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December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
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There’s 3D that moves, and there’s 3D that looks so real, you want to reach out and touch it. This month, Gary takes you from beginning to a finished origami, polygonal-shaped dimensional tree that looks dimensional enough that you’d expect it to rotate. It’s all in using star shapes in combination with the Mould tool in Default Perspective mode, a little knowledge of perspective, and how to build panels by connecting control points. It’s a real Xara workout, you’d learn oodles of techniques, and be able to draw a forest in no time with Xara’s drop a copy feature.
See it here.
Show us your take on polygonal trees or even forests in this thread.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
:) Here's one. Fun tute! I added an additional top tier and a few decorations. I wasn't using a Xara version that had 3D extrude ability so I drew different planks for the tree stand and trunk.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Maybe no 3D extrude Maya but that tree looks pretty good to me :)
Stygg
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
I can't afford a forest, Gary.
So, I hope just one Tree-D is acceptable?!
I think this is a great way of getting the perspective correct and seeing where the panels should be drawn. :-bd
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
That's a great tree, Maya.
I like the shadow.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
:)Many thanks Stygg and Rik! Rik I like the lighting you used on your tree too!
Here's another one, this time trying for more of a paper/cardboard look in the tree, and so I made a folded cardboard deer to go with it too. :)
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
That is way beautiful, Maya. Your instincts, as usual, served you correctly. Your concept and my approach to the "origami" tree as so compatible, it's just a Tree-mendous scene.
I'm so happy everyone jumped right into this. I wanted to get the video up on the 15th or earlier, but we have a 7 year-old motherboard and I think it's a dual core that you can toast cheese sandwiches on now, but not much else. We (and the bank) are treating ourselves to a new server so hopefully we're not out of communications and can do the heavy-lifting to get videos up (this one was 278MB MPEG-4; the version I edited on was 88GB) faster.
But that's neither here nor there. I'm glad you got something out of the principle of "moving" a star shape in 3D (changing the perspective and unevenly scaling it) to then "connect the dots" and get a cone shape made out of panels as the result. I have a new hat (as you saw), we got the tree up and I'm working on our card this year, so life is good.
And I'm delighted that this month has drawn out so much participation!
It's a fun time of the year, in addition to a somber one, eh?
My Best,
Gary
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
I changed the fractal cloud transparency around some to try and avoid the pixilation that was bothering me. Glad you liked the design, Gare. :)
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Thanks for the tutorial Gare, I like at the end of the video that trick how to do a 3D star to the top of the tree with simply bevelling a quick shape star
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Your Reindeer got me thinking, Maya.
So, I thought I'd create a scene with a Reindeer as well.
All 3D in this image.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
I thought I'd do one with just the Reindeer.
I think I'm going a bit off topic now.
So, no more Reindeer from me!
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
:) I love the reindeer AND the 3D tree made of those colored blocks, Rik! Unique!
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Crow Haven
:) I love the reindeer AND the 3D tree made of those colored blocks, Rik! Unique!
Thanks, Maya.
I got the idea for the snowflakes on the wallpaper from your earlier posts as well. ;))
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
That red background & snowflakes with added white reindeer would also make a really attractive fabric and/or wrapping paper design! I wish I could have found something like that this year for wrapping presents. :)
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Rik, officially, you're off-topic.
Unofficially, I don't care about official stuff. :) Your work is beautiful, dimensional, you got the shadows right, and it's a delightful tribute to The Season, as Maya has done.
When creativity runs loose at Christmas, who am I to pull in the rein, dear?
-g
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Thanks, Gary.
Yeah! Creativity did run a bit loose!
I started by trying to do a 3D Tree with just simple shapes.
Then remembered that Maya had included a Reindeer in her posts. I posted that and it was probably still within topic.
Then I wondered what things would look like, with just the Reindeer, still using 3D. Well, I liked it and posted it. And I knew that it was now definitely off-topic.
That's my defense M'lud.
And I'm pleased that my work passed the test of your artistic eye.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Trees, trees and more trees :D
Stygg
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
An interesting tutorial as always Gary. I couldn't resist making mine out of paper (well ok paper textures :) )
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
That's an interesting composition, Frances.
Looking at the shadows on the tree itself; the shadows between the tiers are reasonably dark, but, the shadow on the right part of the tree is pretty faint.
I would have thought that the darkness of that part would be quite a bit darker?
I like the wooden stand. That's brilliant.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Rik if the light is coming from left to right then the shadow of the right side would be lighter as it lengthened to the right, the one thing missing is the star shadow, not like Francis to miss that.
Stygg
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Optically, yeah, Frances missed the star shadow casting on the wall.
But because it's almost Christmas:
1.) Cut her some slack, and
2.) What if that is the Star of Bethlehem, which has powers beyond our grasp, it's luminous, and luminous objects don't cast shadows.
Hey, it was worth a try! :)
Nice work, everyone! Getting that tutorial out in two days was a real effort, but I wanted to keep what I thought was a good design idea in synch with the holidays.
And on, for New Year's I will not show you how to draw several cups of strong coffee and a hot water bottle for your head.
My Best,
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Gary
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Just one more...I wondered if I could make ice trees, so I did another and added the ice-look to the deer too. :)
@ Frances -- I like the paper-look and textures! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
That really is very good, Maya.
The trees really are very nice. =D>
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Maya, that is nothing short of breath-taking!
It's truly a Winter Wonderland!
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rik
That really is very good, Maya.
The trees really are very nice. =D>
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gare
Maya, that is nothing short of breath-taking!
It's truly a Winter Wonderland!
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Thanks Rik and Gare! :)
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Been working real hard on this but cannot seem to stop the jerkeyness, but I hope you like it anyway. Also the first image is just the tree as done from the tutorial and the second is the anim.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
That is really a lovely image Maya, I like what you have done :D
@ Larry - your hard work paid off Larry, a lovely animation.
Stygg
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Which planet is that snowfall on, Larry?
The gravity seems to be 10 times, of that on earth! ;)) ;)) ;))
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A very happy Christmas to all the Xone gang and everyone at Talkgraphics :D
Stygg
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I have to be brain damaged to get up and post before coffee on Christmas Eve, but I just wanted to congratulate all for their personal artistic progress, and for making this a truly "hot spot" on tg with all your lovely contributions. Larry, the animation is mind-blowing!
Barbara and I had some router and printer problems, so we couldn't gey to our inkjet (whose Black cartridge was low anyhow), so we wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas with this eCard, which I only had time to finish painting and drawing last week!
Where did the year go?
Who cares!? We got a fresh new one around the corner!
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Our Best,
The Boutons
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gare
I love that stained glass. image Gare. Beautiful card! =D>
Thanks for the kind words about my efforts on the animation.
@ Rik, must not be earth I think it must be planet XaraXone or planet Bouton, because that is the only place trees like that grow. ;))
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wizard509
@ Rik, must not be earth I think it must be planet XaraXone or planet Bouton, because that is the only place trees like that grow. ;))
Yeah!
I think you're right, Larry.
It must be Planet Bouton. I'd expect gravity to be pretty powerful there.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Actually, the planet Bouton, was named after my great-great-parental unit. It lies in the NGC 147 group of the Andromeda Galaxy, which really isn't that far away of you know which special door to open in an alley on 47th Street and Fifth Avenue in NYC (there are other doors but I can't remember them right now).
There are three rings around the planet Bouton, each of which is a ride attraction, one of many on Bouton. Tickets are available at TicketsNow online.
You might want to take along a towel.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
=D> Great designs and cards Gare, Stygg, and Larry!
The tree has apparently been launched into outer space....so here's one with another greeting for the future...
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gare
There are three rings around the planet Bouton, each of which is a ride attraction, one of many on Bouton. Tickets are available at TicketsNow online.
You might want to take along a towel.
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Why the towel? Is that in case you wet yourself on the ride?
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Crow Haven
The tree has apparently been launched into outer space....so here's one with another greeting for the future...
Nice card Myra. Is that planet Bouton in the background? No, I guess not because it has no rings. OK back on topic now.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wizard509
Why the towel? Is that in case you wet yourself on the ride?
Larry, that was an oblique reference to Scott Adams' "The Hitch-hiker's Guide to The Galaxy", where gormless Arthur Dent was advised that when traveling, always take a towel. It has many uses when hitch-hiking through the galaxy. But he never explained why. So I cannot, either, okay?
:)
-g
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
OK Gare, that is one of my favorite books. I couldn't help wondering about the effect the ride might have and the need for a towel.
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Re: December 2014 Video Tutorial -- Making a Polygonal Tree
Hi,
It seems that when I get about 4 minutes into the tute, I get stuck. After using the mould tool on a quick shape, the ability to connect the dots is disabled. The drawing tool is there but the quickshapes only have the mould envelope.
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