After Effects Use of Displacement Map

AN INTERVIEW WITH Loocas Duber

tion, since all of my personal works are different in one way or another. Obviously, the latest stuff is always more preferred by me as these embrace the most recent skills and techniques of mine. However, as I said, I always try to explore new ways of working or new techniques, learn along etc... While working on my personal artworks, because when the time comes and you have to do that for a client there won’t be any time for exploring or experimenting, you will have to be confident, fast and effective, so, my personal works are some sort of R&D in advance to teach myself and try different things.

AN INTERVIEW WITH Loocas Duber

What software program(s) do you use for your CG and why?

My main 3d platform is 3ds Max beefed up with loads of plug-ins and additional scripts and add-ons, then Photoshop, obviously, ZBrush, Modo, combustion, digital-fusion, sometimes illustrator and rarely even some special software, like Real Flow, d3 Boujou etc. And why? Because I chose these at the very beginning and to this date I reckon I’ve mastered Max and PS for the kind of work I do. ;) But there are always other packages that I might try in the future, just to broaden my expertise and experience.

What’s the most useful thing you have learnt in 3d?

Uff, honestly? I have no idea :) Well, since I’m more of a generalist and technical guy, I think it might be that, regarding 3ds Max, I’ve learnt this package from A to Z and mastered various disciplines in it, mainly the technical ones, which is, in my opinion, extremely important, because then and only then you are no longer being constrained by the software you’re using, which would be totally wrong! And you’re free to do whatever you or your clients want to! Aside from that, there are things that you’re simply gifted with, like talent or artistic bias for example. I think I lack some of these so I have to compensate for them by my technical abilities and knowledge. To put it simple and make a point, I certainly wouldn’t be able to design a new type of a sports car, but without any problems, I’m able to re-create it in 3d to the last detail.

What have been your major influences over the years?

For my personal CG work, the major influence would be various VFX and CG masters, but I’m also very much into concept artwork (which I can’t do myself unfortunately), so, all these are my huge inspiration and driving force. Also,

AN INTERVIEW WITH Loocas Duber

trying to be better, smarter, faster, and more skilled than anybody else drives me towards my ultimate goals enormously! :-)

Are you working on any projects currently? If so, what are they?

Yes, I always work on something, being it a new personal piece, researching new areas, educating myself or working on a commissioned project. Currently, I’m working on a new personal still (you can see some WIP renders around here), also trying to get a new video tutorial out, I’m also finishing my beta showreel that I want to bring along on this year’s Siggraph, it won’t contain all the stuff I’d want to show off unfortunately, but at least I’ll have something in my hands while doing the interviews :-) other than that I have a few commercial projects lined up, some commercial animations, some highres modeling and even some animating for in-game characters, but that won’t happen sooner than August this year.

What are your hobbies and please describe your free time, if you have any?

Since I do freelance, so when not working on a commissioned project, I can manage my time the way I want. Basically, I like to go to gym, I like hanging out with my friends, cursing over politics and having fun :D, I also try to dedicate a lot of time to my girlfriend. I’d say, my spare time is pretty much the same as anybody else’s. It’s very important to rest mentally after 100hrs spent in front of a monitor! : 0)

AN INTERVIEW WITH Loocas Duber

What is one piece of advice you would give to any artist looking to get into 3D?

Don’t “look” to get into 3d, just get in there! Everybody says that it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, yes, it does, but if you love CG and have no doubts about yourself doing this, then I don’t see any problems getting out there and showing us what’s in you! Another advice would be to be friendly, easy going, easily approachable, kind and mainly down to earth with your ego on interviews or to your colleagues, it’ll pay off! You won’t be for a jackass and more likely to be picked up by somebody hiring for their next big project.

How do you rate CGArena and like to give any message to our readers?

I think CGArena rocks! :) Yeah, it’s updated regularly, it has better and better stories (I enjoyed the previous interviews very much!), tutorials on the forums, it simply grows pretty fast, so, this is a great community overall! That’s also why I sponsor the challenges here with my training DVDs! ;)

Anything you like to add? It is your chance now to state your opinion about anything

Be cool, be smart and be THERE! ;)

Thanks a lot Loocas for taking out sometime for us from your busy schedule.

No, thank you for giving me this opportunity! All the best!

AN INTERVIEW WITH Allan Mckay

CGArena is proud to present “Love” Challenge (3D Challenge),  June - 1 July 006, sponsored by Corel, Vertus, Realviz, Daz3d and Duber Studio. We want different ideas and approaches in a more creative way.

Your Mission

Create an image which shows Love. This Challenge is a Work-In-Progress Challenge -- all contestants are required to post their work-in-progress images for community to critique/comment in order to qualify.

How the Challenge will be Run

This challenge will be a WIP (Work in Progress) Challenge. Each challenger is required to submit Work In Progress (WIP) images, from the initial concept sketch to the final render. The purpose is that everyone can learn from each other, offer feedback and critiques.

1. Enter the Challenge by registering yourself on CGArena forum. . Submit your work in progress images in forum on a regular basis. 3. Participate in the community by critiquing other challengers works in the respective forums. 4. Submit your final entry till 1st July 006, midnight 1:00 GMT. 5. There will be 3 winners in this 3D Challenge and CGArena, Sponsers and Judges decision will be final.

Final Image Size

- Your final image dimensions should be print resolution. Do not send in a low-resolution placeholder and ask us to get back to you, as we won’t.

- A guideline is 100 pixels wide and/or 104 high, JPG, 300 DPI.

- Send your final image with your complete shipping address and telephone number on email address ezine@cgarena.com

First Prize

Realviz VTour - $580 USD

Starting directly from digital photographs, or from full 360 degree panoramas (created using Stitcher, for example), VTour facilitates the creation of 3D scenes such as interiors (rooms, buildings…etc) or urban zones (places, streets…etc), using polygonal photo-textured primitives. The results can be exported/published as either a 3D movie, or as an interactive application using 3D viewers such as Spi-V3D viewer (based on Shockwave®) or Virtools Web Player.

Realviz MMTrack for Max or Maya- $560USD

MMTrack for 3ds Max® & MMTrack for Maya are two brand new tracking products, which draw on the power and speed of MatchMover Pro 4 “powered by SMART”.

The plug-ins, fit seamlessly into the workflow of the 3ds Max®/ Maya® user, and combine new-generation automatic tracking technology with an unbeatable range of features, enabling users to access this world-class product at the simple click of button.

Corel Painter IX.5 - $379USD

The world’s most popular painting and illustration software just got even better! Corel® Painter™ IX.5 features a new set of advanced tools and features to help you create your digital masterpieces. Now it’s especially easy to transform photographs into stunning paintings with the addition of Photo Painting palettes.

Duber Studio Training DVD (3DVD’s) - $88USD

Duber Training DVD’s by Loocas Duber, contains over 18 hours worth of tutorials covering topics such as organic modeling, pelt mapping, classic mapping, painting maps (color map, bump map, specular map, reflection map) in English and Czech language.

Second Prize

Vertus Fluid Mask 2.0 - $199USD

The Fluid Mask is a highly advanced software tool designed to make life easier for everyone who creates cut outs. Built as a plug-in to Adobe Photoshop, Fluid Mask is the new next-generation cut-out tool. Behind the product is breakthrough technology that mimics the way the eye, optic-nerve and brain perform visual processing. It offers an intuitive, accurate and fast approach to cut outs.

Duber Studio Training DVD (2DVD’s) - $59USD

Duber Training DVD’s by Loocas Duber, contains over 18 hours worth of tutorials covering topics such as organic modeling, pelt mapping, classic mapping, painting maps (color map, bump map, specular map, reflection map) in English and Czech language.

Third Prize

* * DAZ Hexagon 2.1 - $149USD

DAZ Hexagon .1 delivers all the tools a graphic artist needs to create complete, detailed, textured 3D models ready to be rendered. In addition to the extensive range of modeling features provided in its original release, Hexagon  now offers Freehand modeling brushes, microdisplacement modeling tools, comprehensive UV-mapping module with UVunfold, advanced 3D paint, and instant Ambient Occlusion, just to name a few.

Duber Studio Training DVD (1 DVD) - $30USD

Duber Training DVD’s by Loocas Duber, contains over 18 hours worth of tutorials covering topics such as organic modeling, pelt mapping, classic mapping, painting maps (color map, bump map, specular map, reflection map) in English and Czech language.

All titles marked with this sign ( * * ) available as downloadable from the sponser website.

SPONSERS

Intermediate training DVDs for 3d artists!

Testimonials:

“A must buy for everyone.”

- Ashish, CGArena

“Portrait of a girl is an excellent set for those who are interested in seeing how to create and texture a human head from scratch.”

- Wes Burke, CG|Underground

“This is the best head modeling dvd out to date!”

- Chris Maddos

“The DVDs should buy anyone who wants to create organic models!”

- Leoš “Sniffer” Janek, Pixel magazine

Organic modeling DVD - $27.80 USD UV Mapping DVD - $27.80 USD Texture Painting DVD - $27.80 USD