I’ve been trying to get a Rhino model animated and these are some of my results. I decided to render the model in ZBrush to see what it came out like. Only the top one is ZB. The model was created 100% in Rhino.
though I dont know much about other apps I have to tell you that the Rhino image to me is the best one of the lot…and zbrush render runs second on that list…this is a very kewl looking robotic image …very realistic looking…I don’t know if I helped any with my comments, but you seem to work magic with images in whatever application you use…(and no I am not butt kissin 
just acknowledging my love or your works.)
Interesting mechanica…got a little animation? Or is it just posed yet.
I like the material in the Rhino render.
I like the lighting effect in the Rhino version, but I like the material appearance better in the ZBrush version…To me it looks more like metal, less like polymer…
I don’t think Rhino has a good renderer. Is that rendered with Flamingo?
Hmmm, definitely between the Rhino version and the ZBrush version. Bet the ZBrush version could look more like the Rhino version using the ReflectedMap material.
I’m tending to lean towards the Rhino version but then, I’m like one of those critters who collects shiny things. 
I especially like the quality of the metal in the ZBrush version. It has more of an aged and grungy quality that seems the most natural for a mechanical spider. It’s cool how the Rhino one has true reflections, though.
I would have to say I like the texture of the ZBrush version and the Rhino render. Nice creature Glen! Having just plowed through the Carrara demo I have a renewed respect for people who work in the “down and dirty” 3D apps. I found Carrara to be a little intimidating. Big learning curve there. I will have to take a look at it over the next few days to see how well I like it.
Lightwave and C4D are definitely the most “capable” renderers of those shown. It seems like more effort was put into the Rhino and Zbrush images in terms of lighting and materials. Although I’m assuming they are all using “default” materials?
That said…
I would have to agree that I like the Zbrush image the best with the Rhino one right behind it. The material on the Zbrush image is just much nicer. Some very slight, soft reflection or deeper shadowing would put the Zbrush image head and shoulders above the rest.
That is some beautiful work, Glen! Tell me that is a Flamingo render in the Rhino version, right? I like the Rhino version and the Zbrush version about the same, but the Z version has a “warmer” quality to it, and a more unique material appearance.
My penny! I think that the shadowing is the big difference in these images. As some one has already said put the Rhino shadow on the ZBrush render and you have your winner. IMHO.
DeeVee,
Joe.
PS:Note to self stop this.
Glen, I think you would have to admit that this is somewhat misleading. The C4D image could VERY easily look like the Rhino image, probably in about 30 seconds time…
All that said, the model itself is sweet.
Stim - Misleading? I am not, at this stage stating that any of the above apps is better than another. The C4D one has no texture applied at all, I simply used that image as I liked the crisp render. If you are saying that with a little work I could make the c4d one look like the Rhino/Flamingo image then I would agree.
The aim of the project for me was to learn about IK on a sci-ish model. I used to be able to do it in 3DStudio (I don’t have MAX) so I am trying to learn Lightwave and I must say I find it hard. I am lucky enough to also have Maxons full compliment of software so I very often run a mesh through C4D just to see.
I am getting to like c4D as the interface is dead easy and it follows logical routes to get a job done.
(ZB head in C4D, textured in ZB)
My favorite modeller (nurbs) is Rhino and the latest update for Flamingo gives Rhino a real boost. Metals and chrome always look realistic.
Now Lightwave, I find hard. I just wish I could get my head around it. I hear and see what Ken and others can do with Lightwave and I have to concentrate really hard just to get a basic shape made and textured. I have all the major books now (inc Dan Ablans stuff) and I am downloading all the tuts I can but it is taking forever to get results. And now, I find that I strugggle with the animation side of it as well.
`spose I could go back to 2D and return to Painter…
OR…setttle for a mix of 2D and 3D…hmmm…what programs would let me do that???
It looks very good in all the pics. I especially like the ZBrush render.
Do you have Pro-Pack for Poser? If so, bone it in Pro-Pack, animate it in poser and export the anim to C4d or Lightwave. Use your arsenal of programs to make things as easy for you as possible
Ack Glen! Now your scaring me!
I just ordered lightwave because I have been drooling over it’s renderer for years and I finally have the resources to justify spending the cash.
I was torn between C4D and Lightwave - both of which are capable of beautiful output, but Lightwave seemed to be a slightly more complete solution for the money. (hair, particles, animation…)
I don’t have a fraction of the talent or experience you have - now I’m worried I may have biten off more then I can chew. 
I haven’t used rhino since it’s beta days but have do have Truespace 6 to use as a modeler…which is really it’s strongest point I think. I also have Hash’s A:M which is quite possibly the easiest app I’ve ever animated with, but as much as I like it, it is a somewhat closed solution because of limited export / import (it’s render engine is getting better, but not in the same leage as even Truespaces’ render engine).
Once I got my head around spline modeling though, I found it much easier for modeling orangic stuff. My train of thought was that I could start with patch modeling in Lightwave and “grow” into the poly tools…
My box should be here late this week…we’ll see!
On a related note - I was watching a video of someone modeling in lightwave using a technique they called “similar to Maya Artisan” - I’m very new to Zbrush - but I’ll be damned it if it didn’t look like using ZB on a sphere. Maybe something to look into…
Sorry Southern, wasn’t implying any improper statements on your part. I guess you realized that. No, all I was saying was that a couple of those initial renders obviously had more done to them than others (the C4D was the most “sparse”.) Over the past couple of years I switched from Lightwave to C4D. My last version of LightWave was 5.5, and the concept of Modeler and Layout as two separate apps was getting old. I find C4D to be fast, elegant, and has a marvelous renderer. Lightwave also has a great renderer, but like you, I never felt I had full control over the program. 3D is an interesting thing. Each application has its own approach and terminology, and you kind of have to feel your way around until you get an application that fits your style. Obviously, by looking at your work, you are extremely adaptable.
I’m quite happy with C4D, and I also use their Net Render package to render extremely high res animation (6500x1800x30fps) across a bank of G4s. Very productive. In my spare time I return to feeling like a newbie using ZBrush and wondering how you guys make such amazing looking stuff. 
Hey Glen
If you want a quick learning curve, you might want to check out http://www.vtc.com (Virtual Training Company). They sell these brilliant training CD’s with a minimum of 8 hours of movies on each CD teaching you how to use a huge varity of software. I use them in my class so my students can do some extra afterhours study in Studio Max, After-FX5, Photoshop, Premiere, etc. I notice they have a Cinema 4D XL6 CD (9.5 hours of movies!) but surprisingly not a Lightwave training CD.
Sorry to sound like an advert, but I feel you really do get value for money with these CDs when you compare them to the cost of a part time course. I’m teaching myself Dreamweaver at the moment. It’s crossed my mind to make a ZBrush training CD, but…!
Some great examples above! Keep on plodding on!
Upham
Speaking of Training materials…
I just got an email syaing that my Lightwave Order will be here tomorrow - and it includes 10 Training DVD’s from Desktop Images. I’ll let you know how they are after I’ve had a chance to watch them a bit.
I’ve just gone through the 1st DVD training video that came with my Lightwave order. “Getting into 7” was about 2 hours long and covers the basics of Lightwave’s interface and operation.
I have to say it was helpful to me… There are subtle nuances to the way some of Lightwaves tools work that would have frustrated me to hell before I figured them out.
Although it was, definitely geared to beginners I would think it would be a nice way to wrap your head around Lightwaves operating paradigm.
I think you can buy the videos individually - might be an option to help ease the learning curve.
I got a total of 10 videos in the package, hopefully they are all of similar quality in terms of the material.
Now I need to actually do some work! 
Hey thanks guys.
Non- Where would I get those from? Newtek?
C4D manuals are some of the best I have come across. Following the tutorials in them has been straight forward. The manual for Lightwave is daunting!.
G