Salt 'n Pepper

[Big Frank]

Jens recently posted a 2D illustration in the Xara forum of a superbly-designed salt and pepper cruet set. This thread soon turned into a discussion about the relative merits of 2D vs 3D with the usual dissenting voices. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

I've posted my latest version of this set, deferring to Jens as the creator of this striking design. All I did was copy his dimensions and use trueSpace to realise it.

Such a simple design, yet so eye-catching! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Soquili]

Hi Big Frank,

I like the acrylic frame better than the brushed aluminium one in your other post.

Soquili [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Big Frank]

Hi Soqi

Yeah, I think the prespex looks better, but Jens threw a fit when he saw it! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

My point in changing from the original brushed metal to the perspex was to illustrate to the Xara mob (of which I too am one!) that even, realistic chrome and transparency is a doddle with a decent 3D app, and only easy for the technically experienced Xara enthusiast.

However, could I have accomplished the VW Splittie people keep referring back to in a 3D app? Yes, probably, eventually, but whereas it took me 20 hours in XaraX, it would have taken closer to 200 in a 3D app. I wouldn't waste my time doing it that way.

Oh well, there's no pleasing some people is there? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

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Big Frank was

[Soquili]

Hi Big Frank,

I haven't used a 3D program for many years. Then it was more like writing a program than drawing. How is TrueSpace used?

Soquili [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Big Frank]

It's a complete mouse-driver gui now - not a single co-ordinate! You have been away for a while, haven't you!

Somewhere in the Xara forums I posted a link for a free download of trueSpace 1, unlimited full version. Give it a whirl - I guarantee you'll be hooked!

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Big Frank was

[Big Frank]

...again, rendered in tS3.1 using my mouse and no complicated maths!

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Big Frank was

[AjIsCoool]

But why it is shown as a wave (ripple) effects in the side of the salt & pepper [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Big Frank]

Not sure about the wave effect. I think it's the way trueSpace has modelled the shakers and has interpreted the light shining through the clear material as going through hundreds of little interconnected shapes rather than through one smooth surface. It could also be that my salt and pepper textures are really bad, of course! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

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Big Frank was

[Soquili]

I thought they were slip resistant ridges, so you wouldn't drop the shaker [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Soquili [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]