Welcome to the Urban Monsters Challenge! (Ended)
Hey everyone, the time for a new CG Boost Challenge has come!
Thanks to Nassim Boutegrabet for the cover artwork.
The topic: Urban Monsters!
This time the challenge will be focused on 3d sculpting, and we challenge you to sculpt a monster from the concrete jungle. No matter if it's a cute hardworking monster, a quirky inhabitant, a giant skyscraper high behemoth, or a creepy creature living in the city shadows, it is totally up to you.
The main focus lies on a nicely sculpted static monster, presented with beautiful lighting and camera motion. Materials, Textures and environments are optional.
To participate you’ll need to submit animated shots of your monster sculpt, ranging from a wide shot, showcasing the full creature and a few closeup shots.
Once the challenge is complete, we’ll compile the best and most-unique submissions into an exciting Urban Monsters Montage Video, which we’ll publish on our YouTube channel.
Here you can view a montage from the last CG Boost challenge.
How do you join the Urban Monsters Challenge?
Read carefully through the rules, info and FAQ sections below
Brainstorm your Monster design and think of what might make it really “Urban”, before jumping into 3D.
Start working on your 3D model and (optional but highly recommended) post your work-in-progress renders in the community to get feedback.
Render and export your final animation with the requirements listed below.
Submit a wide shot video, showcasing the full creature, and 2–4 closeup shots showcasing your sculpture’s best details.
The deadline is April 24th, 2024 (16:00 CEST).
This challenge is made possible thanks to our Master 3D Sculpting course! Learn all the basics of 3D sculpting in Blender from scratch!
You can get this course with a 20% discount until the end of this challenge.
And if you are a bit more experienced with sculpting in Blender and you want to bring your skills to the next lever, our Creature Forge course might be exactly what you need! In this course you will learn how to, sculpt, retopologize, texture, rig and animate an Epic Creature!
You can also get this course with a 20% discount until the end of this challenge.
Challenge Theme
Theme: Urban Monsters
The theme is to create a Monster that could live in an urban environment. We recommend to focus firstly on creating an original design and thinking of what can make your creature really “urban”. Avoid creating a generic monster with a city as background.
You don’t need a template file for this challenge, so you have full control over your scene (as long as it fits the topic and the technical requirements below), and you can pick your own camera angle and motion.
Challenge Rules
1. The creature must be created with a sculpting technique. It can be any style you like.
2. You can use any 3D software you like.
3. The monster must be a new project made from scratch for this challenge.
4. You may use images or concept art as a base for your sculpture (with permission from the artist).
5. If your animation does not meet the requirements as mentioned below, it might be excluded.
6. If your sculpture is inappropriate, NSFW, or overly gory, it will not be accepted for this challenge.
Video Export Requirements
Main video length 7 seconds, the whole creature must be visible.
Additional 2, up to 4 closeup videos. Length 5 seconds per video.
Resolution 1920x1080p or 3840x2160p
Video format: h264, mp4
30 fps
Prizes
All in all, the main goal here is to learn, improve, have fun, and work together as a community to create an exciting montage of inspiring animations, however, we also have some prizes for extra motivation.
The CG Boost team will pick the best submissions that will land in the final montage video.
Top 10 winners
You will be highlighted as one of the top 10 winners in the montage video
One CG Boost course of your choice
One feedback video from the CG Boost team, reviewing your final submission and suggesting improvements
Top 5 winners
You will get everything mentioned above +
The option to join a private call with the top 5 winners and the CG Boost team, where you can ask questions, get feedback or just hangout
1st place winner
You will get everything mentioned above +
Being featured to be the ultimate winner in the montage video
Submission Form
The deadline is April 24th, 2024 (16:00 CEST)
Use the link below to only submit your final animation plus additional close up shots.
You must also include 2 viewport screenshot of your scene, so we can clearly see that you created the scene yourself.
Click here to submit your final animation
Resources
Projects get you inspired:
Alectis Senseï, Mickael Lelièvre
Michel the Frog, Mickael Lelièvre
Monster 105, Carlos Ortega Elizalde
CHEMO / DC / MOSTER, jong min lee
Monsters at Work, Stefano Camelli
Useful tutorials:
Blender Sculpting for Beginners | CG Boost
28 Tips to BOOST Sculpting in Blender #b3d #sculpting
Blender Sculpting Tutorial: Full Advanced Creature Creation Workflow
Make Your 3D Renders Pop with 4 Quick Tips #b3d
Sculpt a Realistic Head in Blender #b3d #tutorial
Lighting 3D Characters for Storytelling
FAQ
Where do I ask questions about the challenge?
Email us at here about the challenge, or ask below in the CG Boost community.
Can I submit multiple submissions to the challenge?
You can only submit one final animation. However, you can re-submit an improved version of your animation before the deadline is over.
Can I share my final animation on social media before the challenge is over?
Yes, feel free to share your animation and use the hashtag #cgboostchallenge
Can a team participate in the challenge?
No. This challenge is for individuals only.
Where is the template file?
In this challenge, there isn’t one. You can animate the camera however you like.
Do I have to add sound to my animation?
No. The entries should be submitted without sound. However, feel free to add sound and music for your personal fun.