[Doug Nelson]

No, not you (but you are a sexy thing, you).

I'm looking for 2 specific 3D models for a test I'd like to run here. They'd both need to be either already free, or released for our purposes here. They'd need to be in a common format (OBJ, 3DS, etc.). Both need to be texture mapped and complete (test is lighting and rendering, not modeling and texturing).

1) A bell pepper, preferably "interesting" (ie: not too idealized)
2) A curved white backdrop, cloth or paper, no pattern at all, pure white (texture OK)

If you're thinking this is starting to sound a bit Weston-in-Mexico, you are correct. That's the test I'm planning (not to match or emulate, just everyone working from the same common models).

[Alison]

Originally Posted by Doug Nelson

No, not you (but you are a sexy thing, you).

Bugger!

[Ziaphra]

Got me all excited for nothing! lol!

[Doug Nelson]

That's funny, why am I all excited?

Oh, and my bad, it's a pepper and a wooden bowl, not a pepper on a seamless background.

A bowl should be easier, anyway.

[T Paul]

Try the google sketch 3D warehouse:

[Cassidy]

sheesh doug, nearly got my teeth fixed for this one

[Stroker]

I can do a bell pepper. Model and UV map it, but not really in the mood to texture. Well, maybe a rough texture to show the major landmarks. How dense do you want the mesh?

Not really sure what you mean by a curved backdrop. If you can show me a photograph or a quick sketch, I should be able to do this as well.

[Doug Nelson]

That would be great! I'm not really certain what the difference is between a UV map and a texture, (I thought they were the same thing, or one is what you do with the other). But sure, as long as there is a texture in place, that's fine (Photoshop can't originate textures, but it can edit existing ones). As far as mesh, I'll leave that up to you, as long as it's dense enough to be photorealistic (given a proper texture).

See above note about nixing the backdrop. Generic wood bowl is fine (walnut, teak, whatever). As long as it looks "real", and the pepper can fit into it (see above linked photo).

The idea is less to have perfect models than it is for everyone to have the same models to start with.

[Stroker]

Wood bowl - I'm a sucker for cherry and mahogany. Got it.

When it comes to rastor textures, the UV map translates the 2d rastor to 3d space. I'm sure you've seen 2d wireframes for painting on 3d objects. Templates, so to speak.

Now, texturing the bell pepper can be tricky. Changing the over all color isn't much of a problem. But other maps that come into play can be a pain. Specular? Gloss? Reflection? Procedural or rastor? These things depend a great deal on the software used, especially when it comes to lighting and the renderer.

Something like a bell pepper would probably be better left to attributes in the material. Personally, I wouldn't use any 2d rastor textures for a bell pepper.

I don't know. We can figure this out a little further down the road.

I've never done a pepper before, but what I've done so far is certaintly interesting. Purely organic in a weird shape. I'm gonna start from scratch a few times so I can get a better feel for it. Once I get a better feel for the edge-loops, I should be able to knock out several for you to choose from.

[Doug Nelson]

This is really excellent, and I appreciate the time you're putting into it.

As you (and the other readers) have probably surmised, I'm planning a 3D challenge similar to our photo restoration and retouching challenges. Now that Photoshop can handle 3D models and rendering plugins are starting to hit the market, I think it will be a good time to start studying what goes in to making a "photo" that incorporates or is entirely based on 3D models.

Of course, I won't limit it to just users of Photoshop CS3 Extended, since evidently there's only about 3 of us that post here regularly so far (and I'm probably the only one of those 3 that has the Strata plugin). But I do think techniques used in 3DS Max, Lightwave, Modo, Cinema 4D, Maya, Strata, or even Photoshop CS3 Extended can help users of any of the above (or more) just as Photoshop techniques can be adapted for Paint Shop Pro or Painter (and vice versa).

[Dave.Cox]

Is this close to what you are looking for, for the background? If so, I'll post a link for the 3DS file for you. Otherwise, give me an idea of what you are looking for, and I'll see if I can do it.

[Doug Nelson]

See my note above, a plain wood bowl is actually what's needed.

[Dave.Cox]

2) A curved white backdrop, cloth or paper, no pattern at all, pure white (texture OK)

This is the portion that I was replying to, although I might do the bowl for you as well.

[Stroker]

I think I'm getting the hang of it. The base mesh and loops are good. But I'm not used to working this dense, so the loops are getting a tad out of whack (but should be fine at this density). And the UV is decent.

Now I gotta practice shaping it and add a stem. Yeah, shaping is fun. Grooves and bumps and stuff. "Interesting." Hehehe.

If I remember correctly, the textures have to be added already when imported into CS3 Extended. Is it possible to import a texture onto the mesh after you import the mesh into CS3 Extended? All I really remember hearing is that there is something funky about textures once you get into CS3 E. Anything you can tell me about this greatly appreciated.

[Dave.Cox]

Here's your wood bowl, but I haven't been able to figure out how to preserve the texture in a 3DS file.

By the way Stroker, Great Job!