Vilem Duha writes:
BlenderKit is running the first Winter Contest.
Come compete to win a total of $10,000 in the prize pool.
You can participate in two parallel parts of the contest: one where you can upload your models to our database, and the other where you can compete with a render created with models from the BlenderKit database. The competition starts on 15 December and ends on 28 February included.
8 Comments
Oh come on... Another contest!? Why are there always more contest like this!?!? You are guaranteed to lose against some artist who has a major advantage over you (experience, money, expensive/premium products ( i.e., add-ons and powerful computers/advanced hardware), etc.), so what's the point!?!? This is why I hate contest!!! There is no way you can win without having an advantage against others!!! I gave up on contests a long time ago, and I thing those who have no chance of winning should do the same too!! Please, stop promoting them!!!!
Very sadly... and after many years trying (with the .. little and few... I have) I have to agree with you. Everything on the web is for rich, famous or already skillful and affirmed people. When you're trying to start and improve... you're alone .. no one will support (or care about) you.. that's for sure.
Money (and support) only goes where there is already money (and support)...
At BlenderKit, we actually try to give feedback to everyone, even to people whom we have to reject due to quality level. We believe everyone deserves support, even if there are limits where we can go to. You are never alone, there are hundreds of YouTubers who provide you with free tutorials, and there are many developers who give you free open source software - Blender 3D. And there are hundreds BlenderKit creators who give you thousands of assets for free.
Yes.. you're right... there are TONS of free resources and tutorials available everywhere to anyone.. and I'm trying to improve every day (with what I have).. but the point is: what can you really ACHIEVE (even doing your best) if you have EXTREMELY limited resources (such as, that's my case, a VERY VERY old CPU and a not-supported-by-blender GPU ? ).. against who has top-notch and very recent hardware supported by Blender - in this kind of contest ? (about nothing, I would say)
You forgot to mention the main element that it's important for the winners of any contest. That is the will to work hard and improve your skills. It is indeed an advantage.
Anyway, in the creator BlenderKit competition everyone with good 3d skills wins, since what you get besides the prizes is your passive income from the system.
It would be COOL.. but I don't think that's really the case. Hardware and resources you have at your disposal help (or limit) what you can really achieve in 3D and with Blender (especially when it's contest related). I know many things about Blender.. I've learned of amazing and not-so-renowned things about it... (worth to share, I suppose) .. but... what can you really achieve when all you have is a 14 years old cpu and a GPU not supported by the software ... and you can't afford anything else ? So I think it's not so correct (nor sincere) to say things like "everyone with good 3d skills wins".... $$$ matter more than skills or will to learn.
UPDATE: I checked on the contestants that won the concert. Most if not all the windows have PBR model/realistic renders. This has proved my point. Those who have more powerful hardware and create realistic artworks are always going to win.
I can bet that there was that one individual who didn't have powerful Hardware but uploaded his own work, but since the voting system is already in place, at least room for biases. People seem to love realistic CGI and photorealism more than anything stylized.
Anyway, my point still stands. These contests, along with any art contests, are all biased and semi-rigged. Face paint with those with powerful hardware and photorealistic works of art, not those who do simple work of art or have weak PCs/outdated hardware.
Even though there's no entry fee, you still pay with your time and effort. Unfortunately, in many cases, even time and effort won't help you win.
Bottom Line: don't participate in any art contests.
Here's the link to the winners: https://www.blenderkit.com/articles/winter-contest-winners-announcement/
I can bet that there was that one individual who didn't have powerful Hardware but uploaded his own work, but since the voting system is already in place, at least room for biases. People seem to love realistic CGI and photorealism more than anything stylized.And there are hundreds BlenderKit creators who give you thousands of assets for free.