While working on a previous article I came across DocMikeB’s collection of freebies he has shared with the Renderosity community. As is the case with so many other Rendo assets, they are the type of assets that you want to download just to play with, even if you don’t have a need for them at the moment.
The models I tried are very well made and detailed, more than suitable for close-ups, single image renders, or videos. They also work well in Unreal Engine. Being Poser models is another big plus in that they work not only in Poser but like a lot of Poser assets convert well to other engines depending on your pipeline.
Many thanks to DocMikeB for taking the time to answer our Creator questions so that we can at least get a small glimpse of this modeler/artist’s world. And for those that don’t already know, Doc isn’t just a screen name, but you’ll find that out in the interview.
The models I tried are very well made and detailed, more than suitable for close-ups, single image renders, or videos. They also work well in Unreal Engine. Being Poser models is another big plus in that they work not only in Poser but like a lot of Poser assets convert well to other engines depending on your pipeline.
Many thanks to DocMikeB for taking the time to answer our Creator questions so that we can at least get a small glimpse of this modeler/artist’s world. And for those that don’t already know, Doc isn’t just a screen name, but you’ll find that out in the interview.
Interview with DocMikeB
What got you interested in digital art and creating 3D content?
DocMikeB: Computers have been a part of my life since early childhood.
I was born in 1980 and my dad in that year purchased an Apple II. He is one of the pioneers of personal computing in my country, Italy. I still remember the green and black CRT monitor.
The very first drawing application I used was MacPaint in 1985: a black and white pixel art tool, very basic but with interesting features like dithering and patterns useful to emulate greyscale tones and shadows.
In 1989 I received as a gift from my parents an Amiga 500 and I discovered the full potential of color. My favorite tool was Deluxe Paint. In the late 1990s unfortunately the Amiga market, after the bankruptcy of Commodore, was stagnating so I moved to PC.
I started making 3D art mostly inspired by video games and sci-fi books and movies and I created my very first scenes with Bryce 2. In 2001-2002, I learned modeling with 3dsmax.
Something felt familiar; later I learned that Dan Silva, the creator of Deluxe Paint, joined the team directed by Gary Yost and became one of the developers of 3dsMax too.
DocMikeB: Computers have been a part of my life since early childhood.
I was born in 1980 and my dad in that year purchased an Apple II. He is one of the pioneers of personal computing in my country, Italy. I still remember the green and black CRT monitor.
The very first drawing application I used was MacPaint in 1985: a black and white pixel art tool, very basic but with interesting features like dithering and patterns useful to emulate greyscale tones and shadows.
In 1989 I received as a gift from my parents an Amiga 500 and I discovered the full potential of color. My favorite tool was Deluxe Paint. In the late 1990s unfortunately the Amiga market, after the bankruptcy of Commodore, was stagnating so I moved to PC.
I started making 3D art mostly inspired by video games and sci-fi books and movies and I created my very first scenes with Bryce 2. In 2001-2002, I learned modeling with 3dsmax.
Something felt familiar; later I learned that Dan Silva, the creator of Deluxe Paint, joined the team directed by Gary Yost and became one of the developers of 3dsMax too.
Which one gives you a bigger thrill? Creating 3D Content, Creating Artwork, or both?
I admit that I find it funnier and more satisfying to create content than artworks and I consider myself a craftsman, but I am very glad when talented artists from
I admit that I find it funnier and more satisfying to create content than artworks and I consider myself a craftsman, but I am very glad when talented artists from
Renderosity or other communities use in original ways, my models. This is why I like to share freebies.
In the past I created free content for video games too; between 2005 and 2007 I spent many nights awake making models and custom props and figures for The Elder Scrolls Morrowind and maps for strategy games like Ages of Empires or Command and Conquer. I played more time with the editors than with the actual games!
In the past I created free content for video games too; between 2005 and 2007 I spent many nights awake making models and custom props and figures for The Elder Scrolls Morrowind and maps for strategy games like Ages of Empires or Command and Conquer. I played more time with the editors than with the actual games!
Do you feel driven by your desire to create or is it something that just pops up from time to time?
It depends. In general, I always feel the desire to create something new but sometimes I am more productive, and I focus on a project for weeks, sometimes I have to take a break due to real-life circumstances. I started the BeetleBot model in late 2018 but after a hiatus (I was busy with other projects) I completed it in spring 2022.
When did you start to realize that you had artistic/creative ability?
Quite soon, as a kid, I liked traditional drawing too and building custom models with Lego.
What is in your digital toolbox? What applications do you rely on for artwork and/or 3D content creation? Especially your “can’t live without” software apps.
My main and favorite 3d modeling application is 3dsmax and I have been a Poser enthusiast since 2000, but I like to try and learn different applications too.
Blender is an excellent program, free and very powerful, it includes great sculpting tools, and it has a nice and friendly community, very willing to share knowledge and tutorials. I started using it recently and I enjoy it. I recommend it to everyone, beginners, and professionals.
Another good and free 3d modeling program I like is Wings3D. To make textures I use ArmorPaint, a free 3d painting software, or Photopea, a free 2d art program.
In the past, I used a lot of Bryce (from version 2 to version 5) and occasionally Silo, an intuitive polygonal modeling program. Sometimes I make content for Unreal Engine 4 or 5 too.
Digital Artists and Content creators form a wide spectrum. Are you formally educated, self-taught, or both in digital asset creation?
I am self-taught.
In the early 2000s, when I started learning 3d modeling, I used to buy a monthly magazine in Italian and I followed some tutorials. The same publishing house released several books and CD-ROMs about 3D character modeling, and I bought and studied some.
I did not have a fast internet connection back then and video tutorials were not popular.
But once in a while, I browsed forums, including Renderosity.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to become an architect; I loved, and I still love buildings and urban landscapes.
My father is a professor of engineering, but he loves history too, and my mother is a teacher of literature and art. Both influenced and encouraged me.
My main and favorite 3d modeling application is 3dsmax and I have been a Poser enthusiast since 2000, but I like to try and learn different applications too.
Blender is an excellent program, free and very powerful, it includes great sculpting tools, and it has a nice and friendly community, very willing to share knowledge and tutorials. I started using it recently and I enjoy it. I recommend it to everyone, beginners, and professionals.
Another good and free 3d modeling program I like is Wings3D. To make textures I use ArmorPaint, a free 3d painting software, or Photopea, a free 2d art program.
In the past, I used a lot of Bryce (from version 2 to version 5) and occasionally Silo, an intuitive polygonal modeling program. Sometimes I make content for Unreal Engine 4 or 5 too.
Digital Artists and Content creators form a wide spectrum. Are you formally educated, self-taught, or both in digital asset creation?
I am self-taught.
In the early 2000s, when I started learning 3d modeling, I used to buy a monthly magazine in Italian and I followed some tutorials. The same publishing house released several books and CD-ROMs about 3D character modeling, and I bought and studied some.
I did not have a fast internet connection back then and video tutorials were not popular.
But once in a while, I browsed forums, including Renderosity.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to become an architect; I loved, and I still love buildings and urban landscapes.
My father is a professor of engineering, but he loves history too, and my mother is a teacher of literature and art. Both influenced and encouraged me.
Did you end up in a related profession or something totally different?
Related, at least in some way. In my town, Pisa, there is a good university, but it did not have a faculty of architecture; the closest one is in Florence.
I liked humanities too so in 2005 I got a Master's degree in medieval history. In 2012 I got a Ph.D. in "history and computing" at the University of Bologna. I included 3d graphics in both of my theses.
For some years I worked as a postdoctoral research fellow applying 3d computer graphics to digital humanities and historical heritage. The team included professors of history, architects, engineers, and archaeologists. We produced and released a documentary for the Expo of Milan in 2015.
Since 2016 I have been a freelancer but once in a while, I still write an academic paper or hold a lecture.
Is there anything that you would like the Renderosity community to know about you in particular or a general statement you’d like to make about your digital work?
Computer art unites people from different countries, backgrounds, and generations: in 2007 I met here on Renderosity my best friends, Krouser and Countessa Jay and through the years I befriended creative and talented people like Armorbeast, 3dClassics, Daddyo3D, and many others.
A special thanks to the aforementioned Dan Silva.
Related, at least in some way. In my town, Pisa, there is a good university, but it did not have a faculty of architecture; the closest one is in Florence.
I liked humanities too so in 2005 I got a Master's degree in medieval history. In 2012 I got a Ph.D. in "history and computing" at the University of Bologna. I included 3d graphics in both of my theses.
For some years I worked as a postdoctoral research fellow applying 3d computer graphics to digital humanities and historical heritage. The team included professors of history, architects, engineers, and archaeologists. We produced and released a documentary for the Expo of Milan in 2015.
Since 2016 I have been a freelancer but once in a while, I still write an academic paper or hold a lecture.
Is there anything that you would like the Renderosity community to know about you in particular or a general statement you’d like to make about your digital work?
Computer art unites people from different countries, backgrounds, and generations: in 2007 I met here on Renderosity my best friends, Krouser and Countessa Jay and through the years I befriended creative and talented people like Armorbeast, 3dClassics, Daddyo3D, and many others.
A special thanks to the aforementioned Dan Silva.
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