Simviation Forum - ScreenArtist Spotlight Gtirob01

Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 8:39pm

ShaneG Offline
Colonel
I turned into a Martian!

Posts: 10000

Studio V: This week I'm speaking with the very talented Gtirob01. As one of Simviation's multiple JC winner & runner-up finisher, as well as several podium finishes in the monthly best of comps, it's no secret that Rob knows his craft well. So let's dive in and get to know him a little better. Hello rob thanks for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself with us.

Gtirob01: Thanks for the opportunity to give a little of my own flavor into these forums. I came to Simviation not long after I was given FSX as a gift from my girlfriend. As with most new people to FS, I had lots to learn. I've never had any of the previous FS versions, but did use the old Jane's F-15 simulator several years ago. Ever since I was a kid, I had always loved flying, and have always wanted to fly. I did get to fly several times in many Cessna's, and a Piper Archer II. In fact my very first flight was in a Cessna 182rg, and flew out of cloudy and rainy Montgomery Field in San Diego. I remember it like it just happened yesterday! Currently trying to save enough money to begin earning my PPL... but that will take lots of time!

1. StudioV: What are some of your other hobbies aside from flight simming and screenart?

Gtirob01: I am an automotive mechanic by trade (Honda), so naturally I love tinkering with things. Be it a car, a computer, or even a plastic model... anything to keep me occupied. I guess you can say that I like to get my hands dirty! I'm a big racing fan (Sorry, not one bit a nascar fan! haha). I prefer racing like DTM, F1, WRC, and things of that sort. When living in San Diego, I surfed often, went snowboarding many winter weekends, and entered my own car into various car shows. I have posted photos of my car here before, but in case you have not seen them, I have a 2001 VW GTI (where my screen name comes from) with many, many modifications. Another thing I've done that most would not expect from a California boy.... I played ice hockey from about 5th grade all the way through high school, and even continued playing in adult leagues after high school. Played center for the San Diego Jr. Gulls. Yea, I like to keep busy!

2. StudioV: It's a known fact that you're very good at editing screenshots. What inspired you to edit and do you have any hints for the "new editor"?

Gtirob01: Honestly, I have no idea where my inspiration came from! lol. If I had to narrow it down I'd say it is because I always loved art classes and photography in school, and enjoyed creating things. For new editors I'd say to really get to know your program. Be it Photoshop, Paintshop, whatever... know its limitations and features. When I began, I had no clue what "layers" were, or how to use them. That was a key for me once I learned how to use them. Also, make multiple copies (layers) in case you mess something up. You can just go back to the other copy and start over.

3. StudioV: Do you feel that composites have an advantage over edited screenshots, and why?

Gtirob01: Yes and no. I believe that a composite is made to look as real as possible, while an edit is to let a little of your artistic side show. Both are art, but I feel you have a little bit more freedom to have fun with a straight edit. Composites take much more time, and take a lot of concentration to cut out your subject. But I do not believe that one has an advantage over the other so long as they are done well.

4. StudioV: In your opinion, what makes a good edit and/or a good screenshot?

Gtirob01: Originality. It's always nice to see something different. A different angle here, another color there, cropping the right areas... they all contribute to a good shot. We all get a form of "writer's block" when it comes to screenshots... but just keep at it. Explore different angles, colors, effects.

5. StudioV: Obviously, you need the right software to do a good quality edit, what programs/plugins do you use, and do you favor any particular effects?

Gtirob01: I work with Photoshop 7. Have many plugins that include; Filter Forge photo effects and frames, "Flood" from Flaming Pear, Virtual Photographer from optikVerve Labs, Luce, and a few addons from Red Paw Media. My favorite plugin has to be Flood. There is just so much you can do with it. As for standard Photoshop filters, I often use the High Pass filter to sharpen the image. I also use the gradient map feature quite often to get a nice mix of colors in my shots.

6. StudioV: You've won the JC contest multiple times, as well as the monthly best ofs, what do you think is secret to the success of your shots? Which was your favorite winning shot?

Gtirob01: Going back to one of the previous questions, I believe that originality is a key. With the JC contests, the shot is subjective depending on the judge. So as the rules say... look at what the judge has posted for examples and go from there. Sometimes a simple shot rules for one judge, while for another a full edit/composite is the way to go. Look at their posts to see their style, likes, and preferences. And also, try to go with an aircraft or paint that you don't often see. That's one of the main things I try to do.

My favorite winning shot... that's a tough one. But If I had to say just one, it would be a shot that was a runner-up for best of edited in June 2009. Its a shot of a Tomcat (of course!) just after a trap on the Nimitz, and is turning off to park. The shot was created to give an eerie, dark, stormy... yet cinematic effect.

7. StudioV: How do you view the world of screenart now, compared to a year ago? And do you see this area of FS remaining strong for a long time?

Gtirob01: Working with FSX, there have been so many high quality addons released both freeware and payware, that you can make your shot look very real. I have seen some shots posted by others that looked like actual photographs. I didn't see a whole lot of that just a year ago. FSX appears as if it will be around for quite some time, so I do believe that screen art will get better, and will grow. I go at it like I'm taking an actual photograph, and I believe others may do the same

8. StudioV: What is your current favorite addons, and what makes them so special to you?

Gtirob01: My most recent addition, and one of the biggest changes to my FSX has to be REX. That program just makes everything so realistic with the high definition cloud textures, to the wide array of ocean textures available. The FTX sceneries are also a favorite of mine with the great looking airports and surrounding areas.

I have 2 very different types of aircraft that I always seem to default to. The Project Opensky 777-2/300, and of course the F-14. With the 777, it was the huge engines that got my attention. Even though the Posky 777 was intended for FS9, I wanted to figure out how to make it work well in FSX. So myself and a few others on this forum (Daube for one) set out to make things work. How could you not love that VC... it looks incredible! Problem is, people were having a lot of trouble installing all the necessary items to get it to work. So one day I just decided to put it all together and upload it to SimV. So far so good! And with the Tomcat, well.... just see the next question.

9. StudioV: Not everyone may know, but you have a special place in your heart for the F-14 Tomcat, why is this?

Gtirob01: I grew up basically under the flight path for then NAS Miramar (now MCAS Miramar). The home of Top Gun at the time. I would see F-14's fly over my house every day. One of the coolest things I had ever seen was when the USS Nimitz or another carrier would come home, and the entire air wing would fly ashore at once. Imagine every aircraft on a carrier flying in one huge formation, with the Tomcats taking the lead. Talk about an amazing sight and sound!

I had a neighbor that was stationed at Miramar working with the 'cat, and one day he took me on base where I basically got my own personal tour of a 'cat! Did the walk around as a pilot would getting ready for a flight, and got to sit in it as well. That sealed the deal. Then the movie Top Gun came out and brought stardom to the Tomcat. Something which I already knew! Wink

10. StudioV: If you could pass on just one piece of advice to your fellow simmers/screenartists, what would it be?

Gtirob01: Have fun with it, and take any criticism with a grain of salt. Nobody is here to bring you down. I wouldnt have improved my screenshots without the help of others here. Guys like Harold, Todayshorse, Fly2E... I looked at the shots they posted in awe. I would try to imitate their style.

Ask questions, read the tutorials, stick with it. I have a nearly 8 year old computer, and while it may be a bit slow... I used all the information posted by NickN to drastically improve my "dinosaur" of a machine. I have a P4 3.0, a PCI video card, 1 gig of memory.... an old machine. So if I can get some good shots from this machine, anyone can with patience and practice.

That may have been more that one piece of advice... but that's OK, right?! lol

StudioV: Thank you Rob, for taking some time with us and hopefully inspiring some of our newer screenshot artists. Always looking forward to your next post!

♪♫♪‼

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #1 - Sep 28^th, 2009 at 11:18pm

Mitch. Offline
Global Moderator
If you don't like my driving,
get off the footpath
Australia

Gender:
Posts: 3923

Thanks to Rob for another great interview.

---------->Currently building a native FSX Beechcraft Starship 2000<----------

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

^^^ Click above to check out MySimshots.net ^^^

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #2 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 12:33am

Layne. Offline
Colonel
Australia, Victoria, Melbourne

Gender:
Posts: 2654

This was a fantastic interview Rob! Wink

Great read

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #3 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 12:55am

Barbr Offline
Colonel
Huh??
California

Gender:
Posts: 647

Wow, I never knew we had these interview posts -- it's really inspiring to be around such talented people!!! This website is great!

Best regards,
Barb

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #4 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 9:14am

Frequent Flyer Offline
Colonel
It's SuperCaliFragilIstic
EspiAliDocious!
Lucy's Sky with Diamonds

Posts: 1569

Excellent interview once again.
All shots are stunning Shocked

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #5 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 9:21am

Leigh Offline
Colonel
"Its not the destination
its the journey."
somewhere over the rainbow

Gender:
Posts: 1503

Very nice

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #6 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 11:40am

jankees Offline
Colonel
Brussels, Belgium

Gender:
Posts: 2416

excellent shots, and fun read, well done!

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #7 - Sep 29^th, 2009 at 4:02pm

SubZer0 Offline
Colonel
KLNA

Gender:
Posts: 3882

Interesting read and interview. Thanks Rob!

... Now I know whom I can turn to next time I have a problem with my Honda... Can you hook me up with a transmission? Grin

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #8 - Sep 30^th, 2009 at 4:08pm

Rich H Offline
Colonel
Sweden Jamboree 2011!
Solihull, U.K.

Gender:
Posts: 2082

Interesting read as always, thanks a lot Rob.

"Politics" is made up of two words, "Poli", which is Greek for "many", and "tics", which are blood sucking insects. - Gore Vidal

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #9 - Oct 1^st, 2009 at 1:11am

Mitch. Offline
Global Moderator
If you don't like my driving,
get off the footpath
Australia

Gender:
Posts: 3923

Barbr wrote on Sep 29^th, 2009 at 12:55am:

Wow, I never knew we had these interview posts -- it's really inspiring to be around such talented people!!! This website is great!

Best regards,
Barb

Barb, you might want to check out the other interviews here. Cool

---------->Currently building a native FSX Beechcraft Starship 2000<----------

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

^^^ Click above to check out MySimshots.net ^^^

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #10 - Oct 13^th, 2009 at 7:50am