Anim8or Community

Artwork => Finished Works and Works in Progress => Topic started by: Arik_the_Red on January 29, 2008, 04:49:09 am

Title: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on January 29, 2008, 04:49:09 am
Come one, come all!  Are you an amateur 3D/animation fan?  Do you like thinking of new and strange lands and worlds?

I am pleased to announce the up and coming all-amateurs-welcome 3d/animation contest...

~ STRANGE WORLDS ~

For details, please read:  http://animanon.xtreemhost.com/index.php?topic=155.0

Thank you, R Steve Glanville, for allowing me to post this here, and for offering to participate as a member of the Judges Panel!
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on January 29, 2008, 12:15:31 pm
Open Invite/All-Forums Animation Contest

STRANGE WORLDS

modified Feb 10, 2008
to be updated regularly for benefit of all hosting forums

Concept/Theme:
Create a 3D animation scene depicting a land/world of fantasy/science nature. This is a broad spectrum which can mean anything that could be construed as a “world unto itself”… a place inhabited, “lived in”, able to sustain its denizens/residents.  Thus, it could be an island, planet, another plane/dimension of existence, or even a space station – just so long as it could be called “home” by those residing in the realm being shown. 

Contest Duration: February 1 - 29, 2008

Contestant Enrollment Deadline: February 22, 2008

Judging Categories:
There will two classes of judging, with a prize for each top entry:
1) Panel of Judges: A panel of judges will be formed to select overall best choice.
2) Popular Vote:  A poll will be placed for all registered members to vote on their favorite entry.

Prizes:
1)  2 Gig USB Memory Stick, courtesy of Kreator
2)  35 US Dollars credit toward www.TurboSquid.com, courtesy of Arik_the_Red

Contestant Qualifications:
Contestants must be “amateur” designers. This means that the contestant does not work in the 3D animation industry earning their livelihood as a 3D graphics designer. 

Contestants are not required to be active members of AnimAnon forum, but must comply with contest rules regarding message posting for contest activity.

Registration/Entry to Contest:
Several forums shall host an official thread for contestants to track their progress. Forums thus far set up as official contest tracking sites include:


This list is subject to change to better accommodate interested contestants. All contestants must maintain a message thread on one of these forum's contest tracking threads. Contestants shall include minimum of three progress posts showing artwork development via screenshots, video clips, etc. before the end of the contest.

Should you wish to see your favorite forum host this contest as well, have their administration contact Arik_the_Red@hotmail.com. 


Design Guidelines and Restrictions

Acceptable Software:
Any 3D design software package or combination of 3D software packages may be used for the final composition (3DS Max, Anim8or, Carrara, Maya, etc.). Likewise, any 2D graphics software is acceptable (paint programs, etc.) for the creation of textures, backgrounds, etc.  Other software may be used to implement sound effects, voices, etc.

Original Material Guidelines:
All compositions must be original material created by the contestant.  Minor components of the scene may be “pre-existing,” but the overall scene, as well as of the content, must be newly created and have never been viewed by others prior to the beginning of this contest.

Incorporation of Animation:
The final composition must contain some form of animation, whether small or great, simply adequate to show “life” in the setting.  The final video must thus run for a duration of no less than 15 seconds minimum.

Important Note!
If you have already established an entry thread in another hosting forum, PLEASE maintain that thread only. Duplicate threads in multiple forums may create confusion for judges, contestants, and observers alike! Thank you.
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: machineman9 on February 01, 2008, 12:54:15 pm
Hmm, sounds interesting... I might just enter
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on February 03, 2008, 01:10:32 am
PANEL JUDGING OF ENTRIES


Judges lined up to date:

R Steve Glanville
- Creator of anim8or, administrator of www.anim8or.com
Arik_the_Red - Founder and administrator of AnimAnon
chezzestix - animator, programmer, member of www.anim8or.org
op4 - Administrator of SimCities.com

This contest is intended to give all amateurs the opportunity to show their work. 

It is understood that there may be those that excel in one or another aspect of graphics and animation, and not necessarily in all.  The Judging Panel will, therefore, review four distinct aspects of the entry, rating each from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, implying perfection. These categories are as follows:

ORIGINALITY:  Regardless of other aspects of judging, the entry will be viewed purely for the artist's ability to imagine something based on original design.  The more unique the intended composition the better the rating.

COMPOSITION and ANIMATION:  Regardless of other aspects of judging, the entry will be rated based upon the artist's ability to combine his/her various elements to create a scene with dramatic effect based upon arrangement of the objects, scenery, etc., combined with camera angles and movement, animation elements, and overall "visual storytelling ability."

COLOR, TEXTURE, LIGHTING: Regardless of other aspects of judging, the entry will be rated on the artist's efforts to combine lighting, color and textures to create a visually stimulating imagery.  This is not to be confused with "SHAPE AND FORM", which is an art unto itself.

SHAPE AND FORM:  Regardless of other aspects of judging, the entry will be rated on the artist's efforts to create the objects, figures, landscape, etc., so as to form a plausible, appealing appearance. Note, "realism" is not necessarily applicable in this case.  Should it be apparent that the artist is aiming for "realistic imagery," the artist would be judged for the apparent intent.  Should the artist be attempting to create a surrealistic, comical, or in other way "not realistic" imagery, the artist will be rated on his or her consistency and overall ability to maintain his or her design style throughout the composition.


GRADING/SCORING:  Each of the four ratings will then be combined to create an "average" score," adding the four scores and then dividing by four to come up with the composition's final grade.  Example:

8 = Originality
4 = Composition/Animation
9 = Color, Texture, Lighting
5 = Shape and Form
26 = Total
divided by 4
6.5 = Final Grade

In the case of a tied score, the judges shall deliberate on which composition they feel to be finest over all.
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: 3D Joe Wiltshire on February 03, 2008, 08:48:05 am
sounds cool, might enter at some point
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: flametiger74 on February 03, 2008, 04:23:29 pm
Hmm... Interesting. I might join, but first I would have to think of an idea.
Also, Do you know the 2nd prize yet or are you still "Chewing on that one".
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: kreator on February 04, 2008, 04:32:22 pm
Steve - It would be appreciated, if you could pin this to the top of the Board
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Steve on February 04, 2008, 09:20:50 pm
Pin!  Looks like a fun contest.  Too bad I'm no god a modeling or I'd enter!  (No, wait, I don't think judging my own work would be fair :))
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on February 09, 2008, 12:28:02 pm
updated to include 2nd prize:

-35 US Dollars credit toward www.TurboSquid.com, courtesy of Arik_the_Red
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: flametiger74 on February 09, 2008, 11:05:01 pm
ooohhh... pretty cool. Now finding something good that's worth your money in the correct format on tubosquid. Now that's the question!
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on February 13, 2008, 11:43:03 am
We are still accepting entrants!  Not too late to join the fun!

Judges lined up to date:

R Steve Glanville - Creator of Anim8or software, Administrator of www.anim8or.com
Arik_the_Red - Founder and Administrator of AnimAnon
chezzestix - Aspiring animator, programmer, member of www.anim8or.org
flametiger74 - Aspiring modeler of Anim8or software
Monochrome - Project Leader of Dungeoneer
op4 - Administrator of SimCities.com
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: B3dman on February 14, 2008, 06:44:14 pm
looks cool, how does one join?
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Frankie on February 15, 2008, 12:04:03 am
I want to join.  Im working on an idea.
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: hihosilver on February 15, 2008, 12:05:43 am
To join you'll have to join one of these forums:
    * http://animanon.xtreemhost.com/
    * http://anim8or.org/
Then read the directions for creating a thread of your own, and post your progress!
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on March 02, 2008, 12:42:12 am
Strange Worlds Contestants have posted their entries! Check them out at either of these links!

http://animanon.xtreemhost.com/index.php?topic=252.new;boardseen#new

http://anim8or.org/index.php/topic,627.msg6055.html#msg6055

Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: ENSONIQ5 on March 03, 2008, 09:22:25 pm
Um... is it just my machine or has animanon.xtreemhost.com been domain snatched?
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: hihosilver on March 03, 2008, 11:21:05 pm
It seems to be your machine.  I'm accessing it fine.
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: headwax on March 04, 2008, 12:01:25 am
t'was for a while this morn but is back again
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: ENSONIQ5 on March 04, 2008, 04:02:13 am
Cool, its OK again.  Cheers guys.
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on March 04, 2008, 04:42:11 am
We had problems with our host as we used the SMF newsletter feature to send out announcements.  Apparently the host decided we must be spamming and activated some sort of automatic anti-spam/lock-out mechanism to disable AnimAnon's forum.

I'm not very happy about that, and will be conferring with Kreator on what we might need to consider.  Still a bit unsure about our host, and am having troubles justifying giving these guys money to upgrade.... A few things have made me a little nervous about them and this definitely does nothing to improve my sense of security.
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: cumesoftware on April 04, 2008, 12:20:59 pm
I would like to participate as a contestant, but unfortunately I'm busy. If there is any space for an additional judge, I let you know that I'm available.
Title: Re: ~Strange Worlds~ All Forums Open Amateur Contest!
Post by: Arik_the_Red on April 10, 2008, 12:25:20 pm
Contest wrapped up in March.  It was intended for a february, monthlong run, after which judging pursued.

However, we do have regular contests every 2 weeks or so if you would like to see more.

Feel free to come on by.  Just click on "AnimAnon" in my signature.