Part of the problem was me developing the modeling strategy and workflow all at the same time. I think I would do things a bit different now.

In particular, what features of Vertex Tools would you see using to make things simpler? I'm all for learning new tools.

BTW, there's another modeling thread where I posted the video below, done in about half an hour. It's another quick look at using Subdivide and Smooth to box model an organic hard surface model.

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=36081&p=318320#p318320

Here's the YouTube Vid:

[flash=640,480:3ly9xv1l]http://www.youtube.com/v/HrjWHZw__3g[/flash:3ly9xv1l]

Thanks a bunch, Rich. Works like a charm!

Here's the YouTube Vid:

[flash=800,600:3lnspuma]http://www.youtube.com/v/HrjWHZw__3g[/flash:3lnspuma]

And if you wait a couple hours, YouTube will automatically convert to 720p so you can see it at hi-rez! Pretty cool

We're certainly showing more than one way to skin a cat! Nice videos everyone.

Rich, how are you able to embed a YouTube vid? Is it something only moderators can do?

Here's a quick version I created in about 30 minutes with Artisan using a more traditional box modeling technique which has just about all the detail. I captured the video and it's posting to YouTube now-- I'll put a link here when it's done.

A real advantage of box modeling is you can go back in easily and tweak proportions and add detail as you go.

Here's the skp file:
http://www.widgetgadget.com/stuff/slophopper.skp

Late to this party, but I'd use Artisan and these video tutes:

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=335&t=35730

Second one done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce50YHJo8HA
And Third:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or58i_gCeeQ
Fourth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qGqGIkUc2g
Fifth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo3W23-5dgI

First One is UP:

I added some call-outs in hope it might help.

Hey guys,

I'll try and get them fixed and up on YouTube tonight. Sorry, no audio, but I'll be glad to answer questions. I'll b sure and post here when they're available. Just wondering, are they too fast?

@d12dozr said:

One Twilight license can be used for one 'work' machine, and one 'home' machine - the reasoning being (I think, but don't quote me) that at such a low price ($99), purchasing two licenses for two work machines is reasonable investment.

I really don't understand what you are saying. Is it one or two licenses for work/home combo?

EDIT: I think you are saying it's OK to install one license on both a work and home computer. If so, Hooray for Twilight!

@gaieus said:

Twilight (the commercial version) can only be installed on one machine but as it does not have a Mac version yet, cross-platform is not a question. You can use that single license on your single machine to export to the free Kerkythea though and use that on any number of machines (or render in a network and get a fast result). So this limitation is somewhat avoidable.

Ouch, that smarts. No Twilight for me. I would've thought these developers would've have thought through this a bit more-- especially in such a competitive space as SU rendering. For instance, my 3D apps including SketchUp Pro, Thea, Vue 9 Infinite, KeyShot, Modo, Lightwave all allow you to install on more than one computer, as long as it's the ONLY one being used at a time. Funny how 'restrictive' and somewhat 'proud' the SU plugin renderers are-- especially when it's clear they're not even the best ones out there. I wonder what Podium's license is..

Actually, in the 3d industry, it's not at all uncommon for people to have a desktop work machine and a laptop 'on the road' machine. You'd think Twilight and others would allow for that. Especially when it costs them actual sales (I was all set to purchase Shaderlight, but then I didn't after they sent me an email telling me I couldn't use it on two machines).

Wow. There are a lot of third party rendering solutions for SU and even more opinions on which is better at what for whom.

Much, as has been stated over and over, is subjective.

But, when looking at solutions, there is a lot which is not subjective, and I've a few questions along this line I'd like to ask.

My first question is about speed, and that may be better answered with a series of benchmark scenes. Does such a set of scenes exist? Or, is there any third party render comparison studies out there?

And for me, an even more important question is licensing. For instance, I own a desktop PC, a laptop PC and a laptop Mac. Do I need to purchase a separate version for each machine? I recently contacted Shaderlight, and they told me I would have to purchase three copies, one for each machine. IMO, a most silly proposition and one I would never consider. I'm pretty sure Thea allows more than one computer per license, but can you go cross platform? And what about Twilight or Podium? Anyone know?

Also, invasive copy protection is another issue. Does the computer need to be connected to the Internet every time the product is used? Is there a hardware dongle (and what happens if it gets lost?). Will the software ever "Lock You Out?"

Personally, I'll pay a bit more for a user friendly license and copy protection. Does anyone else consider these things when choosing a rendering package for SU?

@rabbit said:

Great sketch! what software did you use on the ipad?

cheers
rabbit

Sketchpad for the line work and Sketchbook Pro for adding the shading.

@shura said:

Fantastic stuff!

Got the blackout as well though...

Sorry. I'll see if I can find them and re-upload them. Not sure what happened there.

Hey folks, I have a few video tutes showing the workflow I used to create my version of the TRON lightcycle using Artisan. While the series was never completely finished, it did show the basic workflow for creating Hard Surface models using Artisan. I've added callouts where appropriate to help you see what's going on. For the most part, they are all speeded up quite a bit so you don't get too bored!

The old videos are now fixed and here they are on YouTube.

First: Creating the Front Wheel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ET5XBQtx8Q

Second: Shaping the Cowling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce50YHJo8HA

Third: Separating the windshield from the cowling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or58i_gCeeQ

Fourth: Creating the Body
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qGqGIkUc2g
It turns out this is more like the sketch than the final design. During the development, I changed my mind on how I wanted the back end to look, so I pretty much stopped recording much after this stage.

Fifth: Creating the Rear Tire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo3W23-5dgI

Here's a quick concept sketch done on my iPad:

Here are a few of the final renders. Some are before the Subdivide, others are after the Subdivide. I ended up having to change the rear end because of some challenges and requests by other beta testers to try and create a certain look. The videos do use a beta version of Artisan, and that's why they have this blue look to the temporary SubD's. And there's no audio, but if you look closely, you can see basically how I work. Hope it helps others.

@michaliszissiou said:

I mean that I have a problem related with SU snapping methods. I always had. In fact when sculpting I don't need snapping at all.

Agreed.

@michaliszissiou said:

Maybe so, we must have a key for enabling disabling snapping. It can't work otherwise.

I think what you mean to say is "I can't make it work for projects I want to complete, otherwise." I have no problem making Artisan and SketchUp do what I need it to do.

Jim Foltz created a plugin for me a couple years ago which does exactly this. It is called Jitter and can be found at:

My SketchUp Plugins

Hi there! Thanks for your interest in my SketchUp plug-ins. Please donate something, anything - don't make me go find a real job! Thank y...

(sketchuptips.blogspot.com)

@solo said:

It all comes down to what you need or want to create, all of these were made with the help of SDS or Artisan, thanks to Dale I have a toolset that enables me to bypass many modeling restrictions in Sketchup.

Holy smokes! Haven't see that yet. For Pete's sake, that's GREAT!

And, it points to a very interesting part of this new plugin workflow-- namely the SCULPT part. My Lightcycle deals mostly with Artisan's SubDivide tools and how they are used. Certainly Artisan's SubD is better and more robust than SubdivideAndSmooth, but there's a whole other palette of tools available, which allow for true organic scupturing, like in SOLO's picture. Something that up to now was not broadly available. Very impressive.

@honoluludesktop said:

Not kidding now! Regardless of the art any SDS can create, if Michelangelo, had the use of one, would he be able to created his greatest sculptures?

While this image WAS NOT CREATED USING ARTISAN, it does show you can use box modeling (SDS) to create statues. Of course it is ALWAYS up to the artists ability when it comes to creating statues in 3D, or the real world.