast surfaces of trees, grass and plants. Forest enables you to combine billboards, high poly meshes and proxies, and using Mental Ray and V-Ray native shaders, create scenes with virtually unlimited number of objects and polygons.

Some of its features are: camera clipping, tint maps, clusters, tree editor, falloff curves, animation support, integrated library browser and much more. Working as an advanced scattering tool, Forest can be used not only for plants, but for any scene that include vast distributions of objects as: rocks, buildings or crowds.

Forest Lite, the free version of the plugin can be used for any personal or commercial project. Download it now and take advantage on the challenge!

Sponsor: ExlevelLogo_Exlevel_Clear

GrowFX 1.3

GrowFX is a system of modeling and animating plants for Autodesk 3ds Max.

Now you can recreate digitally a lifelike 3D model of any plant, from grass and trees to woodland. GrowFX lets you create broadleaf trees, conifers, palm trees, flowers, ivy and many other vegetational compositions. Its unique model building tools will help you create creeping plants, entwining scene objects, and shearing plants of any shape. Plants may bend around different objects. GrowFX is fully compatible with 3ds Max. All parameters can be animated. You can, for example, create a wind animation, plant growth animation and other kinds of animation you can imagine. There is also an opportunity to edit the parameters using MAXScript.

Sponsor: Epictorepictor

Entourage People Packs

Epictor has identified the main needs of digital artists and provides pictures for your visualizations in the highest quality. Epictor content is ready-to-use without any need to rework in particular without halos or artefacts, 100% reliability on pictures quality, up-to-date fashion and natural poses. To convince every user of its quality, epictor offers a completely free sample image to its registered users every month.

Epictor was founded by three young professionals from Germany. Felix Nienstaedt and Claude Wantz, both visualisation artists and architects, and Simon Smend, economist from Berlin.

Sponsor: Premium3DModelspremiumlogo180

3D Model Packs

Due to our experience in the architectural visualization field we feel that we understand exactly what a digital artist needs from a purchased model, and we always do our best to meet the highest quality standards. Even though there are plenty of other 3d models collections on the market that help you save time and money, we are confident that if you choose to work with our 3d models, your renderings won’t look similar to others, and will help you stand out in front of your competition.

All the 3d models that we provide are highly detailed which makes them suitable for extreme close-ups and come with the material settings for V-Ray. For the time being, we only provide the models in “.max” (version 9) format, but we hope that shortly we will be able to offer multiple formats as well.

Sponsor: Film Vault Studios

More information about this sponsor will be posted soon.

Sponsor: LAUBlab, VRAYforC4D

More information about this sponsor and the VRAYforC4D prize assignment will be posted soon.