Architectural visualization question

Reece Whittingham

So i'm looking to branch into Arch vis (interior and exterior) but have no hands on experience in the field. I was wondering if artists in this field are expected to create all their own textures from scratch or if they could use texture libraries. There are a lot of great websites out there such as Poliigon that provide amazingly realistic scanned textures better than anything i could create that could be used as a starting point and edited to create the desired look. however i'm not sure if this would be an acceptable workflow within the industry due to copyright and such. 

Any on have any experience in the field?

Thanks

Brian "Panda" Choi

@Eric Chadwick?

Eric Chadwick

Thanks Brian. 

Hi Reece. Everyone uses libraries... models, materials, textures. You have to be fast and efficient. The margins on this kind of work are very low.

You only make unique things as needed to match the client's content. So, yes you do need to be able to make textures from scratch, photo manipulation, procedurals (Substance, Artomatix, etc.), texture extraction and enhancement from parts of client photos, etc.

We have some more info about the field here fwiw...
https://polycount.com/discussion/200632/i-am-thinking-of-becoming-a-3d-interior-exterior-visualizer-need-advise

However also typically people do R&D in between paying projects, both to keep skills fresh, and to create workflows and props in anticipation of future needs. Like learning how to make detailed photoreal trees, or how to make fire for fireplaces, how to do nice fur, etc. I love that part!

Reece Whittingham

hey thanks Eric, and Brian for Tagging him. 

Good to know, i was just curious what to expect and what to focus my efforts improving on. ill have a read through the thread you linked.