TheAllusionist - Lets start the Show

[TheAllusionist]

Hi, I am Russell Thomas (a.k.a. TheAllusionist) and this is my site. I have started this site to learn how to set up an online forum and support the CG and Architectural/Design community. I am a graduate of Washington State University's School of Architecture and have been doing architecture for around 13 years.

I have varied interest and have been using CAD from day one. I started doing architectural visualization via computer renderings for the most part and some forms of traditional illustration. This led to an interest in all things CG and I have dabbled in character creation as well as archtectural visualization. I have also done architectural and character animation in an effort to round out my experience. I was a frustrated artist and chose architecture since it combined art and science for which I have aptitudes for. Right out of college I did a graphic novel in rough draft form and DC comics showed interest in the project, but by this time I was staying busy doing architectural work and did not have time to pursue the relationship.

Early on I got into 3D modeling, I used DataCAD and Visual Reality, two programs you probably have not heard of. I wrote some articles for magazines and news letters focusing on the benefits of visualization. This led me to do consulting work and setting up CAD software for firms. I started my own design studio where I did High-End luxury homes and light commercial design. At a certain point I wanted to do more than residential work so I contracted out to architectural firms doing work on educational, medical and civic projects. I gained a reputation as a hired gun of sorts and helped implement CAD programs like Architectural Desktop and CAD standards in addition to doing Construction Documentation for various firms. I decided to move to the larger metropolitan area of Seattle, Washington in order to get exposure to larger projects. At this time I started working as a full time employee at firms as I jumped around getting experience in all types of architectural projects.

I am torn between all my interests and have never found my exact niche, I do architectural renderings, but enjoy creating art in other genres and thus my attention wanders from one interest to another.

Where I would like to see this site go is to be a place to show off fine work and to pursue quick studies and design exercises. Most people do not have the time to finish everything and quick little exercises could be a fun way to participate and get the creative juices going. This forum will be modified and added to as time and creative energy permits. I see the site as a place for multi-professions to be expressed and a non-specific software environment.

Well the web is full of great sites and it will be a challenge to create a place that people participate in, so let me know if you have any ideas or want to help administrate part of the forum.

Best regards,

Russell Thomas

[Delineator]

Russell,
You've got a great start here. I like your concept of what you would like this Site to become. Hope it continues to attract some talented and interesting participants, so that everyone can benefit from each others experience!

[TheAllusionist]

Delineater,
As soon as I get home I will look into increasing the font size for the main text windows, I can see by your response you like the text large and legible!

Seriously, thanks for the kind words. It will be people such as yourself who shape what the site becomes, and your input is always welcome, thanks again!

[enigma]

I think Mr. Thomas Here has an experience in CG visualization. Personally I was surprised when The Allusionist e-mailed me and inveited me to join his site. I have been using max for about half a year now, and started doing renderings for about 3 months. Honestly, i am just starting t develop my skills and hoping that you guys would mean a big help for my development in the field of CG. Thank you all!!!

[TheAllusionist]

enigma,
Talent Overcomes Lack of Experience. My goal here is quality over quantity as far as "team members" goes, if I invite someone I base it on a peice of work that I have seen, and think they have some talent and could be a valued member of the community. The one problem with this is a lot of the talented people are very busy and don't have a lot of time to participate. I would rather have a few post here and there that are real works of art over a swamped forum with a lot of newbie peices. Not that there isn't room for beginners, I just try to find those who have talent.
So don't let lack of experience undermine your confidence, go with your instinct when doing design and I am sure you will continue to produce exciting work. I am glad to have you as part of the community!

[tjames]

I do some work in AutoCad 2000 it's old, but at the price they want for an upgrade I'm not going to change soon. I've recently been working on a radiator field to keep a space colony cool from a remote location. Had a little trouble getting the plumbing to look right.

[TheAllusionist]

Well if you think Acad 2000 is old, you should see how many firms are still using ACAD 14. Autodesk made an ultimatum when they told everyone you either upgrade to 2000 now or forget ever getting to upgrade your liscense, so if you couldn't afford to upgrade at that point, you would be forced to buy full seats of the software at full price, without getting any benefit from being a customer. Plenty of decent programs out there, I used DataCad for years, as well as some others. For a business/firm, Acad is the industry standard, so most bite the bullit and pay for it.

Anyway, I would love to see your project and radiator design. You can post sketches in the WIPs section (architecture?) or what ever you have. Is the project for fun, school, NASA ?

[ME]

After introduction yourself, its would be great if if also attach your picture here.