Dobby

Could you explain what you mean by "may do additional smoothing for better aligning" ? Where can I find the "shell tool"? I imported a B/W image and 3DC auto-created a nice spline from it which on import could be turned into a mesh with depth. That also gave sharp edges, if with a trianglebased edgeflow at the border, I think that is what you were referring to.

I understand that Voxels cannot be subdivided like one would do with polies. I'm reading the thread you linked in your last post and getting a glimpse of understanding. However my understanding seems to lack in terms of 3DC specific workflow. Can you link me to some videos concerning this topic? Best would be one that compares the ZB workflow (multi-res) with 3DC voxel based workflow (does it necessarily include "voxels -> surface"?). Frankly I still don't see how voxels are superior to the dynamesh-way and feel that I cannot get moderately sharp edges in 3DC. Cranking up the resolution with Voxels just makes 3DC really slow before achieving a proper level of detail on the surface.

Is there a technique to get a clean edgeflow like with polygroups?

Looks great how those single parts are coming together! Is it all voxelbased? Do you merge parts? Could you show how you made the parts to the sides which hold the spiked cylinders and have those adjustmentscrews on them?

Does 3DC utilize a multi-res workflow like ZB does with its "subdivision levels" or should I use a different approach? Is there an alternative workflow to using polygroups for surface/edge flow control?

Thanks, Carlosan. The VoxLayer with settin "auto-voxelize" gives a blobby-bordered shape. Set to "create as surface" gives a result closer to what is intended. However, the edgeflow needs to be smoother - in ZB I get this effect when applying GroupsLoops, additionaly I could use "polish". How to do do this in 3DC? As you can see the vertical parts are quite corrugated.

Hi all! Could someone explain to me, what the benefits of working with voxels are over polygons? I wonder what use they have workflowwise, because from my newbie-standpoint I cannot yet see what I gain in comparison to ZBrush's Dynamesh. Also I feel that 3DC does not give me the same level of surface control as ZB does with using polygroups and the related options. I do not at all mean to bash, I'd really like to make a transition to 3DC, but need some answers first, which maybe you can provide! If that question has been asked already, please link me to it and close/delete this thread. I could not find a thread.

Hi, this question is related to another one from me: But asks for more detail. I wonder how to replicate the following workflow I know from ZBrush in 3DC. I need to understand how to get good, clean edges in 3DC or if that isn't really possible and would only happen in Retopo. Please have look, sorry for small images:

looks good and brings a funny vibe! i'd like to see it better - different lighting, maybe brighter materials? conceptually, what is the use of this mechrooster? is there a seat for a person or is it remote controlled/autonomous?

As far as I have seen, 3DC also has a cogwheel preset. I tried to create one myself in 3DC but as of now lack the technical knowledge. I have taken a quick look at the welder script for 3dsmax (video, do not use 3ds myself anymore) and frankly think it looks inferior to using 3DC. Also, if I haven't missed anything, it just gives quite "blobby" seams. Of course, that might be something you want. I'm just thinking aloud here, maybe it's of use for you. When thinking welding seam, I imagine sth like that: It can be quite messy or really clean (machine-perfection like), but it's main characteristic seems to be those single dots of weldingmaterial. I imagine that could be achieved quite well using curves + obj or some other technique I don't know of yet as the newb I am. Anyway, keep posting!

no real update, but I'm on it. The getting used to eats the little time I had in the last weeks, but I hope to have more to spare soon and will send an update asap. Do not feel lonely and get going! If you like we can look into newbie-problems together!

2) By stencil you mean the logo tool? cut off to get rid of the middle part? How can one get really sharp edges using the stencil/logo? Without very high res it seems to get jaggy edges.

Although you state you weren't experienced in 3DC your work sure does look like it. Maybe you've got time to answer some questions from someone TRULY inexperienced 1) How did you make the tanktreads and then let them go around the inner wheels? (something like duplicate along curve?) 2) The step-by-step images are really valueable, thanks for those! Could you explain how the last three steps work exactly? (Make alpha to mesh and bend?)

Please proceed! I like the cartoony vibe. Maybe the exhaust could be more "wacky" to pronounce the style more? How did you achieve the ladder and the pipe near the front?

good shapes, they work well together! did you use preset cogwheels or sculpted/modeled them in 3dc? will the round bits (radially applied) be merged somehow with the baseshape? same for the fingers. realistically I'd expect some kind of weldingseam or similar.

allexr, I am impressed and am very much looking forward to videos of your sculpting process. I've got some questions and hope they are not too noobylike repetitive: 1) did you retopo the sculpt? 2) how did you establish the basic shapes? i guess that you took individual parts (layers) and merged them. 3) how did you create the ornamental shapes? detailled sculpting, alpha brush?

Sorry for the late reply! Thanks for this answer, it brought some clarity for me as a new user. I will try out more, esspecially the Pose tool which you suggest is powerful.

Thanks for the quick reply. Cut-Off does indeed produce a crisp edge in surface mode. However: 1) Would I need to manually retopo if I wish the edges to flow accordingly? 2) What do I do, if I need some other edge that has already been sculpted (I can't cut anymore) to be sharpened in this way? Or is cut-off the only option?

Hi, I'm new and just finding the ways of 3DCoat. I'd really like to use it instead of ZBrush, but am quite shaped by it in terms of workflow/technical understanding. I'm by no means a pro, but spent quite some time in it and now could use some help in transferring to 3DC. There are many questions, but I'll just start with this one: How do I get a really hard, crisp edge all round the circular area, keeping the rest of the shape spherical as is? In ZBrush I'd go the way: Cut off side -> polygroup the planar part -> make edge hard by edgeloops. I tried around (and searched for tutorials on the official yt-channel and this forum), but couldn't get a satisfying solution. I do not think it's the polycount, rather the orientation/edgeflow of the polies. The angulator brush did not give the desired result. This issue might be linked to my lack of understanding when to use voxel and when to use surfacemode/polys. Would be grateful for any help!

looks good! maybe the levers could be further back so the operator can reach them easier? just a thought in terms of practicability. newbie-questions: 1) how did you make the pedals and ornaments in the chair's post? 2) how the indents in the parts of the seat?

thanks to carlosan I have received an extended trial. I'm happy to get going! Thanks motrJR, I just read of the possibility shortly after posting, but could not edit due to being a new user.

Hey everyone, I'm new and looking forward to being a part of this seemingly friendly and helpful community. I take this contest as a chance to really get into 3DCoat and hopefully to win a copy of this great software! Speaking of it: I had 3DCoat laying around on my harddrive before, but not used it, so the full trial version is not available anymore. I always get the message that it runs in demomode now. Is there any way I could get a real chance at trying the full capabilites? As for the contest: I'm myself not really into steampunk, but see it as a great creative challenge and am quite hyped to try myself in a field which is new to me. I will post with progress soon.