My first LW model...the pen is mightier than the sword!

[mindful_being]

Hello all,

:D This is my first post on this forum and let me say that I'm glad to be here. I'm posting this pic as it's my first completed project in LW. Previously, I had just messed around trying to learn LW's tools, but figured actually doing a project would be a better learning experience. I started with something simple: my pen. For such a simple object it was a suprising challenge to try to mimick the actual textures. My biggest hurdle was trying to get a 'scratched and used' look to the chrome plated parts of the pen. If anyone has any tips on texturing realistic metal surfaces, I'd love to hear them. This is actually the first model in a series of models that I'm doing for practice. The next will be a pad of paper, and a mug after that (I know, it's really simple stuff, but I have to start somewhere, right?). Any feedback would be welcome!

[mindful_being]

Here is a close up of the metal plating and gives you a better feel for the 'used' look I was trying to accomplish.

[Rich]

Aswome job! Very photorealistic. Especially great for being your first completed project in LW.

[starbase1]

Photorealistic, excellent work.

[EmperorPete]

If that is your first completed LW project, I can't wait to see what comes next. Superb!

[Zarathustra]

If anyone has any tips on texturing realistic metal surfaces, I'd love to hear them.

Yeah, I think you could give tips. I can't see anything that could be done better. Good job.

[mindful_being]

Hey Guys, thanks for the compliments! I took me quite a bit of messing around with procedural texures in the specularity channel to get this to look right. Also, I've had a change of plans for my futrure project. Instead of a pad of paper (too simple), I've decided to try to model my imitation leather folio. It has a really neat 'gator skin' texture that I think will look great in 3D if textured properly. I'll post the work-in-progress pics on the other forum as they are finished.

[Zarathustra]

I'll post the work-in-progress pics on the other forum as they are finished.
and you understand which forum to post in, too. You are indeed a welcome addition to the LW community!

[Carbon71]

Hey, That's a great job. I love the detail shot on your pen. MY only critique is the light is REAL hot on the floor. It draws the eye there when it should be on the great details of the pen. So I'm saying maybe some different lighting.

BTW- if you asking about anisotropic shading (like brushed metal kind of look) then check out this tutorial at worms-of-art:
http://www.the-worms-of-art.com/tutorials/lightwavetutes_221.html

The fresnel tutorial is great too.

Carbon

[mindful_being]

Carbon71,

Thanks for the critique! I felt the same way about the key light: It's way too hot. Also thanks for the link! These tut's are going to help immensely...espescially the one on aniostropic shading (the LW manual really doensn't explain it all that well).