I had been working on an animation for the helicopter. I got a sort of mock up of an animation but the background was just a jpeg, and I wasnt all that pleased with it. It was co-inciding with me thinking about mattes and I was thinking I should make one to use as a scene for it. I see what you mean. I watched a modelling and texturing showreel on youtube the other day. I think it had 3 different 'models/scenes'. But they were staggering. Every single one. How the guy had got so many polys on screen at the same time. Really awe inspiring. And not just the modelling, the texturing was gorgeous too.

Is there anywhere on 3d render that tells you the start date of the next challenge? I couldnt see it anywhere...?