Nice tutorial. I have printed it out for reading later when I get some time (like this weekend). Anyone ever done a tutorial on HDRI in Vue?

Thanks for creating a Vicky version. This is a great set and I hope Lululee releases a texture set for it based upon the render I saw at your website.

Great images, Spit. The one in Bryce looks just like a wall tapestry. Thats why this is a useful technique, because you can create artwork for your 3D scenes that look authentic for an older period. The Bryce Z-Toon would look great in a Renaisance (sp?) Era scene. BTW, I know fine artists who make LOTS of $$$ with "primative" art styles! Isn't life funny! FearaJinx, the main $400 app I was alluding to is "Illustrate!" for 3DStudio, other similiar apps exist for Lightwave. There is also stand-alone software like Swift3D for around $199, but you must import 3DS or OBJ's. The new Carrara 3 will also offer some Cel Shade effects. But personally, I like the effects that Z-Tooning creates.

Love it.

Actually I'm a heavy user of Photoshop, and I own tons of filters and have spent huge amounts of time playing with images for various effects. I might add that I have been fortunate to also make a comfortable living doing it (and have own a lot of high-end graphics equipment.) So for me this isn't just theoretical fun, however I do enjoy that also. If you aren't in the business of making money using computer software, I think for many this doesn't mean much. But for my own work, this technique has many important uses.

I'm not familiar with the "Superflat" movement, but in reply to xoconostle I would say that the real advantage of this technique over 2-D applications is that the models can be completely posed and reposed, with full use of transparency maps, textures, etc. You can't easily do these things in Adobe Illustrator. Imagine if an art director said "can you have the character looking a little more to upwards towards the sky"- In a 2-D application that means several hours re-work, maybe. In this technique its just a few clicks away to having a character posed any way you want, in any hairstyle, clothes, etc. I'm certain that there could be huge value in time-sensitive applications like website advertising and news graphics, among other things. The 2-D look is still very much in demand today, but using 3-D to get there offers huge advantages, I think. (Plus you STILL HAVE all the original advantages of realistic 3D!) Plus, these 2-D images can be ANIMATED and using the video codecs available, output immediately to professional video.

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If you aren't familiar with "z-ing", its good to stay in a range of 5-10 and no less. Too flat and your image will degrade badly. Higher than 10 and your image will start to look embossed. That can be a good thing, however, if you wanted it to look like a layered fresco wall mural.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/tut.ez?Form.ViewPages=319

Z-Tooning has become my favorite illustration method. I am getting excellent commercial art quality renders using it.

It's a good idea, but obviously approximately 50% of all models used by a lot of Poser artists are pirated, according to a knowledgable DAZ source. So its not surprising that since people like posting huge hi-rez files in the gallery that the thief mentality people think that stealing artwork is also "cool, hip, doin' it for the collective masses, etc." Stealing is Stealing, but somehow unless someone is personally affected, and finally feels like a rape victim, they then know how many model creators feel when they see their stolen models used without any payment, or even credit. Any organization to police stolen models and stolen art would be a great thing. But, oops, I said "police", and that's not a COOL THING, so we are back to everyone cowering and afraid to taken action. But when it gets bad enough, people eventually have to take action, or everything will be taken from them by thieves.

Daz has indicated that they would host the LordNakagawa mannikin once he sends it over to them. Both sides sound ready to do this, yet oddly, nothing seems to happen.

Thanks for the update Jaager. Where is the V1 Mannikin?