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June 2026 - Daz 3D New User Challenge - Scenes, Landscapes, and Working Modularly

ann0314ann0314 Posts: 2,905
in New User Contests and Events

New Users Challenge - June 2026

Sponsored by DAZ 3D

Are you new to the 3D World? Are you at the beginning stages of learning 3D rendering? Have you been around for a little bit but feel you could benefit from some feedback or instruction? Have you been around a while and would like to help other members start their creative journey? Well then come and join the fun as we host our newest render challenge!

New this year, we are breaking down each month into 2 different challenges: a Beginner Challenge and an Intermediate Challenge.

So which "Challenge" should you choose?

Follow the Beginner Challenge if you are:

  • New to the New User Challenges

  • New to Daz Studio

  • Newer to 3D Rendering in General

  • Or if you have not participated in the March Posing Challenge

Follow the Intermediate Challenge if you have:

  • Participated in the New User Challenge for awhile

  • Know the basics of Daz Studio and would like to learn more in-depth topics

  • Been using 3D Rendering Applications for a while and feel comfortable with learning Intermediate Topics

  • Or if you have already participated in the March Posing Challenge

*Please be sure to list in your post which Challenge you are participating in*

Closing date for both is June 30, 2026

For a list of the current challenge rules, please see this thread: Challenge Rules

They apply for both versions of the challenge.

Comments

  • ann0314ann0314 Posts: 2,905
    edited June 1

    Beginner Challenge - June 2026

    Sponsored by DAZ 3D

     

    "Scenes and Landscapes"

    This month's focus will be scenes and landscapes. If you haven't noticed when you look at images made by the various 3D software some of the packages do a lot better then others in treating an expansive scene or a magnificent landscape. Ones that come to mind are software such as Bryce or Vue. Both have some built in features that make those wonderfully big expansive images come true. DAZ Studio on the other hand does not have some of these features built into it but if you know the tricks there is no reason why you can't get those same kinds of results. For this contest we will be exploring the principles of how such scenes and landscapes are built and how to control the environment to create the sense of expansiveness a scene or landscape creates for the viewer.

    There are some key elements that should be considered when creating a landscape, they are the inspiration, lighting, perspective and depth of focus. I have gathered some links for you that talk about each of these elements.

     

    Inspiration:

    Photos and Art:

    Landscape Photography

    Landscape 3D Art

    Landscape Paintings

    Surreal Landscapes

    Perspective and Depth of Focus:

    What a Photographer Considers
     

    Things to consider when setting up your landscape:

    As stated by Jon A. Bell in his book, 3ds max 6 Killer Tips, "For more realistic outdoor scenes, especially if you're seeing a distant horizon, you should always add a slight amount of atmospheric haze.... If you look at a distant mountain range (or if you don't have one right outside your window, just grab a travel magazine or pretend), you'll notice how colors become muted and washed out with distance. You can use just a slight amount of atmospheric fog (it depends on the scale of your scene), and the colors will determine the clarity or quality of your "atmosphere." For clear outdoor settings, using a slight bit of white fog is desirable; for sunset or urban settings (where the air might be more polluted), a slight yellowish or reddish cast makes your horizons look better." In DAZ Studio you have a couple of options in getting that affect. The first would be to add just a tiny bit of Depth of Field so that the objects become a bit more blurred and muted. Another way is to have a volumetric camera that will add the fog feature to the render.

     

    Lighting:

    Approaching Realism in DAZ Studio and Gamma Correction Demystified

    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/54913/

    Using HDR Files In DAZ Studio 3delight renders 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okaYS1jeAew

    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/37753/

    and for Iray

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5FZ5gS9v50

    https://thinkdrawart.com/how-i-light-my-daz-studio-iray-scenes

     

    Handy tools for DAZ Studio ( note: these can help but are not in any way necessary):

    https://www.daz3d.com/terradome-3-iray

    https://www.daz3d.com/ultrascatter-advanced-instancing-for-daz-studio

    https://www.daz3d.com/modular-cove-landscape-creator

    https://www.daz3d.com/digital-kit-bashing--cities-landscapes-and-structures

    https://www.daz3d.com/ultrascenery--realistic-landscape-system

    https://www.daz3d.com/ultrasceneryxt--expansive-landscape-system 

    https://www.daz3d.com/ultrascenery2-realistic-landscape-system  

     

    Bryce 7.1

    Bryce Landscaping

    Bryce Basics

     

    I will be checking in as will the rest of the Community Volunteers to try and help with anything you all may need.

    Post edited by ann0314 on
  • ann0314ann0314 Posts: 2,905
    edited May 31

    Intermediate Challenge - June 2026

    Working Modularly

    This includes kitbashing: combining elements of various products in unexpected, creative ways; and picturing items in settings other than what they were designed for. We’re looking for renders that go beyond simply using elements of a modular props or environment product (although these can certainly be incorporated into your work, and may make a good starting point). Ideally, your render should take a novel, unique, or inventive approach to using props and sets.

    You don’t have to have expensive modeling software to create a unique 3D environment. Why not put a new spin on a few old products and tools?

     

    Kitbashing Tips and Tutorials

    Working modularly can be very rewarding, as it can greatly expand the possibilities of what you can do with the assets in your 3D library. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

    Post edited by ann0314 on
  • yuyu.atemyuyu.atem Posts: 489
    edited June 10

    Title: The life as it is

    Challenge: Biginner

    This is my very first training with UltraScenary 2. Until now, I always created my landscapes with Vue, but it was very intresting to do that with UltraScenary... il think I will become a big fan! laugh
    By the way, does it exist some free tutorials about UltraScenary 2 ? I know that there is a tutorial on the DAZ Store, but before buying it, I would be interested to see some free tutorial, it there exist. Thank you in advance!

    The Life as It Is 1.jpg
    1200 x 872 - 1011K
    Post edited by yuyu.atem on
  • garrett_3dgarrett_3d Posts: 635

    Left this a little late, work has been manic so this is just something I've thrown together fairly quickly.

    Daddy and daughter going on a walk in the country. Don't quite know why I put the crow in there, maybe a flock of birds further into the background would have looked better but I don't have any other avian assets.

    2606 Country Walk WM.jpg
    3840 x 2160 - 4M
  • Brian&AliciaBrian&Alicia Posts: 282
    edited June 27

    ((( NOT AN ENTRY))) just an example
    "Jinkies"
    created the scene from multiple items, from different scenes, and effect packs.

    sorry for the dullness. i don't think the forums are supporting HDR.?.

    Jinkies s.png
    1375 x 2000 - 3M
    Post edited by Brian&Alicia on
  • yuyu.atemyuyu.atem Posts: 489

    garrett_3d said:

    Left this a little late, work has been manic so this is just something I've thrown together fairly quickly.

    Daddy and daughter going on a walk in the country. Don't quite know why I put the crow in there, maybe a flock of birds further into the background would have looked better but I don't have any other avian assets.

    Hi! if you want to create a flock of birds while you have only the crow, you can still dupllicate the crow or create instances of it. Do you have UltraScatter Pro or UltraScatter 2? I have not UltraScatter 2 so I don't know how it work, but I think you could create a flock of birds very easily with UltraScatter Pro: just load a sphere or a cylender in the scene where you want to place the birds, and create instance iof the crows inside its volume with UltraScatter Pro. Then, hide the sphere or the cylinder in otder to let only the birds visible.

    If you don't have any UltraScatter product, you still can create instances or duplicate the crow, but you will have to position each of them manually.

  • garrett_3dgarrett_3d Posts: 635

    I do have US Pro. I didn't even think about that, cheers.

  • yuyu.atemyuyu.atem Posts: 489

    Well, if you want to try, from what I uderstood of the rules, you may post again your render with this improvement. ;)

  • ann0314ann0314 Posts: 2,905
    edited June 30

    yuyu.atem said:

    Well, if you want to try, from what I uderstood of the rules, you may post again your render with this improvement. ;)

    Yes you can - through end or today/early tomorrow. (We generally post to close the challenge so people are free to post additional changes until then smiley 

    Post edited by ann0314 on
  • ann0314ann0314 Posts: 2,905

    This Challenge is now closed. Thank you to all the participants heart

  • ann0314ann0314 Posts: 2,905

    The next one will be going up later today (for July) or possibly tomorrow.

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