CPC sample and mock-up extensions (1 Viewer)

[Ray-Col]

Howdy,

after occasionally posting some random render stuff I decided to try a more serious approach - just for the fun of it.

Here's what I'm after in the longer run:
- reasonable color representation
- predefined 3D-setups to provide nice mock-ups
(all for CPC customs only)

The required time to generate a new single chip should be cut down to roughly 3 minutes or less. Might be an ambitious goal but with enough preparatory work I expect this to be achievable (or fail miserably, who knows).

Here's my current to-do list to be taken care of in the next couple of weeks:

- colors
Get 38 colors down to specific values which are giving the best approximation in a variety of render setups. Unfortunately this can only reflect my personal perception of CPC colors based on the sample set in my hands (thnx @PatTheCat) as I can't identify and evaluate the 'correct' colors in any scientific way (no spectrophotometer in my current inventory). Should not be worse than the colors from the chip design tool though.
status: redone

the whole enchilada:

- spot pattern (textures)
Build a comprehensive library of textures for face and egde to match all spot patterns (66!) ready to be equipped with aforementioned color definitions.
status: done

face templates

edge templates

- inlays (textures)
Inlays can be mixed in when provided.
I would like to get pictures with alpha channel, at a minimum of 250x250 pix (more is better but anything above 600pix would be pure overkill). Preferred formats: png, tif, psd
status: done - no need to fumble with the alpha for shaped inlays, I did them already for you ...

- surface definitions
Generate surface definitions for various chip areas ready to be equipped with aforementioned textures.
status: done (still tinkering with some minor details)

- molds (39mm)
Modeling close to accurate objects of the popular molds and equip them with the aforementioned surface definitions.
status: done (no jockey, no dice atm)

- render setups (all renders under the exact same lighting)
Predefined scenes with lighting and placeholder objects ready to receive all the aforementioned data (objects, textures, et cetera).
I have to figure out how to inject all the permutations into the scenes for the final render. Could be taken care of with some batches shoving around all the necessary files ... still pondering over that one.

scenes for single chips:
- single chip on display stand easel

- single stack plus chip on edge in front

- mini animation

scenes for complete sets:
- row of 3 to 6 on display stand easel

- row of 3 (to 6) stacks plus chip on edge

even more scenes and options if things turn out well:
- filled chip case

- splashed pot

- stacks in chiptray

background colors to choose from
black, red, blue, green

I will update this post with more pictures, textures and scene previews as my project develops. When (or if ever) completed I can contribute some pretty previews - given a later stage of custom design when things have come to near final status, since there's no chance for me to spew a ton of renders trying to keep up when designs are rapidly evolving.

Well, get yourself a decent monitor, calibrate it, stay tuned and enjoy the ride ...

*phew* - 25 pictures, exactly the allowed maximum

 

[Mental Nomad]

If you get a long string of alerts from me, sorry... unsure how many times I just hit the "Like" button...

 

[Ray-Col]

unsure how many times I just hit the "Like" button

As far as I can recronstruct at least two times even before I hit "create thread" : thanks

 

[Ray-Col]

small status update:

new color and mold renders pending, modeling the scroll mold this weekend. Some pixel variation to do on the edge textures. The rest is pretty much finished or near final status. Still a week or so before I can go into beta mode for testing. Some extra scenes and backgrounds to choose from are planned as well.

 

[Luvcasinochipsncekid]

"F" me running, I am mega impressed.(y) :thumbsup: you say you're doing this for shits and giggles, but will "we the people" of PCF and anyone in search of real clay compression chips from CPC.com be able to use this format you're designing? Because I would play with this chip design tool every day.

 

[Marius L]

Sick stuff. You are really good at this! Definitely watching this thread for more juicy renders. Would it be posible to ever play with this ourself if you somehow manage to make some sort of chip design tool out of all this?

 

[Ray-Col]

Thanks a lot for your kind replys, really appreciate it!

you say you're doing this for shits and giggles, but will "we the people" of PCF and anyone in search of real clay compression chips from CPC.com be able to use this format you're designing?

Would it be posible to ever play with this ourself if you somehow manage to make some sort of chip design tool out of all this?

Oops, seems like there is some misunderstanding leading to the impression I'm generating some kind of design tool here. That would be awesome but there won't be a 'portable' tool which creates nice pics on every computer around. I'm just trying to piece together a solid groundwork and therefore can help others with meaningful previews of their planned customs.

To some veterans this is useless, since they have samples in their hand, solid experience and good imagination. But for others it may be helpful to view a mockup with a better color representation than the chip tool can deliver to evaluate their custom design, especially when it comes to close decisions between similar colors.
And to contribute that without having to reinvent the renderwheel for every single CPC design is the main goal here for me. So I'm putting the work into this in advance to get render mockups done more quickly and time-saving for me.

molds done (OT)

 

[Marius L]

Thanks a lot for your kind replys, really appreciate it!





Oops, seems like there is some misunderstanding leading to the impression I'm generating some kind of design tool here. That would be awesome but there won't be a 'portable' tool which creates nice pics on every computer around. I'm just trying to piece together a solid groundwork and therefore can help others with meaningful previews of their planned customs.

To some veterans this is useless, since they have samples in their hand, solid experience and good imagination. But for others it may be helpful to view a mockup with a better color representation than the chip tool can deliver to evaluate their custom design, especially when it comes to close decisions between similar colors.
And to contribute that without having to reinvent the renderwheel for every single CPC design is the main goal here for me. So I'm putting the work into this in advance to get render mockups done more quickly and time-saving for me.

molds done (OT)

I figured this was the case, but just had to ask. Would have been truly epic to have the option to do renders like this in the browser or something, lol. I have no clue about the software needed for this, but I'm sure its a bit time and resource consuming even with the templates you are making. Anyways, if you are around to help people with it, and willing to do so thats also super awesome for those who are seriously considering buying a CPC set, and are in their final stages of figuring out the design.

 

[Ray-Col]

almost there (OT just completed) ... and betatest coming.

Brand new feature for materials: defective chips before production

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Amazing work as always Ray!

 

[Ray-Col]

As there are only marginal (and boring) things left to do, I guess the time for a first round of testing has come.

Who's in as a Betatester?
This is how it works for now:

Provide the needed basics according to the following list:

1. your mockup-pic from the chiptool
2. your inlay as a bitmap between 200x200 and 600x600, preferred formats: png, tif, psd (if no inlay is provided: choose between black and white)
3. your choice of the scene to be rendered (and cloth color if applicable)
4. your patience for the renders to complete (ranging from 15 minutes [single chipstack] to several hours [filled chiptray])

If you're unsure regarding formats or other stuff just shoot a PM at me.

The first three entrys after this post (with sufficient input obviously) will be taken care of in my first attempt to evaluate usefulness and capability of my setup. And that is not measured by the number of renders but rather the time it takes to implement a new mockup. The faster I get, the more mockups I can crank out to you ...

Caveat: I live in Germany. Therefore I'm usually sleeping when this forum is at peak activity.

Second caveat: If your monitor is not profiled/calibrated and your viewing software is not color aware, my pictures will look off to a certain degree (especially compared to samples under crummy light). But this applies to all content you're viewing, *cough* - never mind. Although some of the better (and more expensive) monitors these days deliver a decent reproduction right out of the box, I won't count on it.

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Wish I was looking for another custom set Ray because I'd totally take you up on this offer but I've got more renders then I could have even hoped for already

 

[Ray-Col]

but I've got more renders then I could have even hoped for already

2691 - all time winner for sure.
This offer is just limited for now (and it's X-Mas) you're always welcome to ask for some in the future.

But beware: garbage in = garbage out. I'm not Midas

 

[Luvcasinochipsncekid]

I'm so in on this....I am on a lunch break right now, get off in a few hours. Could I send info then (later, like 5-6ish)?

 

[Ray-Col]

Could I send info then (later, like 5-6ish)?

Calm down and imagine this as a large, empty hall. Abandoned for years and nobody but you knows the secret path to it ...

I'll be fast asleep when you post so don't expect an instant-render.

 

[Junior24xx]

Im Writing this again... we need a hella like button for this

 

[BNM]

Revolutionary.

 

[MrBo]

I am speechless. What an amazing gift you have bestowed upon all of us! Looking forward to seeing all the awesome things that come out of this, especially if this opens up new chip design features. Possibly virtual reality mockups!?!?

 

[Fleming]

This is cool stuff. I'll bite.

My chip designs are still in progress (currently waiting on final inlays) but I have the current versions of everything pretty far along.

Pm coming.

 

[Ray-Col]

Looking forward to seeing all the awesome things that come out of this, especially if this opens up new chip design features. Possibly virtual reality mockups!?!?

Current state ist that I can just offer what CPC is offering as far as the available options go. I can throw fully customized ceramics in the mix as well if someone asks for it.
But the day when we all put on our oculus rift and bathing in a rain of chips is still far, far away as my renders are done in the traditional fashion. One pixel after the other.

 

[onerand]

Phenomenal

 

[murraythecat]

I am amazed at the level of detail that you put into this... I wish I had a design ready to go so I could deploy one.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

I am trying REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY hard not to drop the 'F' bomb, but this is ABSOLUTELY FRICK'N AMAZING!!

GREAT JOB!!!!!

 

[Ray-Col]

Thanks guys! It was a lot of fun to dig through all the possibilities of CPC customs and build this semi-templated 3D-setup.
We'll see if I can put it to good use other than my own customs.

BTW: Still awaiting the bold man to opt in for entry #2

 

[atomiktoaster]

Man, I had seen your metronome renders but had missed this thread before. Great work! I'm kind of glad I don't have a concept that I'm on the fence about, because I'm sure a render would have me sending a blank check to CPC out of excitement.

Do you think you could handle the brass flecks in the rolling edges for the weighted colors? That's the one little thing that's missing for me.

 

[Ray-Col]

Do you think you could handle the brass flecks in the rolling edges for the weighted colors?

They're there (and always were) but not always showing.

In lighter colors they can be seen mainly as dirt and only get shiny when reflecting very bright surroundings (this is rare in my renders). In smaller renders they become too small to be seen (always zoom my pictures when the option shows up ).

The green spots below are Retro Green - so no flakes in them.

I'd like to take the blank check btw, just to keep you honest.

 

[atomiktoaster]

They're there (and always were) but not always showing.

In lighter colors they can be seen mainly as dirt and only get shiny when reflecting very bright surroundings (this is rare in my renders). In smaller renders they become too small to be seen (always zoom my pictures when the option shows up ).

The green spots below are Retro Green - so no flakes in them.

I'd like to take the blank check btw, just to keep you honest.

Yeah, I see them now in the orthopedic chips too. Are they in the color samples in the OP?

 

[Ray-Col]

Yeah, I see them now in the orthopedic chips too. Are they in the color samples in the OP?

Yes but you can't see them because the renders are too small. If the whole edge is 3,3 mm and the picture showing the whole chip vertically (39 mm) has about 335 pixels in height, what size should a single flake have to be seen?
Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Ferris Bueller?

 

[kmccormick100]

Heilige scheiße! how did I not see this until now?!?! I too am scared if I submitted a mockup I'd be too tempted to pull the trigger. This is fascinating though and really impressive, I've done some solid model rendering for design work in the past but nothing like this, what software are you using? I'm sure it's incredibly time consuming, but as a chip design resource I'd be willing to pay a small amount to compensate for your time and think it's hugely valuable.

 

[Quicksilver-75]

F me... it's like PCF is losing its 8bit NES to pick up an Xbox One S!

Very, VERY cool!