Software to demonstrate what might be done with ArtStarters PicPax.
It contains a sampling of "before" and "after" pictures (which you may modify and use as you please), and provides a gateway to various resources.
ArtStarters PicPax
PicPax are collections of pictures that grab you by the imagination, begging you to transform them from ArtStarters into real Art. ArtStarters Freeware contains several examples of how this could be done.
The pictures are in .JPG format, 300x300pixels.
ArtStarters BitPax
BitPax are ornamental vector objects that have been traced from PicPax.
They come in .SVG format, which can be edited in most decent 2D graphics applications,
and provide hours and hours of serious fun for everyone. I must warn you though: they're addictive!
DecoPax
Ready-to-use decorative bits & pieces in .PNG or .PSD format, prepared from PicPax and BitPax
TexPax
Custom-designed texture maps for 3D models, prepared by combining various elements from the other Pax described above
StoryStarters
Most pictures contain elements that inspire stories.
It just depends how much imagination you have...
The StoryStarters that come with some PicPax are snippets
from tales and legends that are yearning to be written.
Matching them with appropriate pics is an excellent exercise
for keeping one's Muse in shape, and a lot of fun, too.
The [in]Sanity Test
Just for fun - don't take it too seriously.
But do take it before you buy any PicPax, to make sure you're going to like what you get.
This "test" contains a random sampling of pictures from ArtStarters PicPac LuckyDip997, with their StoryStarters and keyword labels.
What can I do with ArtStarters?
3D Art
PicPax are great for texturing 3D models.
- Play with them in Poser, DAZ|Studio, Hexagon, Carrara, etc.
- Use them as diffusion, bump, displacement, and transparency maps.
- Experiment! plug them into all available shader nodes [test one at a time].
- Tweak shader settings to add your personal touch of exotic mystery.
Small changes in color, texture, light & shade can make a drastic difference!
- Clone interesting bits and pieces to design custom texture maps for 3D props, clothing etc.
Although PicPax pictures are low-res images (300x300 pixels), most of them give stunning results in the Poser MATroom just as they are, without further editing or resampling. Depending on the complexity of the model you're using, however, you may need to enlarge and/or edit them if you want to do detailed close-up renders. Where appropriate you could tile them, too - most pics are seamless.
You can also use these pictures as inspiration to create new 3D models.
There's a multitude of prop and character ideas hiding in each and every PicPac...
2D Art
You can edit all ArtStarter pictures in your favorite 2D graphics editor.
(PhotoImpact /PhotoShop /PaintShopPro /Gimp /DeepPaint etc )
- Emphasize the parts you like, and change whatever you don't like.
- Use your favorite pieces as fills, brushes and stamps.
- Or as texturizing overlays to enhance other fills - make them semi-transparent.
- Mix-n-match with other textures, combine bits and pieces.
- Run them through a few plugin filters and prepare to be amazed.
- Enlarge, convert to grayscale and use like a "paint-by-numbers" canvas.
- And of course, as starting points and/or inspiration for your own unique designs.
Converting .JPGs to vector objects will not only enable you to change shapes by manipulating nodes, but also to extract patterns, simplify intricate designs, and make BitPax.
Merchant Resources
ArtStarters are ideal for creating merchant resources that can be sold at Renderosity and similar sites. If you are a professional artist and would like to collaborate on creating DecoPax, TexPax, BitPax, StoryStarters, etc, you're welcome to get in touch through Renderosity sitemail.
Games
Some ArtStarter pictures are just begging to be developed into a game.
Apart from using them as textures on props, they could become game boards, characters, or even provide themes for a complete gameplan.
Therapeutic
Browsing through these pictures also has therapeutic value.
Even if you only look at them to relax and unwind after a hard day's work, they've served their purpose.
And if you should get the urge to create while relaxing, you'll feel the full benefits of art therapy. Many ArtStarter pics are suitable to be used as mandalas, ThoughtCatchers and WishHatchers. More info about those in the next section.
Arts & Crafts
A zillion and ten applications in this department!
ArtStarters offer a goldmine of design possibilities for any kind of arts & crafts project.
If you are a handcrafter, no further explanation is necessary - I know your fingers are itching already - have fun!
Literature
Build stories and/or games around all critters and objects you see.
Use the pictures to illustrate your book and decorate cover pages.
Websites
Plenty of designs that are suitable for backgrounds, buttons, and all visual aspects of a website.
Decor
Absolutely anything can be decorated with the designs found in ArtStarters.
Whether you want to paint a mural or renovate an old flower pot, you're bound to find inspiration in ArtStarter pictures.
Of course you could also decorate your computer screen, your cell phone and other digital gadgets...
Stationery
Lots of inspiration here for personal or business stationery.
Anything from greeting cards to letterheads.
Development
Inventors can also have a ball with ArtStarters - I've had several ideas for new products and gadgets while playing with these pictures, and I'm sure you will, too.
Educational
Perhaps the most far-reaching application of ArtStarters: they provide a fun and easy way to develop the artistic ability that is naturally inherent in each and every child. And if we can teach future generations to focus on creation rather than destruction, there's hope for this planet yet.
All the kids to whom I've shown it are totally thrilled with ArtStarters, and it keeps them happily occupied for hours. Please show it to the young ones in your household, and enjoy their enthusiasm - that in itself is inspirational!
Multipurpose - Combine all of the above, and More
Most pictures could be used for most of the purposes listed here, and I'm sure you can think of hundreds more. The same picture could be used over and over, and look different every time. The only limit is imagination, and luckily that is expandable too.
Licencing
I sell my stuff through various shops on the Internet, and each of them has their own licence, which they require to be included with the package. Legally, I suppose the licence that came with your download is the one that applies.
However, logic tells me that I still have the final say when it comes to products I created, and since the main purpose of ArtStarters is to encourage creativity, I'm adding a "LENIENCE clause" to whichever licence you got with your download.
How far I'm willing to bend the "rules" would depend on which rules you want bent, the size of your pie and the size of the slice you're offering me.
So get in touch, tell me what you plan to do with ArtStarters, and what's in it for both of us. I won't be unreasonable if you aren't.
In fact I'd be all ears if you have a proposition that could be profitable for both of us, while being fair to everyone.
What can I expect to find in PicPax?
Magic
Take your imagination to extremes, beyond the imaginary limits of everyday life, and you'll find it.
Variety
Many different styles, with textures that range from rough to wispy to ultra-smooth, hyper-dull to super-shiny.
Each picpac includes the whole rainbow.
Some color combinations will make you go "Eeeeeuuuu!!" and others will take your breath away.
Because tastes differ, you'll probably like some pictures better than others.
But that's why you get so many of them in each PicPac, and remember, the whole idea is for you to improve upon these pictures...
Beasties, monsters & magical critters
...or various parts of them. Look for jaws, paws, claws, wings, noses, eyes, tails, feathers, tentacles, teeth, heads, legs & bodies in all pictures.
The Fuglies (Ugly but Functional/Fascinating/Funky)
Warning: some of these pics require excessive imagination to be fully appreciated!
The Fuglies are mostly fractals which I left in their original state because:
- I find it fascinating that random mathematics can produce such amazing pieces of art
- their very roughness makes one's fingers itch to add the necessary finishing touches and turn it into a stunning masterpiece.
- what you make out of it will probably be very different from anybody else's version of the same starterpic.
- some of them have eyes. - my muse is absolutely crazy about them - I hope yours will be, too!
Think twice before you delete any picture.
Just because it's ugly doesn't mean it can't make a stunning texture or inspire beautiful artwork. Besides, we often need rough stuff for making monsters and such.
Your mood and physical condition also influences your perception of beauty. What looks horrible when you're tired/angry/sad etc might become the source of great inspiration once you're feeling rested and happy again.
Backgrounds & fills
Yes, we need them too. Use them on clothing, walls, doors, etc to provide a showcase for your feature items.
Aliens
and their art, planets, plantlife, gadgets, spaceships, friends, enemies, homes etc
Frames and ornaments
ArtStarter pics can be tiled for larger frames, or used as they are for smaller ones.
You'll find an abundance of decorative bits and pieces which can be made into ornaments, and use them on absolutely anything.
Magical Homes for Faeries and Gnomes
I plan to make a series of 3D models of strange castles and palaces, faerie dens and gnome nests that were inspired by some of the ugliest pix in these PicPax. Check the ArtStarters blog and forum often, subscribe to get notified when they're ready, or create your own if you're in a big hurry.
Symmetry, kaleidoscopes, mandalas, sacred symbols
Many of the designs are symmetrical, because they were originally made for texturing 3D models which have two or more identical sides.
As such they are also ideal for making mandalas and sacred symbols, both digital and physical objects.
ThoughtCatchers & WishHatchers
You're probably wondering what these are, since they never existed before now. A whole series of ThoughtCatchers & WishHatchers will be available soon, with full documentation of their therapeutic/healing qualities and magic powers, but here's the short version for now: They are a cross between / almost like but not quite / could be compared to
dreamcatchers, mandalas, sacred symbols, talismans, amulets.
The purpose of ThoughtCatchers is to intercept negative thoughts before they can do harm, and convert the raw energy that such thoughts contain into positive, usable, controlled power.
WishHatchers incubate and grow worthwhile wishes, hopes, dreams and goals that have been filtered through ThoughtCatchers to remove all negative energies and inhibiting factors.
ThoughtCatchers & WishHatchers may be used in stories and games (fairies & other magical creatures love to live in them, by the way), and of course, anything your characters can do, you can do better. But more about their real-world application in the full documentation.