Xenodream Tips

General Tips

• I very rarely start creating from scratch - it is MUCH easier to find an interesting shape and modify it!
• Changing holon types is particularly effective with this technique, often resulting in a completely different appearance.
• I tend to work by building the parameter files for rendering, then rendering them later. This keeps things moving when I find a productive file with many interesting variations.
• I keep a text file of things waiting to render on my desktop, so I don't forget.
• For best results, render big, render overnight!
• Try viewing your object from many angles - interesting ones are often not the shape you might at first assume, and some have many different effective viewing angles.
• It can be very effective to move the camera in very close, and set it to a very wide angle view with fish-eye on. This can radically transform the view, but be aware that parts closest to the camera may take a long time to render.
• When saving files, be sure to put your name into the relevant field! This will help you track which XEP's are your original work.

Getting a smooth result

• Because of the way Xenodream works, you often find that images have a rough or jagged appearance, caused by many sudden changes in colour.
• Become familiar with the surface cleaning tools, these can be VERY effective in producing a pleasing result.
• Experiment with lighting - this can dramatically affect the smoothness of your result.
• The most important tip I can give is RENDER LARGE AND SAMPLE DOWN THE RESULT.
  I do this with almost every image I create.
• For example, if you want a wallpaper sized image, try rendering at 2000x1500, then resample to a smaller size in your favourite graphics program.

Lighting and surfacing tips

• Create a 'favourites' category, and store all your most used lighting presets in there. This will make them much easier to find.
• I very much prefer surfaces that emphasise the 3d shape of the object. For this reason I like to use:

• Reflection, to emphasise the relative position of the parts.
• Shadows, to emphasise the relative position of the parts.
• Fog / mist to emphasise how deep in the picture the parts are.
• Interference colours, to emphasise the slope of the parts.

• For viewing on a computer screen, try to keep your brightest light top left of the image - this is the lighting source for 3d controls in Windows, and it will match better done this way.
• When examining the XEP files people share in the mail groups, don't forget to save any impressing lighting set-ups for future use.

Export and Render tips.

• It is generally a mistake to try and capture too much detail when exporting. You will end up with a huge unmanageable polygon count.
• I generally find a resolution of 300-320 works well for my preferred shapes.
• The included polygon reduction tool is EXCELLENT and gives instant visual feedback! Use it!
• I find the best way to get a smooth object out is to reduce the polygon count in XD as far as possible, then smooth the result in my 3d rendering program.
• In Lightwave that means using 'NURBS' or the Subdivide Smooth command.
• I like similar surface effects when rendering as I do inside XD - Lots of reflection, shadows, and so forth.
• If your graphics program supports it, vary the reflection with the angle of incidence. Shiny surfaces generally reflect much more when viewed at a shallow angle.
• Varying the colour with the angle of incidence is also very effective.
• I have had very pleasing results by placing the object partially submerged in rippling reflective water.
• Adding strongly geometric elements such as refractive crystal balls, or chrome hoops can also help emphasize the shapes strongly
• If your shape has interesting holes in it's structure, you can make an interesting animation by flying the camera through the object..

If you want to learn more, I strongly recommend joining one or both the Xenodream mailing lists, where you will find many examples of other people work, and sometimes XEP files too.