Daz releases new Bryce 7 3D suite as fully working free software

DAZ 3 has released Bryce 7. This is a brand new version of its 3D environment tool. It's available in standard, Pro and Personal Learning Edition (PLE) versions.The free version (PLE) incorporates all features of the standard version of Bryce 7. It can only be used for non-commercial projects though. Bryce 7 gains the ability to incorporate 3D models made in Google SketchUp or Electronic Arts' Spore Creature Creator into its pipeline. Find out more... just click on the image and see what you think yourself...

3D Basecamp: Submission deadline extended again...

Click on Image for more...

Google SketchUp and Kerkythea – fast start 4architects by Majid Yeganegi

Just published this tutorial on our tutorial site. Majid's brief description:
"I need to mention first before you start to learn Kerkythea using this tutorial that this is an easy-to-use simplified tutorial and also an architect-oriented guide. I have ignored some intricate technical material tips but have another more advanced tutorial in the pipeline to follow this one. Hopefully after studying this you will be so impressed with Kerkythea that it will encourage you to learn Kerkythea deeper."

Even if you don't use Kerkythea it will familiarize you with some of the render language used in such software and what it is...

Drawing a Church Campus Using Google SketchUp by Jim Leggitt

Another great little tutorial by professional 3D artist Jim Leggitt. The project was a master plan of a church campus on the island of Maui. Nice location and useful tips using Google SketchUp and hand drawn techniques.

Google SketchUp 3D Bascamp 2010 Update - extra 150 places!

The official Google SketchUp Blog just announced this...but you have to show them your best SketchUp work. Choices will be made then on the best submissions. Thats another 150 people with an opportunity to go. You have until Monday Jul 26th do get your submission in.

Latest Version - SU2POV freeware converter

From the Ruby Library Depot:
" SU2POV is a freeware converter to export SketchUp models to the freeware ray-tracer POV-Ray. It has been designed so few editions are necessary to run Pov-Ray and generate images of your SketchUp models".
Some features:

• Exports model to the freeware rendering engine Pov-Ray. SketchUp scene support: ground, background, fog, render mode settings, perspective and orthographic camera, sun light, point lights, spot lights, automatic coloring and intensity of sun light and of shadows, unlimited nested levels for groups/components, UV maps support for textured objects and imported images, clay render, glass render, clay-glass render, textures & X-Ray render, images output with/without alpha mask. Doc, tutorial and sample files included.

Click on image to read more and download from Didier Bur's site.

New Content in our Tips and Tricks Section

We are constantly updating and we have just published some more new great tips and tricks in our Tips & Tricks section. Why not take a peek..... you may have missed something!

New Tutorial - Texture Workflow with SketchUp, Photoshop & Podium

Just published today another new tutorial by one of our favorite contributors Nomeradona. Texture Workflow with SketchUp, Photoshop & Podium. In this one Nomer shows us his workflow in texturing a scene using Podium, SketchUp and Photoshop. 

ASGVIS Render Contest

Render your Rhino or SketchUp model using V-Ray for a chance to win some great prizes. A license of V-Ray and 3 hours of online training are up for grabs. There are no limitations to the type of image you submit, as long as it's rendered with V-Ray for Rhino or V-Ray for SketchUp! Competition entries must be in by the 30th September 2010.

How to Manage Complex SketchUp Models by Jim Leggitt

New little tutorial by Jim Leggitt titled 'How to Manage Complex SketchUp Models'. A model that has an excessive number of components, a lot of building detail and too much site area is the perfect candidate for bogging down your computer and wasting a lot of your valuable time. Here are some helpful tips Jim on how to manage the digital model.