{"id":5831,"date":"2011-10-28T19:27:20","date_gmt":"2011-10-29T03:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/?p=5831"},"modified":"2011-10-29T08:38:56","modified_gmt":"2011-10-29T16:38:56","slug":"blog-231-old-republic-to-new-renders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/2011\/10\/28\/blog-231-old-republic-to-new-renders\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog 231 > Old Republic to New Renders"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"Yukiko
\nYukiko Strikes Akiko | SWTOR 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Whoa, three months flew by fast! And now, my Tattered Toyboxers, I’m back for a mini-broadcast. For this one, I’ll be leaping from 2D art to hi-def hardware to 3D renders, and hyperspacing from the Old Republic to Daz Studio to Poser. How did it all begin? I think it began in July-August with my unexpectedly consuming interest in the upcoming “Star Wars: The Old Republic<\/a>” (SWTOR) massively multiplayer online (MMO) game! Since then, that interest has spread into SWTOR-laced 3D art as well, haha. So here we go, folks, time to let the Force flow through us…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Part 1 of 3 > Daz Studio 3D Renders<\/h2>\n

Like I mentioned above, it all began in July-August. In fact, in August, I made the following Google+ public post<\/a> (02 Aug).<\/p>\n

\n

Me:<\/i><\/b> Ah, very nice. I’ve been accepted as the 40th member and 6th bounty hunter of “The Sith Assassin Elite<\/a>” guild for the upcoming “Star Wars: The Old Republic” MMO.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then one day, I replied to a Google+ public post<\/a> (01 Sep) by a fellow artist.<\/p>\n

\n

Me:<\/i><\/b> Very nice. Hey, question for you. As an intermittent Photoshop artist, I’ve only dealt with 2D. But with all the 3D SWTOR art I’ve been seeing, I’m thinking of making the hyperspace jump from 2D to 3D art myself. Assuming a new gaming PC soon, what 3D rendering tool would you recommend? Poser? (Version 9 is coming soon.) DAZ?<\/p>\n

Patrick Lambert:<\/i><\/b> Both work fine, depends on your preference really. Prepare for a bit of a learning curve.<\/p>\n

Me:<\/i><\/b> No worries. I’m sure it’ll take months to adjust, and years to master. Still learning new things in Photoshop. :)\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Within the following week, I downloaded and installed the free Daz Studio software, then experimented and created my first 3D render…<\/p>\n

\n

\"My
\nMy First Render | Daz Studio 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s my Google+ public post<\/a> (08 Sep).<\/p>\n

\n

Ahh, in 3 days, my first-ever full 3D render experiment! The free version of DAZ Studio 4 provides minimal libraries for characters, morphs, wardrobe, and props (more libraries can be purchased separately), and it crashes pretty often on my weak-kneed 3-year-old iMac 24. But impressively powerful for zero cost. Can’t wait to test-drive its sister software Poser 9 on my new i7 laptop soon, hmm…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Within the next few days, I created my second 3D render…<\/p>\n

\n

\"Deirdre
\nDeirdre in Despair | Daz Studio 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s my Google+ public post<\/a> (11 Sep).<\/p>\n

\n

Whew, my 2nd render in Daz Studio 4… Tinkering with props, wardrobes, poses, morphs, expressions, even mesh smoothing and collision iterations to patch up the flaws, so the hours just fly by! Btw, no post-work except for adding my sig, title and date. Not bad for 6 days of practice…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Within the next week, I created my first Star Wars 3D render…<\/p>\n

\n

\"Dominya
\nDominya Enraged | Daz Studio 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s my Google+ public post<\/a> (17 Sep).<\/p>\n

\n

Ahh, my first-ever Star Wars render! Only my third experiment in two weeks of practice, but making progress. Tools: My aging iMac 24, DAZ Studio 4, and Photoshop post-work. Special thanks for Dodger’s lightsabers, Chimera46’s lekku and +Patrick Lambert’s pointer to New Aurabesh. Still can’t wait for my new i7 laptop and Poser 9…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 2 of 3 > New Hardware<\/h2>\n

Yup, looking back, it was a good idea to get familiar with some 3D rendering software. The next step was getting better hardware, not just for more SWTOR-MMO power, but for more 3D-rendering power as well.<\/p>\n

\n

\"My
\nMy New Laptop | CyberPower | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s what I wrote in my Google+ limited post (23 Sep).<\/p>\n

\n

Ahh, my sweet new 17-inch i7 Win7 notebook finally arrived yesterday. Love the Razer Deathadder gaming mouse! Plus an amazing Darth Talon wallpaper created by DarthHell @ DeviantArt. I am now prepared to wreak havoc on pitiful Jedi scum, hehe…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The following week, even more cool hardware, hehe.<\/p>\n

\n

\"My
\nMy New HDTV | LG 32LK450 | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s what I wrote in my Google+ limited post (01 Oct).<\/p>\n

\n

Over the past week, I got a raise and completed my 200-day J200X<\/a> workout. What better way to celebrate than to find a 32-inch buddy for my 17-inch Darth Talon?… For the Empire!\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 3 of 3 > Poser 3D Renders<\/h2>\n

Finally, with this cool new hardware, I was able to take another larger step by installing new Poser software and achieving more powerful 3D renders! SWTOR-styled 3D renders, of course, hehe.<\/p>\n

\n

\"SWTOR:
\nSWTOR: Zhaanin’s Revenge | Poser 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s my Google+ public post<\/a> (03 Oct).<\/p>\n

\n

Amazing. If you remember, I tried the new DAZ Studio 4 (free) for several weeks. Then last week, I installed the powerful new Poser 9 for the first time. Lo and behold, after 7 days of Poser 9 practice, here’s my first 3D render with multiple characters! “Zhaanin’s Revenge”. Photoshop post-work for the lightsaber, smoke effects, and text.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Within the next few days, I created my second SWTOR-styled “Zhaanin” 3D render (1600 x 900)…<\/p>\n

\n

\"SWTOR:
\nSWTOR: Zhaanin’s Getaway | Poser 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s my Google+ public post<\/a> (07 Oct).<\/p>\n

\n

Wow, using Poser, the hours and days just fly by. Wish I had more! But for now, here’s my next 3D render in the SWTOR “Zhaanin” series called “Zhaanin’s Getaway”. Even more complex and more fun than my last. Photoshop post-work for the lightsaber, smoke effects, and text… Soon I’ll need to create a worthy (and sexy) Jedi adversary for my Sith Zhaanin, hehe…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Within the next couple weeks, I created my first SWTOR-styled “Silverstream” 3D render (1600 x 900)…<\/p>\n

\n

\"SWTOR:
\nSWTOR: Yukiko & Akiko Silverstream | Poser 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s my Google+ public post<\/a> (23 Oct).<\/p>\n

\n

Ahh, back from a hectic week at a software user conference in Vegas… So it’s time for another SWTOR 3D render! <\/p>\n

But first, an observation: From what I’ve seen on DeviantArt, lightsabers are pretty tricky to execute, particularly the blade. Artists (even faves like Darth Hell and Aphrodite-NS) occasionally misalign the blade with the hilt, or the blade is too short, or sometimes the blade effects aren’t quite right. Personally, I’ve based my blade lighting on Darth Hell’s designs and of course, the SWTOR cinematic trailers. <\/p>\n

Now, although lightsabers or duels are non uncommon in 3D renders, what I rarely see (even from Darth Hell and Aphrodite-NS) are duels where sabers are locked against each other, blade on blade. My guess for this rarity is the multiplied trickiness in achieving an aesthetically pleasing arrangement, proper blade alignment, and excellent blade lighting, all at once. Definitely a challenge! <\/p>\n

So of course, my newest 3D render accepts that challenge, tosses in a third blade, and adds some swirling smoke in between, haha. Well, here they are: Yukiko and Akiko Silverstream, Jedi sisters in training! My Sith Zhaanin better watch out! Hope you enjoy.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Within the next few days, I created my second SWTOR-styled “Silverstream” 3D render (1600 x 900)…<\/p>\n

\n

\"SWTOR:
\nSWTOR: Yukiko Strikes Akiko | Poser 3D Render | Enlarge<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n

Here’s my Google+ public post<\/a> (26 Oct).<\/p>\n

\n

“As the sunset-tinted steam sifted through the skytower training observatory, the icy-blue eyes of Yukiko Silverstream analyzed the dark-armored defense of her little sister. With a subtle smile, she noticed Akiko’s familiar patterns, disturbances, and weaknesses that come from a lack of focus and flow. Suddenly, Yukiko lunged with a single-saber strike to her sister’s weaker arm, igniting a furious flash of sapphire and violet vapor…”<\/p>\n

Hi folks! Hard to believe that I created my 1st three Daz Studio 3D renders just last month, then created my 1st four Poser 3D render just this month. Luckily, if you already have extensive experience with Photoshop, the post-work process is much more efficient and effective. So now, here’s my 4th SWTOR 3D render. Yup, two days later, Yukiko and Akiko Silverstream are back. Since I fell in love with the original scene, I decided to render a nice reverse-angle close-up, showing more of Yukiko’s expression. Hope you enjoy! Till next time…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hmmm, maybe I should revise my assessment: Only weeks to adjust, and months to master? Otherwise, that’s all, folks! I think we’ve adequately felt the Force, hehe. But hey, if you’re interested in some of my other “Star Wars<\/a>” broadcasts, just click the “Star Wars” link at the top of this page. Otherwise, take a peek at my “Possibly Random Links” below. Till next time. Peace. Out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Yukiko Strikes Akiko | SWTOR 3D Render | Enlarge Whoa, three months flew by fast! And now, my Tattered Toyboxers, I’m back for a mini-broadcast. For this one, I’ll be leaping from 2D art to hi-def hardware to 3D renders, and hyperspacing from the Old Republic to Daz Studio to Poser. How did it all … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0},"categories":[337,339,340,325,336,338,177,93],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7rIwb-1w3","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5865,"url":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/2011\/12\/27\/blog-232-bye-netflix-hello-swtor\/","url_meta":{"origin":5831,"position":0},"title":"Blog 232 > Bye Netflix, Hello SWTOR!","author":"xjaymanx","date":"December 27, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Punktrooper Motoko, Bounty Hunter, Level 05 | SWTOR | Enlarge SWTOR rocks! Yup, my Tatooine Toyboxers, I'm back for my final broadcast of 2011. And guess what I'll be talking about? The \"Star Wars: The Old Republic\" (SWTOR) massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, of course! Well, just a little bit,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ghost in the Shell"","block_context":{"text":"Ghost in the Shell","link":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/category\/anime-titles\/ghost-in-the-shell\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3007,"url":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/2009\/05\/25\/blog-203-succubi-samurai-sci-fi\/","url_meta":{"origin":5831,"position":1},"title":"Blog 203 > Succubi, Samurai & Sci-Fi","author":"xjaymanx","date":"May 25, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Twin Succubus | Umemaro 3D - Volume 9 (2008) | Enlarge 1200px Hey, what's up, my Trendy Toyboxers? Ready for something a bit different? For this week's mega-cast, I'm gonna try to cram this truckload of uncontainable content into a crispy 3-course meal, instead of an overflowing 5-course meal. Why?\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Afro Samurai"","block_context":{"text":"Afro Samurai","link":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/category\/anime-titles\/afro-samurai\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":141,"url":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/2006\/10\/12\/post-410-barrage-of-random-goodies\/","url_meta":{"origin":5831,"position":2},"title":"post 410 ~ barrage of random goodies ;)","author":"xjaymanx","date":"October 12, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"genshiken figures! heely's roller shoes! post 410 ~ okay, a barrage of random goodies ;) friends & hooters ~ yesterday, wednesday the 11th, after another visit to the local clinic (giving blood\/urine samples), drove to the post office... finally mailed out my package to for her 25th birthday next week...\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Anime Figure"","block_context":{"text":"Anime Figure","link":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/category\/anime-figure\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5303,"url":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/2010\/09\/23\/blog-223-women-of-the-clone-wars\/","url_meta":{"origin":5831,"position":3},"title":"Blog 223 > Women of the Clone Wars","author":"xjaymanx","date":"September 23, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Star Wars - The Clone Wars | Collage | Enlarge 1000px Star Wars. The Clone Wars. First, the pilot film. Next, the Season 1 television series. Then Season 2. Now Season 3. Brilliant. From the settings and scenes to the characters and conflicts to the dialogue and drama. Sublime. That\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Clone Wars"","block_context":{"text":"Clone Wars","link":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/category\/sci-fi-titles\/clone-wars\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":97,"url":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/2006\/04\/26\/post-345-more-canadian-and-russian-tastes\/","url_meta":{"origin":5831,"position":4},"title":"post 345 ~ more canadian and russian tastes\u2026","author":"xjaymanx","date":"April 26, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Tripping the Rift: Season 1\" (2004) \"T.A.T.U.: Screaming for More\" (2004) post 345 ~ this week... more canadian and russian tastes... this week ~ it's a calm week so far... working, reviewing, editing the latest tech manual on my plate... tedious but i get to do it from home ;)))...\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/category\/random\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":315,"url":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/2007\/07\/21\/blog-098-pardon-me-sir-doctor-who\/","url_meta":{"origin":5831,"position":5},"title":"Blog 098 > Pardon Me Sir, Doctor Who?","author":"xjaymanx","date":"July 21, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Rose Tyler & the Ninth Doctor from Doctor Who (2005) +++++ Doctor Who 2005 - Season 1 (1-13) - Started 06\/2006. Finished 07\/21. D-WOW! Updated effects, action, but most of all, emotional drama! Fantastic! The Ninth Doctor is fantastic, as is his time-traveling companion Rose Tyler! Yes, after 13 months,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Doctor Who"","block_context":{"text":"Doctor Who","link":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/category\/sci-fi-titles\/doctor-who\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5831"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5831"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5831\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5851,"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5831\/revisions\/5851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.xjaymanx.com\/toyboxx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}