NOTE:

If shooting for the bonus part of this challenge, keep in mind that any particle or fluid presets don't really count. :) It needs to be made by you. That's the whole point, afterall. ;)

Nice to hear:). I try and learn the basic mechanics so dont have to depend on fancy tools in case they are not available.

not saying i will try in this one but does it matter if someone uses the PLE? I hope to get maya soon

sure, that's fine.

mike what is the requirements for the final entry ? do we have to send the .mb or post our final render or what ?
Sorry for the stupid question but being a noob ,I haven't done this before.

all that's required is your final render. You can also post wires and such if you'd like.

PRIZE INFO!

The Grand Prize winner will have a selection of books to choose from, in addition to a free copy of Simply Maya's new DVD! The books to choose from are:

Maya books -

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_maya_1.jpg
Maya Character Animation

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_maya_2.jpg
Learning Maya 5: Foundation

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_maya_3.jpg
The Art of Maya

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_maya_4.jpg
Inside Maya 5

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_maya_5.jpg
Maya Character Creation

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_maya_6.jpg
Maya 5 Fundamentals

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_maya_7.jpg
Maya 5 Visual Quickstart Guide

General Art -

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_gen_1.jpg
The Art of Star Wars Galaxy Vol. 1 & 2

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_gen_2.jpg
Fantasy Art Masters

http://www.mtmckinley.net/SimplyMaya/prize_gen_3.jpg
The Art of Final Fantasy 9

Lightwave books -

To be determined. Sorry, LWers, but these books are from my private collection, and as I am a Maya guy, that's what they tend to be. Kevin will make available some Lightwave books in the near future! Also, Lightwave users can decide to wave the SimplyMaya DVD prize and instead get a free copy of the first SimplyLightwave DVD when they are announced!

As usual, the Grand Prize Winner is chosen from the Normal entries only. We need at least 5 Normal entries to award a Grand Prize winner. The Grand Prize Winner chooses only 1 book (unless pictured as a set).

The Normal and Noobie winners will recieve VIP points!

QUESTION!!!!!
Does our scene have to be "outside" or we can do an interior of a building too?
I have this realy nice idea of an armor/weapon shop interior with all the items for sale and stuff

I suppose that should be ok. :) Looking forward to it.

The end is near! :)

Make sure you submit your finals to the "Final Entry" thread of your chosen category.

Normal and Newbie winners will both recieve points.

If we have 5 or more normal entries, a grand prize will be awarded between them.

Have to say, that doesn't look likely at the moment. Environments can be tough, though. Hopefully everyone who has participated has learned something. :) That's what it's about afterall.

So, get those entries in and good luck!

Next month, SMax will be joining the challenge! Let's give them a nice welcome. :D

GET YOUR FINALS IN! :D