Speed Challenges - General Rules

[BaRRaKID]

- Rules -

Definition:

A Speed Modelling Challenge is a event in which each 3D artist has to create a model in a short time frame according to given theme.
Each challenge usually lasts a entire weekend in which Saturday is for creating the model, and Sunday for voting. At the end of the voting stage each artist will be given a score according to the percentage of votes he got on the poll for each of the challenges (1% = 1 point)
Do to the "learning" nature of these challenges we incite each artist to post his work flow together with the final render.

General Rules:

- The model has to follow the given theme.

- The model should be made in one of the several 3D applications most used in the games industry, this includes 3DS max, Maya and XSI. If you want to use a different application please consult with the challenges admins first.

- The model doesn't need to be created or compiled for any specific game engine. The only thing needed is a render from within the modeling application.

- Since these challenges should be used to develop your skills, it is recommended that you don't use any model made before, although you won't get disqualified from using a model that was already done. If you use a previously made model make sure if fits with all the rules mentioned in this draft.

- The model can only be made by one artist, and each artist can post multiple models.

- The models should be judged by their visual style, technical skill, and amount of time spent on creating it.

Challenges Administrators:

BaRRaKID - PM
Jest@ - PM

Posting Renders

- Work In Progress and Final screenshots have to be posted on the appropriate thread for each challenge.

- Artists can only post one final render, and as many wip renders as they want. When posting the final render always provide a direct link to it instead of a thumbnail, or any other sort of link.

- When posting your renders always explain if they are final or wip. If you don't label your renders as final, they won’t be accepted.

- The final renders should include a wireframe version of the model, and a "beauty" render. You can post just one image with a beauty render and a overlaid wireframe.

- Final renders cannot be skinned. We recommend that you use a clay render for your final images.

- Each final image should include the artist name/nickname, number of tris used and amount of time spent while creating it.

- Avoid posting your pictures with big resolutions, since the forum resizes them. Try 800x600 or 640x480.

Notes About the Time Limit:

- The time limit should be used just as a reference. If your model takes more time to be done then the given time, post it anyway and it will be accepted.

- If you don't manage to finish your work in the given time limit you can post a unfinished render.

updated 19th Feb 2008 - BK

[BaRRaKID]

The first challenge should be up on Saturday, so i would appreciate that everyone interested posted their opinions about these rules until Friday.
We all know that my English isn't great, so i would if any of the rules is not clear enough please tell me :)

[Aether]

Looks interesting. I'm by no means a pro, but it looks like a good opportunity to test my skills; I just hope I'll actually be around.

[Cardboard]

I think the rules are good especially the fact that you don´t have to skin it since that would probably keep many people from entering.
I don´t like the "only one image" rule though. I understand that it can be annoying for the moderator to organize a gazillion images in a thread but i think it should be allowed to post at least two images, so you can show off the back and the front of the model or post one shot of the whole model and one shot of an interesting detail or something like that.

[Woe Kitten]

- The models don't need to be skinned. The only thing that matters is the amount of detail put in the model itself.

You might want to change this rule as it reduces your options. For example, you might want to make a battle where low poly-count is important or where simplicity is key. Amount of detail isn't always a good way to judge a model.

/$0.02

[The Wanderer]

hmm, i might join these battles. Learning to model and i desperatly want something to compete against :P

[punky]

hmm, i might join these battles. Learning to model and i desperatly want something to compete against :P

Yeah, I was planning to learn how to model and I think this might be the right moment to start :D

[Cardboard]

- The models don't need to be skinned. The only thing that matters is the amount of detail put in the model itself.

You might want to change this rule as it reduces your options. For example, you might want to make a battle where low poly-count is important or where simplicity is key. Amount of detail isn't always a good way to judge a model.

/$0.02

You can allways use high poly models to generate normal maps. So simplicity is only the key when creating low poly models.

[Woe Kitten]

True true... I guess what I'm really saying is that the important thing is to judge it based on how it looks rather than how complicated it is.

[Jest@]

True true... I guess what I'm really saying is that the important thing is to judge it based on how it looks rather than how complicated it is.

I agree, but I think the time constraints mean the texture really has to be optional. Plus, it's kinda nice to really focus on meshwork and not get too distracted by the texture. I mean, obviously texturing is a huge part of 'real' modelling, but the contest doesn't have to (and isn't meant to) be an end-to-end, finished-product contest. The contest can just be to practice test, and compare one aspect of the modelling process.

edit:

I don´t like the "only one image" rule though.

I agree. I think 2 screenshots should be allowed (but only one is required). Gives people a chance to show off their wireframe from multiple angles with side-by-side beauty shots, etc.

[BaRRaKID]

- The models don't need to be skinned. The only thing that matters is the amount of detail put in the model itself.

You might want to change this rule as it reduces your options. For example, you might want to make a battle where low poly-count is important or where simplicity is key. Amount of detail isn't always a good way to judge a model.

/$0.02

Maybe this rule as a bit confusing... What i wanted to say is that the only thing that matters is the model, this is to avoid situations in which, for example, you model a box and then add a superb skin with lots of details , off course since this is only a modeling challenge the person who did that should be judged for making just a box not a box with a pretty texture over it.
I need to rephrase that rule to make it more clear i think :P

I think the rules are good especially the fact that you don´t have to skin it since that would probably keep many people from entering.
I don´t like the "only one image" rule though. I understand that it can be annoying for the moderator to organize a gazillion images in a thread but i think it should be allowed to post at least two images, so you can show off the back and the front of the model or post one shot of the whole model and one shot of an interesting detail or something like that.

My opinion on this is that one render is enough to show how good your model is, and you can add several renders in just one image using photoshop.
But i do understand your point, so we will probably change that rule to allow two images per entry :)

[Woe Kitten]

Yeah Barra I got ya man :)

Maybe it would be a good idea to make it a rule that models will be presented in pure white texture-shaded format then, because a skin would definitely give people an advantage and take away from the pure 3d structure of the model.

[Garrador]

Lovely! Finally modeling contests! :) And for the texture rule, all nice. But I'm getting a bit confused, you mean, you CAN make atexture if you want to, or is it "illegal" ? B/C I would like to ALSO practise some texture work. Maybe a render w/ texture, and one without?

Making it two images, or one image with several renders? max 4 ofc (back, front, tex, no tex)

[BaRRaKID]

You can add a texture if you want to, but for voting all that matters is the model, so you won't get extra credits for doing it. I think there should be a rule saying that you have to post a untextured render, and if you choose to do so you can also add a textured version, but only the untextured will count. I would like to hear more people opinions on this.
Still i think that there won't be much time to create textures, since must challenges will have a 60 minutes time limit. Don't forget that this is just about speed modeling, different types of competitions will be made later with different kind of goals (like low poly competitions for example) where you will have more time to polish the model and skin it :)

[Garrador]

thats what I said :P One untextured render and one textured.
Why not? Show the mesh, and for some beauty/pimp, one with texture for you're own practise and mayhaps, portfolio work.