ABOUT THE CONTEST

Since ZBC is geared toward helping artists learn from each other, this challenge will be a WIP (Work in Progress) challenge.

All entrants will be required to create a new thread in the Action Hero forum, beginning with an original concept sketch as well as the character's "Back Story and Powers" paragraph. If you're not a great sketch artist, don't stress out about that. All you need is enough to convey the overall idea that you're going for. It's meant to be a starting point; not a straightjacket. Your entry will only be judged based on the ZBrush work and end result.

Following posts will then show the ongoing progression of the entry until the finished model is finally posted before contest end. All members of the ZBC community are encouraged to participate in the thread, offering constructive feedback and encouragement. All entrants are also encouraged to participate in the threads of their fellow contestants. (Please be courteous at all times.)

  1. All software used in the execution of this contest must be legally licensed to the user or school at which the user is enrolled as student or faculty. No company owned copies are allowed, unless the company is owned by the contestant or permission has been granted by a company officer. The ZBrush trial version may be used to begin your entry, provided that a license is purchased no later than January 30, 2009.
  2. ZBrush must be used for the entirety of this challenge. Only a base mesh may be brought in from another application, after which all work (including final render) must be accomplished in ZBrush. You may use any and all ZBrush features, including SubTools, HD Sculpting, PolyPaint and TransPose. (The use of plugins such as TransPose Master and SubTool Master is encouraged. Bonus points will be scored by using ZBrush to create the base mesh as well.)
    1. Photoshop may be used via ZAppLink, or for post-render work on the finished image. Please note that such post-render work will not be taken into account by the judging panel, although it may influence the popular vote.
  3. The thread's title must be: "Action Hero – Hero/Villain Name"
  4. The first post in the thread must show a concept sketch of the character, and a one paragraph description of his or her back story, along with a description of primary powers.
  5. The first post must also include the artist's full name (first and last).
  6. Entries that do not meet requirements 3-5 will be immediately deleted. In such an event, it is permissible to enter again once all entry requirements have been met.
  7. Submit your WIP images on a regular basis. This can include test poses, samples of character elements as they're completed, character turnaround movies, etc. Progress updates must be no more than one week apart.
  8. It is highly recommended that you participate in the ZBC community by critiquing other challenger's works in the respective threads (be courteous) and responding to the comments of others in your own thread. (This is a requirement for winning the Honorable Mention prize.)
  9. Final entry will be in three parts:
    a. A still render of the posed character.
    b. A ZBrush turntable movie of the posed character.
    c. A five to ten minute video showing a key phase of the posing process via TransPose.

    Detailed guidelines and instructions for creation and presentation of the Turntable Movie and TransPose movie on both PC and Mac platforms will be provided no later than two weeks prior to the entry deadline of February 13, 2009.
  10. Submit your final entry before the end of the challenge. Absolutely no late entries will be accepted.
  11. Failure to present WIP images and interact with the ZBC community (including other entrants) can result in disqualification, preventing the artist from being included for judging.