ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Tuesday 16 December 2014

WHY? (16/12/14)

Sometimes I despair. Why did I start such a complicated GIF card for Christmas? I have three days to complete the job and the biggest problem is that I am going to have to use a Nodes editor as I can’t get the control over the materials in either Cycles render or Blender Render. I have managed to get along a bit further but it is very hard going.

This is as far as I’ve got in blender I have the sphere and star on one layer and the Merry Christmas on another. I can get the orb and star to rotate one way and the text to rotate another but it still isn’t right. It is 3D as you can see from these screen grabs.16-12-2014 11-46-30

16-12-2014 11-45-14

16-12-2014 11-48-38 Ignore the big flat thing that is just a big softbox and won’t render, nor will the circle which is a Bezier curve to lock the text to so it rotates and doesn’t bugger off to who knows where.

XMASNUMBER 1 This is quick render. It needs considerably more experimentation both with texture and lighting. 

XMASNUMBER 4  This is a mock up of the sort of thing I’m trying to achieve. I will try the 3D bit on White and pop blend mode to Multiply. This is blended to Lighten or screen but it isn’t what I imagined.

I wanted to get rid of the ball and star and have the rotating lettering orbit the mountain but that is beyond me. I may make the mountain much smaller and have the 3D bit perform in the sky. I don’t have anything too weird on the lettering which is always a problem. The letter ‘M’ had a few odd artefacts but they haven’t rendered so that is a bonus.

I wish I’d just settled for something simple like a few twinkling lights. I spent ages animating light swirls but now can’t think what to do with them. I have also popped the tiny particle emitters on the star to one side. If I have a good day tomorrow I may give them another go. I will sleep on it. I could always get rid of the mountain or cut it out and pop it on a mesh. It won’t be 3D but if I’m cunning with the camera angle and lighting perhaps no one will notice.

Have fun.

 

32 comments:

  1. How are you feeling Adrian health wise? Has your coughing stopped?
    Oh Adrian it is very nice what you consider not finalized. You amaze me.

    sparkle7@hotmail.ca
    Carol Ann My site is Imagination

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    1. Carolann, I am fine now thank you. I often bite off more than I can chew. I'll get something sorted.

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  2. Wow. I am sure the final card will be all so worth it.

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    1. Lady L , you are more confident than I am.

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  3. Hmmm....if only I could help you I would, Adrian. But I have NO idea what this is about (although the pictures are very clever).

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    1. Frances, there are too many hours of darkness. I have to find something silly to do.

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  4. Why? Because you enjoy it. And because it's fun. And because you'll be proud of the final outcome, as well you should.

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    1. Hilary, I do enjoy the challenge. I hope I can get something interesting sorted.

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  5. Hala a por ella...Seguro que nos dejas una buena felicitación de navidad ;))
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Laura, que aún no está terminado, pero en caso de que salga mal tiene una muy feliz Navidad.

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  6. It's easier just to say I hate Xmas, bah humbug lol

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    1. Douglas it is much easier. I don't like Christmas but it gives me an excuse to mess around.

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  7. The holidays are such a mess. Why even bother with this silly time of year?:) I say go have some fun out in the field, Although I think you enjoy these kinds of challenges:)

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    1. Chris, I really enjoy playing with images but don't like Christmas.

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  8. Adrian,
    I think there is a bit of a Santa-wizard in you to even come up with the idea, never mind get the co-operation of the cyber-gods with the delivery of your message. Wappy Christmas to you, too.
    McGregor

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    1. Sorry! That was supposed to be "A HAPPY Christmas to you, too!" M

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    2. McGregor, I think Wappy is better.

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  9. Adrian, it gave me brain ache reading about your render blender exploits in your last few posts, I hate to think how it was/is affecting yours.... I guess a little dram of campanology soothes it though?

    It does look like all the hard work is coming good, I'm looking forward to seeing the final result,

    I hope you've sorted a less involved card as back up?...I would hate to be disappointed!...[;o)

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    1. Trevor, I have given up the bell ringing for advent. It is challenging. Don't worry I can always do something simple if this fails to materialize. I won't leave folk cardless.

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  10. Now that's what I call putting effort in Adrian. Makes my cheap Christmas cards look a bit naff.

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    1. Adam, it is dark for over eighteen hours a day even on a good day. On bad days it barely gets light. This keeps me out of the pub.

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  11. A lot of work Adrian.

    I reckon Doug's got the right idea though.
    Just another day for some of us.

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    1. Keith, it will be for me. I'm heading to Loch Ness for Christmas.

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  12. You wished the right people to have fun because you are the one who's really having fun with this project. You will certainly know what a feeling of accomplishment is like when you finish.

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    1. Red, even if it all comes to nought then I have learned quite a lot already.

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  13. 1D ... 2D ... 3D ... don't matter ... as long u have a wonderful time ... merry x mas, Adrian ... Love, cat.

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    1. ... kisses to ur pooches ... smiles.

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    2. Thanks Cat, you have a great Christmas. The dogs are fine but a bit windy.

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  14. Adrian you do like a challenge, I think it is pretty amazing. Sure makes what I can do on photoshop look pale,
    Best of the season to you

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    1. Gillian, it is all about the challenge.
      I just want something of medium difficulty to work and look attractive.
      You have a good Christmas.

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  15. Much easier to get some plain card and envelopes. Quick sketch of a snowman with a felt tip pen and voila! Original Xmas card ready to post.

    Have fun.

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    1. YP, you are right.
      I had a good day Blundering yesterday. I hope that today will crack the job.

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