Fri, Mar 29, 7:06 AM CDT

marforno April '04 Merchant of the Month!

Apr 01, 2004 at 12:00 am by ClintH


How did you get started in 3D Graphics? I was at work one day and I needed an animation for a Flash movie. A friend told me about a program called Poser that could do the trick, so I tried it. After about 4 days of working non-stop, I had acquired most of the basic Poser knowledge I needed to become a Poser junkie. Then I joined the Poser 101 Yahoo newsgroup, where I met some wonderful people who helped me a lot. How long have you been working with 3D Graphics? For approximately 3 years. I posted my first images at Renderosity in May 2001. They were mainly simple renders with lots of Photoshop. Then, at this time, I got really obsessed in exploring how far this application could reach. It was actually an image by SkoolDaze called "The mouth of the cave" done in Bryce, that changed my conception forever of this new media. I moved into Bryce immediately and I remember spending a great deal of time trying to get the hang of it. Bryce can be a big pain in the neck for a beginner, but I was lucky because I met one of the masters, Kees Roobol. He took the time to make me tutorials and to answer a million questions. Then modeling came to me as a consequence of the lack of modeling tools in Bryce. Do you have any formal training? No, not in 3D. More or less related to what I do now, is the fact that I am/was a professional photographer, and a programmer analyst who abandoned programming for the multimedia business. All my knowledge in 3D comes from long hours of studying and practicing. I am very fortunate though, because since the beginning I have had the help and advice of one of the best modellers on the planet, my friend Abraham. He never gets tired of helping me to improve my modeling, sometimes showing me the how to or just pointing me where the sources are, and then coming back to make sure that I got it and poor me if I didn't. What software do you use for product development? I use many different programs, depending on what I am trying to achieve, but I do believe that the best results in architecture modeling can be accomplished with MAX. I am a MAX guy basically. I am far from being a master in the program, but I try very hard to learn as much as I can every day. How much time is required for product development? This really depends a lot on how complex the project is. We never really know how complex it will be until it is finished, because our creative process as a team is improvisation. I start making individual props and scenes, and then we select some. Our selections give the project a natural path and direction, and then it just seems to come to life from that point and almost completes itself, so-to-speak. Can you give a brief overview of your development cycle for a new product? I spend a great deal of time on the telephone with my partner, Danie, kicking around ideas for new projects and packages. After we come up with a concept we both like, I sit down and start modeling. I very seldom make a sketch or draw anything or paper beforehand. I like to see modeling like I see jazz ... I just take the concept and run with it, letting my imagination and creativity take over, listening to the music in my head. :-) Sometimes I will ask Danie to make a specific pose with a Poser model, and actually model around that pose, keeping in mind what it will look like in Poser, how the lighting will look, what the possible camera angles are, etc. Once I have something I like, I apply some provisional textures to it and send it to Danie, who is so fantastic at adding the right textures, geometry ripping, scene construction, and lighting. Where does your inspiration come from when developing new products? My inspiration comes from many sources, but it comes mainly from my love for architecture. In the past I was fortunate enough to have been able to travel around the world. I was able to study and touch real wonders of the past, in the old world and in the Americas from Rome to the fortress of Sacsahuaman in Cuzco, Peru and Macchu Pichu. I don't normally try to replicate buildings, because I am modeling for Poser and all must be dwarfed proportionally or you simply are out of the Poser window, and the interaction with a Poser character would be impossible. Just think for a second, an Egyptian column is actually 15 meters high (50 feet)! Do you have any advice for aspiring Digital Content Developers? I believe the main thing anyone must do is to find a "niche", and look for something original, something difficult to find. But above all this, you have to persevere, to study, and to practice your chosen craft. For instance, modeling requires a great deal of discipline and the old trial an error process. Just keep on doing it. If it is difficult, let it rest for a while and come back later, but never, ever quit. I think that this is true of anything, whether its modeling, creating textures, or what-have-you. If you want to be the best, you have to work for it, and it will all be worth it. How has Renderosity's on-line community played a role in regards to your products, friendships and learning? Renderosity is an incredible place that I like to call home my Home and Alma Mater." I have found wonderful friends here, transcending borders, beliefs, and doctrines. Friends like Debbie M. who is responsible for me becoming a merchant in the first place; Kiera, a wonderful artist in many disciplines; Danie, an extraordinarily talented person, just to mention the 3 that I have worked with. If I made a list of everyone who has influenced me, or inspired me, or helped me along the way, I think it would be way too long to post here, but I think they all know who they are. ::wink:: Do you have any final words? I would like to thank all my customers, for their undying support these last 3 years, you have been incredible! I would also like to thank: My partner Debbie M without you I wouldn't be a merchant. My partner Danie without you Spatz, I wouldn't be here. My Friend Abraham for all your time and patience... merci Jean-Luc. And in a very special way: Lorraine (Rhiannon), Carol (Rockets), Rose (rjghise), Orietta (luciferino), Leah (Turtle), Joan (Kinouk), Ilona, Michelle (jeweldragon), Mike (Mike0), Michelle (Crasher). Thanks to all for your time.
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