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Steampunk: New History 3D Challenge Winners Announcement
The time has come to announce the winners of the Steampunk: New History 3D Challenge!
First place goes to Successful Deployment of Satellite 08-Caroline by Simon Martinez
A short story behind the artwork:
“The 08-Caroline satellite, named in honor of the head of the aerospace technology department, has been successfully deployed into orbit. This launch surpasses previous unsuccessful attempts. With this advancement, we finally hope to obtain the first images from space and identify potential threats from deep space.”
Made with using 3ds Max, V-ray, Photoshop
This exceptional artwork has also earned the artist the RebusFarm team choice.
What our jury says:
Philipp Staab: “The 08-Caroline Satellite is our well-deserved first pick with it’s incredible amount of detail, excellent portrayal of a Steampunk aesthetic, and beautiful composition.”
Alessandro Maniscalo: “Amazing concept and a very good inspiration. Never thought to see a Space Satellite made with SteamPunk style. Great shading and rendering. I would like to give to this image the first place because a very original concept. Usually I see cars and weapons made with SteamPunk style but the Satellite is very original one!”
Filippo Ubertino: “What strikes me most is the attention to detail and the evident use of correct references. The distribution of the former is harmonious. The modeling and use of textures are excellent. The final render is also convincing.”
Carlos Colorsponge: “This rendering is a striking and imaginative Satellite that captivates with its impact and creativity. It is rich in meticulously placed details, demonstrating exceptional attention to framing and composition. The careful consideration given to every element enhances its overall effect, making it both visually stunning and deeply engaging.”
Zacharias Reinhardt: “I have never seen a satellite in a steampunk design, very refreshing idea. Besides that, great details, materials and especially I like the color scheme and warm lighting, in contrast to the blue earth. Great job!”
Jim Thacker: “The ultimate combination of high and low tech: a steampunk satellite! It’s a simple but strikingly composed image, with a strong silhouette and a warm, appealing color palette.”
Michal Horba: “This is a very ingenious idea. Done nicely, with all interesting details. And of course I hope it will spot all the potential threats, will it?”
Chris Scubli: “Solid use of shaders and lighting make this an immediately appealing image. It features easily discernible shapes that also have high detail where it’s needed, and it’s the coolest steampunk satellite I’ve ever seen.”
Quick interview with Simon Martinez:
– How long have you been into 3D modeling? Please, tell us about yourself.
Hello, I started learning 3D modeling self-taught since 1999. I am a Graphic Arts technician and was amazed by the 3D tools and how they allow us to bring the ideas we have in our heads into reality. I have been working independently for 17 years for Architecture offices, making models of their projects.
– Approximately how much time did you invest in creating your winning entry? Did you encounter any challenges along the way?
I remember that I started participating in the contest when there were only 15 days left until the deadline. Working under the Steampunk concept seemed very interesting to me because that particular style, which mixes very ornamental and decorative elements with mechanical parts and steam-powered gears, gave me the idea to imagine an artificial satellite with this theme since it was something I hadn’t seen until now.
I like to leave subtle things slightly out of the images, as in the case of this work, where you can see the reflection of an asteroid in the camera, with the potential to end life on Earth. But when all seems lost, maybe the satellite is the hope, as you can’t see how its base ends. Could it be… perhaps a weapon to annihilate the threat?
– What advice would you give to future participants in our 3D modeling competitions?
First, I want to thank the 3DModels team for maintaining these initiatives, as they allow us to unleash the artist within us with great freedom.
And as advice for other participants, I would suggest dedicating the initial time necessary to clearly define the concept or idea you want to represent. As stated in the contest rules, try to tell a story with your image. Therefore, make sketches, look for references, and with this clear, you can move on to the 3D modeling part.
Second place is The Analytical Engine by Zichen Tang
A short story behind the artwork:
“The prototype of the analytical engine is the key to this game. I’m sure no one knows this secret…yet.”
Made with using Blender and Photoshop
What our jury says:
Chris Scubli: “This image hits all the aspects for me. It features a rich, intricate environment that is easy to read thanks to the curated lighting and composition that guide the eye. There is a story being told here through the use of foreground, midground and background elements that hint at something sinister at play.”
Erlingur Einarsson: “There’s a mysterious air to this scene, which I find very alluring. The engine itself is the centrepiece, and impeccably assembled, but again I’m taken by the depth of detail and the way it’s dotted throughout with elements that make up a story to be explored.”
Jim Thacker: “Perhaps more steam than punk, but this is a gorgeously detailed image that leads the viewer’s eye through the open doorway into the inventor’s workshop, to the machine beyond. The note pinned to the door lends an element of mystery. The plans for the machine itself – or a threat from a jealous rival?”
Tom Grimes: “The soft lighting drew my eye to this one, plenty of detail and clutter, so it has a lived in yet welcoming look. Is this a home office perhaps, with the huge difference engine being the PC or Mac of this alternate timeline? To round it out, one of the last things you notice is the letter pinned to the door by the dagger, adding drama to the otherwise peaceful scene, and setting the mind racing with ideas as to what the story is here.”
Alessandro Maniscalo: “Stunning interiors environment. Great modeling and shading make this picture very cinematic and dramatic.”
Filippo Ubertino: “The final render is very interesting, resulting in a cozy environment that contrasts with the cold metal and the violence of the knife in the foreground. Technically the modeling and use of textures is convincing. The concept is not very original however and the tent was not successful.”
Third place is Time Maker Briefcase – (Anti-Jet Lag Device) by Kaybee
A short story behind the artwork:
In the shadows of an ancient laboratory, long, long forgotten by time and shrouded in mystery, lies the Time Maker Briefcase.
Introducing the Time Maker Briefcase – your ultimate weapon against jet lag. With its classic steampunk design, it’s both stylish and functional and at its core lies a powerful watch tourbillon, synced with the moon and Earth’s gravity. Powered by steam and gears, it effortlessly adjusts to different time zones.
With its classic steampunk design, it’s both stylish and functional. At its core lies a powerful watch tourbillon, synced with the moon and Earth’s gravity. Powered by steam technology from a time where the world, was powered by steam and gears, it effortlessly adjusts to different time zones. But beware – this device has a dark past. Abandoned by a mad scientist, its temporal effects were deemed too powerful. Its use has been banned in many circles, feared for its ability to bend time itself.
Made with using Blender, Octane for Blender, Plasticity, Rav Wakui Pipe GeoNodes (Blender), 3Ds Max for Turblion Assembly, Quixel Mixer, Kit OPS, Adobe Photoshop (student), Realtime Materials (Blender), Tim Masin Cobweb Maker
Also the author gets Special prize from the OTOY team for the “Best Work created in OctaneRender”.
What our jury says:
Erlingur Einarsson: “The level of detail here is delicious. It captures the steampunk spirit completely, and the more you look at it, the more little details you notice. And I wish I had one of those to fix my jet lag…”
Chris Scubli: “What struck me with this one was the balance between low and high frequency detail – it gives the image a controlled complexity that doesn’t tire the viewer. The lighting is welcoming and helps us discover all the wondrous gadgets inside the briefcase.”
Frederic Servant: “I would not mess with anything inside this briefcase. It looks like a watercooled rig gone rogue. The glowing mechanism truly is mesmerizing, but the set lacks details in some places, and the camera’s long focal makes the subject too distant.”
Tom Grimes: “Bright colors, bold contrast, and sharp details all work together to catch your attention. Then, in true steampunk form, we have this complicated device where it is not clear what its purpose is (unless you read the background info!), which is just what I like – a bit of mystery! The fact that it is all steam driven but miniaturized is very cool.”
Philipp Staab: “The Time Maker Briefcase captures a sense of wonder and curiosity with its many highly-detailed bells and whistles. It emanates an old-timey feel where every pieces feels like it has a purpose and provides great storytelling.”
Tim Spears: “An ingenious device, realized with a mixture of materials, colors and lighting. I would have liked to see the device in use for more impact.”
Quick interview with Kaybee
– How long have you been into 3D modeling? Please, tell us about yourself.
So I’ve been working on 3-D modelling for about the past 5 to 6 years, starting in high school and primary getting interested in software like Google sketch up because I found it intriguing, to be able to go on a computer and make things at a thin errand just get ideas out of your head and put them in 3-D space and manipulate them. It’s always fascinated me so I just enjoyed doing 3-D work, which let me to go into the arch Space, and making architectural visualisations.
But most recently in the past two years has spent a lot more of my time in Blender as a way to step away from my usual kind of work and it’s been a really fun breath of fresh air. I’ve been learning a lot about animation, and been entering competitions where I can not necessarily to win but just to test out my skills and learn something new and see how far I can get, and I’m really over the moon with this win.
– Approximately how much time did you invest in creating your artwork? Did you encounter any challenges along the way?
So it took me about 3 to 4 weeks to put this whole thing together. Most of my time was actually spent working out some kinks and bugs on Blender because I was so used to working in 3-D Max which is a lot more rigid when it comes to modelling and setting up scenes, but all allows me to make scenes as big as I want with as many effect as I want so long as I have the processing power for it.
My biggest challenge was working in Blender and having to dial back a lot of my scene assets as Blender doesn’t do very well with high poly counts, and volumetrics, having to restrict myself to a certain number of polys and having to use some really good 3-D trickery within the software.
– What advice would you give to future participants in our 3D modeling competitions?
You really have to go in there and have fun. Think outside the box, and don’t be afraid to iterate. Sketching really helps even though it’s not perfect, but you can kind of plan out your scene, and how you want to execute.
I think everyone just have to make room to step out of their comfort zone, and not really only enter for the sake of winning, but just to see what they’re capable of in terms of deadlines, restrictions, budget or level of skill.
We congratulate the winners!
Special prize from InstaLOD team for the “Most detailed model” gets “Capt. Corkscrew” by Flavio Valenzi.
A short story behind the artwork:
In this Steampunk brave new world a brave new drink “NEW HISTORY” is served only to the bravest of the brave, with unwarranted consequences. At the dawn of a brand new day, in the most infamous tavern on a rock hurtling around the outskirts of Saturn Capt. Corkscrew is ready for a new day of adventures and empty bottles.
I wanted give a new adventurous life to a simple corkscrew – perfect example of things that for long time have been bringing – big or small – comfort to everyone’s life, things that are taken for granted, and soon easily forgotten.
Special prize for Fox Renderfarm Team Choice gets the “Dark Horizon” by Onur Dövücü.
Fox Renderfarm Team: “The render’s realistic details and well-built surroundings shine through, capturing the viewer’s attention with a creative composition and well-balanced arrangement. Rich, smooth textures and superb lighting add to the scene’s depth and plausibility. The work is well-executed and noteworthy overall, leaving a powerful and long-lasting impression.”
Special prize from iRender team gets “The travel of Bertha Benz” by Alessia Monacelli.
A short story behind the artwork:
Her husband Karl was a genius and brilliant engineer, however lacked ambition and business acumen, it was his wife who was the visionary, seeing the potential for the car to be so much more than a prototype and encouraging her husband to do more.
In 1888 she quietly roused her two sons and pushed the vehicle away trying to reach her mother’s house, almost 100 km away, for a journey of a lifetime.
Determined to prove her theory, Bertha had no idea in which direction they were heading so had to figure it out as they went along.
Bertha’s story is a testament to the integral role of women in automotive history.
This work is a tribute of this brave and ambitious woman.
Special prize from Maxon team for “Works created in Maxon tools” as well as the 3DModels Team Choice gets “The STEAMING EAGLE” by Wolfgang Biebach.
Special prize from Nevercenter team as well as the prize from Maxon team for “Works created in Maxon tools” gets the “Walkman” by Mario Ucović.
Special prize from Maxon team for “Works created in Maxon tools” gets the “Robert’s bicycle” by Paolo mu.
In addition, we’d like to point out the works of other finalists, which we can’t just ignore and slide round.
“The Sterling Steam-Cycle” by Hannah Rodgers.
“HydroSteam” Station by Roman Solohub.
“Checkered flag!” by Vincenzo Maria Metafora.
“Mobile Phone” by Purbo Alam.
“Steampunk Submarine” by Shubham Srivas.
For those who like statistics:
68 artists took part in the competition. 29 members of jury selected 18 renders to the final stage (each place in top-five gives special amount of points: first place – five points, fifth place – one point. All points/votes are sum-up).
Special thanks to the sponsors who support our event and help 3D artists to create their masterpieces. Each of them is the best in their field. You can always count on their quality service, and so we are happy to recommend you their products.
We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this incredible steampunk journey.
Thank you all for participating in this amazing challenge and making it an unforgettable experience!
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