[UE4] Japanese environment

Joost

Hey guys,

I finally decided to make an environment. I've never done any environtments before, just assets. So this is going to be quite a challenge.

This is the concept I've chosen, made by
Andr

Anchang-Style

Just a little thing: the concept is nice but i thing supposed to be a chinese scenery not japanese (roof styles are not japanese because too round and too steep and the hectagonal pagoda is a very common thing for china but not japan).
Still looking forward to where you are going with this

Joost

Oh damn, I had no idea. I'll see if I can find a book on Chinese architecture. I actually prefer the Chinese architecture and I want to be as faithful to the concept as possible.

Thanks for pointing it out! Guess I'll go back to gathering reference

NomadSoul2501

The concept is gorgeous, and great job on the reference sheets they are very inspiring.
Can't wait to see more

Joost

Thanks guys!

I spent the day looking for more reference
http://imgur.com/mA7tXcg
http://imgur.com/vWZRk9g

And I did a quick rock sculpt.

I think it's a step in the right direction but it's not there yet.





Mashed together in zbrush



If anyone has any advice for the rocks that would be great.

luge

Love the concept, and your sculpt looks good, at least to me. can't wait to see more of this.

Skinpop

Concept art doesn't look very japanese to me.
The pointy roof corners are very chinese and as far as I know japan doesn't have a landscape with pointy mountains like that.

Like the project though, but maybe angle the research towards china? Or you could just adapt it as a fantasy piece.

EDIT:
I would personally change the bridges, I don't think they fit the architecture, maybe try a rope bridge?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYmdWSkDqDA/UanfE9t1bMI/AAAAAAAAB_s/9TaXwsk34g8/s1600/Suspension+Bridge+between+Hida+and+Etchu_+Provinces+-+Katsushika+Hokusai.jpg


Also, maybe do a block out first before you start sculpting to get the major shapes down?

AbKI

Loving the concept and what you have so far.

mazerius1st

Try to find and read the following books.

1. Japan Style, 2005 Ed.
2. Japanese Gardens: Tranquility Simplicity Harmony, 2008 Ed.

Both are by Geeta K. Mehta & Kimie Tada from TUTTLE Publishing.

I do not know if they are still in circulation in paper form. The second book you can also find it in Epub version.

LANKUS MAXIMUS

Nice start. Beautiful concept.

It's like a Japanese Rivendell

Joost

Thanks for the kind words guys, I hope I can live up to the expectations!

@Skinpop: My plan right now is to combine Chinese, Japanese and maybe some other Asian influences. I hope that's not too blasphemous
I'll think about the bridges. I do like the way the stone bridges connect everything in the concept, but 2D doesn't always translate well to 3D.
I'm currently working on a block out and familiarising myself with UE4 a bit.

@mazerius1st: Thank you very much for the suggestions! I'll definitely check them out.

Anchang-Style

actually i would stick with rather eloborate bridges since the architecture of the buildings is very elaborate too. Remember these buildings are build and rebuild all couple of decades thanks to wood so the material has to get there in a safe and relieable matter and this wouldn't be the first example where the buildings are wood but other things are ol trusty stone.
Found this: