This was my first stab at using Softimage's cutting-edge ICE visual programming application. These phones are not individually modeled, but rather are a single model that is attached to a particle point cloud, that instances the original model.
The particle cloud is then programmed with module parameters to control various aspects like position, rotation, and even the color of the backplate. I was on the learning curve with this one, but really digging the ride. This was the coolest thing since the invention of the RenderTree. Once again, Softimage innovated beyond all others. Gives new meaning to the phrase, "There's an app for that." You can see a screen capture below of the IceTree Nodes in action.
[ Update: Thanks to utter myopic stupidity at Autodesk – which bought Softimage – there is no more app for this. Yet another example of how corporate mergers are shear evil. I can't fully express just how much was lost by the idiotic "executive" decision to kill this toolset and decimate thousands of artist's lives. For this action, Autodesk deserves eternal, unremitting disdain. ]
+ Softimage XSI 7
+ Photoshop
