Beautifull work. Groboto is cool and fun and you are such a talented artist.
I’m with you on William Goat, Darrel…has a certain posthuman look that would go well with a bronze in the Met.
Hello rolilli - Thank you. I greatly appreciate that. BTW - I’ve been to your site – you do beautiful work… ‘The Sentinel’ (just to name one), is a marvel. Lots of people create fractals, you are the rare sort who truly makes Art using fractals.
Thanks markkens - Unexpected finds are always sweet. That’s why it’s vital I work with tools that allow meandering exploration (like GB and ZB).
Best Wishes,
Darrel
GroBoto-Zbrush Synergy Thread
My CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
Attachments
Thank you Darrel for visiting my website.
Looks like the Mayas used Groboto too :lol:
Attachments
Hey rolilli – Nice. Yes… I love Primitive Art – prime examples of less-is-more. I have some GroBoto models that are very much in that vein. I hope to go exploring there.
Meanwhile, thought I’d touch base with the ‘Bolex Flyer’ – put it aside for a while (what little art time I’ve found has gone into my entry in the CGHub 3D Jam#4 Challenge - link below).
The changes to the Flyer are fairly minor since my last post – 'tho significant – happy with the GroBoto model, ready go dive into ZB sculpting…so far just a little sculpting on wings and tail ‘feathers’.
Best Wishes,
Darrel
CGHub 3D Jam #4 Challenge
GroBoto-Zbrush Synergy Thread
My CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
Are there any videos of the software being used while these models are created? It would greatly help to understand the potential of the software if a video showed how these cylinders and other geometric shapes are pulled out or connected with each other, how they are tweaked and manipulated etc. The website at a cursory glance has finished work galleries and youtube has animations made from some previous version of the software.
Hello moonlitmaverick,
The best videos are on our beta site:
GroBoto Beta Movies
Of course, keep in mind, these are based on the v3 beta – which is currently only available for OS X.
…a little more play with the Flyer. Added some new mechanical elements (new subtool created in GroBoto). Also playing with main wing design variations – not certain which way I’ll go there.
Best Wishes,
Darrel
GroBoto-Zbrush Synergy Thread
My CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
Attachments
groBoto:
I wonder if you’ve considered approaching SmithMicro with some of your work to be used as Gallery images, if not in actual commissioned advertising pieces? They’d be crazy not to use your images, even if ZBrush was a big part of the execution. Amazing and inspiring work, my friend. Congrats!
Hey kevphil,
Thanks man – greatly appreciate it. Actually, I’m the original creator of GroBoto (the software), and a lead developer on our (very tiny) team. I gladly provide Smith Micro with access to any of my work. Since some key elements of GroBoto used to create these models (esp. our new unified mesh), are currently only available in our OS X beta version, it makes sense to hold off on promoting with this material.
That will change once we establish a firm release date. Certainly, we are planning to highlight the synergy between GroBoto and ZBrush (and will be doing much more to enhance it) . We believe it’s one of our strong points.
Meanwhile, here’s a little sketch that I think is worth chasing (done for the ‘Every Day An Hour’ thread over on CGS – that’s the reason for the time notes… don’t usually keep track).
Best Wishes,
Darrel
Best Wishes,
Darrel
My 3D Jam #4 WIP
GroBoto-Zbrush Synergy Thread
My CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
Attachments
I should have realized you were the creator (Duh!) and that GroBoto had its own site (double Duh!), but anyhoo…
I went to your site and watched some of your movie tuts, which were very instructive as to workflow. When I get two coins I can rub together, I will definitely give v3 a spin when it’s released. Thanks very much!
Hey kevphil, Thanks again – and no problem – I often loose track of who I’m supposed to be one day to the next.
Here’s another piece in the ongoing GroBoto/ZBrush exploration… once again, thought I was doing a throw-away piece – then it got kinda interesting.
Quick sketch in GroBoto, and even shorter play in ZBrush. Some things need to be cleaned up – and I may be tempted to toss in some bits of ZB detail – but perhaps a ‘best to leave well-enough alone’ case.
Best Wishes,
Darrel
3D Jam 4:Rim Lizard - Kione
Art:Sketchbook Thread - CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
Attachments
One very nice thing about GroBoto’s internal renderer: models are apparently self-shadowing. That is, objects can cast shadows on themselves or other objects in the same scene. IMHO, It greatly adds to the realism.
It would be a really nice feature if ZBrush renders supported that capability natively, as well. Maybe in v4? (I know: Easy for me to say.) Just an observation…
Anyway, great new piece, GroBoto. Really amazing complexity!
Awesome work!
Very unique style.
C h e e r s !
Hi kevphil and PawWS…
Thanks guys – sorry for the slow reply, been caught up with the 3D Jam 4 stuff…
3D Jam 4 ZBC WIP Threads :
Rim Lizard - Kione
…and turntables here:
Rim Lizard and Kione Turntables
As far a s real-time cast shadows… it’s no trivial matter, and we did work hard to pull that off.
ZBrush actually does offer shadows in its work render modes – they are subtle, soft and short-range… and therefore not as obvious. Of course yo can get good shadows out of ZBrushes ‘Best’ render modes by tweaking the Shadow settings in the Lights Palette (Length, Rays, Aperture, etc. – see the online ZB docs).
Anyhow… here’s a continuation of the Kione Navigator piece from the challenge – continuing to refine textures and such (also lighting and shadows btw).
Best Wishes,
Darrel
GroBoto-Zbrush Synergy Thread
My CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
Wow, what amazingly creative stuff you have there! 
Hey Conniekat8,
Thanks, truly appreciate that.
Stopped by your thread… and (please excuse the unapproved screen grab of your work), I couldn’t help notice a curious correlation of forms:
[attach=183417]CKatKione.jpg[/attach]
The fun and curious bit is how geometries, while playing different functional roles, play similar aesthetic roles – (ex. arc of your helmet crest and arc of Kione’s sextant support… graduated rings of your gal’s ‘barrette’ and graduated disks of Kione’s headdress… ‘mircphone’ and the other sextant arc, etc.). Nothing magical here – geometries of the head invite certain forms – just fun.
Very nice piece btw… look forward to watching it evolve.
Anyhow…
Here’s another Kione update – complete with stand.
Best Wishes,
Darrel
GroBoto-Zbrush Synergy Thread
My CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
Attachments
Finally getting around to setting up some simple scenes for all of these sketch models. Can’t afford to get too ambitious – just aiming for some ‘portraits’ of the models that go a step beyond trivial backdrops.
This is just a comp – all aspects still WIP – model, background, lights, materials, etc… but I’m reasonably happy with the direction.
ZB Render and Photoshop comp.
Best Wishes
3D Jam 4s on ZBC :Rim Lizard - Kione
Art:CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
I remember in the very beginning having no clue where you were going with this concept, but it has been a blast seeing you progress into these VERY fun and VERY unique works of art. Excellent work!!
“beyond trivial backdrops…”
I believe poking above the atmosphere qualifies 
Cool concept and execution. Easy to believe in this guy ambling along the plateau.
(PC…PC…PC…:p)
Skadalilama - Thank You. Yes, this entire thread is an exploration – including my efforts to gain some basic ZB skills. Finding ways to best exploit GroBoto-generated meshes in ZBrush, and to hone that output so for sculpting purposes has been the main goal. I’ve not had (and still don’t have), the time develop concepts and chase aesthetics – to create art.
markkens - Thanks, my friend. Very glad to hear that it’s working. With luck, I’ll find time to build some mini-narratives for some of the other neglected models on this thread.
Here’s an update. More GB/ZB modeling (esp. the arms), plus a fair amount of Photoshop post.
Best Wishes,
Darrel
3D Jam 4s: Rim Lizard - Kione
Art: CGSociety Folio
GroBoto Site
