chippwalters

New KIT OPS: Raven Edition

We've got some nice new features in this one worth checking out. In particular, you can now reposition INSERTS using snap modes. You don't like where you added your INSERT? Just right-click on it and you can move it where you want. Press F for face snap, E for Edge snap, V for Vert snap-- plus there are some other modes as well.

Also, pretty cool is the replace INSERT(S) feature. You can now replace one INSERT with another-- and you can even replace ALL of the same kind of INSERT with a...

Had a request for this for a long time...

So, I thought I'd take some cycles and knock it out. It's one way how I light scenes. I think there are some nice tips and tricks you'll find valuable. 

Another KIT OPS Parallax demo

Just showing how all this will go together in KIT OPS. Working on the Instruction Manual now so you can create your own!

This should blow your mind

It did mine! I recently became a big fan of wParallax and their ability to create amazing interiors with only one plane. Check out this video to see what I mean: https://youtu.be/4MEV71JHjFw 

The only issue with it is it uses OSL, which Blender supports, but only with Cycles and it's quite buggy. And their product is targeted mostly at high end Maya and 3dMax users. And of course there is ZERO realtime rendering g...

Showing a user on Discord how to model something

Not sure if this is interesting to you, but I spent some time on Discord (http://cw1.me/discord) showing a user how to non-destructively model something quickly using KIT OPS and DESIGN MAGIC. An easter egg at the end of this ;-)

5 Fixes for Exact Boolean problems in Blender: Most people don't know about #2!

So, most of you know how much I enjoy Boolean modeling in Blender. And the EXACT Boolean modifier is just incredible-- but so misunderstood! In this video I go over the sorts of problems you may have and how to easily fix them. 

Using Quad Remesher with METASHAPE

Hey guys, this is a quick and short post which shows a form created using DESIGN MAGIC and METASHAPE and then afterwards I used Quad Remesher to get it down to under 7,000 faces for this object.

If you're not creating game assets or looking for super clean topology, it's probably not necessary to use Quad Remesher as you can get down to a similar number of faces with some smart decimate modifier strategies.

Completely new workflow with KIT OPS and DM

Hey folks,

As I mentioned previously, been watching Jerry for quite some time now, and I've figured out a really fast workflow to create some very nice models in a very short timeframe. This was a fun exploration, and something which I wouldn't have tried without Masterxeon prompting me to look into these types of forms.

I hope you enjoy and holler if you have any questions.

Been watching Masterxeon..

Jerry's on a role. He's been creating some amazing models as of late, and he was showing me some Google pump device images, and one like this popped up. Of course his modeling is  always **PERFECT** topology-wise-- but I only wanted to try and see if I could model it quickly using DESIGN MAGIC and the metashape addon. Topology not so hot. 200K tris. Not so bad but I can decimate it further--probably get down to 40K or so.

Material: EEVEE Materials System: Dirty Steel. Rendered 2880...

Create this insane milk crate using modifiers

This is something I've been wanting to create a video for awhile now. It's pretty cool how you can use modifiers to create something as complex as a milk crate. Plus, you can easily modify the grid patterns when you are done.

Here's the file in case anyone wants to peruse!

Rediscovering the joy of the design sketch

We'll be docking in Galveston in a few hours, and our Caribbean vacation will come to an end. We have the long drive to Austin to decompress. Overall, this cruise has been great. Both the service and food were awesome. No outbreak of COVID-19 that we're aware of. Plus, first time I've been on a cruise that was only 60% full-- which is quite a treat. Kudos to Carnival.

So, I'm working on a new project with Jama Jurabaev and Jerry Perkins.

Jama is a fabulous Hollywood concept arti...

On vacation

Hey folks, I'm headed out on a family vacation and I'll be gone a week and I'm not sure how connected I'll be. So, if I seem to be missing in action-- it's because I am.

See you when I return!

Sometimes it's the simple things

Hey all, 

Over the years, I must've hit S (Scale), X (or Y or Z) and 0zero thousands of times to align verts. And now with a recent UV Editing project, I have to do it a lot in the UV Editor as well. Ugh!!

So, I added those shortcuts into an addon you may already have. It's called Toggle Viewport Display and it's always been a great shortcut for helping manage KIT OPS INSERTS. I've also uploaded it here. You just use it by pressing the 

CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+Z for Toggle ...

Obtuse shapes in Blender

This video uses KIT OPS as a non-destructive modeling tool to create obtuse shapes.  I've always known about the power of obtuse shapes, but I've never seen them explained better than by Sinix in this video. Definitely worth a watch. 

https://youtu.be/P6yJO9gKSAI

You can download these and use them with either KIT OPS FREE or PRO.

2021-08-15 10:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post

New SIMPLE SKETCH features

SIMPLE SKETCH is still in beta, and you can get the latest (V0.9.35) over at my Discord: http://cw1.me/discord

And, I just added some much needed features. One of the issues with Line Art in Blender, is that it renders objects with viewport display as "Wire" or "Bounds" even when you don't want it to. And of course if you do a lot of boolean modeling (like I do with DESIGN MAGIC and KIT OPS), you find out quickly you have to ...

New K-CyclesX out and...MAN one KILLER feature!

Hey guys, I have to tell you, I'm stoked about the new K-CyclesX Blender 3.0 Alpha version that just dropped-- and along with it a 25% discount (the first discount ever for K-Cycles I'm aware of)!

Not only is it ridiculously fast, (literally 500% faster!) with superior features and quality, but it now can do something I've wanted.. no NEEDED, for awhile. You see, for some time I haven't been able to use volumetrics in Cycles-- like I love to do with EEVEE. It's because the Cycles Denois...

Quick tip on creating rotational arrays and mirroring

Here's a quick video showing how to create rotational arrays with KIT OPS INSERTS. Hope you like it.

SIMPLE SKETCH cross-hatching test

Hey folks,

Been working on creating some cross-hatching materials that will work with KIT OPS and SIMPLE SKETCH to create some neato renders (see images below). I don't yet have a video on the workflow, but am working on it. Thanks a bunch to Paul Caggegi for some help with ideas! He's amazing and you can check out his NPR (Non Photo Real) YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE...

Updated SIMPLE SKETCH

Hey everyone, I've been working on the SIMPLE SKETCH addon and if you're interested in trying it out, check out the beta forum for it over at http://cw1.me/discord or download from the URL below.

I've now added forecolor and backcolor, and you can also adjust the lighting with the little sphere in the UI (see interface pic).

I've still a couple of other things I want to add, but for now, the beta should be pretty solid....

New Simple Sketch addon (beta version)

So, most of you know that SMART SKETCH has been deprecated and is no longer available. This is because of the new LINE ART object which is much better tech than SMART SKETCH and the Blender Freestyle it was based on.

I've an extremely simple addon which creates a drawing with two levels of adjustable line weights and a very simple and easy to use lighting interface. And, it renders lightning fast. Plus, it completely leaves your existing scene alone and when toggled OFF it removes itsel...

Quick Line Drawing in Blender 2.93+

So, many of you may know my addon SKETCH STYLE doesn't work in 2.93+ and is deprecated. I've taken it off of Blender Market and have let folks know the new Line Art feature in Blender has made it obsolete.

And...here is a quick replacement for some basic Line Art techniques. There are several advantages in this particular workflow-- the best is the fact you can keep you object materials and scene lighting, so you can toggle back and forth from a black and white line drawing and your pho...

Understanding METASHAPE: Tips and Techniques

There's been a lot of questions over on my Discord and others about how to best use METASHAPE, and I hope this very short video helps people understand better.

(Thanks GREEZY for the wonderful title image!)

DESIGN MAGIC finally launches!

Whew, this was a huge lift-- and it's finally done. It's been in the works for months, and each time I think I'm close to having a finished product, something comes up. But, I have finally gotten around to finishing up all the documentation and videos. Check out the video above if you're interested in what it's all about.

Now I can get back to doing some more creative stuff! Yay.

Just got a new 3D printer and had to create this material

Hey all, I recently got a new Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer, and it is really a fun device. While in the past I've use solid modelers, like MoI and OnShape to create models, I decided to try using Blender to do the same-- and with superb success! In fact, my new DESIGN MAGIC 3D kit (scheduled to land next Thurs), combined with the new superb boolean modifiers has worked just perfectly.

Here's a box I found on Thingiverse and then fixed it so it would work properly-- then added some logos an...

While it's not out yet, here are some freebies...

Even thought DESIGN MAGIC isn't yet out, here's one of the yet to be released videos and a couple INSERTS you might enjoy.

One is a dynamic physics controlled cable (see video on how to use it) and the other is a cable set with connectors you can use.

Unzip and add to any KPACK folder.

Halographic Display KIT OPS INSERT

Hey folks, here's a free INSERT I created for another user on my Discord channel. If you render in EEVEE, you'll need to punch up the volumetrics for the trapezoidal cube. Just look at the material for it and the instructions are there.

Of note, EEVEE will render this as a cube but Cycles renders it as a trapezoidal solid. Cycles can now render different shapes as volumetrics.

There are a couple of pretty neat materials  as well as modifiers in this INSERT, which you may want...

Create your own decals with KIT OPS PRO

This is a tutorial I've been meaning to do for quite some time now. The files are included below. Be sure and unzip them and place them in any existing KPACK folder. Yes, you are looking at a new KIT OPS PRO interface-- and yes-- it has FAVE buttons for KPACKS. Huge work and timesaver! It will be released very soon.

The video explains in a few easy steps how to use KIT OPS PRO to create your own decals.  Hope you like.

-C

Simple Concept

Hey guys, there's this new addon called SIMPLY CONCEPT and it's just amazing. I particular like the fact you can work with it in non-destructive mode, so you can get things "just right" before committing it to a final mesh. It's all about ITERATION :-D

https://blendermarket.com/products/simply-concept/?ref=295

So, yeah, I do get a commission if you buy this, but that's NOT the reason...

Pinterest and PureRef mood board hack

Hey guys, if you're like me and use Pinterest to collect all your reference materials, you should check out this neat workflow for managing your mood boards.

Just added SNAPPING to KIT OPS PRO

Now it's easier than ever to snap INSERTS to target objects: faces, edges, vertices. Plus new updates to SYNTH. I created this phyto growth system using snapping modes in the new KIT OPS PRO. As always, it's a free upgrade.