Game art topics for learning
Hey all...
In regards to game art (not just characters :P ), what sorts of topics would you like to learn more about/become more proficient in?
For example, making weapons... props... hair... etc...
Anything goes - just curious.
In regards to game art (not just characters :P ), what sorts of topics would you like to learn more about/become more proficient in?
For example, making weapons... props... hair... etc...
Anything goes - just curious.
Replies
i find props bit difficult to model
Basemesh would correct,but when sculpting. eg:- double side face
Hair
Modular Assets/Buildings
Animating Characters :P
Complex character rigging (especially mechanical, where there's less skinned animation and more rotation/sliding)
Long fur.
Mechanical rigging
check out Ben Clowards DVD's. Really good stuff and works up from simple Diffuse HLSL to animating vertice points in 3rd DVD. (Haven't got 3rd DVD yet but the first two are awesome. Note he does focus on 3ds max but havent had a problem moving to maya. Just need to reference maya HLSL shaders)
Hair and fur
Blended/morphed normal maps (for facial expression) As far as I know, only Cryengine is the only widely available engine that does this right now, though, yes?
planning UV space smartly for modular stuff
I agree on the Ben Cloward DVDs! Pick 'em up! I'm lucky enough to work with him- smart dude!
penrod - Those are pretty old school tutorials. I don't think there's anything on my site newer than 2.5 years old. I've been so busy with Star Wars - hopefully I'll have some time to get stuff up soon. Working on a new iteration of the course, full figure based, so will have that for show soon.
Thanks again all!
Me too, mainly because it's where I lack the most.
Making props is fine, there's not a lot of reusing, making uv's are pretty straightforward, etc.
but environment art (architectural stuff) can get pretty complex and I still have to establish a good workflow for this, cos atm, i suck.
Im still for rigging. especially when part of being an environment artist means knowing how to make animated set pieces, which I am not comfortable with yet.
I've always wondered, what do you guys mean by 'custom rig'?
Making sure everything lines up so they tile correctly, this normally involves a bunch of snapping.
Making sure the pivots are aligned to the grid and that the grid matches the scene builder grid.
Baking AO and normal maps that take into account the pieces on either side, even though the pieces can change.
How small do you make your modules? Is each module a building, a story, a 512x512 tile or a handful of tiny pieces?
How do you make corners and transitions?
How about variant pieces using the same assets?
How do you manage and package textures sheets?
With a prop, its normally pretty self contained. You might use modeling tools the same way but there is a bunch of stuff to think about with modular design. It often requires a truck load more planning, and the more you plan the better things are going to be.
The shitty thing is, to learn this, you need to learn with your mistakes. So, it would be great if someone could write a very detailed article / tutorial about this topic, someone who has already been through those harsh times. Cos that's the way it works, a lot of people learn stuff the hard way and move on, cos not everyone has the time to mentor other people.
We have this, but it's not enough.
http://wiki.polycount.com/CategoryEnvironment
I'd love if someone like Eat3d or whatever came up with a tutorial about modular environment art, it's something a LOT of people would buy for sure.
Physics of the gun, character, bullet distence between the wall or a mesh and its gravety at the end point.
umm..Collision detection.
Real time rendering in game engine
Oh wait you are just talking about game art. heh!
That's all the smart person stuff. Me dum artist.
:P
also clothing , costume
1)Texturing:
b. WOW textures
c. Props
d. Metal, wood, brick, etc.
e. Vehicles
f. Fabrics
g. Organic textures
h. weapons
b. sculpting with zbrush
c. modular environments
3)2D Skills:
b. Character design
well, at the very least these are my goals:)
I understand painting is more of a skill that must be practiced. But any tips/tricks/shortcuts to speed along the process would be awesome to watch. Plus just watching people traditionally paint textures is cool.