Developement overview project

[Marko_JJ]

Recently I was asked to do a site plan overview for a housing developement in the mountains. I told them I specialized in 3D so they told me to do it up in 3D but my results turned out too realistic they said. They wanted a more dreamy feel with watercolors and such. I tried alot of filters and different modifications in photoshop but I couldnt achieve the look they were going for. I had to tell them to use an artist because their timeline was tight and I didnt want to waste their time. I cooked up some extra balcony view renders so I didnt leave them empty handed. I was just wondering if any of you know how to achieve a watercolor painting dreamy look but with using 3D. Any suggestions?

 

Mark J

[AJLynn]

What software do you use?

[Marko_JJ]

softimage xsi and photoshop

[mskin]

can i see the images?

[AJLynn]

Have you tried rendering in passes? mental ray should give you a lot of flexibility to do this kind of thing - get a shadow pass, a contour pass (does XSI give you a decent set of tooning tools?), GI and/or AO + shadow, more if you think it's necessary, then comp them in Photoshop - this gives you the most control. You can run filters on particular layers, or use layers and brushes to get a watercolor effect. For example, using hatch on your AO and shadow layers (keep the shadow layer at a low opacity), keeping your contour/toon layer normal and using a layer comp to "paint" your color layer onto a blank layer can give you the look of a perspective drawing that's been hatched in then watercolored. There are a lot of possibilities so mess around a bit and figure out what works best for your project.

[Arnold Grove]

Hey Marko,

 

check out Fractal painter. Its amazing really. It lets you choose any paint medium. Water color, gwash, oil, pen, ink, pencil, crayon, you name it.

 

And also lets you paint on any texture, paper, canvas, etc.

 

You can also take photos and turn them into water colors. It uses layers, and if you have a stylus, you can really do just about anyhting.

 

With your skill level you should pick in up inside of a few hours.

 

Good luck,

 

Cheers, Arnold

[Justin Hunt]

I second that one, although it is Corel Painter;)

 

JHV

[AJLynn]

I remember it as Fractal Design Painter. I still have one of the paint cans that it came in.

[Justin Hunt]

It used to be Fractal, then Corel bought it a couple of years ago now its Corel Painter9.5 http://apps.corel.com/painterix/home/index.html

 

JHV

[Arnold Grove]

Jeeze I knew that,,,,

 

I cant rememebr who the maker was. I bought it in 97' or 98' and it's the only version Ive ever used.

 

Few and far between because Photoshop has been my weapon for tv graphics. Unfortunatly not much artistic need for news graphics!

 

I dont about the Corel version but Im sure its even better.

[Arnold Grove]

Yeah, LOVE the can too!

[i_petar]

Hi, Mark! Why don't you try Gertrudis. It works very easy, and the results are terrific.

http://www.gertrudisgraphics.com/

[Marko_JJ]

Thanks alot guys, Im checking most of those things out right now. I actually found some other ways to give it a slight watercolour look using photoshop. Once i am finished i will show u the outcome. Im going to try some of those other programs though. Thanks again!