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The
Dogwaffler of the Moment:
a very sporadic newsletter issue #13 - June 2010 http://www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/newsletter |
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Welcome! |
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Hello wafflers, digital artists worldwide and users of Project Dogwaffle, whether it be the free edition, or PD Particles, PD Artist or PD Pro - here's another (very) sporadic issue of our newsletter about digital painting and animation with Project Dogwaffle and other related 2D&3D Graphics tools & topics. Instead of talking specifically about Project Dogwaffle, in this issue we'll look at a variety of tips and tools that can enhance your Dogwaffle experience in a variety of ways. Keep in mind: they're all just tools - it's still up to you what you do with them, and how you use them to work together to create your very own and unique art.
-Philip Staiger TheBest3D.com - beyond digital painting |
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Curvy Brings 3D to Dogwaffle's PD Pro |
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Introducing Curvy 3D 2.0
Do you like to draw and sketch, tweak and sculpt? Are you looking for an affordable, quick and easy 3D modeler to explore your 3D creativity? Look no further, you have found it! It's called Curvy 3D, and it's from Aartform! Curvy 3D version 2 was released in
Spring 2010 and it does have
many new features. One of which is integration with PD Pro. See these
tutorial examples:
How it works: Like a few other 3rd-party
applications and numerous internal filters or plugins,
it is possible for a standalone, self-contained program to become
'aware' of Project Dogwaffle and connect to it, communicate with it,
and thereby becoming, in a way, a plugin to Dogwaffle. Both programs
really co-exist in their own rights, but at some point, the other
program can communicate with DOgwaffle in order to do what it needs to
do, such as sending an image from itself to Dogwaffle, or grabing an
animation from Dogwaffle, etc... It all stems from Dogwaffle's software
architecture, running as an ActiveX server. If you're a programmer and
would like to learn more, start with the free
Dogwaffle SDK.
![]() So what does Curvy 3D do for Dogwaffle? It is a 3D sculpting and painting program. As such, you can create 3D objects, shapes and models. You can then send it to Dogwaffle in several ways. One is to send the current 3D view, perhaps a pose of an Anime character, into Dogwaffle, without having to save it to image file or the clipboard. Another way to use this Dogwaffle integration in Curvy is to send a texture to Dogwaffle, work on it there, and grab the modified texture from Dogwaffle back into Curvy, where it can become a new texture map for the color channel, a highlight map, a bump map or even a real-time displacement map, also known as Curvy map. Product OverviewAartform Curvy 3D is an innovative sculpting package for Windows, ideal for first time 3D artists.Drawing is Fast: Curvy brings new speed to 3D modelling by letting you draw shapes straight into 3D. Create whole models with just a few strokes. Sculpting 3D models for art and games is quick and hassle free. Painting is Easy: Colours and shapes are easy to work with using Curvy's artist friendly tools. You can sketch and paint colours, forms and bumps directly onto your 3D models, and then export models and textures for use in other 3D software. Features
![]() There is also a free downloadable demo for you to try it. One last remark for users of PD Artist: The integration between Curvy and Dogwaffle requires PD Pro 3 or higher. Since PD Artist is also derived from PD Pro 3 code (specifically a subset of PD Pro 3.2), it also works with Curvy 3D. So you can send Curvy images and textures directly into the custom brush or image buffer of PD Artist just the same as with PD Pro. If you use the free version of Project Dogwaffle, buying PD ARtist might well be your cheapest way to get Curvy and Dogwaffle to work together. Learn more about PD Artist at www.thebest3d.com/pda/index.html |
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Filter Forge 2.0 (in beta) Adds Lua Scripting |
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Filter Forge
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I
have decided to add Filter
Forge to thebest3d.com's recommended list.
There's plenty of wow effect already in the current version to make me
salivate, as a Photoshop Plugin, or standalone edition. It may be a bit
pricey for some of us starving artists but if
you have a boss that needs you to do professional work then this may be
a
great additional tool. As I discover more about and of it I'll share
here especially as it relates to using it with Dogwaffle and for use in
3D. One thing that makes Filter Forge interesting for non-technical users, non-programmers, and artists who don't want to learn the advanced features with the graph editors, is the fact that thousands of other users have submitted their filters to Filter Forge, and now you too get to use them. Another reason why I'm liking Filter Forge too is that they're adding Lua scripting. It is (as of this writing) in their beta version. If you've dabbled with Lua under the DogLua system (Lua filters for Dogwaffle) or with other applications that support gluas-style filters (see www.gluas.org) you may be very interested in exploring Lua scripting as it is used in Filter Forge 2, and take your programming skills to the next level. Lua is also useful for game developers such as in World of Warcraft via wowprogramming.com While the LUA scripting in Filter Forge 2 beta goes well beyond that of Dogwaffle's gluas (Lua based) image filtering scripting, I think it is great to be able to learn one scripting & programming language in Dogwaffle and have it benefit you in more than this one app. Use your acquired skills in otrher imaging tools, in game dev, etc...Happy coding! So what is Filter Forge, what does it do? Here is a brief summary of key features, to let you decide if you want to learn more about it, straight from the developer's website: ![]() Standalone VersionFilter Forge can work as a Photoshop plugin or a standalone application. Actually, the plugin part of Filter Forge is tiny – all it does is sending and retrieving the images. All processing is done within the main application. Adaptive PreviewsThe preview window in Filter Forge is always fully interactive – you can pan and zoom during the rendering. Plus, if you zoom in on a region of the image while rendering, Filter Forge will increase the rendering priority for that region so that you can see the results faster. PresetsYou can save the settings of any filter as a preset to recall them at any time. All filters included with Filter Forge come with factory presets that give you a glimpse of what a filter can do and provide a good starting point to explore the filter's settings. RandomizerWith Randomizer, you can randomize filter settings in one mouse click – a relief for those who don't want to learn the controls just to explore a filter. You can configure the randomization strength, plus there's a Back button allowing you to return to the previously generated settings in case you click Next too eagerly. FavoritesFavorites allow you to quickly access the filters you use most frequently – just add a filter to Favorites and its shortcut will appear in the Favorites folder. Huge ResolutionsThe biggest one we tried was 65536x65536 pixels – and it worked! Granted, it took hours, but anyway! Furthermore, the interface remained responsive – we were able to zoom and pan the preview while rendering that monstrosity. Dual-Core CPU SupportFilter Forge rendering engine is built to fully utilize the power of dual-core and quad-core processors. A dual-core processor can speed the rendering up to 96% (83 to 86% is the norm). Once we even saw a speedup of 115% – don't ask, we have no idea how that is possible! Smart Anti-AliasingAnti-aliasing, when done in the usual brute-force way, can be devastating to rendering speed. Filter Forge applies anti-aliasing only to those areas of the image that tend to produce aliasing artifacts, which results in vastly improved rendering times. Floating-Point File FormatsYou can save your work in high-precision image formats such as OpenEXR or PFM. Unlike the traditional image formats such as JPG or BMP, these formats use floating-point numbers to store the pixels, which allows to retain every single bit of precision. 16- and 32-Bit Image ModesFilter Forge uses a full floating-point rendering pipeline, which allows it to support 16-bit images and the new 32-bit image mode in Photoshop CS2. HDRI LightingInstead of the old-style point lights, Filter Forge lighting system uses high dynamic range images that capture real-world lighting conditions. As a result, you get real-world lighting which takes almost no time to set up. Resolution IndependenceAll filters in Filter Forge are generated procedurally and don't depend on external bitmaps; therefore, they are resolution-independent. You can render the same filter in any resolution without losing any detail. Bump and Normal MapsFilter Forge can generate diffuse, bump, specular and normal maps for its filters – most seamlessly tiled, and all fully anti-aliased and perfectly matching each other – a real life-saver for artists working on textures for next-gen games. Seamless TilingMost filters in Filter Forge support seamless tiling, even for non-square textures. A simple one-click operation, Seamless Tiling works no matter whether you have downloaded the filter or created it yourself in Filter Editor. Online Filter LibraryFilter Library is a free online repository of filters(!) submitted by Filter Forge users. You can access the Library directly from the user interface of Filter Forge. Users who contribute good filters can earn rewards, including a free copy of Filter Forge. Filter EditorThe most important feature of Filter Forge – a visual node-based editor which lets you create your own visual effects and procedural textures without a single line of code. I will have occasional info at thebest3d.com/filterforge including sample artwork and tutorials and other resources. If you use Dogwaffle and FilterForge yourself, or if you use it with some 3D tools, we'd love to see and possibly showcase your sample artwork. |
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Dogwaffle Plugins |
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If you missed them,
here are a few free plugins you can download and addd to your PD Pro
installation:
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DOTM - new
Dogwafflers of the Moment |
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Do you use Dogwaffle? Do you have
artwork that you created in whole or in part with Dogwaffle, that
you're proud of showing and telling us and the world away? Here are many other artists who have used Project Dogwaffle for digital art - imaging, painting, texturing, animating and much more: D.O.T.M. Here are two recent additions: Artee
Studio
Mexico & Costa Rica ![]() Wiscojaydub "These are the continuation of my discoveries into the vast world of digital abstracts." |
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3D News: Carrara 8 is
here! |
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Some of you may know or recall
that long ago, I worked with a company named Eovia, which brought
Carrara back from the dead with the help of TGS (Template Graphics
Software) after it was sunk along with mega-cremations, er...
metacreations who prior to that owned popular titles such as RayDream
Studio, Infini-D, Poser, Bryce and Canoma . Amapi 3D was one of the tools I
worked with a lot in those days, and it quickly became one of my
favorite modelers. I still can whip a cartoon elephant in under a
minute with the old Amapi 6.
But for me the most impressive addition to the TGS/Eovia family of art tools was Carrara, which I quickly adopted as my favorite tool for starving artist who dream in 3D but can't afford to learn or to pay for the big guns. Carrara is still alive and well, owned by DAZ3D these days, which also owns Bryce and DAZ STudio and a collection of very popular characters and other 3D content. If you're not familiar with the Digital Art Zone, visit www.daz3d.com today. Carrara 8 was recently released, and I jumped on it in a heart beat. I had not gotten an upgrade since version 6, but with the launch promo and intro pricing, and being a DAZ Platinum subscription member, and a Published Artist, and having a few spare Daz Bucks saved up that I could apply, the price of getting the full standard edition of Carrara 8 quickly dwindled to just the cost of a good 3D movie: $15 - now that's what I call pricing for starving artists! ![]() One of the greatest new features is Puppeteer - a system to control a character's poses and have it remember a few key poses. You can then very easily create animations of the character. ![]() What's also great with Carrara also is that it comes ith a huge collection of content - 3D models, scenes, textures and sophisticated materials. When you're an illustrator or graphic designer, a webmaster or artist mostly living in the world of colors, 2D and layers, you don't necessarily have the time to re-invent the wheel and create everything. Look for the existing models, or consider subscribing to model collection vendors. Daz3D.com comes to mind, and there are many other places. You can also make your own models, and offer those for sale in many places like TurboSquid, Cornucopia3D, ContentParadise, etc... Plus, if you already use Poser and similar tools, chances are you can use their models in Carrara as well, as it supports many formats. If you want to add 3D to your digital life, consider Carrara a must-have. It does just about everything you would ever want or need from a 3D tool, much of which will reatly assist you in 2D compositions too such as when you need new mountain landscape imagery for a website project or an animation of plants where the trees and their branches sway in the wind, and even the leaves rustle(!) which the animated background skies show clouds moving and changing shapes. It is phenomenal what a 3D program like this can do these days. To learn more: www thebest3d.com/carrara |
![]() many 3D models included! ![]() Create new landscapes, then paint over them or to post work |
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Postwork Shop | > top < |
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A few months ago I came across a new program, named Postwork Shop. I was impressed with the capabilities and the design features. In a few ways it has similarities with Filter Forge, so you have at least these two products to compare if you're in the market for something in this category. Have a look at Postwork Shop here - and take advantage of downloading the free edition(!), as you never know how long such a great tool will exist in a free version. Here is a brief list of features that were announced with the February v1.1 release: PostworkShop 1.1 now comes with a Windows Installation Wizard. Download the zip file, run the
installer and start creating.
The Properties+Preview panel can now be displayed separately from the Projects/Styles tabs. click here The Property Editor sliders are no longer limited to the range defined in the style. click here Insert above/below/before/after commands added to the Layer Bowser context menu (Compositing view). click here All windows now useable on 1024x600 netbook screens. New artistic filters, new styles and geometrical brushes have been inserted. click here The Brush Manager now displays all the members of the selected brush family and the brushes can be individually switched on/off. click here The property and opacity sliders now change the preview in real-time. Load and save layered Adobe Photoshop* PSD images. click here Adobe Photoshop* Brushes can be imported as either PostworkShop brushes or images to blend into your project. click here "Reset properties" button added to the Property Editor. click here Style Editor: improvements in Auto Arrange (much less overlapping of filter nodes). The Palette Editor now includes the palette selector list. click here Improved keyboard navigation in the Style Browser. Style Editor: Ctrl/Alt/Shift + Double-click now works similarly as in the Compositing view . click here We do also have a few tutorials to help get you started: |
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Lua Scripting News | > top < |
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![]() an example of using a Lua filter in Project Dogwaffle to create a water reflection effect |
In issue #12 we announced that Pixarra
had added support for Lua (gluas) filters. If you use Twistedbrush Pro
you know that you can modify filters and make your own, and some can be
shared with your Dogwaffle experience too. If you'd like to learn more about gluas as supported in Dogwaffle, Twistedbrush, Artweaver and the GIMP where gluas started, check www.gluas.org For Dogwaffle, the DogLua plugin is here: www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/lua We
have created a few starter
tutorials, some very short examples of introducing you to some
of the very
basics of scripting inside of gluas to draw something simple such as
the Swiss flag. If you don't think you can become a programmer, I want
you to think again. Try this.
Welcome to programming and scripting ith Lua! |
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this just in: Anime Studio 7 does 3D and Physics | > top < |
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Anime Studio ![]()
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![]() Anime Studio is not just for Anime. It really goes back to the days when it was known as MoHo, by Lost Marbles: it truely is a superb, general purpose 2D vector (object) animation tool, but also with 3D layers support which it has had for many years in the Pro version. It also works create with content from Project Dogwaffle. background sky and tall grass waving in the wind imported from PD Pro. ![]() See Anime Studio as a first intro on prior versions, and see below for a brief summary of what's new. << the Pro edition
Key Features
System Requirements Common System Requirements: 450MB free hard drive space; 256MB RAM; 1024x768 resolution; 16-bit color display; CD-ROM drive; Adobe® Flash® Player 9 or newer (embedded library), Windows® Internet Explorer® 7 or newer; Internet connection required for Content Paradise™; Poser® Scene Import Requires Poser 7 or later. If you want the latest version check directly on the website at http://anime.smithmicro.com/index.php, publisher of Anime Studio 7 |
New Features |
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Just one more: Digital Art Tutorials | > top < |
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DigitalArtTutorials.com ![]() Tutorials |
If you're into drawing, sketching, and
especially using mixed media, you will want to check the tutorials
created by Brian Haberlin's DigitalArtTutorials.com - here's a brief description: Digital Art Tutorials was created with the goal of bringing industry-proven, professional digital art techniques to the masses. Many of our art tutorials are narrated by the very people who developed, or pivotal in the development of, the various workflows and digital art techniques that have become industry standards. Photoshop tutorials include the fields of the classical (digital painting, digital inking, and even the hyper-popular comic coloring), to powerful 3D tutorials (Poser, SketchUp, ZBrush, and more!), Digital Art Tutorials provides straightforward instruction and priceless inspiration. Our instructors take great pride creating educational tools that are both affordable and accessible to amateur hobbyists, students and seasoned professionals alike. We’re so convinced you will love our products, we offer several free start-to-finish Photoshop tutorials, and previews of all our art tutorials. Each digital art tutorial takes you step-by-step through the subject matter with all tools fully visible. No “secret settings” here! Instruction is in realtime, giving unprecedented access into the thought processes behind each stroke of the stylus. All practice files, including (where applicable); sample artwork, model assets, Photoshop brushes and even color palettes are packaged with each Digital Art Tutorials lesson, allowing you to follow the instructor-led tutorial at your own pace. Whether
you’ve been a digital
artist for years, just starting out,
or looking to find a way to bridge your traditional skills to the
digital art medium, we welcome you to the world of Digital Art
Tutorials: The secrets professionals don’t want you to know, but use
themselves! Still not sure if Digital Art Tutorials are right for
you?
Download our free Photoshop tutorials! Each tutorial also
features a
series of free previews so you can buy with absolute confidence.
<<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< Here are just a few of the many
tutorials offered through DigitalArtTutorials.com - Scroll to the
bottom of the list to see two free
tutorials!
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It is true: this has been a very sporadic and occasional mailing. But you might still prefer not to receive our newsletter at all, and we respect that. If you no longer wish to receive our rare and occasional email notifications of news related to Project Dogwaffle, please accept our apologies and feel free to unsubscribe here |
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