i was bored and decided to fiddle around and try to make a whirlpool galaxy. several attempts at using lattices failed, they were too squarish and flat. this attempt is made with metaballs using a custom built starry texture. i still don't think it looks right. any ideas? John

Attached Link: Omega 2 - T'Karian Starbird

here is a picture of a starship i thought up for my friends movie. i've finally got around to building it in bryce. its called a t'karian starbird. more information on it can be found on the Omega 2 website: http://www.geekandproud.co.uk/hosted/omega2

see i told you it was spaced out! i'm having major problems trying to make parametric textures to fit the van. pointers please! John

and here are a few random pics i've knocked up. they are part of projects i'm yet to finsh or have got bored of. this image is of a Dodge Viper. the point of the project was to try to get the textures 100% realistic.

this one is the test render part of a scene i'm making at the moment. its going to be a car covered by a sheet, left in an old dusty shed. i made the sheet in poser then textured it in bryce (of course). The car in the final scene will be something more classy than a Fiat Uno. its just thats all i had unzipped at the time. I need an oily sheet texture if anyone can help.... i already have one (an ugly one - i hate it) but i'd like a couple so i can try them to see which is best. thanks! now you can post you comments! please? John

That starbird threw me off at first, but then I remembered that there shouldn't be any drag in space... Also, although I can't quite help you get that texture right on the VW van, its a cool texture.

You could try using UVmapper to UVmap the van. This will produce a texture map template, similar to the ones for your poser characters. Then, just cut and paste with a paint program or whatever, and you choulsdbe able to scale it... Won't be easy, but I'm sure you'll learn a lot if you try it! (It's the same "technology" used in almost ALL 3D games, might be worth knowing one day)

UV maps would be the way to go on the van. Just watch out for skewing and pinching of the textures. You may have to do a couple test renders before you get the paint job right. And pull the tarp the rest of the way over that Fiesta. If I had one of those in my garage, I'd want to hide it too. LOL!

Err... Oh it's a Fiat. Heheheh... Didn't catch that earlier, thought it was the blue oval that I'm familiar with on the grille. Regardless, it's one of those dinky deals where if the cat converter ever plugs up, or one cylinder misfires - the engine will never be able to get you up to the speed limit. Not to mention that those in SUV's might mistake you for a speed bump. LOL! I like the Microbus and Viper though.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=355355&Start=19&Artist=Rayraz&ByArtist=Yes

The best way to make galaxies is by using the multireplicator and lot's of small little 2D squares with startextures or tiny spheres. For fill stars between the arms of the spiral you can just use large fallattened spheres with volume textures. The galaxy will look best if you make seperate layers for every different material setting of part of the galaxy. Then you can composite the layers in Photoshop or PSP. Not only is this layering approach easier on the rendertime, it also helps you avoid nasty intersecting volume artifacts. You can clonebrush most artefacts away one layer at a time. The results can be quite good.

cheers ray. its not as romantic as i imagined, but i love your pic, i'll give it a go. prehaps i should get hold of lightwave. where do i get UV mapper from? paul, the car in the final pic will be very very british and a damn good looking car and not a crappy washing machine on wheels. the starbird uses the pressure of sunlight to move. a very poetic form of travel. i saw it once on the Outer Limits. John