Exclusive interview with Dmitry Vinnik
cgTALK: Hi! So, tell about your project. :)
Hello, my name is Dmitry. In this interview I would like to talk about my recent project BMW Z4 cobra prototype. Some time ago my friend had shown me an image which was a sketch of a prototype used from designing z4 roadster.
I
was very interested in this design, and have decided to replicate it in
3d. The real challenge was that there was only one sketch available. It
was up to me to make the blueprint like sketches for reference. I have decided to combine the power of two 3d programs. Maya and 3d studio max. While Maya offers an extensive selection of modeling tools, 3d studio max allows to setup and render global illumination with very little time, and inexpensive rendering.
I begun modeling with maya's smooth proxy (poly modeling). Then I have projected the entire model elements which needed texturing and exported the final result in low poly state to 3d studio max via obj i/o.
I
have done this for the purpose of test rendering and shader setup. I
have gone back and forth a thousand times before the final result. I
have tried different GI renderers such as Brazil r/s, Mental Ray in
Maya, but all of them offered very expensive render time. Brazil took
for example 2-4 hours per frame. Mental Ray was also slow at medium
quality settings which has turned my attention toward Vray. This GI
renderer offers fast and quality GI rendering in exteriors. In terms of
lighting, I was certain of using HDRI, but then later after a gazillion
tests HDRI has proven to give a fast/nice result however, 
it
didn't give me the necessary reflection control as well as lighting in
the scene. So I went in and designed my own environment with gradients.
You can see the wip here cgTALK: What about tools and techniques?
Dmitry: In this project my tools were Maya 4.5 and smooth proxy modeling, as well as texture mapping. I personally think mayas texture tools are better then maxes in some ways.
When I have brought the model into 3ds max I used Vray 1.09 for rendering with global illumination. I believe that GI gives excellent look in photorealism as well as true shadows and lights.
cgTALK: Personal Designs?
Dmitry: I use my personal imagination and creativity in every single work. That is why it is called personal work and not someone else's. Some times if I need something I will write or find a mel script, or max script. Or some ones tools to speed up the job.
cgTALK: How do you prepare your self for creativity?
Dmitry: I have been drawing since I can remember, and now this hobby has turned into professional work. There are 2 things that inspire me. One is when I brows thru the net and see some one else's work and its so great that I want to make something so beautiful like that. Another, is looking back at my old works and think that I have to advance and upgrade my skills because if I don't they downgrade and its hard to come back and relearn again, I saw it on others I felt it in my self.
cgTALK: How the surrounding affects your creativity?
Dmitry: Well I don't know about the others, but there are good times and there are hard times, all of which do affect me and my mood in creativity. I think it affects everyone, especially artist.
cgTALK: Tell about your self.
Dmitry: I was born in the capitol city of Ukraine, Kiev. Now I live in Vancouver, Canada. After I had graduated VFS (Vancouver Film School) where I had completed maya course, I have embarked on the journey of 3d life.
cgTALK: What are your plans for the future?
Dmitry: I have couple of opportunities in the line at this time, non of which I can talk about…it's a secret :)
cgTALK: What is your wishes to other 3d artists out there?
Dmitry: I'd like to wish happy modeling to everyone, and yeah reference, reference, reference.
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E-mail: warmaster55@hotmail.com
Web site with WIP for BMW Z4 Cobra Prototype - here
