Using existing designs/concepts for your own 3D model and put it in portfolio
A question is bugging me recently and I can not find any threads regarding this question. I see a lot of people here on Polycount, who create their own character models/environments from an existing concept art and some of them put it on their website as a portfolio piece. I know that a 3D artist is going to work from the works of the concept artist and it is essential that we are able to make what we see on an image.
However when it comes to building your own portfolio, that is when I get totally confused. Should I make my own designs into 3D although I am not really good at designing yet, or use both? What would more experienced or professional 3D artists say? How much does the actual idea matter in 3D modelling? Should I make my own designs (with references of course).
To see some of my stuff and my current drawing ability you can look here:
http://mygingworks.blogspot.co.uk/
And to make my question more understandable is I'll use an example. I made a centaur model, but it's design is not quite good. See image below:
And I know the design is poor the execution is poor as well. Now. I made another model based on an existing one still unfinished, but it looks waaaaaay better in terms of skills and everything. Like this:
I hope you see my point. I want to focus on environment props, mechanical stuff and rigging, so in general use your own design or someone elses? Is it a big problem just to make "studies" but in 3D? Or is it a waste of time?
However when it comes to building your own portfolio, that is when I get totally confused. Should I make my own designs into 3D although I am not really good at designing yet, or use both? What would more experienced or professional 3D artists say? How much does the actual idea matter in 3D modelling? Should I make my own designs (with references of course).
To see some of my stuff and my current drawing ability you can look here:
http://mygingworks.blogspot.co.uk/
And to make my question more understandable is I'll use an example. I made a centaur model, but it's design is not quite good. See image below:
And I know the design is poor the execution is poor as well. Now. I made another model based on an existing one still unfinished, but it looks waaaaaay better in terms of skills and everything. Like this:
I hope you see my point. I want to focus on environment props, mechanical stuff and rigging, so in general use your own design or someone elses? Is it a big problem just to make "studies" but in 3D? Or is it a waste of time?
Replies
A general rule is to ask the artist before using their work, but generally you don't have to worry about it too much. Just go over to the critique section and take a look at how many people are using other artists concepts, or existing professional concepts. I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble over it, as long as you credit the original artist.