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As long as i've been doing graphics on the Web, i've been seeing this same mistake done in what would otherwise be "slick" looking graphics. Lack of definition, and virtually NO detail. You've gone so far toward making a nice image, why NOT go that extra few steps and finish up the idea/effect.
Things to bear in mind when creating images with 3D effects in them:
1) Light Source: your object has a very high contrast appearance to its surface... as well, your background is quite bright... that dictates a strong light source... an object that close to the surface would not have such a blurred shadow. The edges should be sharper.
2) Details: details will actually "force" your image to appear more realistic -- given the details are realistic in nature. They can AND should be subtle in most cases. Look around you... nothing you'll see in the real world is without a few subtle anomolies... be they scratches, dents, dings, smudges, nicks, texture, etc etc... Add a few, you'll see the difference.
>>> What kind of "imperfections" should you add? Well... there's an easy way to decide that... make up a story about your object(s). Where's it been? What's its purpose? What situations/experiences has it been through? Was it built by machine, or by hand?
And then apply the surface characteristics and flaws that would "naturally" result from that history.
3) Definition: This is by far THE most overlooked area of this kind of graphic effect -- losing an object's edge definitions. This example image shows how edge definition gets lost when an object's shading is as dark and the drop/perspective shadow it's casting. By adding just a tiny bit of "ombient" highlighting to the shaded edge of our object(s), we retain the edge definition that helps to drive home the 3D effect we're trying to create. Lack of edge definition results in lack of "depth". Thus, your effect appears part 2D, part 3D. Not a complete looking effect.
The 2nd image here was virtually saved by adding some ombient edge highlighting.
08-26-2003, 07:40 PM
Definition, and attention to subtle details... Post #2
Definition, and attention to subtle details... 
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