Topic: Got a shiny ball photo?

I'm in a bit of a bind. No access to a digital camera and no access to a scanner. Things are looking bleak. So, I'm hoping one of you folks can help me out.

I'm in dire need of a photo of a shiny ball of any kind. You know, a bed post or a gaudy lawn ornament; a photo where the reflection can be seen decently.

Not only to play with, but perhaps to use in Technical Slop. ~crosses fingers~ Credit all that jazz.

Pretty please.
Twould help me to no end.




[This message has been edited by warjournal (edited 06-11-2003).]

Does it have to be a photo or would a 3d render with a 360 globel texture map do.

I just whiped this one, but you are welcome to it.



A larger PSD with alpha is here:

Improvements could be made, or I could switch to lightwave and render with better lighting or change in image. Thou I have an interview tomorrow afternoon to I wouldn't get to it until later in the day.

J. Stuart J.

[This message has been edited by jstuartj (edited 06-11-2003).]

In order for a 3d render to work, I believe it has to be HDRI with a proper map. Otherwise, pinching occurs in bad places. HDRI is something that I've been meaning to poke around with because I'm just not happy with certain things when it comes to faking environmental reflections in a 3d prog. Looks like this might be my chance to dig into it.

But, ideally, a real photo is best.

Thanks, jstuartj.

Just did one for the POW. You're welcome to use it as you may. Might even have some rejects laying around if interested.


Click for bigger.



[This message has been edited by cyoung (edited 06-11-2003).]

LOL! Yeah, I saw that, cyoung, and I was tempted. However, a bit too beat up to be of any use to me. If you've got any good rejects, I'm all eyes.

As far as faking it with a 3d prog, I might be able to do it with a fisheye photo, and I just happen to have one around here somewhere. Finding it is going to be a bugger.

edit:
Hey, isn't a fisheye photo the basically the same as taking a photo of a shiny ball (minus the photographer of cousrse)?


[This message has been edited by warjournal (edited 06-11-2003).]

Find Slime. He will most likely have a good selection of POV-Ray 3D renderings which might be of use.

I'll have a look through what I've got tonight wj. Heck, I know my kid has some smooth, shiny, solid color glass marbles too, this one was just big and beat up.. I liked it. I might just shoot you one custom just for the challenge of making easily definable reflections in a miniscule glass ball. Hmm.. what to reflect?

Are you talking about something like this?


That's a standard spherical environment map. I'm sure you can find a ton of them with a well-crafted search.

? Gotta play more.. need bigger balls.

Go, cyoung! That photo is usable. Are you going to leave it at that or try a few more? Of course, I would like to see more if you are willing.

Das, I did some poking around looking for a proper 3d solution to make my own shiny things. Came up with an easy one, but kind of low on resources. The only photo I've been able to find that suits my needs is at the bottom of Final Render Tests. Do you have any resources with more photos like that? Now, I can use cross-shaped HDRI images, but it's an ugly hack (box primitive + MeshSmooth). I might be able to use light probes, but I'm sure just yet.

If I think about it later, I might show some of the test renders I did with the photo in the above link.

I do intend to do some more since my interest is kinda peaked on this shiny sphere, reflection, refraction, transparent thing. I have that Escher piece on the brain now if you couldn't tell. I found a small glass globe today (the glass is solid and the continents have a frosted texture), probably about 2" across, this will add transparency to the equation and certainly require a bit more effort with the lighting than just bouncing off the ceiling. I do however have house guests for the next couple days so my time will be limited and I really can't promise any speedy returns. You are of course more than welcome to snatch up anything I post here.. I've learned a bunch from you and it's the least I can do. Glad to be able to help.

hey wj, i'm sure that you'd have to ask for permission, but check photo #27 here - http://www.2morrow.dk/75ppi/coolpix/default.asp

I love that sig ^ heh.

Cy, I'm sending an e-mail with a special request.
Sending it to the one you have listed here.
Watch out for it.

Heh, I just got done playing with this stuff a bit. Got your mail, glad you warned me 'cause everything gets filtered. The first one will likely suit you best, if so I can come up with part 2 maybe as early as this evening sometime since I'll be going back there anyway.

One.
Two.
Three.

I have much bigger, but they're really pixely.

Dude, if you do #1 like I requested, you can have my first born. Seriously.

Hold off on the first born. Got one of my own. Just sent an e-amil.

Fantastic. The fact that you had to take multiple photos and stitch them together is absolutely *perfect* for what I've got planned.

I'm beside myself with giggles. tee-hee-hee-hee

I'll fire you off another e-mail one of these days. Maybe a week or so.