3D Environment Artist should make complex weapons too?

SuSo

Hi everyone,
I have some questions that i hope someone can help me with.

To be a 3d Environment Artist, i know that is necessary know how to make props, but,  it's neccesary make complex weapons? Or this is a job for a character artist? Stuff like that.

What can you recommend me for the beginning?

Can somebody recommend me a book for 3d environment?

 Thanks you so much! ^^

Taylor Brown

Hi SuSo,

From my limited experience, a mid to large scale studio will likely have a specialist Weapon Artist or it would just be outsourced. 

Regarding books... I don't think there really are any. The industry moves so fast that anything put to print would likely be obsolete by the time it gets into readers hands. That being said, there are some more specific books you can pick up that might help your process:

https://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Points-Topology-Workbook-01/dp/1987728610
https://www.amazon.com/PBR-Guide-Handbook-Physically-Rendering/dp/2490071009 (can be found for free on Allegorithmics website)

Honestly though, so much of what makes an effective environment art piece is being able to immerse yourself into research on a subject and then using a mixture of technical and artistic skill to portray it in compelling way. So books on history, architecture, philosophy, art movements, fashion, woodworking / how things are made etc can all play a part in your art.

SuSo

Hi Taylor, thanks for the reply.

I understand, more or less I knew they could have some specialized in that, but it was to make sure.
Okey, i gonna check the books that you told me.

Thanks!! ^^

Eric Chadwick

For 3d environment art, I put a bunch of stuff on our wiki. Like Taylor says, things change rapidly, so the wiki can get stale if you let it. Anyhow there's still a bunch of gems in there. 

Meloncov

It would be very rare in a AAA studio for an environment artist to make weapons, with the exception of very large items like cannons or catapults. But if you have all the skills required to make environment props, there's no reason you wouldn't be able to make a decent weapon.

garcellano

Yeah, I agree with @Meloncov
Depending on the studio, Environment Artists can dabble on environment art-related pieces, and props. And, I guess, for those props, they be statues? maybe? or weapons? 
If you're at a studio with no weapon artist, but a designated Character Artist, and some Environment Artist, quote-unquote, 3D Artists (same as the Character Artist), it doesn't hurt to try and dive in on some weapons to cover the spot.
But, is it really needed? I don't think so. There's a lot to weapons that I don't really know much about. Making a sword or mace is one thing, but rifles, sci-fi guns, etc. That's a whole different world to me (I tried in the past, just for fun, but that was it).

SuSo

Perfect!
Thank you all for replying ^^