First Place Darren Hickman Entry Number: 03

Second Place Chris Britton Entry Number: 05

Third Place John Hunter Barrie Entry Number: 11

January 19th Challenge - By Candlelight - Entries

Howard Prince Entry Number: 01

Chris O'Connor Entry Number: 02

Dale Schulz Entry Number: 04

John Deckert Entry Number: 06

James Donnell Entry Number: 07

Karlos Vidal Entry Number: 08

John Hunter Barrie Entry Number: 09

Chris Tibbetts Entry Number: 10

Chris Tibbetts Entry Number: 12

John Hunter Barrie Entry Number: 13

Mike Patton Entry Number: 14

Peter Hirt Entry Number: 15

Everett Paul Stretch Entry Number: 16

January 19th Challenge - By Candlelight - Outline

I had the idea of trying some simpler challenge ideas that focus more on technique than concept, but it got complicated quickly. I need to reign myself in sometimes =)

This months challenge is to create a scene with the most realistic lit candle. We don't have Subsurface Scattering, so you'll have to get tricky with the modeling or texturing to convey the effect. The rest of the scene is up to you, but the focus should be on the candle, and creating the best flame/wax effect.

Models may be imported from external modelers (eg. Wings, Amapi, Silo, etc.). Any amount of post work may be done in Photoshop or other image editors, but try to avoid excessively "hand painting" the image.

Models must be original, and created by you. No publicly available models may be used, nor can "3D in a box" solutions, like Poser or Bryce. All 3D rendering for this project must be performed by Strata 3D.

Rules and Conditions

The 3D rendering in this challenge must be completely entirely in Strata3D. Modelling can be done in any program (except for Poser or other model collections), as long as the models are imported into Strata3D for rendering. Photoshop, Illustrator, or other image editors or page layout programs may be used for post-processing, texture creation or page layout.

All models and textures must be created by you.

If you have any questions regarding challenge rules or theme guidelines, please email me at michael@stratacafe.com

Entries can be panoramic JPG files (very little compression, for the best results), or finished Panoramic or Cubic VR files.

Entries will be accepted until midnight on January 19th. Judging will be done online by any member of the cafe with a gallery that's willing to vote =)

The image cannot contain your name or email address anywhere on it, as the judging will be anonymous. Original artist copyright information must be submitted separately if the image is a 3D recreation of an existing peice.

These rules may be subject to change without notice before the close of the contest.

Please, if you have any questions or suggestions regarding the contest, please email me at: michael@stratacafe.com

The benefits of the contest:

1) Winners will receive a charming banner to place on their website.

2) There will also be a smaller graphic, that looks a lot like the larger graphic, that will reside on the winners profile page on StrataCafe, forever and ever.

3) People can come to this page to get information on up and coming contests and view past winners (That would be you!)

4) You will receive the adoration of your friends and family, as well as most of the people who visit StrataCafe. (Note: Adoration not a guarantee.)