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Anybody using any third party 3D text software that can be used in conjunction with Photoshop? I know that Photoshop *Extended* version has this capability, but it seems pricey, even for an upgrade. What other good alternatives are there out there.
Also, curious if any has the ability to create a letter with a vertically tapered front face while keeping the back of the letter 'straight'... think in terms of a chrome automotive style emblem on a car.
Something that would allow me to do a curved 'text face' like this:
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Hi Todd. Ive been using Shinycores pathstyler pro. Superb plug in. google their site shiny core.com. unfortunately at the moment only works on photoshop and illy cs5 and earlier. Since I upgraded to 6, it doesnt work and am waiting patiently for an update. Can't recommend highly enough
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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Michael - I've got about everything AlienSkin has to offer - I wish they had something that would do this, but they don't ... at least not that I know of.... thanks for the suggestion though! :-)
Kevin - thanks - I'm going to take a look at that. Do you think it will allow just the front 'face' of a letter to be arced as shown in my photo above?
Appreciate the help !! :-)
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Not sure Todd, but it also works with illy which I'm more familiar with. Unfortunately mine not working now but I would imagine if you apply the arc transformation first and then the pathstyler effect, you may get it. There is a free trial on the site you can try before buying. Price I think maybe 90 bucks
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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Ok, thanks Kevin. It appears that ShineyCore also applies a 'bevel' encroaching into the letter to the sides, top side, and bottom side of the image/letter. I need the sides to be unaffected and the back of the letter to remain 'flat', while just the front face of the letter has a tapering arc across it's vertical plane.
I think SolidWorks, Rhino, or some other crazy expensive and multi-year learning curve software could do this... but I don't have the time or want to spend the dough...haha.
If you think of any alternatives, let me know. Thanks again.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Wow.... sounds like it *could* be a possibility. I sure wish you had yours up and going on CS5 to test.... let me know if you end up getting it going.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Wont have it for a while Id say. Emailed them monthly for developments on a cs6 version. Get same answer, theyre working on it but no idea when it'll be ready.Maybe give the free trial a go, its the full working version Todd
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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Hi Todd, Did this in Form Z in a few minutes. You can add all types of surfaces and effects, or take it into Photoshop as an alpha map.It is a 3d modeling program. I believe you can download a trial version to play with. They also have a great forum for information.
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Rick - as far as the 'shape on the front surface goes, you nailed it! And the sides etc remain square and flat.... just as I wanted.
Looks like the top of the T isn't quite the same dimension as the bottom, but the general idea is 99.999% what I was envisioning.
Does 'Form Z' cost an arm and a leg? I guess I can google it.... thanks again Rick - spectacular job, and I really appreciate your taking the time to put this visual together.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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That;s really nice. Just went to the website, $995!
-------------------- Bill'n'Annie Davidson Heathcote, NSW, Aus. my Aussie wife, a Toohey's Old, my Holden Ute, Retired from the rat race! Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Todd, You might find the price a bit of a stumbling block, but it does open new doors. Like all software and equipment, there's a upfront cost, and a learning curve. I guess you have the decided if it's worth it. What does your copy need to read? Here's an example of what can be done with it. This is a model I built and textured.
[ February 27, 2013, 12:33 AM: Message edited by: Rick Janzen ]
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Rick - Wow-za! I am completely your biggest fan now - that is amazing!! Are you an engineer, or have a construction background, or did you just dive into the software and 'go at it?' Very cool.
I agree about the upfront costs, etc. This is something that I might design occasionally, so would have a tougher time justifying it.... but I am DULY IMPRESSED !!
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Thanks Todd, I'm just a sign guy, still painting em by hand. I actually taught myself how to use Form Z and Lightwave (Be prepared to read a lot of manuals). I decided to get into it after working on a TV series that went green screen half ways through the season. When I started, everything was build and painted by hand, now most of it is done on a computer. Using a 3d modelling program can be a great way to create unique graphics and such.
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Rick... I have an old version of Lightwave. Took a college course to use it, and was doing ok in the beginning, but missed a few classes due to travel. I got behind, and that program made me feel like my head would explode, it was so complicated. That was Lightwave version 7. I was amazed the a program *that expensive* wouldn't have a simple 'undo' function. We had to save multiple versions as we went along our basic projects so that if we screwed something else we could re-open the previously saved version as a work-around to not having an 'undo' function. Do they have 'undos' now... I imagine theyve come a ways since then.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Todd...I've started with Lightwave version 3.5, and now have version 8. In the Modeler window you just used Ctrl +Z. to undo. In the Layout window you would use the Undo command in the lower right corner. I can't remember where it was in the older version. The layout window is for animation and the rendering. You are right about it being a bit of a challenge when it comes to doing things in the layout side of the program. I find Form Z easier when it comes to the modelling workflow. Then I take it to Lightwave for the final rendering. Form Z also has a rendering engine, though not as good. There's also a free 3d program called Blender that you can download. You can also find a lot of tutorials on Youtube and other sites to get you going. It does take some time to master the software, but then again, Photoshop and Illustrator also took some work. Like anything, it's just another tool in the box. Here's a few rendering from Lightwave. Nothing fancy, but were quick to do.
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Rick, I must say......... that is just outstanding Being a mere employee in the business now, I wish I could justify the program if only to play with it. Thanks for posting them great pieces.
-------------------- Bill'n'Annie Davidson Heathcote, NSW, Aus. my Aussie wife, a Toohey's Old, my Holden Ute, Retired from the rat race! Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think I hate all of you guys!! Nice work.
Now i need to see what I can do in CorelDraw!!!
Just to see if I can do it.
Gawd, just what I need, another non paying project!!!
This is gonna cut into beach and palm tree time, but I am stupid that way.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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Dave - if you figure out how to get a 'curved face only' using Corel's extrude feature... let me know. I'd gladly send you a shoe-box of genuine Michigan Snow. We just had a good storm, and it's guaranteed to be 'fresh.' lol...... thanks for pitching in!
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Nice work.![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
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