Chelonia ring: Brian Hamilton, Omaha, NE

Prize: iPad 2 with Wi-Fi (16 GB), T-Splines T-Shirt.

Designer quote:

The concept of the Chelonia Ring is inspired by the intricate morphology of the internal structure of turtle shells. The design becomes an interpretation of the peculiar nature of the shell, in having the vertebræ, ribs, and sternum partially united with the dermal plates so as to form a homogeneous and firm shell. After developing a single component from a tsbox that could be multiplied, individually manipulated, and linked to form the top portion of the band; the extrude, bridge, and face division commands were essential in creating a congruent transition from the vertebrae-like top of the ring to the fused condition at the bottom of the band.

The design was modeled with T-Splines for Rhino and rendered with VRay for 3DS Max.

I couldn’t have imagined creating this design in any other software platform. Beyond the extremely intuitive and enabling modeling procedures that T-Splines provides, I believe that T-Splines has augmented my conceptual design style and practice because of the confidence I feel when creating designs that I wouldn’t have been able to produce with other software packages.

Judges quote:

Excellent use of T-Splines technology. The design was very well thought out and crafted. The render is engaging and on topic. Extremely creative design and well focused on the theme of the contest. The overall presentation of this model is very impressive. The render supplied for this design was very unique and well presented. I had trouble truly understanding the surface though, because every render was reflective. I would like to have seen a flat shaded, or plastic, etc. render to truly understand the surface in the provided render. The model was strong regarding the skill in using T-Splines, but the nature of the repetition of the subject matter affected the detail score.