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AGi32 2006 Ray-Trace Rendering Contest

January 15, 2007 -Three winners are chosen from 33 Still image submissions, and one winner from 15 animation submissions, in Lighting Analysts third annual ray trace rendering contest using AGi32. In addition, almost 400 votes were cast in our first Peoples Choice award for Best Still Image and Best Animation entries.

Still Image Winners
1st Place– Paul Boken – Atrium Daylight Study
2nd Place – Kevin Kelly – Gate 53
3rd Place – Yong Li Mei – Floating Mosque

Animation Winner
1st Place - David Boud – Fictional City Center

People's Choice Winners
Best Still Image – Green tea Plantation - Carol Carr-Adams, LC and Wendy A. Norman, LC
Best Animation – Techno Plane Inspection - Peer Eric Moldvar

This years contest featured prizes and recognition for our winning entries, including some spectacular prizes from our generous corporate sponsors.

Download the AGi32 2006 Ray-Trace Rendering Contest details

Submitting Entries

  1. Still images - Zip all images and original AGi32 file (still entry) or zip AVI and A32 file (animation) and use one of the following delivery methods:
    • Email to
    • Upload to our FTP site (contact for login)
    • Send CD to LAI
  2. All submittals must include contact information and entry description (at minimum, a project title must be included for online posting).
  3. All entries must grant permission for Lighting Analysts to use in all marketing and promotional efforts at our discretion.
  4. Contestants are encouraged to enter both still and Animated contests with the same or different projects

Contest Duration

  1. Contest dates: October 16 - December 20, 2006
  2. Submittals will not be accepted after December 27, 2006 (extension granted)
  3. Winners announced on www.agi32.com on January 16, 2007
  4. LAI will solely determine the winners in all categories.
  5. Lighting Analysts reserves the right to substitute prizes based on availability
  6. Entry is free and AGi32 users may enter as many times as desired. Entrant may only win once in each category.

Submission Details

Still image: Rules

  1. Multiple images may be submitted for each project, LAI will choose a representative image to display on www.agi32.com, but will consider all images when determining the winning entry.
  2. All entries must use AGi32’s post Radiosity process ray trace procedure. Please see TIPS below.
  3. Object models may consist of any combination of AGi32 and 3D-Cad created entities. Please note: LAI is looking for images that best represent AGi32’s rendering and raytrace capabilities, not just sophisticated modeling. Relatively simple models can compete provided they show off AGi32’s rendering capabilities and create exciting imagery.
  4. Entrant must have legal rights to the image.
  5. Environment may be real or imaginary.
  6. Image environment may not be a duplication of other proprietary virtual works.
  7. Entrants may not submit work created by another party.
  8. Image submission requirements:
    • Image format: JPEG or BMP
    • Minimum image size: preferred size of 1024x768 or greater. Absolute minimum size of 800 x 600 (Minimum pixel dimension on longest side is 800 px; image aspect ratio can be changed by resizing View window).
    • Recommended Radiosity settings:
      1. Adaptive Subdivision Enabled (Calculate - Radiosity Convergence command - Electric and Daylighting for all other surfaces). OR - Mesh Level adjusted in Surface Edit command as required for accurate rendering of light.
      2. Exposure – increased or decreased as required (View-Display Properties-Miscellaneous tab)
    • Recommended Ray Tracing Parameters settings (minimum):
      1. Ray Trace Direct Illumination – Enabled
      2. Anti-Aliasing – set to 1 or greater as required
  9. Tips: LAI is looking for photorealistic looking images. The following suggestions will assist you in creating realistic renderings:
    • Make certain the lighting system is rendered accurately
    • Focus on an area of interest – your image speaks to the story of the lighting design and considerations in the environment. Make sure the image fills the entire frame (no background).
    • Captivating texture application is strongly suggested –specifically, we are examining appropriate texture choice, size and tiling. Make your own!
    • Interesting 3D models such as furniture and people are recommended instead of simple representations.
      Look at the details in the images: surface normals, meshing, objects to scale, realistic specular finishes, etc

Animation: Rules

  1. Multiple animations may be submitted for each project, LAI will choose a representative animation to display on www.agi32.com, but will consider all aspects of the entry when determining the winner.
  2. Submitted animation must be exported as an AVI file from AGi32. Users may not enhance their movie files with third party video software programs, nor should they export frames from AGi32 and build movies with third party video software programs for submission to this contest.
  3. Object models may consist of any combination of AGi32 and 3D-Cad created entities. Please note: LAI is looking for animations that best represent AGi32’s capabilities, not just sophisticated modeling. Relatively simple models can compete provided they show off AGi32’s rendering and animation capabilities with exciting imagery.
  4. Entrant must have legal rights to the animation content.
  5. Environment may be real or imaginary.
  6. Image environment may not be a duplication of other proprietary virtual works.
  7. Entrants may not submit work created by another party.
  8. Movie File requirements:
    1. Movie format: AVI.
    2. Total movie length (in seconds): no less than 20 seconds, no longer than – 60 seconds.
    3. Frame Size: 720 x 480 NTSC
    4. Frame Rate: 29.97 NTSC
    5. Image Type: Raytrace is recommended Note: if Radiosity is selected instead, apply an antialiasing setting of 8.
    6. Codec: Cinepak Codec by Radius or Microsoft Windows Media Video 9
    7. Recommended Radiosity settings:
      1. Adaptive Subdivision Enabled (Calculate - Radiosity Convergence command - Electric and Daylighting for all other surfaces) using recommended settings.
      2. Mesh Level adjusted in Surface Edit command as needed.
      3. Exposure – increased or decreased as required (View-Display Properties-Miscellaneous tab)
    8. Recommended Ray Tracing Parameters settings (minimum):
      1. Ray Trace Direct Illumination – Enabled
      2. 2. Anti-Aliasing – set to 1 or greater as required
  9. Animation tips: LAI is looking for photorealistic animations. The following suggestions will assist you in creating realistic animations:
    1. Adjust walk and pause times as needed. “Flying” through the animation at a high rate of speed is not generally desirable.
    2. All the details that make a captivating still image will assist you in creating an animation. Please review the Tips above for still images.

2006 Contest Submissions

2006 Contest Sponsors and Prizes

2005 Contest Winners

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