Hello and welcome once again to a Mathew Powers Production. This page illustrates my Spring 2002 CAVE show and exhibition.  It is a showcase of all the many models, textures, and scenes that went into making this season's worlds possible. This year we continued with the fantasy theme from last year but incorporated more sci-fi elements into it. Also, once again this is a group project but with only three contributors as opposed to last season's eight. This year's class was of a more independent spirit with more people inclined to produce their own independent worlds. That is why Spring 2002's nexus scene now holds seven portals, up from three last year. What follows is a rundown of all the creatures, models, and objects (with their textures) that came together to produce the three worlds you will see in my show. Enjoy!

The Creatures:

The Denzetia:

    The Denzetia are a very passive and resilient race of metaphysical explorers. They are born beings of pure non corporeal energy and as they age they become more and more corporeal in their surrounding environment. An observer can tell the age of a Denzetia by how much raw energy is streaming forth from their midsections and by how much of a hardened shell encompasses their frame. A Denzetia's days consist of deep meditation exploring the truths around them and inside of them. Although they may seem aloof and distracted they are very aware of their surroundings and other beings. The crystalline wings growing from their shells help to balance and guide the Denzetia over long distances. They have long winding tails with sharp  claws at it tip to assist them in anchoring themselves during heavy winds or storms. Overall, a very friendly and kindly race of aliens.

To see a Denzetia click here:   DENZETIA

The Eepipotchi:

    The Eepipotchi are a mysterious species even by Paradoxian standards. A creature of no defined reality, 'potchies come from the worlds between worlds. They evolved in a space created from the mixing of other, more stable realties. These chaotic energies are too alien to be processed or viewed correctly by most minds and thus whenever they are seen these creatures display a patchwork or paradox design. This design is created by the mind of the person viewing them in order for them to stave off insanity and be able to interact with the Eepipotchi. This patchwork, or paradox design is a tertiary reality created by the two equal yet opposite realties merging into one. Other than that, Eepipotchies are great at parties, always being the ones with the best jokes and humorous insights, though they tend to stay a little too long and eat too much of the food. Also, their laughter has healing qualities and many aliens of ill health seek out their companionship from across the galaxy.

To see an Eepipotchi click here:  EEPIPOTCHI
 

The High Faapian:

    High Faapians are an extremely advanced and curious species. They have and manage, quite well as a matter of fact, an interstellar empire spanning several hundred light years in each direction of their homeworld, Faapia. They are of an inquisitive and curious disposition and have a boundless, almost endless nervous energy about themselves. Constant explorers, High Faapians have the amazing ability to ignore all threats of bodily harm and repeated warnings from enemy vessels with their phasers pointed at them set to kill, while in the pursuit of something that has peaked their interests. Many interesting turns of history can be explained by the intervening of a High Faapian exploratory committee on a fact finding mission. Also, it should be noted that though they have no biological means of communication with other species, that voice in your head is not coming from your inner demons but rather, is coming from their highly evolved form of telepathy. So please don't be alarmed and please keep smiling.

To see a High Faapian click here: HIGH FAAPIAN
 

The Makzuu Flyer:

    Makzuu Flyers are a feared and well respected species of predatory avians found on numerous worlds. They have a triple helixed DNA structure that gives them genetic and biological advantages over other species. The most obvious trait of this genetic structure are the massive stabilizing dorsal wings protruding from their backs. This wing, though observed to be cumbersome, actually adds control and maneuverability to their flying prowess. They have the amazing ability to glide through the atmosphere on almost no lift or air support and in conditions that would normally ground most any other kind of flyer. Perfectly at home in the atmosphere of a light gravity world they have been observed to catch their food, sleep, and care for their young for weeks on end with out ever touching the ground. Silent and deadly predators, all visitors are repeatedly warned to keep all valuable items to themselves such as jewelry, trinkets, food, small children, and their own hands and fingers. We all don't want to have another 35786.87 incident on our hands now do we?

To see a Makzuu Flyer click here: MAKZUU FLYER
 

The Xhar-Shap:

    The Xhar-Shap are a boisterously loud and direct species unburdened by any sort of social norms or expectations. They evolved on a world with intense, consistent volcanic and tectonic activity. To compensate for all of this rocking and rolling, the Xhar developed their own natural "shock absorbent" system to keep their minds intact so they would be able to think amongst the chaos. They are silicon based and have more in common with everyday garden rocks than with you or I. Their favorite foods consist of igneous and metamorphic rock with gems thrown in for a spicy flavor. They actually have a cooled version of magma running through their crystalline veins. Very social creatures, they will gather in the thousands to feast, drink and entertain their brethren with song, dancing, and mock battles. Throughout the galaxy they are known for their direct no-nonsense attitudes and way of speaking to others but, they are mainly known for their ability to consume massive amounts of intoxicating beverages and for their behavior afterwards. Known as battle hymns, these drunken, spontaneous bouts of singing can last for days on end, even when most of the singers have forgotten the words, where they are, who they are, and who just clobbered them over the head with that very heavy chair.

To see a Xhar-Shap click here:   XHAR-SHAP 
 
 

The Worlds:

    This first image is a shot of what viewers first see when entering the High Faapian research space ship. A courteous High Faapian greets his visitors and guides them through the ship towards the central portal. This large matter disbursement transceiver sends the group of tourists to the research planet below via an artificial wormhole. The planet in question can be seen at any time through the ventral viewing windows near the bottom of the ship. Also, visitors are welcome to enjoy the surrounding nebula by observing it through one of many view ports circumventing the ship.

    These are magnificent shots of viewers teleporting through the High Faapian  artificial wormhole. It should be noted that the High Faapian government denies all claims that traveling through wormholes leads to hair loss, dizziness, fatigue, vomiting, anal leakage, loss of bone marrow, bleeding of the gums, or spasms. Quite the opposite is true and a wormhole is a wonderful experience for the entire family. Why even most high ranking Faapian officials would send their own grandmothers through wormholes if they weren't already, unfortunately, dead.

    Here are some very attractive shots of the upper atmosphere of the research planet, the kind of shots that would make great postcards to mail home to the rest of your egg brood clan via the High Faapian mail service. The upper layers of this world are comprised of numerous floating mountains and the creatures that live on and in between them. Ages ago, the original and highly advanced, inhabitants of the planet lived in the mountain ranges of their world. Due to some unexplained catastrophe or event the natives uprooted their homes, flipped them upside down, carved them into desirable shapes and set them adrift into the upper atmosphere where it was assumed they survived what ever motivated them to accomplish such a feat. Sadly, none are around to today to tell us the true story  and all that remains are the powerful mountain engines that keep these wonders aloft. Which is why the High Faapian government greatly encourages any discoveries made by visitors to be reported to central intelligence immediately. Thank you for your cooperation.
 

The Elements:
 

    Now are a more serious and realistic note, these are the base Maya models and Gimp textures that came together to create these worlds. They were created by myself and Mr. Nic Bradley inconjunction with Miss Allison Estep. Below are the all encompassing sky and atmosphere models that surround and create the backbone for the worlds.

    Here we see the basis mountain model and its textures before being placed with it twirling propeller blades and placed within a world.

    The propeller blades that keep the mountains afloat.
 

    Here you can see the portal from the ship scene dismantled into its main components with textures.
 

    This is a basic outline of the ship prior to its texturing and placement.

    Finally, we have a sampling of some of the great texturing work from one Mr. Nic Bradley. He used NASA imagery inconjunction with Photo Shop to create these wondrous worlds and their moons that we have visited during this project.

    Thank you kind visitor for taking the time to experience and review this year's CAVE show and exhibition and we welcome you to next season's. Have a great summer, -Mathew A. Powers and the entire T440 CAVE class.