Featured Artist: Ricardo Cossoli

Our next featured artist is Ricardo Cossoli of Argentina. We knew Ricardo through his postings with Sketchucation.com, Asgvis and other foreign forums. He produced some of the impressive renders in the forums. Today, he is a partner of "Three Dimensions" doing lots of visualization projects in Argentina. We would like to thank Ricardo for allowing us to interview him in this site.

SVR: Please tell us a little about yourself.

RC: My name is Ricardo Cossoli (rcossoli for forums). I am an Argentinian and a student of architecture. I work in an architectural firm, and I like spending time on architectural visualization. In visualization I work with my partner (Mariano Fernandez) and both of us founded "Three Dimensions" in August 2008. We like 3D visualization because it offers us the opportunity to work with different types of projects. In general we do residential for different clients and individual requirements.

SVR: Tell us about Sketch Up. How did you get this software? Are you using other 3D software?

RC: I began with SketchUp5. Before that, I had only seen my current partner who was using SU version 4; and I did not understood what it was all about. When I started using  SketchUp5, it was only for the purpose of modeling. I had neither any idea of the world of rendering, nor about  architecture visualization. It was only after with the development of a free rendering engine called Kerkythea, that I began to know more about rendering. After a few times of working with it, and reaching different level of sophistication and complexity, we  decided to use another rendering engine- VRAY SU. This is what we use today which has given us the best results.

I used different 3D modeling program in the past; several times I tried 3DS Max and Rinhoceros. I must say that I never reached a level of attachment with them.  I am trusting that SketchUp will advance towards a more sophisticated version with high poly support in the future.

SVR: Who or what inspires you?

RC: My main inspiration is architecture and the different works that can be seen everywhere - this its the reason why I even started using 3D. In addition, I always look at different web pages, not for inspiration, but to find out what new sophistication are being achieved. No matter what software or technique is being used, everything are sources of new insights.

Personally, there are many artists who inspire me. I like some of them because of the way they work with specific type of material or media, other for the way they work with lighting, some with composition and viewpoints. I think that companies like Luxigon, Mir, Vionix have taken the visualization beyond photo-realism. Many other artists who also work with SketchUp as main modeling program are Pete Stoppel "solo", tranganhhp of Vietnam SketchUp forum, Jacques Cleghorn (I saw his work in Sketchup Artist), Teofilo Pardo (a Mexican who is very good with Vray), Scott Baumberger, nomer! (Who always helps a lot with his tutorials) and many other artists whose names do not come to my mind in this moment.

SVR: Can you talk briefly about SketchUp in your country? 

RC: SketchUp is widely used in Argentina. Unfortunately, there is no organized forum or community among Argentinians. In recent years we made great progress in the possibility to visualize space, massing and accurate details of the design even before the final rendering process. In our office, we used to have different software, more sophisticated ones; but now we only mostly use SketchUp because it offers the possibility to visualize the project intuitively, and architectural modeling is fast and easy.

An Argentinian SketchUp forum community where resources, information, tutorials, etc. can be shared would be very useful.  I believe this is possible in the near future.

SVR: Any advice for those who are new to the display.

RC: The first tip is to read, learn, study and practice. Everything we do to improve our work will never be in vain. Second, participate in forums in an active way; be sensitive with the resources you need to improve your work. The Internet is a valuable source of endless knowledge, a reason why we should always be looking beyond our borders. Third, be a risk taker; it is the most important thing to be a successful person. Finally, be persistent. Persevere in doing your passion until you are satisfied with your work.

Here are some more images courtesy of Ricardo.





To see more of Ricardo's work visit the following:

Web: www.threedimensionsweb.com

Blog: http://threedimensionsarg.blogspot.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/threedimensionsweb

Q and A: Ferry Sugianto

Bali, Indonesea is known for her craftsmanship, art, culture and tourism.  Wherever you look, you can see life; you can see culture  everywhere. Here is one place where you cannot separate art and life - "life itself is art". Here is where our next Sketchup Vray Featured artist is based: Ferry Sugianto, an architect, designer, visualiser and an active member of many SketchUp forums.  Ferry is not just an excellent visualizer and designer, he is also generous in sharing his knowledge and his work. He allowed us to post some of his excellent tutorials here: You can view these tutorials by clicking the following links.


Water Ripples in Vray SketchUp

Specular and bump map

A month ago, we requested Ferry for an interview and be featured in our blogsite. We are very happy because Ferry graciously agreed to our request. 

Here is our featured artist for the first month of September - Ferry Sugianto.
 
 

SVR:  Please tell us more about yourself.
 

FS: Hi, thanks to Nomer Adona for the opportunity of interviewing me here at SketchUp and Vray Resources. My name is Ferry Sugianto, my screenname is "teknikarsitek" or "artvisualizer". I came from Indonesia, living in Bali, and currently working as Interior Consultant in Bali. I also work as freelance 3D Visualizer. There are many forums I am following to learn and improve my skills: IDVN, Kampoeng3D and Sketchucation. My primary render engine is Mentalray in 3dsmax; but sometimes I use V-RAY SketchUp.

SVR:  How did you start Google SketchUp? Tell us about your workflow.

In my opinion, basically SketchUp is known as a program to sketch our ideas using computer media. But now, Sketchup is a must because it is easy to use and user friendly when it comes with modeling. In the future I believe Sketchup will be more as handy as 3DMax and other famous software. 

First, I draw the architectural plans in AutoCAD for it is an accurate tool in presenting 2D plans; very useful especially for architects and interior designers. Then, I import the plan in Sketchup where I do the modeling. If the scene is simple, I sometimes use AutoCAD directly in modeling and simply refine the imported 3D model in SketchUp. Since SketchUp is light and handy; and  works well with Google 3dWarehouse, I can improve my scene easily. For me the 3D warehouse is an excellent resource area to get models that could  be used instantly in designing and studying interior space and furniture layout. After finishing the modeling stage, I apply the materials for each object one at a time. With materials applied in every component of the models, I am ready to present to my clients my initial concept using the Sketchup layout. 

Second, using V-RAY SketchUp plugin, I could set the lighting and render settings with my SketchUp scene. This can make my 3D model "becomes alive". It is the reason why I keep on learning. I know with Sketchup and V-Ray combo, I can make my renders photo-realistic like V-Ray and 3DSMax output. I Hope!

SVR: What or who inspires you?
 
FS: There are so many people who inspires me; Teofilo Pardo and Tiago Crisostomo with V-Ray Sketchup for instance. Their works are really amazing; and such work can be found  in the 3D Warehouse and  ChaosGroup's gallery. I believe V-Ray SketchUp could be as amazing as V-Ray for 3dsmax. This is what makes me persevere, and I will prove that V-Ray SketchUp can do it.

For Mentalray, I like Zap Anderson and Jeff Patton work.

SVR: We know you are very active  with CG communities in Indonesia, can you tell us about the Sketchup communities in Indonesia?

Yes, in Indonesia, we have lots of Sketchup communities such as: SketchUnesia and Kampoeng3D Facebook groups. Sketchup users in Indonesia are many, and the number will  increase more and more. The main activities for these communities are sharing, commenting and critiquing each others work. I recommend Kampoeng3D especially to  the Indonesian who are looking for SketchUp community. There are also many more outside Indonesian circle like, Sketchup-vray artists Facebook Group.

SVR: Any advise to those who are new with visualization.
 
FS: Yes, do trial and error, and do not be afraid to risk take. I know that learning is not easy, but keep on learning and keep trying. Also keep on posting, asking critique and sharing your work in online forums, social media groups like Facebook or even with your friends. The more you share, the more you can get comments and critiques - the more you can improve.  In whatever render engine you are using, it is you yourself is the most important. "The Guy behind the Gun. Cheers.

SVR: Thank You Ferry.


Some more of Ferry Sugianto's work





























Here is some of Ferry's Mentalray renders

For more of Ferrys' portfolio, You can view them here:

- Artvisualizer Website

- DeviantArt

- Facebook

The Making: Contemporary Kitchen

The process of making this Contemporary Kitchen has been explained by Apiwat Hngimhyun  aka "Starsheep". Apiwat is a well known Thai visualizer and once featured at the former VRAY Asgvis site  and forums. Personally, we would like to thank Apiwat for allowing us to post this tutorial here at SRV. This tutorial was originally posted by him at www.thai3dviz.com.

In this "the making", Apiwat briefly explained some of the crucial steps on how he made the kitchen below. He also shared a small tutorial on how he successfully achieved the DOF effect. 

Preview of the finished product

Here is Apiwat Hngimhyun


1. MODELS
Hello everyone! This tutorial might have different setting with how other use Vray-Sketchup, but I want to share my experience using this model. The model itself is very simple; walls, doors, windows, cabinets and other fixtures. Some of the components were taken directly from Google 3D Warehouse. Others were produced from different application like Moi. Some components were remapped and edited to add further details. I recommend you to look on Designer Tiago models in the 3d warehouse.

2. LIGHTING

Lighting experiment is one of the most important part after modeling. I will be using V-RAY rectangular light and IES lighting.
 
- Geographical Location on this particular tutorial was set to Bangkok, Thailand.

For render testing with lighting. Use Clay Rendering Set-up. Click Override material with RGB color of 150,150,150.

- Vray rectangular lights were places outside the windows. The Vray rectangular light in front will be the main light source, while the one on the side will be the secondary light source.
 

- Here is the set up of the main light. The size is bigger and yet  I will put the intensty @2 with light blue color. Set as invisible.

- Here is the set up of the secondary light on the side with rather orange color. Again set as invisible.

- Under the Environment Roll out, both GI and BG color were ticked. I am using TextSky Map For the GI while HDR for the BG.

- Below are my setting for the Text Sky Map for my GI color. In order to achieve soft shadows, I increased the size to 5.0 while the intensity was set to 0.1. The rest are fine.

- Here is the HDRI map from www.openfootage.net. I will be using this for my BG map slot.

- Here is the setting for my BG Map. It was set as Spherical. The HDRI file above was loaded under File slot.

3. CAMERA
I used V-RAY Physical Camera. Shutter speed@ 200, F-stop is 1.4 and ISO at 100. Camera DOF is on with Overide Focal Dist @12 (see next images why I used 12 here)

To Find the Focus Point, download the Plugin script "Advanced Camera Tools"
1. Go to Advanced Camera Tool (see image below)
2. Create Camera
3. Name the camera and click ok
4. Lock the camera

Now you will have the camera icon in SketchUP (see the image below). Now measure the distance from the focus point to the lens of the camera icon. Here, the measurement is 12 inches. THIS IS THE NUMBER I ENTERED IN OVERRIDE FOCAL DISTANCE IN THE VRAY PHYSICAL CAMERA.

Note: Vray units in DOF is measured in inches. If you are using meters, be sure to convert this in inches.

4. MATERIALS
Stainless. The below map was used

Refletion:

1. Use Fesnel map. Here is the Fresnel map setting.

2. Use medium gray color (see Filter color)
Height glossiness is 0.6 and Reflection glossiness is 0.8. For smooth result I increased the subdivision to 22.
3. I will be only using the diffuse map at 0.4 (load the stainless map)

Filter color. I used RGB value of 195, 195, 195

Bump map. I use the same map diffuse map for the bump slot, but making the value from 1 to 0.02 only.

5. VRAY Settings

Image sampler Setting

DMC Sampler Setting

Color Mapping Setting

Global Illumination Setting

Irradiance Map Setting

Finally here is the comparison between the Sketchup view and the rendered seting.