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Barbie dress up for grown ups. :P
i dont tell anybody.
And Bryce is a canyon.
I have spent a while, over the years trying to explain to my brotehr, sister-in-law and my nephews and niece what DS is and oes. Got mostly attentive, polite nods. Then, last year, a frined and I (mainly him) 'threw together' a book and I gave them one for christmas and finaly got a few "oh, so that's what that is ..." comments and a few dawning realisations
Tell them Modo is like Silo but with animation.
And people who go clubbing frequently know what a poser is.
Actually Barbie and Ken dress-ups. About ten years ago on another forum I explained it as playing with dolls and then taking a photo. I think that still holds true.
And less chances of grain dust explosions.
I had extensive practice trying to explain to my parents what I did back when I was a management consultant, so I was already used to the uncomprehending blank stares.
The harder job for me is explaining why it's still hard and valid art even if I'm not creating models.
Throughout the ages, irrespective of media, artists have borne the derision of the aware, contempt of the "enlightened", ridicule of those of another medium, and apathy from the masses. Any attempt at changing this status quo is met with swift and permanent shunning. Occasionally, if you guess the listener's tastes correctly, you can impress with an example -- until you begin to describe its production, then you're back to square one.
I think the best way to explain what you do is, Art! Plain and simple. No matter what tool one uses! I'm also a photographer and worked with many real life models over the last decade, and using Daz and other 3d software brings more creative freedom. And zero flakey Models! :)
Yet again, using Daz off and on since 2003, really helps with my real life photography.
I just smile in a condescending manner and say softly, "You wouldn't understand."
It's like if crack cocaine came in collectible vials.
Tell them not to worry, it's less socially distasteful than masterbation but almost as fun.
Often done Alone, in bad lighting, at the computer... and usually we are not totally satisfied when done!
Greetings,
If they're confused about Silo, tell them it's like Hexagon, but slightly less crashy, and has had a newer release?
-- Morgan
Because I was a photographer and also do manipulations people tend to think my 3D is real and I've done some magic Photoshop stuff on them to make them look that way & they want me to do their photos...
I usually tell them they are not real people and I "shot" them in a virtual studio, and that my RL studio is still closed to the public. :) One photographer friend even downloaded Daz, but he says the learning curve is killing him. :)
Subject would never come up in the context of 3D art but as part of creating art for games. That said, anyone I know isn't interested in the my attempts to make games and so if I ever become successful with a game they are more likely to hear of it through traditional channels than through me and that suits me just fine.
They do have interest in my more practical physically 'arty' activies like DIY home improvement (expensive even buying the discount brands and teaching myself how to do the work), yard landscaping (almost 0.57 acres and it's gotten to be expensive on a shoestring budget), and wood carving (also expensive initially but I like it) so it's not like they are dismissive of art as a way to improve life. Art is very practical most of the time.
I've got the explanation of 3d art for normal people down to a science.
1. First I ask them if they remember High School Geometry? If they remember the basic closed shapes of cube, sphere, pyramid etc.? If they even know what the word polygon means?
They usually say kinda.
I say; "Great!"
2. I then ask them if they also remember any Trigonometry, the mathematics of triangles?
They usually say kinda sorta.
I then say; Great!
Then I go further: "Well remember how you thought at the time that those darned classes were a complete waste of your time, that you'd never in a million years apply these ideals to real life nor would you ever have fun with them?"
They usually respond; "Oh Yeah!"
3. I then say, " Well you were wrong. Triangles are fun. Cubes are awesome, and spheres are an infinite bundle of joy!"
They usually tilt their heads to one side and glance at me as if I was a stranger to them.
4. I then show them the wireframe view of a model of some sort. I say to them, "Look at how those quads (or triangles, whichever) are used to define the shape of the virtual object."
They usually say, Wow! Really?
5. Next I show them an unfolded UV template with it's corresponding diffuse (albedo) image.
They usually respond: "Hey, that looks kinda cool, but it's weird all spread out that way."
I then smile condescendingly as others have suggested.
6. Next I show them a finished render with textures and lighting.
Their eyes then blink up and down a few times as their brains begin to piece together the puzzle of what 3d art is.
Once digested; they usually smile, and say; " Oh, that's amazing. I didn't know it worked like that. Is this how they do it in the movies and in games as well?"
And then I say "Yep! All the same. That's why these blockbuster movies cost soooo much to produce."
Then I show them my computer specs, the stuff needed to pull this 3d art off in decent times.
They then scoot in closer to me so they can observe the rig, then pull away quickly at the realization that I've spent as much money on a computer as they'd spend on a car.
Then I start showing them lots of different people's works and projects.
They are always impressed by what is possible and come to realize that as a 3d artist, one can virtually play "God" to some degree. Who wouldn't enjoy that?
I just tell people I'm a digital artist. I have been a fine artist for a long time, as an art major, so it isn't too much a stretch. I find though, that I'm not appreciated in my own village, so to speak.