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    The Art of SketchUp - part 1: Fantasy

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    • ken28875K Offline
      ken28875
      last edited by

      Hi Pete,

      I apologize for the late reply. I am always busy like crazy and somehow can't find time to catch up with all my emails and replying to everyone. Although I do read people's posts regularly, it might take days for me to be able to reply.

      I am sorry to hear about your bad experience with Simcity.

      Some of your questions are mostly about the design, and being in the art team, I don't know much about why it is now a multi-player game instead of single-player game, or why the biggest size is 5 miles. ๐Ÿ˜ข

      Actually, the past few years have seen the boom of online games (MMO) as well as Facebook games. Maybe that's why Simcity follows the trend.

      As for as the server problem, one of my friends from EA/Maxis wrote to me:
      *We knew server stability would be extremely important since playing the game requires you to be online, but the exact opposite happenedโ€ฆ First there was an issue with Origin and people not being able to download the game, then the server load issues hit and lots of people couldnโ€™t play the game for several days. The online and server teams worked feverishly last week to try to solve the problems. They added more servers towards the end of the week to handle the traffic, but by then, the internet was totally fired up about our botched launch. Amazon stopped selling our game for a time because there were so many irate people whoโ€™d bought the game and couldnโ€™t play and wanted refunds. Words Iโ€™ve heard from gamer friends and reviewers alike characterize our launch as the โ€œWorst Launch Ever.โ€

      Anyway, server situation aside ( I believe itโ€™s better now) most reviewers are really liking the game (once they can play). Hopefully this will blow over and people will see the game for what it is, rather than what the launch has been. On the bright side, I havenโ€™t read a review yet that has mentioned anything negative about the art- all seem to praise it.*

      For more information, you can read the article in Gamasutra (that's where I get all the industry news):
      Opinion: SimCity launch debacle comes down to mismanaged expectations
      http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/188575/Opinion_SimCity_launch_debacle_comes_down_to_mismanaged_expectations.php#.UUNECxyTiKU

      Latest news:

      โ€˜SimCityโ€™: Big sales numbers despite online backlash
      http://herocomplex.latimes.com/games/simcity-big-sales-numbers-despite-online-backlash/

      Your Complete Guide To The SimCity Disaster
      http://kotaku.com/5991077/your-complete-guide-to-the-simcity-disaster

      Maxis attempts to explain why SimCity is always-online as players discover code for 20-min offline force-shutdown timer
      http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-18-maxis-attempts-to-explain-why-simcity-is-always-online-as-players-discover-code-for-20-min-force-shutdown-timer-for-offline

      Please be patient and try the game again and I am sure you will enjoy.

      By the way, I just received my free copy from Maxis a few days ago. But I don't think I will have time to play.

      Have a great week! โ˜€

      _KN

      Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
      http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
      My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
      http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
      My interview with Nomer:
      http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

      Follow Your Dreams.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • ken28875K Offline
        ken28875
        last edited by

        Hi there,

        I have been busy again working on a new game. I got this contract job last month.

        I am working for Activision/Toys for Bob. For those of you who have kids or you play the game yourself, you probably heard about this big hit video called Skylanders. The company I am doing concepts for created Skylanders (http://www.skylanders.com/). I am now working on an unannounced game.

        I got an email from the Art Driector telling me he was looking for an environment concept artist. After the first phone call interview, he told me he would get back to me as he was also talking to other candidates. Each night for almost a week after we talked, I worked on some personal concepts to show him what I can do. Knowing they created Skylanders, I did some concepts in the same style. The Art Director got back to me and asked me to come to the office. I thought it was for a second interview. But actually when I came to see him, he wanted me to work right away. ๐Ÿ˜

        Here are the samples of concepts I sent him to convince him to hire me. ๐Ÿ˜‰ All of these are Sketchup + Vray + Photoshop.

        Take care,

        _KN

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_02_zps327badcc.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_02_skp_wireframe_zpsf6c43fb5.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_03_zps3fae871a.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_03_skp_wireframe_zps5efbc56e.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_01_zps8a317e33.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_01_skp_wireframe_zps232de053.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_interior_01_zps82276fe2.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_interior_01_skp_wireframe_zpsed40ec6a.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_interior_02_zps304072e4.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_interior_02_skp_wireframe_zpsa79a58c0.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_interior_03_zps81a95452.jpg

        http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Art of Sketchup - Fantasy 2/Skylanders-inspired/Skylanders_inspired_concept_interior_03_skp_wireframe_zpscfcfaa45.jpg

        My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
        http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/
        Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
        http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
        My interview with Nomer:
        http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html

        Follow Your Dreams.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • hellnbakH Offline
          hellnbak
          last edited by

          He would have been a fool not to hire you.

          Someday they're gonna have to do a study of your brain to see where all these amazing ideas come from. And then hopefully clone that portion and have it implanted in my poor little excuse for a brain. ๐Ÿ˜†

          "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • cottyC Offline
            cotty
            last edited by

            Congratulations! I would hire you too if I were a company.

            my SketchUp gallery

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • ely862meE Offline
              ely862me
              last edited by

              You are a true artist, I love your imagination ! Keep it up !

              Elisei (sketchupper)


              Before no life was done on Earth it was THE LIFE ITSELF...GOD
              Come and See EliseiDesign

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              • ken28875K Offline
                ken28875
                last edited by

                @hellnbak said:

                He would have been a fool not to hire you.

                Someday they're gonna have to do a study of your brain to see where all these amazing ideas come from. And then hopefully clone that portion and have it implanted in my poor little excuse for a brain. ๐Ÿ˜†

                Hi Mr. M. LOL, thanks for your comment. Yes, please do study my brain. I would also love to find out what's in there. I keep hearing voices in my head telling me to build crazy Sketchup models. The more fantastic, the better. ๐Ÿ˜†

                @cotty said:

                Congratulations! I would hire you too if I were a company.

                Thanks for your kind comment, Carsten. ๐Ÿ‘

                @ely862me said:

                You are a true artist, I love your imagination ! Keep it up !

                Thank you, Elisei. Much appreciated. ๐Ÿ˜„

                Good day/evening/or night to you!

                _KN

                Follow Your Dreams.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • pilouP Offline
                  pilou
                  last edited by

                  I suppose some are yours ? ๐Ÿ˜‰

                  Frenchy Pilou
                  Is beautiful that please without concept!
                  My Little site :)

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • ken28875K Offline
                    ken28875
                    last edited by

                    [quote="Pilou"]I suppose some are yours ? ๐Ÿ˜‰

                    Oui, oui. Some of them are mine. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Do you play the game, Pilou?

                    @ Pete (Solo): in case you read this post, were you finally able to play and enjoy Simcity?

                    Good day to you.

                    _KN

                    Follow Your Dreams.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • pbacotP Offline
                      pbacot
                      last edited by

                      Love all of your work, Ken. I appreciate the artistry you used in using the Skylander style in various ways, so all the models carry the same graphic and fantasy world character! Then you are doing all the composition and coloring for a finished presentation-- all with the same feel.! Wow!

                      MacOSX MojaveSketchUp Pro v19 Twilight v2 Thea v3 PowerCADD

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                      • pilouP Offline
                        pilou
                        last edited by

                        @unknownuser said:

                        Do you play the game, Pilou?

                        No Sorry, I had play the old versions in the past! ๐Ÿ˜ณ

                        I prefer now more zen game! ๐Ÿ˜Ž
                        10 minutes for learning rules, 9 lives for arrive to the nirvana! ๐Ÿค“
                        (it's not me ๐Ÿ’š

                        http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvfmp1EzrZQ/T474Oq7uyuI/AAAAAAAAAI0/dxm7_kxQQZQ/s640/59601879.jpg

                        http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RT9Qj0YlS_Y/T474fK9t1MI/AAAAAAAAAKs/9BkVSIS4xcw/s640/goban-cover-2.jpg

                        http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tuI3716sPYU/T474gi3GPzI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Zo1fiFbr13U/s640/j-go-goban.jpg

                        http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDpFsNwSGXA/T474Q5x67GI/AAAAAAAAAJU/f4ZsJ2uZsgE/s640/59602290.jpg

                        Frenchy Pilou
                        Is beautiful that please without concept!
                        My Little site :)

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • ken28875K Offline
                          ken28875
                          last edited by

                          @pbacot said:

                          Love all of your work, Ken. I appreciate the artistry you used in using the Skylander style in various ways, so all the models carry the same graphic and fantasy world character! Then you are doing all the composition and coloring for a finished presentation-- all with the same feel.! Wow!

                          Thanks for your kind comment, Peter. ๐Ÿ‘ Glad you like them. It really enjoyed working on them. Something whimsical and fun, kind of different form the realistic hardcore fantasy style I always do.

                          @unknownuser said:

                          I prefer now more zen game! ๐Ÿ˜Ž

                          Interesting game. Maybe you should build that in Sketchup and render it. ๐Ÿ˜‰

                          Here are some older stuff from Rift.

                          http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/A_F_iron_pine_outpost_01_old_zps04c44b9c.jpg

                          http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/A_F_iron_pine_outpost_01_zps14828a99.jpg

                          This tree is huge, spanning hundreds of meters. You can actually walk inside the trunk to go from one side to the other.

                          http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/A_F_mathosia_ancestral_tree_bridge_01_zps67b41c42.jpg

                          http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/tree_section_zps4abb7c6b.jpg

                          http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/A_F_ancestral_tree_mausoleum_zps5cbd922a.jpg

                          http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/A_F_mathosia_ancestral_mausoleum_01_zpsbc9a39fe.jpg

                          Have a wonderful weekend! โ˜€

                          _KN

                          Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
                          http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
                          My interview with Nomer:
                          http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
                          My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
                          http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

                          Follow Your Dreams.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • ken28875K Offline
                            ken28875
                            last edited by

                            Hi guys,

                            I hope you had a great weekend.

                            Here's something different from the other conceptual sketchup models. Instead of doing detailed Sketchup models, I sometimes sketch on top of simple Sketchup models to add details that would take a long time to do in Sketchup.

                            Have a wonderful week!

                            _KN

                            http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/Bahmi_architecture_Temples_large_sketches_zps2d63447e.jpg

                            http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/Bahmi_architecture_Temples_large_skp_lines_zps55065112.jpg

                            Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
                            http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
                            My interview with Nomer:
                            http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
                            My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
                            http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

                            Follow Your Dreams.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • pilouP Offline
                              pilou
                              last edited by

                              @unknownuser said:

                              add details that would take a long time to do in Sketchup.

                              But forms are yet massively present ๐Ÿ˜„

                              Frenchy Pilou
                              Is beautiful that please without concept!
                              My Little site :)

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • ken28875K Offline
                                ken28875
                                last edited by

                                @unknownuser said:

                                But forms are yet massively present ๐Ÿ˜„

                                Thanks for your comment, Pilou.

                                Here are some more sketches of fantasy architecture done for the MMO Rift.

                                As usual, they are sketched on top of Sketchup models.

                                Take care,

                                _KN

                                http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/Kelari_architecture_temples_01_02_zpsd188c347.jpg

                                http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/temples_skp_zps4c279c8e.jpg

                                http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/Kelari_house_concept_01_zps41130deb.jpg

                                http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/Kelari_architecture_windmills_03_04_zpse357c36b.jpg

                                http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/ken28875/Rift Concepts/Kelari_architecture_windmills_01_02_zpsb4e7ccb6.jpg

                                Sketchup for Sci-Fi Art:
                                http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=27030
                                My interview with Nomer:
                                http://sketchupvrayresources.blogspot.com/2012/05/q-and-with-our-featured-artist-ken.html
                                My interview with Sketchupartists.org:
                                http://www.sketchupartists.org/spotlight/artists/sketchup-art-in-the-online-game-industry/

                                Follow Your Dreams.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • hellnbakH Offline
                                  hellnbak
                                  last edited by

                                  It's completely inconceivable to me that one person could churn out so many fantastic creations. You are like an amazing-idea factory, and in comparison I'm like a guy puttering in his garage.

                                  WOW ๐Ÿ˜ฒ ๐Ÿ‘

                                  "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • iichiversiiI Offline
                                    iichiversii
                                    last edited by

                                    Ken as usual I'm in awe looking at your work, looking forward to seen some more

                                    Bring on the Rain...

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • jo-keJ Offline
                                      jo-ke
                                      last edited by

                                      Wow, as usual!

                                      http://www.zz7.de

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • A Offline
                                        Adorno
                                        last edited by

                                        It's beyond me how one person can create all this.
                                        Fast, high quality production. Your employer must love you ๐Ÿ˜„

                                        Would be cool to see actual renders of the Dive Bar and Maxis.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • ken28875K Offline
                                          ken28875
                                          last edited by

                                          @adorno said:

                                          It's beyond me how one person can create all this.
                                          Fast, high quality production. Your employer must love you ๐Ÿ˜„

                                          Would be cool to see actual renders of the Dive Bar and Maxis.

                                          Thanks for your kind comments, Adorno.

                                          Your profile says "SketchUp use: game and/or sci-fi modelling". I would love to hear more about what you do with Sketchup if you don't mind my asking. Thanks!

                                          Have a great day!

                                          _KN

                                          Follow Your Dreams.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • A Offline
                                            Adorno
                                            last edited by

                                            I make models for (historical) mods (the little known indie game Mount&Blade), and fun.
                                            But very poorly - not even close to your level.

                                            Here are a few models:

                                            http://tw.greywool.com/i/t/-VgOc.jpg

                                            http://tw.greywool.com/i/t/jCI2G.jpg

                                            http://tw.greywool.com/i/t/7dM60.jpg

                                            http://tw.greywool.com/i/t/qnx0p.jpg

                                            http://tw.greywool.com/i/t/XQstx.jpg

                                            http://tw.greywool.com/i/t/7NIWH.jpg

                                            Anyway, back to you now. This thread is great inspiration and motivation ๐Ÿ˜„

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