It has always been critical communication and story telling for set and lighting designers to communicate there ideas visually to directors, producers and other collaborators. When this communication was done fully or primarily in traditional media; sketches and physical models, that need was still critical. Now, we have new, and constantly evolving computer based tools that can very accurately represent physical materials and the properties of light. Like watercolor and colored pencils, programs like Vectorworks and C4D must be learned and mastered.
The need for pre-visualization will only grow over time. Pre-visualization saves time, and money, in preparing productions. It is now possible to cue an entire show off-site with just a few people. The cueing can be brought to the venue and quickly tweaked. There are no surprises, no crew calls and more time for rehearsals or other work.
It’s all about knowing the software and using the tools.
Beginning April 18th, professional and student designers can submit entries to the 2012 Inspired Visions Global Rendering Competition. This annual competition, which is sponsored by Nemetschek Vectorworks, and MAXON Computer, recognizes today’s top architects and designers from around the world, and their abilities to visually render Vectorworks models with Renderworks or CINEMA 4D. Submissions will be accepted until 16 August 2012, in the following categories:
· Rendering with Renderworks 2012
· Rendering with CINEMA 4D
· Monochromatic model (rendered in Renderworks or CINEMA 4D)
“We are excited to collaborate again with our sister company, MAXON Computer,” says Theresa Downs, communications director at Nemetschek Vectorworks. “It is evident that more and more designers are using both programs to create renderings, and we expect great things from the entries this year.”
The panel of judges includes Daniel Jansenson, principal at Daniel Jansenson Architect and author of Remarkable Renderworks, from Santa Monica, Ca.; Tyler Littman, principal designer and owner of Sholight, LLC, from New York; Nicholas Dunand, freelance designer and sculptor, from Melbourne, Australia; Erik Recke, freelance architectural visualizer at Datenland, from Hamburg, Germany; Alejandro Nogueira, CEO at DECC Arte 3D from Tecamachalco, Edo. de Mexico, Mexico; and René Racz from Lichtmaschine Multimedia GmbH, Basel, Switzerland.
Each category winner chosen by these judges will receive $2,500 USD and will be featured in an official media release and on Planet Vectorworks. Winners will also be promoted on the Nemetschek Vectorworks and MAXON social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
In addition, the public will select their Fan Favorite from all entries, which will be posted on the competition’s website. Voting will take place directly on the site.
Designers may enter multiple categories. However, all entries must be built on a Vectorworks model. Interested competitors who lack the current versions of the software can request a free, 30-day version of Vectorworks with Renderworks software at http://www.vectorworks.net/trial/form or http://student.myvectorworks.net , or they can download a 42-day free version of CINEMA 4D at http://www.maxon.net/downloads/demo-version.html.
To enter, vote or learn more about the competition, visit http://inspiredvisions.vectorworks.net.
Of course, having a copy of Entertainment and Lighting Design with Vectorworks Spotlight will help you win this competition, pretty good ROI.
Read my NAB article for PLSN about the use of visualization and collaboration here.
