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joshlondon Regular user 169 Posts |
You wrote in a previous post: "Here is what I would highly reccomend to you (well to be sincere I don't do that, my illusion builder does, since I can't even batten a nail propperly and I don't build anything): once he sees plans for an illusion he puts it in a 3dMax and makes a precise computer model of it having in mind suggested or approximate measurements. Then he makes a 3d model of my assistant and tries to place her into a virtual box base or whatever. Then he changes the measurements if necessary and gets everything precisely calculated. Once he finishes, he builds a rough cardboard model and sometimes even one or more models made of cheep wooden panels or so, until we get the right thing. Actually, these 3d animation programs are fantastic. If you master them, you don't even need the plans, you can easilly design your own illusions according to your own needs."
Where can I find such software? |
mvmagic Inner circle Has written 1322 Posts |
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joshlondon Regular user 169 Posts |
Thanks, which product should I pay close attention to?
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diamond Regular user Serbia & Montenegro 200 Posts |
Hi!
Here in Europe, they sell 3dMax, Auto Cad, Iron Cad and other 3d animation software in the stores specialized for computer software. I believe they do so in the States as well... Regarding the version, I must tell you that I'm not that much of an expert in 3dMax, I've just seen the results made by my illusion builder. Actually I have 3dMax as well, but it is a very complex program to master and you need to have at least basic background in design and/or engineering, plus you need to study the software for months before you can draw an illusion. I just like to leave things to the pros, and believe me it saves time and even money... Although many ntimes I would get a certain plan or an idea, it is my illusion builder who gives it a final design and technical characteristics. Add to that a fact that he comes from a family that has quite a tradition of illusion building (his father and grandfather were illusion builders as well) and that he has built his first zig zag at the age of 12, you will know what I mean... It's not an easy task to build an illusion even if you know a master carpenter or a metal worker, they also need to have a brain of a magician to be able to do it properly. Building an illusion is not the same thing as building a cupboard or so. It involves many different materials put together in a way different than craftsmen would usually do, plus design talent and believe me in every single plan, no matter how detailed it is, there are "bugs". Please be carefull (and I really have no intention to discourage you in any way if you have talent, time and money, you SHOULD try to build something after all, maybe you will manage to make a great illusion). One more thing I wanted to mention to all new illusion enthusiasts. When you look for a ready made illusion, it seems to be so expensive (medium sized standard illusions usually fall within a range of 4 000 - 10 000 $). The first thing you think is that this is extremely lot of money. Have in mind that for a good illusion of let's say 5 000 $ the materials used for it would cost at least 2 000 - 3 000 $. You can't use just any wood, it has to be a very special lightweight waterproof plywood in most cases and it is very expensive (I've seen homemade tip over boxes and sub trunks that weigh as much as a small car, then you will have to pay zillions to have it transported). You can't use just any aluminum, it has to be eloxed (now I'm not sure whether this is the right word in English) in most cases or the one used for airplanes. You can't use just any steel, it has to be stainless (and in most cases hollow which costs an arm and leg) and both aluminum and stainless steel can't be welded by just any welder, it has to be a CO2 welding which is more expensive than welding with electricity. Plus if you want your illusion to fold flat, that will cost you even more because you have to find solutions of collapsing it and assembling it quickly. Painting an illusion is also not that simple (actually my builder has his own traditional secret way of painting and lacquering wood in such a fantastic way that the final result is nice and shiny wood, like the piano). Then come the contact foils for the design (just bought a glowing white 3M foil for decorating my new girl appearance illusion and it cost me 250 $ and I just pray that he won't ask me to buy a special Black Art velvet contact foil for the next illusion, it is sooooooo expensive in this part of the world). Have in mind that the guy making it will probbably spend anything from 2 weeks to a month making it 3, 4 or 5 hours a day from the starting project to the final result. Do you still want to build an illusion? Not me... I'm really lucky that this guy is a great friend of mine and that he doesn't charge me much for his work and as usually I'm the one to get the plans, there is no charge for the secret, so everything comes a little cheaper, but the illusions still are very a very expensive thing to make. My advice is: get a friend like that LOL... No I'm kidding, but I just wanted to tel you what awaits you aif you decide to start building an illusion... |
plainman007 Special user 630 Posts |
Hi I'm an illusionist and I have done my 3ds max from an official university here in my country. Like some of the posters told you here. Its an extremely complex program (sometimes said to be more complex than MAYA etc) but its also one of the most powerful softwares in the world. Jsut studying that for your illusion design alone is like learning to fly because you want to tour the world. Just buying a plane ticket is cheaper. Theres a guy called reed or something on the forum here. He does this as a main business. Maybe you can talk to him if he can design for you. I mastered 3ds Max and Adobe After Effects, which was majorly used in the movie Van Helsing. I now use Max for illusion design. To design my stage sets (pre visualization). And to make special effects for my own presentaion videos. Projection material for my giant screens during my shows. If you master these they can help save you loads of money too if you use them as much as I do. My show is a mix of projection effects, story telling, and visuals entwined with my illusions so these computer based softwares and my mastering them has saved me so much. Pm if you want any specific details. By the way buying an official copy of MAX is "EXPENSIVE" it costs 3 times as much as "MAYA" or most of the other softwares in the graphics/ special effects market.
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NFox Inner circle I Do Mentalism Now?! 1101 Posts |
Plainman007, the person you were refferring to in your post is Ryan C. Reed. His username on the Café is Reedrc. His renderings are second to none. If you want to have your designs converted into 3d models, he is the guy to go to. Mark Parker of "4e" fame has even used Ryan's talents in order to visualize some of his newer designs. 3d programs (any of them) are not for the mere enthusiast, they take time, money, and a heck of a lot of patience to learn. So if you can I would advise you to seek out professionals like Ryan C. Reed to do the work for you.
Nick Fox |
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
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plainman007 Special user 630 Posts |
N Fox...... I assume you are replying to the orginal poster > Josh London. Because I have already mastered 3ds MAX. And am using it successfully in my events. Why would I need to go to Reed. LOL. It was me who suggested that Josh should probably talk to Reed. I also appreciate that you have seen Reeds work and state that they are second to none. Its good that you appreiciate someones hard work. All workers of 3d applications have to work real hard to get a professional effect. Belive me your getting it from the horses mouth. But you should be telling all this to Josh London. I think you got mixed up. Like CARYING COALS TO NEW CASTLE.
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NFox Inner circle I Do Mentalism Now?! 1101 Posts |
Plainman, your name was there becuase I wanted to clarify this sentence: "Theres a guy called reed or something on the forum here."
The "you" in the fourth sentence was meant to be directed at everyone. I should have probably put "If anyone wants to have their designs converted into 3d models..." Sorry for the confusion. Nick Fox |
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