Modeling Contest 23 - 3 Tier Building

[anarchianbedlam]

3-TIER BUILDING

Contestants are asked to model a 3-tier building.
A structure that can be 'upgraded' a minimum of
2 times. This does not mean that it has 2 alternate
upgrades, the upgrades must be "tiered".

• No submission may violate any Hive Workshop site rules.
  
  • This includes, but is not limited to, using other people's work (partially or otherwise) without express permission
• You must post at least 1 WIP preview before the deadline.
• You may make as many models as you want, however pick only one for the final judge's evaluation.
• To qualify for entry, you must post your model(s) in .mdx format, and a screenshot of the model.
• You must post your entry before the deadline expires and attach it to a post.
• You must make the model for this competition, which means that you cannot use old works.
• Your model must have these minimum animations:
  
  • Birth
  • Birth Upgrade First
  • Birth Upgrade Second
  • Death
  • Decay
  • Portrait
  • Stand
  • Stand Upgrade First
  • Stand Upgrade Second
    --OPTIONAL--
  • Death Upgrade First
  • Death Upgrade Second
  • Portrait Upgrade First
  • Portrait Upgrade Second
  • Stand Work
  • Stand Work First
  • Stand Work Second

The Judge's score shall be taken out of 100 points for the following categories

MESH	The geometry of the model, the wireframe that gives your model a physical form and silhouette. Does the shape look clean or deformed? Are all ends capped, are there any stray faces, etc?	25 points
ANIMATIONS	The movement of your model. The animations give your model life, character, a personality. Are these animations smooth or choppy? Are they organic or cold and robotic, was this intended? Do the animations deform or clip parts of the mesh?	10 points
UV/SKIN	The skin, or texture of a model expresses many important aspects of the character. Is the texture well made; is it blurry, does it have a pleasant color scheme, does it have detail, etc? Or, if blizzard textures were used, how well was it wrapped? Are there parts that are clipped, misaligned or stretched?	20 points
CREATIVITY	The Overall concept of your model, it's essence. Is this a creative idea? Or, if the general idea has been used before, how has the creator 'made it his own'? What has he added to make it special, or different from the ones that have come before him?	20 points
MECHANICS	Does this model work ingame, in all aspects of wc3? Is it visible when imported, is the texture pathname hard to import, are chunks of the mesh loose and flying around, is the texture the correct proportion, is the model a relatively manageable size (in kilobytes), do all the animations play properly ingame, do all the particles/ribbon emitters work, and so on. How well does this model fit in wc3? would it be useful in a map or would it look better in crysis 2?	15 points
EFFECTS	The ol' "razzle-dazzle". Special effects add a factor of 'shock and awe'. Particle emitters, ribbon emitters, and sometimes geometry (such as shockwave planes or 3d-debris) are part of the animation process, but their implementation is less essential. However, good effects can greatly increase the quality of a model.	10 points

Final Score will be taken out of...

Judge's Score	Public Poll
60%	40%

__________________________________________

If you would like to judge the contest simply make a post in this thread stating so. You need to be a user who is knowledgeable in the process of modeling, animating, UV wrapping, and creating particles; and who is known to judge objectively;

- Mechanical Man -
- Anarchianbedlam -

1st [50] reputation points and your entry on an award icon 2st [35] reputation points and an award icon 3st [20] reputation points and an award icon	BEGINS ENDS MARCH 10th APRIL 28th You have 7 weeks, 49 days, or 1176 hours to complete your submission.

I will list the participants here as they enter

Participant	Status
Anarchianbedlam	Procrastinating
Wandering Soul	Is now a "WONDERING" soul -Completed Entry- Got soul, but he ain't a sol-dier
Red Baron	His milkshape brings all the boys
Radagast	Has teh awzum drawings
Revilo & M0rbid	Has Phallus on the mind Took me 1176 hours to make.... this. -Completed Entry- Protoss are now canon
Mr. Bob	Took a Dump
Shamanyouranus	Chronic procrastinator
Mechanical Man	Being a smartass
Massivemaster	And now for something completely different How very.... "primative" action figures sold seperately -Completed Entry- OH LOOK! I ACTUALLY FOLLOWED THE THEME!
Eubz	BIODOMEHOME! "Changes of mind" you say? Has made... a snowglobe? -Completed Entry- His crystal balls will tell your future
skrab	Puff the magic Dragon Ol' Reliable Cant get a good night's rest -Completed Entry- Oh look, a castle
Nhazul	TROGDOOORRRR!
Tirlititi	Lean, Mean, and GREEEEENNN Is just about to... wrap this up. -Completed Entry- Will be skinned alive
HappyCock	Roach NOW HE'S A MAN! A MANLY MANMAN!
Proxy	Thought he would slitheryn Enter his dojo of mojo -Completed Entry- he knows kung-fu
-Grendel	Is of the asian persuasion
Contestant 17

:IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This modeling contest is OPTIONALLY PAIRED. Meaning that if you choose, you may pair up with 1 (and only one) other user to create your submission. For example, you can have 1 modeler and 1 texturer; or 1 geometry/animator and 1 particle worker, etc. any combination is acceptable, be sure to describe what each team member did in your final submission.

and as a small side note, if a user wanted to team up with two separate people for this contest (i.e. a texture artist making 2 skins for 2 contestants, or a particle worker helping 2 people), then in the unlikely event that both teams win, the user who worked on 2 teams would only get the larger sum award. (i.e. his 2 textures won 2nd and 3rd place, so he only gets the second place rep award)..... and no duplicate teams, wise-ass

POLL | RESULTS

 

[anarchianbedlam]

I cant really say how well it actually works, but i do try to make these contests a little better each time. Last time there were complaints that 'fittingness into wc3' was not taken into consideration for judging, so a small rework in points will hopefully guide judges to consider how well a model fits in wc3 when looking at the mechanics of the model. In addition, points for mesh were increased, since this is a building contest and the majority of your work will be making a good looking mesh.

As always, good luck to all participants and i look forward to seeing some unique ideas and great artwork for this contest.

 

[Wandering Soul]

Count Me In...!
I have something in mind...

 

[RED BARON]

Hmm well, if I figure out a good way to get my fbx files converted or dust of my milkshape I will be joining given the good time limit we have.

 

[Radagast]

blargh

Ill be trying to do something like this awesome drawing.

 

[M0rbid]

And then....
a giant phallus broke through the ground...

and the world was stunned.

 

[Mr. Bob]

Dumpin' wips.

 

[shamanyouranus]

Looks awesome boob, but is that a WIP progression or are those the three tiers? Because they all look the same.

 

[Mr. Bob]

Tiers. Tiers of Joy.

I may do something else though. I'm not really happy with it at all. Or not. I may keep it. Depends on which way the river of lazyness flows.

 

[Mechanical Man]

Hm only 3 contestant places avalaible

 

[MassiveMaster]

Hey, great theme.
I'll probably participate.
My idea for now is some kind of a 3-tiered castle/keep (also it may be a bit unoriginal).

 

[anarchianbedlam]

Hm only 3 contestant places avalaible

i updated it for you? any better?

 

[eubz]

I don't know if this would pass as WIP.

 

[skrab]

Here is what I am currently working on. It is still a early work in progress.
This will be some sort of a sorcerer's dragon tower. I still don't know how to name it.

(1)On a base level sorcerer has this young baby dragon living on top of his tower.
(2)On the first upgrade dragon gets his own tower with a nest, but he is not yet ready for the battle. He is still learning how to fly.
(3)On a second upgrade he gets a bigger tower and nest. Now the sorcerer is ready to summon him on to the battlefield.

I am not sure about birth animations yet. I was thinking about to make the sorcerer summon the objects from the ground or something. Or I will make a small construction site like on my Barracks model.

So this will feature a sorcerer and a dragon. Both of them will require a texture and animations so I will be forced to ask someone to do the texture work.

 

[anarchianbedlam]

Here is what I am currently working on. It is still a early work in progress.
This will be some sort of a sorcerer's dragon tower. I still don't know how to name it.

(1)On a base level sorcerer has this young baby dragon living on top of his tower.
(2)On the first upgrade dragon gets his own tower with a nest, but he is not yet ready for the battle. He is still learning how to fly.
(3)On a second upgrade he gets a bigger tower and nest. Now the sorcerer is ready to summon him on to the battlefield.

I am not sure about birth animations yet. I was thinking about to make the sorcerer summon the objects from the ground or something. Or I will make a small construction site like on my Barracks model.

So this will feature a sorcerer and a dragon. Both of them will require a texture and animations so I will be forced to ask someone to do the texture work.

arent you glad this is optionally paired?

 

[RED BARON]

Here is what I am currently working on. It is still a early work in progress.

Gotta ask, what modeling program are you using?

 

[skrab]

Gotta ask, what modeling program are you using?

Right now I am on my new machine using 3Ds max 2012 (Win7).
But for animating and Wc3 export I will use 3Ds max 5 on my old WinXp machine. It will be an pain in the ass since my old Sempron can't handle more then 3000 polygons on the screen.

I could try virtual XP >.>

 

[Geries]

Any model scale restriction?

 

[Tirlititi]

I'll try that !

I began to make some kind of primitive wood building. Hopefully I won't make something too awful .

 

[MassiveMaster]

Here is a first sketch of the castle/keep I'll do:

 

[NhazUl]

Well, here comes a concept. A futuristic undead metallic robotic transforming main building.

Bob, skrab, awesome WIPs.

 

[RED BARON]

Right now I am on my new machine using 3Ds max 2012 (Win7).
But for animating and Wc3 export I will use 3Ds max 5 on my old WinXp machine. It will be an pain in the ass since my old Sempron can't handle more then 3000 polygons on the screen.

I could try virtual XP >.>

Yea, was asking since its the conversion that will prove troublesome for me I fear.. But heck - I'll create it, then I can worry about export afterwards.

Looks awesome boob, but is that a WIP progression or are those the three tiers? Because they all look the same.

They do actually look different from one another, stuff is added on.

 

[Misha]

lol why wasn't this around when i was making my naga citadel? xD

 

[Mechanical Man]

So you can make more epic naga citadel.

Anyway, if I don't enter, I can volunteer for a judge. And I promise I won't be procrastinating so much like last time.

 

[eubz]

I have some change of mind from the last WIP I have. Not really that far.

 

[MassiveMaster]

My first wip (of the third tier):

@eubz and Mr. Bob:
Nice wips, but would be cool if you'd write a bit what they are supposed to be (maybe more than 'a tiered building' ).

 

[Mechanical Man]

hm, 10 day and no posts?

 

[RED BARON]

I was surprised by that as well.. I haven't posted a WIP as of yet, since I need to pass an exam in two days and even then I need to figure out how to get my model from maya to mdx format.

 

[Deolrin]

Well, what did you expect? The theme is 3-tier buildings. D:

 

[skrab]

hm, 10 day and no posts?

A wild real life projects appear!
-exams
-10000€ project management
-2 book designs and edits
-5 billboards design
-1000€ project management
-1 web design
-posters, billboards, flyers and brochures for some project
-..
-Modeling contest 23

All of that in the next 4 months.

I was surprised by that as well.. I haven't posted a WIP as of yet, since I need to pass an exam in two days and even then I need to figure out how to get my model from maya to mdx format.

I don't think there is a real Maya mdx exporter. You will have to send it to 3Ds max or some other modeling software that has a proper mdx export.

Well, what did you expect? The theme is 3-tier buildings. D:

Yes. Too much animation time is required.

 

[Deolrin]

I've had a few ideas so far. I may go with some kind of a living place that gets better with each upgrade. E.g, from a simple shack\hut\farmhouse into a city building and then a noble manor.

 

[RED BARON]

I don't think there is a real Maya mdx exporter. You will have to send it to 3Ds max or some other modeling software that has a proper mdx export.

Well as long as it converts both uv and anims thats fine by me Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Mechanical Man]

A wild real life projects appear!
-exams
-10000€ project management
-2 book designs and edits
-5 billboards design
-1000€ project management
-1 web design
-posters, billboards, flyers and brochures for some project
-..
-Modeling contest 23

All of that in the next 4 months.

But you are not only contestant here and not everyone has these project managements, so I expected at least some posts, not entries or wips. After all in many contests, most of the posts is pointless crap talk.

 

[Radagast]

I blame the contest theme... buildings are bad... really bad.

 

[anarchianbedlam]

this is without a doubt the second easiest theme in existence (the first being a ROCK doodad) and you guys are complaining? seriously?

 

[Deolrin]

this is without a doubt the second easiest theme in existence (the first being a ROCK doodad) and you guys are complaining? seriously?

How is that an easy theme at all? Just coming up with a good idea is difficult enough, but then there's also the fact that you're essentially modelling 3 full buildings, and then animating them. :|

Either way, if all goes well, I'm entering the contest with NFWar. We don't have a concept yet, but we're brainstorming.

 

[anarchianbedlam]

This. THIS is why buildings is the easiest theme ever.
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/models.php?u=Mr.%20Bob

It doesnt need to turn into a monkey and do a backflip while on fire. It just needs to have a door. and walls.

 

[Deolrin]

Mr. Bob's models are incredibly complex and awesome. I don't understand your point. Attachments are an easy theme, doodads are an easy theme, tier 1 unit is an easy theme. Buildings have lots of tiny details and TONS of polies, and texturing them(or finding textures for them) is difficult. And should I repeat myself? This is 3-tier building contest, not just building contest. That requires you to make three distinct buildings, each with their own silhouette while in-game. Like the Town Hall, Keep and Castle.

 

[RED BARON]

-snip-

You forgot to mention animations for standing still, working, upgrading so forth. But all of it is essentially up to one self. Creating 3 building can be a very hard or a very easy task depending on the amount of work invested in it. Personally I am going to make mine fairly complex, but nothing before I figure out how to convert it (starting my studio max).

 

[Dionesiist]

You guys should change the theme to BUILDING MIMICS. Yanno, buildings that come to life!

 

[MassiveMaster]

Mr. Bob's models are incredibly complex and awesome. I don't understand your point. Attachments are an easy theme, doodads are an easy theme, tier 1 unit is an easy theme. Buildings have lots of tiny details and TONS of polies, and texturing them(or finding textures for them) is difficult. And should I repeat myself? This is 3-tier building contest, not just building contest. That requires you to make three distinct buildings, each with their own silhouette while in-game. Like the Town Hall, Keep and Castle.

Oh come on, you don't really make 3 buildings. The object of making a tiered building is that you keep part of your building mesh and just add/change stuff to it in the different animation sequences. Like the clock tower, the ground and the surrounding wall from the Town Hall is also in the Keep and just the hall building changes etc.

By the way, I like your idea of making an upgradable living place. If you can do this by keeping part of the mesh in each animation and don't replace everything, this could turn out very nice.

You forgot to mention animations for standing still, working, upgrading so forth. But all of it is essentially up to one self. Creating 3 building can be a very hard or a very easy task depending on the amount of work invested in it. Personally I am going to make mine fairly complex, but nothing before I figure out how to convert it (starting my studio max).

Yes, there are alot of animation sequences to do, but for buildings they can be very simple as there the mesh/texturing is much more important I think.

Ah and shouldn't 'Portrait' be an optional animation. I don't think that for building models a portrait animation is really that important (or even necessary). A normal portrait camera should be enough in my opinion. Can this be changed?

You guys should change the theme to BUILDING MIMICS. Yanno, buildings that come to life!

I wouldn't like that. You could do this in another contest, but pls don't change the current theme.

 

[Mr. Bob]

Mr. Bob's models are incredibly complex and awesome. I don't understand your point. Attachments are an easy theme, doodads are an easy theme, tier 1 unit is an easy theme. Buildings have lots of tiny details and TONS of polies, and texturing them(or finding textures for them) is difficult. And should I repeat myself? This is 3-tier building contest, not just building contest. That requires you to make three distinct buildings, each with their own silhouette while in-game. Like the Town Hall, Keep and Castle.

They really aren't. Honestly, those models are easier to make than anything I've ever made ever. You don't have to worry about so many things that you otherwise would. It's sheer poly work.

 

[Mechanical Man]

The thing is that if you pick a hero model, you add some feathers, bigger sword and altering textures a little and it seems totally another model. For buildings you need far more details. And also transfering animation in units it's cheap easy. For buildings you need way more skill, even though it seems very easy at start.

 

[Direfury]

Have you ever tried making a hero? The texture, animations, mesh and, well, everything?

A building is a cakewalk compared to all.

 

[Mr. Bob]

The thing is that if you pick a hero model, you add some feathers, bigger sword and altering textures a little and it seems totally another model. For buildings you need far more details. And also transfering animation in units it's cheap easy. For buildings you need way more skill, even though it seems very easy at start.

You aren't talking about modeling. You're talking about geomerging here. For those of us who model from the ground up, buildings are incredibly easy comparatively.

 

[Mechanical Man]

Yes, but most of models are edits.

 

[anarchianbedlam]

then why not edit a building? combine the elf 'houses' with the human town hall, or combine the orc demolisher with a bunch of orc burrows. This was the contest theme that won the vote. And participation isnt mandatory... i dont really see the point of complaining.

 

[Direfury]

For fun?

 

[Tirlititi]

So, half of the time has passed and there is my first WIP.
It has nothing to do with a primitive wood building but whatever .
I want to make a building half-metal half-obisidian. It seems weird even to me...

WIP

Don't be too rude, please, I'm not a modeler at first ^^'. I can't even imagine how skrab made a such "presentable" building so fast .

Texturing really frightens me :/.

 

[Mechanical Man]

It looks damn awesome. But how you will separate it in 3 tiers? Also it needs texture until I can really judge it.