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steve-burg — Colony Main Street
Published: 2010-08-30 00:12:00 +0000 UTC; Views: 7571; Favourites: 88; Downloads: 430
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Description
This is part of a series. I wanted to depict a small agricultural colony that's just getting on its feet.Currently, the 3D environment is far from finished, but far enough along to get an idea of where it's going. This is a "straight out of the box" render, with a single light for the sun. Aside from that, the scene is lit with global illumination.
I was inspired as much by the frontier towns of the Old West as by any science fiction we've seen. Perhaps the closest thing might be the colony seen in the film "Aliens".
The vehicles and structures would be light weight, modular, and built for efficiency and practicality.
Primarily, I wanted to capture the feeling of optimism I associate with the opening of a new frontier.
This view is looking down the main street of the small community.
Credits: sky and ground textures were derived from images available at CGTextures.com and the human figures are from Dosch Designs architectural collection.
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Comments: 29
Those windmills look like those of Halo. Awesome work
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I had to study this for a couple of minutes. The sidewalks at first looked like guard/blast rails like you see in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was going to ask "How safe is this place?" LOL
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It's probably about as safe as a frontier town can be. Arriving at a new world, there are bound to be unknown dangers large and small. Probably, the platforms are to keep a respectful distance from the ground, and to allow for easy repairs underneath.
I'm sure this planet has its nocturnal predators, though
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Looks pretty cool.
Serenity/firefly also had that wild west/last frontier vibe.
Too bad they got the action/char development mix wrong.
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I've seen the "Serenity" movie, but only a few episodes of the show. My main inspiration these days is actually from reading sci-fi books. There are many wonderful ideas and inspiration to be found there
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Well just keep goin' then. I'm enjoying the ride so far
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Will do - now it I could only function without sleep 
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Looks like the colony's gonna have awesome cel phone coverage! 
So what's your goal with this series - and how much more do you have to do to get there? It sounds like it's a personal project, yes?
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It is - and how much? Wow, I wish I knew. I don't have it all figured out, I just tend to start in and make it up as I go - Indiana Jones style
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How much time did it take to make this gorgeous masterpiece ??
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It took several weekends of making the different components. I actually did about 3 versions leading to this - and one day I will add more to it. If I worked full time, it might be a week or perhaps longer - a lot depends on how long it takes to decide on the design of something
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You just work on one thing at a time. It's easier that way. Then you bring things together and build the scene.
It's a lot like making a level for a game, come to think of it...
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Had written in each of the images!
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Yes, i notice the greenhouse, some mining operations and perhaps an environment for turning small organisms into food or energy....
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They would need a little bit of everything - since it's probably years in between passing transports.
I wanted the overall feeling to be kind of upbeat. If I was going to start a colony, I'd want to go someplace nice
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Of course! Just as with the first 'Alien' movie, which is what i consider the only one of the series worth the look.
Your intention reminds me of the 'Silent Running' flick, where the starship was a greenhouse transport, not in the sense of your imagery, but in the more up-beat affect.
On the other hand, there hasn't been a good science fiction movie in years, so.... Producers are more interested in selling box office than a good story.
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I love "Silent Running" - it is one of my main early inspirations 
And unfortunately, I agree. There has not been too much science fiction in film that really hits the spot. A lot of nicely produced CG effects, but I think everyone's getting used to that at this point - or maybe numb to it
Time for some great stories, I'd say
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If you haven't yet seen 'Inception', that is quite a turn for the better in both movies and concept! The illusion of dreams and sub-layered dreaming is by far cutting edge work.
The way the movie tells this story with effects, storyline and acting is worth seeing many times. Hope you get a chance to see it!
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Thanks for the recommendation - I will see it at some point, maybe on Blu Ray if not in the theater.
I do like Christopher Nolan's films
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Cool! This will be well worth your time, i guarantee it!
i study my own dreams and find that dreaming is a path to another dimensional door way. True, that they are made up of experiences for the core fabric, but beyond that, i think there is a unimaginable realm of possibilities to which we can cross into alternate realities.
much of my Art ideas come from there. i will find myself inside a piece and walking around inside of it. Then i can go to work and make the scene as i notice the details in the dreaming experience.
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Oops - I misspelled. The book is called "Biocentrism"
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You might find interesting a book I read recently. It is "Biocntrism" by Robert Lanza. It proposes some fairly revolutionary ideas about the nature of reality itself.
Check it out
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i certainly will... thanks for the offering!
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