7/29/2014 1:38:03 PM by
Community Manager
(Edited: 6/3/2023 8:26:45 PM)
Views: 670
Content Artist Name: Darkseal
1) How did you get into creating 3D Products?
I started making my "products" in 2009. I had just quite my job in car sales thinking I had a new line of good income working from home. I did not. Lucky for me I had started teaching myself 3d programs for a few years before that. I had been using poser for many years by that time and known the online stores were there. So I thought "why not give it a try"!
2) How long have you been creating products?
2009 is when I started making products and tried to treat it like a full time job from that point on.
3) Do you prefer Poser over Daz or vice versa? if so please tell us why.
When I purchased poser 4 there was no DAZ. After learning an interface for a specific program sometimes you are just not motivated to learn another that does the same thing. I never bothered to learn DAZ too much. I also feel like there is more features and better renders in poser, and I don't mind paying for that.
4) What was the most challenging product you have created OR wanted to create?
Classic answer: Every product presents it's own unique challenges... and that is no lie. With the bug encounters I face in poser on a project to project basis, trying out new things or new ways to do something (for me) can be a challenge every single time.
5) Where do you draw your inspiration from?
TV shows, games, movies, art on the web, ... and most importantly; The WIST LIST thread I have here on Renderotica!
6) Tell us a bit about your creation process, what steps do you go through to make a product?
Oh now, you are trying to get my milk for free. You can buy the cow in the store. I have many-a video tutorial that will walk anyone who wants to see the magic happen, step by step, on many subjects. Zbrush to poser, character creation, post work in photohop, you name it. I also have a thread in general discussion for suggestions on what video tutorials people want to see.
7) Is there anything you’d love to create but can’t? (and if so why?)
I know what the question you've asked is meant to mean, but I will answer it in a "different way".... I would love to create real time consuming works, where I put a lot of love and detail into the piece. I would love to build my "professional portfolio" with these kind of works. I can't really do that and make lots of content for the store. And, since this is my full time career, work comes first. I know you meant like "i want to make a 1000 cock monster with 200 eyes and fangs that are 20 feet long but just can't get it to look right".... but I think I could do that....
8) What so far has been your favorite product you created and why?
I wish I had one really. My feeling about 90% of the items I release is...
"It's not finished". I think every artist feels the same way about their works.
9) What is the one product you wish you never made and why? (don’t be shy)
Wish I never made.... hmmm... Well, I think I have a few. But you guys reading this will have never seen them. Every item that I make goes through testing. Any item that fails testing I have to re-work. If for some reason it fails again (and I will leave detail out here) I usually let it swim in my runtime, never to be seen by public eyes. It's all about the time investment made on an item vs. the reward of being sold and seen. If I spend 2 weeks on an item and can't recoup income from it.... the bills don't get paid. THAT is a product I wish I never made.
10) what kind of computer do you use for your products?
I currently use a:
i7 330
Nvidia 680m
32GB, yes 32GB ram
windows 7 74bit
11) Any advice for those who want to start creating their own 3D products?
The main thing I would suggest is to start. That's it, just start. No matter what you can do or how much you can do you simply start to try and make stuff. Open up your current runtime and take a look at the wireframes of things you like. Try to mimic that. Make something and put it in a place where people can see and use it. Ask for feedback. See what people (do and) don't like about it. Grow a thick skin and really ask what people hate about it. Learn from your mistakes. Start over and do it again.
12) any advice for those looking to start creating finished artwork?
Many people have different ideas about what "finished" is. I personally think nothing can be finished unless it's been played with in photohop. Others render out in Poser or daz and can created a finished piece there. My only advise would be to apply classic artistic values and practice to your digital art. Does it flow? Follow the golden rule of 3rds? Draw your eye to the focal points? Use contrast to do so? Use color theory in any way? Inspire an emotion? Make you feel or think? These are all things drilled into "you" early on in art class from the 5th grade or earlier. And from there onto college classes revisit the same teachings over and over again. If your art isn't doing any of the things listed above then it's time to take a classic "art class".
13) With the ever changing climate of 3D what do you see as the pros and cons?
Cons: None that I can think of!
Pros: More tools to use to create is never a bad thing. As software and hardware evolve I think it is easier and easier to get ideas out of your head and onto the screen/paper/canvas/print/3d print/web/to friends/to strangers/get feedback/get noticed/unite/cause controversy/make people think......etc...
14) what products do are you planning for the future?
I really want to do more video tutorials but need more feedback from people. I don't want to make things just for the sake of making things, I like to make things that people want. I need feedback from people to make that happen. If there is something lacking in the marketplace I want to know about it. If there is something people want to learn to do I need to hear in detail what that is. I've had a few requests to do (for example) a materials tutorial. But nobody ever says more! What materials? I don't want to spend an hour on water and glass if you really mean skin only. Same thing goes for tutorials I don't think are needed. For example, I don't think you would want to watch me pose a figure for an hour to get it just right... But maybe I'm wrong! I need feedback from the masses. I need to hear from 50% of the people here at Renderotica. I really really appreciate the few people who are consistently replying on the forums, I love it! I just wish more people would get involved!!
So, to answer the question in more detail (got derailed): Possibly a tutorial on Poser and GoZ for Zbrush, specifically when adding detail to a posed figure to "fix" common issues and add life!
15) You seem to create so much great products so fast, be honest… are you a machine?
A machine is a tool containing one or more parts that uses energy to perform an intended action. Machines are usually powered by mechanical, chemical, thermal, or electrical means..... Yes, I am a machine. OOOoooh Input!
16) Other than the wish list threads, how do you decide what to make next?
I REALLY want to pull as much viable product ideas as possible from the wish list thread as I can. Other times I simply start doodling in zbrush and hope my random-ness takes a direction. This is 99% of how things get done.
17) Speech time! any final words you have for your customers, fans and fellow 3D community?
I will keep it short here. If you managed to read this to the end I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you like my products and want to see more, please buy them from the marketplace. This is my full time career and is how I pay the bills. If you don't see something in the marketplace, please take a moment and participate in the wish list forums and suggest it. If it sounds good you might just see it available! Last but not least I am available for hire. Contact me for your own personal projects and I can give you a quote (please realise this option can be pricey, a you are paying for time spent)!
Thank you Renderotica Users! and thank you Renderotica!