Contest: My Toy

[DjVoyager]

Before computers and cars became our favorite toys there used to be action figures, remote-control cars and mechs, dolls, legos etc. that we spent hours playing with. Recall those wonderful times...

Contest theme: My Toy
- Create one of your favorite childhood toys.
- Submit a 360° turntable animation of the toy.
* Optional: Score big points with the judges by animating the toy.

Duration: June 25th, 2010 - July 31st, 2010

Animation length: Less than 30 seconds.

Who can enter: Novice to advanced artists.
* DT administrators and moderators can enter this project but are not eligible to compete for the prizes.

Software: Any taught by Digital Tutors. Permission of moderator is required for any other software use.


Rules and Requirements
1. Create a thread under the July 2010 forum with the title of your project, i.e. July10: project title.
2. Specify your user level with the application of choice.
3. Post at least two wireframe WIP images of your project for proof of authenticity. This rule is applied to avoid plagiarism.
4. Create a basic account on animation hosting site Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/) and upload your final animation there. Post its link on your DT project thread and specify that it is your final animation.
5. Gore and vulgarity is not allowed. Negative comments and foul language will be removed.


Winner of July's contest will be announced on August 10th. S/he will be notified via PM, and will receive a $50 gift certificate for Amazon (http://www.amazon.com). In addition to this, the winner will be included in the next Digital-Tutors Newsletter. Subscription to the newsletter can be done via your DT user ID options.

Judges: DT administration, staff, and moderators.
Judging is based upon the following criteria:
* Entries will be judged upon proper use of modeling and shading/texturing. Animation is a plus.
* Project's popularity amongst DT members.

Inspiration
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mUyJ8o9dZP4/SX3oYgwAp5I/AAAAAAAAAGc/n6EwquNIuFY/s320/andy.jpg
http://sianlouise.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/wall-e-lego.jpg
http://www.neatstuff.net/cars-trucks/Remote-cars/Car-Skyline-Blue-3621.gif
http://genderage.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/barbie2.jpg
http://www.thedailydust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/teddy-bear_dd_p.jpg

[Dean]

Awesome theme guys !!!

[stwert]

Well I'm in... As is the general consensus so far, nice theme!

[purplemikey]

might try to find some spare time to enter in that one.
I'll try to find some interesting ideas.
Does it need to be a plastic toy?
Cuz I had a teddy bear that my father bought me the day of my birth and I kept it and played with it for years.
Could be a good thing to find it back to get some references and put that little "old teddy bear" effect in the textures.

[DjVoyager]

Yup, stuffed toys are fine.

[stwert]

Dang... I was hoping to do a stuffed animal (and be more or less original). Well, if you do your bear, purplemikey, maybe I'll scrounge up another toy. I'm sure I had more than one... ?

[DjVoyager]

Dang... I was hoping to do a stuffed animal (and be more or less original). Well, if you do your bear, purplemikey, maybe I'll scrounge up another toy. I'm sure I had more than one... ?

I'm sure you had a different stuffed bear than purplemikey, stwert :). Plenty of furry friends to go around...

[stwert]

I'm sure you had a different stuffed bear than purplemikey, stwert :). Plenty of furry friends to go around...

:) True enough...

[Tale]

Im planning to make a plastic gun!
Is that ok?

[DjVoyager]

Im planning to make a plastic gun!
Is that ok?

Yes, that will be fine.

[purplemikey]

well stwert don't worry about that we will have two different model, two different scenes and two different ideas.
I think its even better when two guys are doing the "same toy" cuz its nice to see the difference and take some ideas.

[Blodiiks]

Nice theme...
well I loved play with my toy soldiers.
So I'll see what I can do with this toy.

[d4ng3rmouse]

Ah this is such a good theme. I've not entered any contests on here yet so I might have to give this one ago. Now I just need to think of all the awesome 80's toys there were :)

[brandeil]

loL, this should be a good indication how old people are ;)

[Dean]

im 22 :D LOL

[art-uhr]

loL, this should be a good indication how old people are ;)

True indeed.... don't know if wanna laugh or cry....

[DjVoyager]

True indeed.... don't know if wanna laugh or cry....

If you're good at your work then age doesn't matter, does it? :)

[art-uhr]

If you're good at your work then age doesn't matter, does it? :)

yeap, but I meant for nostalgia... not sure if that word is right :)

[DjVoyager]

yeap, but I meant for nostalgia... not sure if that word is right :)

Ahh...yes, that makes perfect sense, and I agree, for some of us this contest will trigger some emotional memories :)

[bogyb@msn.com]

Hi, im just about to start an 30 second animation involving a few toys doing a tune, the models wont be over the top amazing but they will have a lot of animation to them, would this be any good to enter??

[DjVoyager]

Hi, im just about to start an 30 second animation involving a few toys doing a tune, the models wont be over the top amazing but they will have a lot of animation to them, would this be any good to enter??

Yes, as long as it follows the theme and the rules it's acceptable :).

[DigitalSprocket]

This will be a first time entry for me and I'm pretty excited about the theme. I just hope I have enough time to get something done that isn't below par. I do have a question though: What are the regulations pertaining to copy written toys? A ton of old school toys popped in my head but a lot of them were name brand of sorts (ie. Disney, Warner Brothers, Mattel, ect.). Is that something that I have to take into consideration?

[DjVoyager]

This will be a first time entry for me and I'm pretty excited about the theme. I just hope I have enough time to get something done that isn't below par. I do have a question though: What are the regulations pertaining to copy written toys? A ton of old school toys popped in my head but a lot of them were name brand of sorts (ie. Disney, Warner Brothers, Mattel, ect.). Is that something that I have to take into consideration?

Good question. As far as my knowledge goes it's okay to reproduce most real-life objects in 3D on condition it's for non-commercial or student work. Artists are modeling cars all the time and car companies are fine with that. Few companies want to be acknowledged for using their artwork or inventions. However, when it comes to some major corporations like Disney or Mattel I'd double check their copyright policies before starting anything. I know for sure that Pixar doesn't want any of its characters recreated in CG even for student or non-commercial work. Their characters are originally in 3D/CG medium so it makes sense.

Copyright is a hairy subject when it comes to CG reproduction but better play it safe. What are you planning to do?

[DigitalSprocket]

Copyright is a hairy subject when it comes to CG reproduction but better play it safe. What are you planning to do?

Well, I did some heavy deciding between doing TMNT and making it look just like the 80's action figures, Cooler from pound puppies or a toy soldier ornament i used to play with every Christmas. The toy soldier has a bit more sentimental value attached to it so I decided to go with that. Although, I will probably hit up those TMNT models after I'm done with the contest, they're just so awesome. I finished some sketches of the soldier today so I can't wait to get home from work tomorrow, throw up some image planes and start crackin' down on this.

[DjVoyager]

Well, I did some heavy deciding between doing TMNT and making it look just like the 80's action figures, Cooler from pound puppies or a toy soldier ornament i used to play with every Christmas. The toy soldier has a bit more sentimental value attached to it so I decided to go with that. Although, I will probably hit up those TMNT models after I'm done with the contest, they're just so awesome. I finished some sketches of the soldier today so I can't wait to get home from work tomorrow, throw up some image planes and start crackin' down on this.

That's cool! :) Yeah, TMNT action figures were pretty awesome, and it'll probably be okay if you change the weapons and mask color. He'll be their out of town cousin, ha!

[fulch]

Hey guys,

I have a quick question about the rules of this contest.

- We are supposed to submit a 360° turntable animation of the toy.
- We can animate the toys for additional points.

If we animate the toy, is it instead of the 360° turntable animation or in addition to it?

Thanks.

[DjVoyager]

@fulch: The 360 turntable is required.
To get an additional point, you can either add animation to the turntable model, or you can submit a secondary video without a 360 turntable of the animated model. Hope that makes sense :).

[spam_septic]

Thanks for the clarification. I had a similar question. My project will have a spot where the model makes a 360 degree turn on a turntable, but it will be somewhat incidental to the animation as a whole (i.e it will be in view of the camera, but may not be the center of focus the entire time). I can do a second animation if necessary... but would rather use the time for further polish. Thoughts?

[DjVoyager]

@spam_septic: That should be fine. The 360 turntable is an automatic camera animation but if you want to add more to it without sacrificing the purpose then more power to you :)