I`ve been working on this, on and off, for about a week now and I`d like to know how you think it`s going. This is just a rough non AA version. The look I`m going for is BUSY! so there`s going to be a few more figures in there, probably a couple of kids and a dog in the foreground. I`ll also put a few gulls in the sky, some window boxes maybe and I`m thinking about having a busty wench leaning out of the inn window. (I probably won`t put it in the pic, but I`m still thinking about it, LOL). Then I can get on with the postwork and add some puddles and some ivy on the distant house walls etc. I may try for some DoF as well, but I`ll do that in post as I`m to old to wait for Bryce to render. I knew there was no way I could get all these figures in this and still be able to work at a reasonable pace without breaking the spring in my clockwork PC so only 2 are actual 3d models. The others were first created in Poser and then mapped onto 2d planes. Can you tell which ones? I`ve always thought this was a bit of a cop out but it`s actually harder than using a 3d model but it does save on those polygons. The problem is that all the best costumes are for Mike & Vicky and get a dozen or so of those in the pic and I`m stuffed. Sloooowdown. Do you think the sky is too much or should I change the overall colour of the main scene from warm to colder which would match the sky better? Or I could put a glow in the sky. If it doesn`t ruin the effect of the 2d planes I may also raise the camera to give a different PoV. And I`ve just noticed the coachman has moved. I`m a bit worried about the proportions, but this isn`t helped by some of the buildings only having one story. And these old places were built pretty low. I think it`s ok. So, any suggestions welcomed. Thanks, guys.

Yeah, maybe make it a bit of a cooler color, and also, i hope you plan on postworking in shadows for your 2d plane people.

The seagull seems a bit big. I can't make up my mind about the coach. Maybe more trim to give it a bit of definition? And lastly, if you really really want a challenge, more of a worn look in the "traffic" area of the terrain. I'm definitely keepin my eye out for the finished version.

What sort of feelings do you wish to show in this picture? What kind of day is it? Is it a busy happy day or just another day at the market? Think about what sort of feeling you want the user to feel and then its easier to pick the elements that fit. You have 9 windows and they are exactly the same, putting some shades at different heights would help a bit. Just sticking a thin shade behind the windows would be good enough. Some smoke puffing out of the chimneys would be good, would give the houses a more inhabited look. Picture looks pretty good.

Looks fantastic! The ground mat could use a little increase in resolution. Some of the roosters and chickens are not casting shadows but I'm pretty sure that's easy to fix, maybe an increase in sun shadows (shadows can be very beautiful). The white horse and the lady in front of it looks a little bit like theyr'e floating. The composition itself looks wonderful. The sky is A keeper IMO. Looking forward to see this finished, It's gonna be a hit!

Some of the roosters and chickens are not casting shadows < Oh no, vampiric poultry. Wait thats reflections, never mind.

Looks really good, Sam. The only problem I see is the shadows.

Ok it's a wip and you will do lots of tweaking before it's finished and I don't have anything else to add to the suggestions that have been given above. But I think it is a lovely scene and I know that when you are done with it it will look stunning as your images always do. I look forward to seeing your finished version. 8) Catlin

Maybe furled sails on the yards? The seagull is just fine.....

Very cool...I love the sky!

Bryster, that seagull could take Godzilla! lol. But seriously, I did the following logic and the seagull seemed big... I pose the logic here so that you can correct me if I'm wrong... The windows are all the same size, the man farthest from the camera could easily fit through one side of an opened window. The seagul seems to me to be almost as tall as the closest window to him. Did that make any sense?

I'm not positive, but I think it's the same seagull.

another winner!

Thanks for the comments guys. The seagull has gone on a serious diet and the lady with the horse has come down to earth with a bump. The two main cottages are obviously both the same model, (all cottages by Zippy, BTW) and I think I may change one to another type. This scene was originally meant to be a lot more buildings and viewed across the rooftops out to sea, and I just lowered the camera into the street and thought it made a good PoV, but I should have rearranged the cottages better. I may make some shutters for one of the buildings. Yeah, Bryster, you, or someone, suggested furled sails on my last wip and I knackered the file before I could try it but I like the idea so Ill give it a go this time. Shadows, definitely. Thats something for postwork. Thanks again. Back to work. :o)

Hey, Muddygrub, that seagull sure gets around, don`t it. LOl

The seagulls around where I live seem to be that size, especially when they sit atop chimneys. Perhaps we are throwing out food that's too good for them since that's where they seem to get most of their diet from, ie. bins. 8) Catlin

Now wonder the people are lined up or running away, that seagull is Huge. Forget bins, how about small pets or even children.

Looks pretty good. a few details you might wish to look at (or you might not, your choice obviously): The chimney near the center of the picture looks like it alternates the same two feet of bricks slightly darker, then lighter, then darker, then lighter... you might want to try to randomize that a bit? Also, the crows' nests on the ships masts and the wooden trough in the lower lefthand corner seem a bit too smooth, they might do with some roughening up.