Get to know cake1, our July AOM, through Renderosity's Interview. Actually, my english is not as good as it should be, so youll have to forgive me for all theese language bugs. I'm well known for getting myself misunderstood (as i'm well known for my big mouth that I should sometimes keep closed). I am a french 27 years old woman, currently working in a computer magazine. How I got there ?hmm.. As far as I remember,when I was a little girl, my grandparents used to put a tiny little chair, with a tiny little table in front of the window, giving me some colour pencils, and I stayed there, quiet all day long, drawing my dreamworld (I only stopped sometimes to watch silly tv shows, wich is now a huge part of my culture ;o) I graduated in "Litterature and Art" where I loved mainly philosophy, and art history. After, that, I have been in a private art school in Paris, to learn Typography, communication, etc. I have always love Advertizing, but as an intellectual challenge. I quickly realized I would'nt work in it as I don't like its influence on people, i mean telling someone that if he doesn't buy this, he's a looser, or if she don't wear that night cream, shell be ugly..I know it's not always like that, but most of the time... Anyway, after years, I found that job in a computer magazine. I mainly take care of the pages in a graphical way, and create 3d representations of existing networks. (Renderosity: How long have you have you been rendering?) I can not remember. I'm the kind of person who does things in spurts. I remember Bryce 2 and Poser 2 . I remember how amazed I was, and I also remember what I thought back then by browsing the software capabilities : (I can not imagine what it's going to be in a few years.)I was right, and still now, I'm thinking about what it's gonna be soon, and im dreaming. My first love was 2d, and especially Photoshop. I started with Corel Draw, and at that time, photopaint was in the same program, but when I discovered Photoshop, I gave up everything else and never stoped using it. I learned it at home, on my own by browsing the menus as there were only 3 computer at the school I was. In fact, my father introduced the first computer at home in 1981, so i have always been used to computer, but started playing with it when Windows became more friendly. I really started playing with Poser when i discoverd Renderosity, in October 2000. When I saw what people here were able to do, it changed the way I saw Poser. I think the best way to learn a software is to have a goal, then, you have no choice. (Renderosity: What are you currently working on?) I'm currently working on my web site, and on modeling. I discovered Amapi lately, and i see it full of possibility. The goal will be to create new figures and/or clothes in poser. I'm also going to get Daz3d's Michael to see how we can texture this big boy. (Renderosity: What software do you use and why?) I mainly use Photshop, Poser and Bryce. Why..? hmm.. Cause I like this combination.. ;o) A lot of people have always told me I should postwork my Poser images more. Sometimes, I just don't touch it at all, leaving all the bugs. The reason is that I always consider the image I have made as a part of an animation, or a part of something bigger. The advantage in 3d is that you can have several points of views, several different lights, and that you can animate it, or move into it. If you postwork it, you turn it into 2d, and can not move into it later. I lately started a "hair painter" carrer, but i dont think it'll fit as I'm not really good at it . I only do this when I have an specific illustration in mind, a unique image in 2d. This was for home, at work, I use Poser a bit, Bryce a lot, and also the famous trio : Xpres, illustrator and Photoshop. Macintosh all day, and Pc all night.. what a "menage a trois" ! (Renderosity: Why do you like 3D art?) I like it cause you can create things. In Art History, I learned that for centuries, people have tried to recreate reality perfectly. In typography, you have to know the rules before you break them. I think it will be the same in 3d. You first have to create what's real , and when you know you can, when you know how to do it, you can create somthing else. Of course, it's just a general idea, and it's not the same for everyone (Renderosity: What inspires you?) My life, the world in general, the mood of the moment, and what I have seen or felt recently. (Renderosity: How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning?) What I loved the most when I discovered Renderosity, was the concept of sharing. Sharing informations, knowledge, thechniques, works and creations. I think Knowledge is a power that we must have, and share. I have been amazed by all this passioned people creating tutorial to explain how they work. When you are a newbie, and you arrive in such a community, and see those wonderfull works, you have the feeling its magic, they are great and youre never be as half good as they are. Then someone arrives with a smile, takes your hand and says : come on, i'll show you... Its just great. I tried to thank all theese passionate people by creating a tutorial myself, to help new people. On demands, I also started to sell textures I first made to myself. I saw it as a way to keep on sharing but on a different level. With the money i made, I could by other's creations. Another good thing about this community, is that it forces you to go deeper in your creation.. Always trying to go beyond what you can do. It's very inspiring. Before i leave, I have to thank everyone here in Renderosity, for the pure inspiring energy youre creating. I also have to say I met there wonderfull people I now consider as myfriends, people I could also thank publicly (as if it was an Academy Award price :o) ) : Maman, Papa : merci. J'espere que vous aimez ce que vous voyez. Caro, Brian, Peter; Jerome : a very special thank you. Chris : je t'adore Cecile cake1's art gallery (click here) cake1's online store (click here)