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From tek@evilsuperbrain.com:
Cute!! ^_^

Though I think you fall foul of the post processing rule. It is possible to acheive these kinds of effects in pov ray (there were several posts on the images and animations newsgroups a while back that showed various techniques), and as such I feel I have to mark you down for not taking advantage of those techniques. Nonetheless you score high because it's a superb picture :)


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From henry@unforgettable.com:


Argh! That's really mean! I didn't know what to give it! I have to say, I disagree slightly with photoshop used in this way, so I lowered the technical mark, but thought the effect created was amazing so it was quite high to start with! Still trying to get my head round how you did it. Might check that book out...

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From maarten_hofman@hotmail.com:
It looks good, and it is surprising that this is the result of a ray trace, but it doesn't evoke the emotion of loneliness, and is more "cute".

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From MarkNitschke@gmx.de:
though i wonder if an image of this kind fits to irtc, think the basic idea as well as the realisation of it is very well done. nice.

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From beighton155@yahoo.com:
Very, very pretty. I am split whether or not this picture violates the rules. In their wording it does, but you put forward a good argument! Maybe stick a little closer next time, and I also found the pictre very obvious, but other than those few points its a nice picture

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From bfranke2@attbi.com:
This image is really great.  I hear what you are saying 
but I think you went too far with the post processing.  
The black edge detection is what gives the image its 
snap.  If you can automate the process you will be able 
to make a first rate animation.

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From novotek@web.de:
this is one of the images i like most - comic style like "pacmania". could somebody help the lonely "haribo" sitting by the tree ? fine work (i'd be happy to see something "real-rendered" - the result should be as good as)

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From ruy@hipernet.com.br:
Nice cartoon, but it doesn't seem like you'd need a raytracer to accomplish this pic.

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From dapigg2000@yahoo.com:
This is one of my favourites. Not very flashy, but I do enjoy the cartoonistic style and details. Quite exceptional.

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From daffy-duck@worldnet.att.net:
I had to mark you down in technical because according to the rules you are not allowed post-processing after ray tracing. The rules state that the only post-processing you are allowed is to add text like name and copyright.
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From suso@suso.org:
  This is the best interpretation of the theme in my opinion.  Loneliness is
 best described in relationships and the lack thereof.  This picture shows
 that concept well.  I really like the 2D look that people are using 3D
 programs for.  It shows what is possible and that raytracing does not always
 mean 3D.  I rate this one in the top 3 as long as it doesn't get disqualified
 for technique.


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From rclee@oklahoma.net:
Cute.

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From glenn@mccarters.net:
Very hard image to judge.  Highly innovative technique, but does it meet =
the spirit (not to mention the letter) of the competition?  I think I'll =
give you the benefit of the doubt.  In your textfile, "... excepted =
without question" is an unfortunate choice of words.  I hope you meant, =
"accepted without question", which is nearly the exact opposite!

Good balance and harmony.  I like the way the path flows through the =
landscape.  Signature is too verbose.  Image certainly shows the topic =
in a much more straightforward way than many in this round.  But I'm not =
sure the technique is the best method to illustrate the idea of =
"lonliness".  The cheerful nature of the execution seems at odds with =
the emotion.

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From bill@apocalypse.org:
Using Photoshop in this way sounds like a rules violation, though, since 
you clearly put a lot of work into it, I'm not holding it against you.

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From jinx@spodbox.fsnet.co.uk:
Brilliant interpretation, pity about the use of "post-processing"...
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From p_chan@shaw.ca:
You have done a good job of creating a sense of 
loneliness in the scene through the expression of the 
central character.  I think the cartoonish look also 
helps.  I personally would prefer it if you had found a 
way to create this effect using POV-Ray, even if you just 
put together image maps in the final render(s).  I don't 
really view this image as being in violation of the rules 
(it's in the "grey area"), and I also feel that POV 
"postprocessing" with image maps is also somewhat in 
the grey area, but perhaps not so much so as the 
techniques you have used.

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From patrick@sypa.net:
I have seen ways in the povray newsgroup to do the 3 rendering passes in
povray (color - detection - compositing).

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From clem@dhol.org:
"Spirit of the rules" nothing.  This is unequivocally illegal.  
That is particularly irritating given that many people have 
gotten the cartoony/painted effect legally in previous 
rounds.