Cotty, your render has reminded me of how I used to have to map textures. Now its so easy to wrap the texture around a surface... but what if one actually wants the texture to run through the model, as with this recorder? I can't think how to do that, either with SU of another renderer.

Thanks Pilou. I'll definitely be trying that.

Oli, did you ever get a chance to make that tutorial - I'd be really interested. I've just recently started rendering my work (with Twilight Render) and need to fit models into photographic backgrounds quite often. I started with a similar technique of marking the model image & superimposing it into the background in photoshop. However, I couldn't get a good masked image (halo lines around objects).

I then tried (now, my preferred method)- dropping the background image into SU as a watermark, positioning the models to fit into background, then setting the same background up in the Twilight environment setting. It hadn't occurred to me to match photo the background - good idea!

Funny you should ask... about a week ago I finally (after 2-3 years with SU) decided to start using keystrokes. I found a list of the basics... & already I've almost forgotten using the icons. I guess it was just time!

I want to add a comment... but I'm speechless!

Add the selected background image as a watermark (in the style settings).
I do this a lot for still visuals (not sure how it would behave in animation).

Very good tutorial - it really helps when you have someone explaining exactly what is happening. I've learned some new things & started to practice some others. Thanks.

Ooo! nice drawing style! is that something new?

Sometimes the simplest things are so delightful! If you gaze at this long enough, I swear it starts to rock! (no pun intended)

@hellnbak said:

Was going to include a bunch of background stuff but that seems to bore some people.

Wohoo! Brilliant, as ever! ... & we do want to background stuff ... we must be 'edumacated'!!!

@dave r said:

I would use a texture for the caning.

Indeed, if I ever get that far - I had planned to texture the seat. That caned effect looks good.
If I ever achieve my goal I'll post it.

I like how you've handled the woven seats.
I have this dinky little nursing chair (in need of some restoration) which I've been using as a subject to practise modelling - not very good result yet, but I keep going back to it.

Wow! Thanks everyone... I guess I'll save my money then (& my partner can get his new drill with the change) Win, win! Thanks!

Could I ask some advice, please? I've been using a Logitech M310 mouse but the scroll wheel has just failed so I can't use it to jump to the orbit tool quickly. I use the mouse predominantly (rather than keystrokes) so it gets a lot of wear.
Could I call upon the advice of those here who know much more than I do about mice (or is it mouses!) I don't want to exceed say £100 but I'd like something that doesn't give out after a couple of years.

Hmmm...that doesn't sound so very different from how I try to work. However, I always seem to get lost somewhere in the middle of the process. I suspect it takes a great deal more patience than I have yet found. Never the less, I find studying yours & other artists sequence images very helpful in understanding the process.

@lexje said:

Draw each brick separately, and then build the walls using these bricks etc>

Eeek! Don't frighten me!

I don't often post my models here but I do read a lot & get brilliant advice. Its just occurred to me that I have two house models (I'm not an architedct) The first was produced years ago in ACAD with a lot of specific detailing. The second was a model of my own house - just for fun when first learning SU. So here they are.

To Rogue - I'm still trying to master car modelling & studying your work is extremely helpful (even if we don't acknowledge it enough).. Even now, I don't think I've seen the earlier posts of this thread until now, so its great when they come back to the top of the pile & get noticed. I'm interested in how you build your cars up in sections. I find I get lost & that the whole is rather intimidating - so I'm going to try this technique.

By the way - to hellnbak - the same applies. I read about your stuggle with another problem this morning & your thoughts of quiting. Noooo! Your posts & your models are always fascinating, educational & humourous.

Thank you Rich & Dave. I had this exact problem yesterday & I hadn't appreciated that you could type in a scale for inserted bitmaps.

Not so much 'Doh' but 'Eureka'! for me. I've been trying to draw a circle directly to the vertical plane for a least two years! I only knew it was possible from watching other video clips. At last I've found this thread!

http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79%26amp;t=53592%26amp;p=486418%26amp;hilit=vertical+plane+circle#p486306

This reminds me of when I first moved away from the drawing board to began working with a computer. I took all my effort to get the technology to do what I wanted and the complexity of creation became so much more difficult that my designs suffered - very frustrating! Thankfully, I have improved, the technology has improved and a few years ago I was introduced to a very 'friendly' little CAD programme! And I'm still learning after 27 years in this business.