Constraints breed creativity

Following the success of the 2018 X-Particles Challenge, this year we're keeping the template file with a fixed camera and base geometry. To make sure it’s all about the particles, you don’t animate the camera or include any other text / logos etc.

Use the base spline in the template to create geometry which can be used as an emitter or to collide with or cull particles. However the particles interact is up to you.

Explore one (1) direction. Within that direction you can use multiple systems, but we do not want to see smaller sims cut together i.e. the output should be one overall simulation.

To be clear; you can use multiple systems in the same scene that when combined, produce one overall effect i.e. no cuts of the camera to different setups.

Be sure to read the full rules below.

“Art lives from constraints and dies from freedom."

Leonardo da Vinci

Rules

Using the Cinema 4D template file provided, entrants will produce one (1) movie file which is up to 150 frames in duration rendered at 30fps at 1920x1080 pixels.
Do not apply any text overlays or additional copy to an entry. Do not adjust the framing of the camera. Do not animate the camera or cut between different scenes. Submissions can include sound but it is not required.
Only one (1) entry will be accepted per entrant containing one continous shot which can use multiple systems.
Entrants can work with any version of X-Particles including the trial version and can render their animation using any compatible renderer. If using trial versions, refer to the respective website for any limitations.
To help identify your entry, name your file: XPC2019-[YourVimeoUsername] or XPC2019-[YourTwitterUsername] or XPC2019-[YourInstagramUsername]
Submit your entry by completing the Google Form and uploading a single movie file through the form. The format can be MP4 or MOV (H.264 / ProRes).
Once you've uploaded your entry via the Google Form, you can also add it to the Vimeo group You can also post on Twitter and mention @xpchallenge – this helps us promote your entry. Entries will also be cross-promoted via @xpchallenge on Instagram.
The closing date for entries is: 22nd December 2019 at 23:59:59 PST. Refer to the website for a countdown timer. Entries submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
Project files will be requested from finalists. Please be prepared to submit these upon request.
Submissions which are a direct copy of a tutorial will be rejected.
The organiser reserves the right to change these details without notice.

Meet the judges

Every year a panel of judges is selected to score the entries. Below are the XPC2019 Judges.

Andy Needham

Andy is the organiser of this competition and a London-based freelance senior motion designer. He is also an author of training on Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning and more recently Greyscalegorilla Plus.

Brandon Parvini

Brandon is a design and technical director based in Los Angeles. From concept to workflow development, his unique creative process often results in a refined nontraditional solution for the project.

Mario Tran Phuc

Mario is based in Frankfurt, Germany and won the first X-Particles Challenge in 2015. As creative director at Insydium, he lives and breathes X-Particles.

Ryan Summers

Ryan is a Creative Director at Digital Kitchen, specializing in character work, experiential installations, and cel animation – he also loves hockey, drinks root beer, and stares at Infectio more than any human should.

Nidia Dias

Nidia Dias is a Freelance Art Director and Designer from Portugal. Her work is focused mainly on styleframes and look development for motion. She creates visually compelling images that tell a story.

Barton Damer

Barton is a digital artist and motion graphic designer that started Alreadybeenchewed.tv 10 years ago. His studio is working on product launches for some of the most iconic brands.

Nik Hill

Nik is a multi-talented designer and art director. He is the founder of Twenty Third C – a design studio based in London.

Robyn Haddow

Robyn is a freelance fantasy / future tech concept and motion graphic designer with a focus on screen graphics and holograms. She spends most of her time imagineering futuristic technology in story-based worlds and makes sophisticated tech a reality seen in major motion pictures and television shows.

See all the 2019 entries in the Vimeo Group

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Constraints breed creativity

Following the success of the 2018 X-Particles Challenge, this year we're keeping the template file with a fixed camera and base geometry. To make sure it’s all about the particles, you don’t animate the camera or include any other text / logos etc.

“Art lives from constraints and dies from freedom."

Leonardo da Vinci

Rules

Using the Cinema 4D template file provided, entrants will produce one (1) movie file which is up to 150 frames in duration rendered at 30fps at 1920x1080 pixels.

Do not apply any text overlays or additional copy to an entry. Do not adjust the framing of the camera. Do not animate the camera or cut between different scenes. Submissions can include sound but it is not required.

Only one (1) entry will be accepted per entrant containing one continous shot which can use multiple systems.

Entrants can work with any version of X-Particles including the trial version and can render their animation using any compatible renderer. If using trial versions, refer to the respective website for any limitations.

To help identify your entry, name your file: XPC2019-[YourVimeoUsername] or XPC2019-[YourTwitterUsername] or XPC2019-[YourInstagramUsername]

The closing date for entries is: 22nd December 2019 at 23:59:59 PST. Refer to the website for a countdown timer. Entries submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

Project files will be requested from finalists. Please be prepared to submit these upon request.

Submissions which are a direct copy of a tutorial will be rejected.

The organiser reserves the right to change these details without notice.