Google's Art Project

Looking around Google's Art Project, all I can say is, Wow!

According to the FAQ about Art Project:

The Art Project is a collaboration between Google and 151 acclaimed art partners from across 40 countries. Using a combination of various Google technologies and expert information provided by our museum partners, we have created a unique online art experience. Users can explore a wide range of artworks at brushstroke level detail, take a virtual tour of a museum and even build their own collections to share. With a team of Googlers working across many product areas we are able to harness the best of Google to power the Art Project experience. Few people will ever be lucky enough to be able to visit every museum or see every work of art they’re interested in but now many more can enjoy over 30 000 works of art from sculpture to architecture and drawings and explore over 150 collections from 40 countries, all in one place. We’re also lucky at Google to have the technology to make this kind of project a reality.

The FAQs explain how to use the site and seem to me recommended reading.

Using the various features available, you can:

• get much better look at the details than you would even get in the gallery,
• easily compare overall view with detail view, instead of walking forward and backing up repeatedly,
• read a short background of the artist and the work (click on Details),
• take a virtual trip to the gallery where the work is being shown, using something much like Google Earth technology.

 As an example, here are snips of "Professional Way, Babylon:"

One of the lions with detail control panel

Detail: one tile (could even get closer)

For a gallery view of "Processional Way, Babylon," follow this link.

While poking around the Art Project I came across this video about visualizing images that Van Gogh painted over when recycling his canvasses.

Good hunting.

-- Marge

Getting started with 3D modelling: O.K. which way is up?

First of all, why get started in 3D modelling?  Answer: because you can create a lot of cool things with it: 

• 3D games
• Avatars for virtual worlds
• Animated 3D avatars
• Models of real-world objects
• Digital artwork that changes with perspective

For reference take a look at this Wikipedia article on 3D modelling.

One way to find out if you're interested in pursuing the sometimes arduous task of working with a 3D application is to give it a try.  The folks at DAZ3D are offering free versions of some of their software:

• Bryce 7 for 3D landscapes
• DAZ Studio 4 for "professional 3D graphics creation" including custom figures (human and non-human) and animating the figures
• Hexagon 2.5 for creating 3D objects (that can be used in other application) 

Hexagon is the easiest to use and most versatile for creating objects for export to other programs.  For example, you can create an object in Hexagon and send it to DAZ Studio.  You can also export an object as a Second Life sculptie.
Here's a quick look at the Hexagon interface courtesy of CGDreams at YouTube:

CG Dreams' work is so professional (and I love the English accent too).  If you're interested in seeing more about Hexagon and 3D modelling CG Dreams has its own tutorial channel.

There's a lot available about 3D modelling on YouTube -- give it a look.

That's it 'til Monday.  Have a good weekend.

--Marge