Anyone Up for a Little Model Making Contest?

[Syf]

As the title of the thread asks, is there anyone interested in a model making contest? I've been considering starting one, with a given time-line of... say... 3 months. Maybe with a poly limit of 10K (that's 10,000) as the "max". I think this is reasonable, as most members here that do model, only make "Mod" models for different games.

I'd like to see at least 10 members enter such a contest, if I decide to hold one. Other wise, it wouldn't really be a good contest.

Like on Sci Fi Meshes, it would be a "themed" contest. I was thinking of something on the lines of "realistic future spaceflight" or "original spacecraft".

Also, for those that can not model, would you be interested in being a judge for the contest.

So, there is a poll to ask a few questions. Please select the on that fits you best. I will let this poll go for about a month. Afterward, I'd decide, based on the number of willing participants.

Keep this in mind: The poll is fully viewable to all (so I can see who voted for what). Also, this poll will close in 40 days.

 

[Aerilon]

Option Number #3 for me.

 

[Dan1025]

Option Number #3 for me.

Same here

 

[Syf]

Modders would make excellent judges.

 

[EAS_Intrepid]

I am in for an entry.

 

[Amateur]

I'd love to take part, put me down for option 2

 

[Knight]

i'll have to go for number 3 lol.
Since theres no "i'd love to take part, but i can't model. at all." option

 

[-RJB-]

If I can, I'll take part.
#2

 

[Borg_Queen]

Option number two for me, even though I'm completely a newbie at modeling.

 

[Jeddy]

looking at the proposed competition, id say no.

but im insane, so put me down.

tho may i recomend anonymous entries (obviously like co-ordinator would know) but like only 1 person knows and he cannot judge, not being funny, but its just to stop people thinking "hmmm thats RJBs model i think he wins" as thats most probably what i would do (no offence other guys)

 

[Borg_Queen]

Option number two for me, even though I'm completely a newbie at modeling.

Ops, noticed I clicked at the wrong button then I voted, as I am interested in this contest.

 

[Schattenkanzler]

Interesting idea!

Im up für option 3

 

[Majestic]

I can only kitbash.

 

[Syf]

Ops, noticed I clicked at the wrong button then I voted, as I am interested in this contest.

It's ok BQ. I understand. I've done that before too.

So what are you trying to say Jeddy? I think in the lower poly models, you'll find that many people's models will look as good as RJB's models (no offense toward you RJB) of similar poly counts. I'm sorry, but low poly modeling is actually not as easy as high poly modeling (believe me, I've been doing it for some time now). 10K poly max will be tricky to make look "great", and have less detail than one would like. In case you didn't know, the average "highly detailed" model is in the ballpark of 100k-500k poly counts. I agree, if we were doing a no-holds-barred contest, RJB would most likely beat the pants off of everyone. So I figured to make it fair, keep it low enough to give others (like you and me) a chance to actually compete.

 

[Lord_Trekie]

I'm down for option two. Possibly a reason to finish my Hera class...

 

[Creed]

i think what he was trying to say was that he'd like the entries to eb given in... blank. So they are all passed to one person (not a judge/ participant) and that person then posts them up with no mention of the source..

Bearing in mind the people we have here it would be perhaps a little redundant, but it would be an extra layer of protection for trhe judges who then could not be accused in any way of favouring friends/ people they knew were good modders...

 

[SquireJames]

I've gone for Option 2, as I have some spaceship models that I intended for a A2 Mod that will never get made, so might as well show em off till I can find an engine that works

Come to think of it, Haegmonia would have worked great, but its a little long in the tooth now and isn't exactly popular or easy to mod.

Anyways, so they aren't wonderfully high poly, as they were intended for an A2 mod, but they look nice I think. Probably the pinnacle of my original modelling I think. (i.e models 100% made by me)

 

[Amateur]

Judging by the number of people interested, we might have a nice little contest going on here; nine people sounds like a good number - but the more the merrier

 

[Borg_Queen]

It's actually ten people as I by accident clicked on option one then I meant option two.

 

[-RJB-]

It's ok BQ. I understand. I've done that before too.

So what are you trying to say Jeddy? I think in the lower poly models, you'll find that many people's models will look as good as RJB's models (no offense toward you RJB) of similar poly counts. I'm sorry, but low poly modeling is actually not as easy as high poly modeling (believe me, I've been doing it for some time now). 10K poly max will be tricky to make look "great", and have less detail than one would like. In case you didn't know, the average "highly detailed" model is in the ballpark of 100k-500k poly counts. I agree, if we were doing a no-holds-barred contest, RJB would most likely beat the pants off of everyone. So I figured to make it fair, keep it low enough to give others (like you and me) a chance to actually compete.

Each has its own difficulties but with low poly modeling you have to use you detail work to emphasize parts of the model while filling in the rest with a person’s texturing skills. In a way it’s a test of two skills, how well you can work with shapes and how well you can work with texture maps. (taking in account we are texturing the models since this may be an untextured contest.)

 

[Syf]

Sorry Jeddy, I didn't mean to make it sound like I was misunderstanding your suggestion. I just had to give you a hard time... just because! I actually understand the idea, and it may be a far one, to prevent "corruption" or the accusation of such by entrants.

Your right RJB, it would be a test of both modeling and texturing skills. Taking this into account, I would say that people that can model but not texture can "buddy up" with someone that can texture but not model.... if that option is available to you. Just make sure it's noted that it was a team effort. We would want to leave out our friends. It not really a matter of who's better... (OK, so a contest is). The most important part of it is, of coarse, to have fun doing it.

I may even be nice and throw up either Achilles texturing tutorial (with his permission of coarse) or release my Milkshape tutorial on the site... or both to help.

OK, we have at least 10 participants. (in just 24 hours of posting this). Most excellent. I'll of coarse wait until the poll closes to start this contest. So, to anyone that is planning to enter, you currently have 4 months to hammer out your model.

As for the topic of the contest, I think both concepts fit together. So it can be either, or a mix of both ideas.

I think the best way to go about it is any pics, or wips you want to display, send them to Majestic.

Majestic, I think we should not be the judges. Instead, I'll let you make out the posts and threads if people want to show off their work. Just label them "entry number 1, number 2, etc". When posting them, or updating them, don't say "who's model" it is. You designate the modeler/model. I myself will not be allowed to post these, as I will be entering the contest myself.

Now, does this sound fair to everyone?

 

[-RJB-]

It sounds very fair to me and I look forward to seeing what each person comes up with from a base theme.

 

[Borg_Queen]

It sounds fair to me, too.

 

[Cylon]

Yes it sounds good,
What sort of crieteria will they be judged on.

 

[Amateur]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

I would suggest a formalized rule set prior to the beginning of the contest; but otherwise I like it - sounds like fun.

 

[-RJB-]

I'm going to bump this to keep in fresh in peoples minds.

So what is the ETA for the start of this Syr?

 

[Borg_Queen]

I have another question: Do it have to be a never seen before space flight/ship, or can it be a ship f. ex. seen in a series?

 

[Timothyjmcneeley]

I believe I would make a fair and unbiased judge, given that I don't know any of the model makers here besides Syf and Majestic, so I think I would be a great choice in judging said contest.

 

[La Patience]

If this is still on id like to try, im fairly new but just participating is fun enough so count me in.

 

[Syf]

Well that makes 11 participants.


There will be an announcement on this matter soon, for anyone that is interested.