Still Life: Bed table objects

The flower vase (or flower jar, if that’s what you prefer) looks like a real glass with all those reflection and refraction effects. I put a water material inside the vase and assigned  transparency and reflection properties to it. The light and shadow were perfectly shown and casted in the rendering, thus giving the vase a realistic look. I can’t explain why  the vase is segmented. During the object creation I added a smooth configuration to it but appears it did’nt worked out well. I sourced out rose flower model from Google’s 3D warehouse and got this somewhat ‘hibiscus’ looking rose with yellowish needles atop the petals. Looks good and it added realism to the glass vase. The lampshade base looks like a granite or marble material with shiny and reflective properties. The lampshade itself needs to be assigned with a bit of transparent or luminous material to simulate bulb light channeling in the lampshade. I could have also put a light inside the shade and assign light properties. I will do it next time. Notice those pencils in that box and also the photo frame with actual photo of my family. All these objects with assigned material properties really help to create a 3D rendering with realistic look. I guess, in the next exercise before V-ray expire its  trial period, I will prepare a 3D model of a building or a house to illustrate and show the capabilities of the V-ray rendering engine. I will keep you posted.

Of Vase and Base

V-Ray Rendering For SketchUp

by Joe Larano, Richmond BC

As promised, I am uploading images  of 3D model to see the rendering capabilities of V-Ray engine for SketchUp. As a start, I am concentrating on rendering effects on materials. In the example below, I assigned reflection and refraction effects on glass, ceramic floor tiles and pool tile surround. One will noticed that these materials have got these shiny and highly reflective characteristics. You’re absolutely right! I assigned reflection and refraction, properties on the said materials. I just want to get the properties of these materials in a natural setting with shadows and a regular solar lighting. In actual practice, the use of materials with shiny or reflective surfaces are not advisable in areas with wet traffic like swimming pool. The purpose of this exercise is to show the reflective and refractive properties of those materials hence, those materials were used in the scene to emphazise the objective of the exercise.

3D Model rendered with SketchUP built rendering system, ie without ray tracing

3D Model rendered with V-Ray rendering plug-in for SketchUp

V-Ray Rendering Engine For Sketchup

Reflection, Refraction and Shadows

by Joe Larano, Richmond BC

Google’s Sketch-up is the most popular 3D modeling software nowadays, for the simple reason that it is most user friendly and the interface are simple. However, there is one drawback in this software that most of the users can well recognize. Sketch-up cannot render scenes the way 3D studio, 3D Viz and other high-end rendering softwares can do. It has no integrated and built-in rendering engine. There are several third party rendering software firms who started developing rendering engine for Sketch-up. I’ve come across with two of the foremost names in rendering software industry. First is the Podium plug-in developed by Cadalog Inc. and the other, V-ray plug-in popularized by ASGVIS. Both of these plug -ins can execute a really cool and inexpensive photo-realistic rendering in just a matter of minutes.

Below are the images of my sample 3D model using V-ray rendering engine for Sketch-up. This exercise is basically to study the shadows, reflection and refraction effects. There are lot of things to learn in this software which are  so interesting. I hope I can learn all those things this season. I will keep you posted of my learning progress by publishing images. Thanks.

Above is the Sketch-up image of the object as seen on the Sketch-up unrendered scene.

Mens Fellowship (very) Late Posting

FCF Anniversary Graphics

Joe Larano Graphics

Invitation poster FCF 6th Anniversary celebration

Our dependence on God this coming year

by Joe Larano, Jr- Richmond B.C. Canada

Walking and driving using roads and highways with several inch-deep snows could be torturous, if not dangerous. This is the case when Metro Vancouver experienced a heavy snow falling intermittently over a period of two weeks. While snow at main roads are periodically plowed by city crews, local and interior roads serving neighborhoods are left with snow piling up to knee-deep, which makes driving or walking a real nightmare.

One morning, I braved the thick of the snow and headed to office for work, confident that my AWD vehicle can easily make it just like” walking in the park”. With snow as thick as 12 inches, I inched my way to reach the end of my driveway. Backing off and slightly increasing speed to align with the road, the sound of engine started to roar which meant that the wheels are turning but not gripping to any hard surface or foundation. The car is stuck! With a little push to the accelerator, the car still can’t move. A neighbor who is passing through came closer and gave a cursory look at the still-moving wheel tires. The man signaled me to press a bit on accelerator but worst it got stuck going deeper into the snow. He tried steering and tried various gear shift position but to no avail. This car is no match to this kind of snow. My neighbor, sensing that the car is going nowhere, excused himself as he, too is going to work that morning. While slumping to seat in utter desperation, I noticed a button beside the gear shift lever. I haven’t used that button before and have no idea of the function of this button. I reached for the car owner’s instruction manual and started reading what that button is for. It says the button is a special gear shift to ensure a smooth and safe driving over a medium to heavy snowy road conditions. After turning on the button and pressing a bit on the accelerator the whirring sound disappeared. The car started to move forward and backward, too. I gave the accelerator a final push and “lo and behold” the car was able to moved, left that spot and reached my destination.

In most scheme of things, we boast ourselves and take pride that we can do things by our own doings. With education and experiences, backed with material possessions, we consider ourselves accomplished, unstoppable and can hit the road with success “just like walking in the park”. We are overly confident that things, materials and all of such desired things can be obtained by our ‘qualifications’. We are boasting that we find our salvation and all the good things in life by our own accomplishment. Ephesians 2: 8-9, simply tells us it is only by God’s grace that we have been saved. Our Almighty God is our Creator who knows every bit of ourselves. As created beings, we hold no authority to pride and boast of ourselves. We can do nothing but to submit to His majestic and loving authority. We have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ which freed us from the slavery of sin should guide us to acknowledge that we are not capable of doing simple or majestic things.

Given the fact that we have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, all of our life’s aspects should be anchored to His teaching and instructions. We might have accumulated knowledge and experienced the rudiments of life, but this is no match to the rigor and trials and schemes of the enemies. Unless we acknowledge God’s omnipotence and rely on His words, we are nothing but pile of rubbish before God’s sight. God’s word is our Life Instruction Manual (2 Tim 3:16) that we can always read and refer during turbulent period of spiritual life’s storm. No matter how strong that storm is, surely enough we can overcome all obstacles. Our life’s failure and weaknesses could hamper our journey, but it we cling to God and to His teachings, we can surely move forward and reach our destination. Happy New Year!

May the New Year bring us excitement like a First Love -
with a fresh discovery every day
that will take our love one level closer to our Maker
till we find that His love is all we need in this life.
Blessings of LOVE, PEACE, HEALTH and HAPPINESS
in 2009 and the YEARS ahead.

The Goodness of God

By Joe Larano, Richmond BC

Today is my birthday! I want to extol the goodness and faithfulness of my God. The following verses have really touched me and they continue to serve as my inspiration, both in good time and tough times. The Lord knows exactly what I need. He gives me trials in order for me to face challenges and gives me wisdom to solve problems through God’s will. He blessed me bountifully ,pressed down, shaken together and running over. How can I ask for more, He gave me the things I needed to be more subservient to Him. Praise Him for the wonderful family I have. I lift His name for the friends and brethren who share with my laughter and burdens. I thank Him for my job and my career. I thank Him for everything.

To all readers, may you be blessed and struck with awe by the greatness , glory , mercy and grace of my master LORD of whom I am privilege to serve.

Psalm 145: 9 – The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalm 25: 8 - Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in His ways.

Nahum 1: 7 – The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

Psalm 31: 19 – How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Lamentations 3: 25 – The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.

Psalm 27: 13 – I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

I want to include in this post a song lyrics shared to me by my employer who according to her was written by her 76 year old aunt. This was sent via email right in the moment while celebrating my birthday in the office. Hope you enjoy it:

 

 

 

HE IS CALLING MY NAME

by Kathleen Forbes

He had so much love that He took the place  

Of a soul unworthy as I -

‘Cause He knew me then

I was part of His plan -

‘Twas for me my Savior died.

He came to earth to prepare the way

That leads to Heaven’s home,

Why He should love me I really can’t say

Bur I hear His sweet voice whisper, come,

He is calling my name,

‘Twas for me that He came -

He is calling – calling His own -

He is calling – calling His own.

How will you answer when He calls out your name

When He’s pleading to set your soul free,

What will you say

To the Father today -

As He offers his love

Will you see?

That He is your comfort

In sorrow and grief -

When the thunder and lightening strikes fear,

He calms every storm,

Hear Him calling your name -

And His love will dry every tear.

Chorus!

He is calling my name,

He’s forever the same -

The sweet Lamb of God glorified

He’s the Wonder of Wonders -

The Light of the Heavens,

And safe in His love I’ll abide -

And safe in His love I’ll abide!

 

 

 

 

 

2008 My own Jubilee Year

by JB Larano Jr. Richmond B.C.

” ‘Count off seven sabbaths of years—seven times seven years—so that the seven sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years. Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields. – Leviticus 25: 8-12

Many political leaders have predicted the year 2008 would foster global cooperation and understanding in the fields of politics, economy and environmental concerns. That sounds great!

For me 2008, brings special meaning for it ushers my 50^th birthday. Wow, what a glorious year to commemorate and celebrate a life’s milestone. I classified this year as my Golden Jubilee, a year of thanksgiving, celebration and spiritual renewal. This is a year where my Creator bountifully blessed me with His unlimited provisions for my daily undertakings- both in physical and spiritual realms. This year, indeed is a celebration of His never ending faithfulness.

The word “Jubilee” signifies an occasion to remember and to celebrate the anniversary of an auspicious event or significant day, usually after a long period of time, whether that event is national or global, personal or familial. With joy and exultation we remember the ending of war, the declaration of peace, the founding or liberating of nations. We commemorate the bonding of a couple in a marriage that has endured or the birthday of a person who has achieved the fullness of fifty- or sixty – or eighty years.

The biblical Jubilee that was celebrated once every fifty years is referred to in Leviticus 25 as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” Its requirements included that the land lie fallow, all debts be forgiven, captives be freed, and a celebration held.

The year of Jubilee in both the Jewish and Christian traditions is a time of joy, the year of remission or universal pardon. In Mosaic Law, each fiftieth year was to be celebrated as a jubilee year, and that at this season every household should recover its absent members, the land return to its former owners, the Hebrew slaves be set free, and debts be remitted.

And how does the concept of Jubilee applies to my 50^th birthday celebration?

First and foremost is to acknowledge that my very existence is designed by my Creator. My life and the breathing mechanism that supports my existence is a gift, it is wonderful and perfect gift from above. This includes consecrating my 50^th year and proclaiming God’s faithfulness. Sounding the trumpet to all the spheres of my influence and heralding God’s wonderful plan to each and every one of us.

Managing stress in a different way

by JB Larano, Richmond, BC

Not too long ago, an officemate approached me and said, Hey Joe, of all the people in this office, you appear to be calmed, relaxed and seem not to be stressed by office routine, workload and the looming deadline. Speechless, I suddenly grinned and was not able to offer a quick response. The truth of the matter is, everyone is not exempted to be stressed. The blessing of being alive gives us the opportunity to be stressed so as to test our conviction, limitation and endurance. Work load and the stress that comes with it is part and parcel of our daily existence. The thing to remember, therefore is, make this stress under control so that in a bigger scheme of things, we will turn our life meaningful and productive in the sight of the Lord.

Looking at the face of this fellow worker, I sensed a distraught, fragile and confused character. I have been in his situation before and yes I sympathized with him. Suddenly, I asked, him,

O, bakit ka na naman na-i-istress? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

Meron ka bang deadline na i-bi-beat ngayong araw na ito?

It’s important to understand stress before we can effectively manage it. kaya Stress ang pag-uusapan natin ngayon.

Ayon sa mga scientists mayroong dalawang uri ng stress.

Eustress and Distress.

Eustress is positive stress. Ito ang nararamdaman ng isang dalaga kapag dumarating na ang kanyang manliligaw at may daladalang flowers.

Eustress din ang tawag sa stress na nararanasan ng mga nagwo- work-out when they are doing their exercises.

Ang mga athletes, pagkatapos na ma-stress ang kanilang muscles, they rest para ma-repair ang kanilang muscles.

Kapag hindi sila nagpahinga, the stressed muscles will be injured. When injury happens, yan ang distress .

Distress is the negative side of stress.

Nakakaramdam ka na ng sakit ng ulo, pagsakit ng tiyan, hindi na makatulog, di pa makakain.

Distress ang uri ng stress na nagreresulta sa kung ano-anong sakit tulad ng hypertension, minsan nga ay emotional breakdown pa .

Ano ba ang pwede nating gawin para ang stress natin ay hindi maging distress? Famous author and inspirational speaker,

Dr. John Maxwell has the following suggestions:

Don’t be overly sensitive to criticism .

Tanggapin na natin ang katotohanang hindi natin kayang i-please ang lahat ng tao .Talagang mayroong hindi aayon sa iyo kahit na napaka-noble ng iyong mga intentions and motives.

So when you receive criticisms , take it constructively kung sensible ang criticism.

If you think the criticism is not objective , huwag na lang pansinin at ng hindi ka ma-distress .

Don’t take too much pride in your achievements .

Ang pride ay parang uling, ginagatungan niyan ang distress.

Ang taong proud ay mas lalong nadi-distress dahil masyado niyang iniingatan ang kanyang achievement at accomplishment.

Minsan nga our achievements hinder us from growing and learning

kasi sinasabi natin sa ating sarili, aba may na-accomplish na ko.

Mas mahusay ako kaysa sa iba, hindi na nila ko pwedeng turuan.

Ang lungkot ng buhay kapag naging ganyan ang attitude natin.

Don’t harbor jealousy over the achievement of others .

Ang taong mainggitin madalas ding madistress, kasi nga totoo namang mayroong mas higit kaysa sa atin .

Natural ang iba ay maaaring magkaroon ng achievements na wala tayo di ba.

Instead of being jealous or envious , let’s learn to rejoice in the successes of others.

Malay mo malibre ka pa chibog dahil nakikigalak ka sa kanilang tagumpay, di ba?

Don’t focus on your weaknesses and inadequacies .

Ang sugat kapag mas lalo mong ginalaw mas lalong lalala at baka maimpeksyon.

The more you focus on your weaknesses and inadequacies the bigger the tendency of wallowing in self-pity .

While it is important to acknowledge your inadequacies, it is helpful to focus on your strengths and capabilities .

One effective way of fighting distress is by counting our blessings - the good things which life brings.

When we have grateful hearts, we will always be reminded that we are too blessed to be stressed!

Someone wrote that

‘ The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.

The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything .’