My 1st Published Image...

[Rikturscale]

Hello, I had this Published in an RPG Book called X-Crawl from Pandahead Productions. The game is set in the Dungeons and Dragons world if it were in modern times using bits of history we are acustomed to. This is the "Emperor's Cup" created by the current Emperor of the North American Empire, Ronald Reagan, for the Extreme Dungeon Crawl League.

http:///rikturscale/private/Ronniecup.jpg

[Zombat]

Congrats on the first published!

The problems I'm seeing however, are common misconceptions. The white part on the swords isn't just colored that, or polished that way, its ground down to be sharp, against a spinning stone. The edge of the blade should have a texture resembling metal that's been sandpapered in one direction. Try usuing a procedural texture with one axis (the horizontal one facing the camera)and scale it 9 times more than the rest, and the y-axis 1/2 of what it is.

The center, should be just one color, no procedurals.

[Rei]

swords dont look like that.

Rei

[Hiraghm]

I think it looks good, especially since it's been published :D

I would tone down the ambient some in the lighting. Things look a little washed-out to me. But other than that it's reasonably close to realistic for an RPG illustration.

[Rikturscale]

They are not swords, they are decorative. They are the handles to the trophy.

Roman swords did look that way, though as I said, they are not supposed to be real swords.

They white look of the edges is from the lights I had used. It was the render the client liked the most.

[Rikturscale]

Originally posted by Hiraghm
I think it looks good, especially since it's been published :D

I would tone down the ambient some in the lighting. Things look a little washed-out to me. But other than that it's reasonably close to realistic for an RPG illustration.

None in the picture. It was to look good in black and white so I had to be sure there was enough contrast to the details. The actuall cup in the middle still got lost a bit in the final printing.

Thete are 4 lights in the picture with no ambient lighting.

[Rikturscale]

Originally posted by Zombat
Congrats on the first published!

The problems I'm seeing however, are common misconceptions. The white part on the swords isn't just colored that, or polished that way, its ground down to be sharp, against a spinning stone. The edge of the blade should have a texture resembling metal that's been sandpapered in one direction. Try usuing a procedural texture with one axis (the horizontal one facing the camera)and scale it 9 times more than the rest, and the y-axis 1/2 of what it is.

The center, should be just one color, no procedurals.

If you look at the sword edges in the shadows, you might see the "sandpaper" effect. Lights washed it out in this version, which the client liked.

[Capel]

THAT got published???? Wow, did they actually PAY you? What kind of company is this? Do you think they're just publishing this stuff cuz' it's the only response they're getting, or are you related to the CEO? :D

[Rikturscale]

That was uncalled for.

Yes I got paid, no I am not related to the CEO, and I am proud of it.

So there.


And for those who have given REAL creative criticism, thank you.

[pixelranger]

Actually, I see many things that can be improved. When that is said, I also can imagine that many of the things I would have done a little different (lighting, shading) you have done a little different yourself in the other proposals to your client. But the client chose this one, and this is excactly what it often is like to be in this business. I don't think this RPG publisher wanted a photorealistic look, but a stylized "trophy-look"... And then, the image works fine.
Congratulations on the first publishing. Now you're inside, and will hopefully get lots of jobs in the future!

Concerning the image, I agree with a couple of the others about the lighting. I looks washed out because you have no real contrasts that define the shape of the trophy.
The blown out white parts of the swords come from the broad specular highlight generated by the lights in the scene. Try looking up some lighting tutorials like Jeremy Birn's tutorial (http://3drender.com/light/3point.html) on 3-point lighting. It'll get you a long way!!
Again, congratulations and keep up the good work!

[Zombat]

Ah, I see - but perhaps it could be a little more defined by a slight bump map to throw the light around a little, say 5-10% (you don't want to do this too much!)

But again, the procedurals in the center have to go No sword, decorative or not, is going to have a mini landscape down the center - its unaesthetic, and it disbalances the sword. To me it just looks like it dosent fit. But if its what you're cllient wanted ... well I can only guess at his judgement unless its backed up with storyline or something...

[JoBlo]

That image screams newbie, regardless of the fact that your client liked it. I'd suggest utilizing more than the lathe tool. Lightwave's modeler is jam packed with great tools. And you can totally tell that you just used presets to texture. That's why they look so bad. They're PRESETS... Keep pluggin' away and utilize the power that lightwave has.

[fxmodels]

Originally posted by JoBlo
That image screams newbie, regardless of the fact that your client liked it. I'd suggest utilizing more than the lathe tool. Lightwave's modeler is jam packed with great tools. And you can totally tell that you just used presets to texture. That's why they look so bad. They're PRESETS... Keep pluggin' away and utilize the power that lightwave has.

Ok Mr Joe Blow... Why not show us YOUR outstanding work. You are nothing but snidely critical and you are useless.

Take a hike. Better than that, jump off the cliff...


Marc

[Rikturscale]

Originally posted by Zombat
Ah, I see - but perhaps it could be a little more defined by a slight bump map to throw the light around a little, say 5-10% (you don't want to do this too much!)

But again, the procedurals in the center have to go No sword, decorative or not, is going to have a mini landscape down the center - its unaesthetic, and it disbalances the sword....

Thanks for you input. I have been asked to do a new render of it for the cover of a gaming module based on the image. Any real help is greatly appreciated.

fxmodels... Thanks.

JoBlo... Shooo

[MorituriMax]

Hey JoBlo has three whole posts! Give him a break.. kidding..

Grin.. some people just are blunter than others with their critiques.. consider it something a future client would say and consider if there is anything you can do to improve using those suggestions...

Heheheh.. if not, just ignore him.. either way I liked it.. a stylized tropy pic.. good work...

Seeya!

[Zombat]

Originally posted by Rikturscale
Any real help is greatly appreciated.


What d'you mean by real help? I figured I was giving some help.... :confused:

[Rikturscale]

Originally posted by Zombat
What d'you mean by real help? I figured I was giving some help.... :confused:

You have, it has been valuable. Thank you.