Maya leaves help..
So this is a two part question. Im still learning the ways of Maya and other 3D programs as I go through school. I decide to start a side project just for practice and experience as we all do and decided to make a tree scene to learn more about lighting and texturing. My first question would be,
1. what is the best way to make a good looking tree? Would you suggest that I give this a try in Zbrush then import to Maya?
2. What would give me the best looking foliage for the area below the tree? I want to learn to do it to the point where it looks realistic given the programs I currently have (Maya, Mudbox, zbrush, photoshop, etc.) Are their any good tutorials for this?
3. Leaves, I can make leaves no problem, but Ive seen some people use an effect that adds weight to one portion of the leaves giving them a more realistic drop during animation rather then me having to manipulate each individual leaf. Can anyone explain this to me or show me a good tutorial for it?
4. This one kind of mixes with number two, what is the best way to make terrain? Say I want to make a decent size forest area, how would you guys suggest I go about doing this?
I am really looking forward to learning this stuff because Ive always wanted to be an environmental artist so any tips and pointers would help. Thanks in advance guys.:poly141:
1. what is the best way to make a good looking tree? Would you suggest that I give this a try in Zbrush then import to Maya?
2. What would give me the best looking foliage for the area below the tree? I want to learn to do it to the point where it looks realistic given the programs I currently have (Maya, Mudbox, zbrush, photoshop, etc.) Are their any good tutorials for this?
3. Leaves, I can make leaves no problem, but Ive seen some people use an effect that adds weight to one portion of the leaves giving them a more realistic drop during animation rather then me having to manipulate each individual leaf. Can anyone explain this to me or show me a good tutorial for it?
4. This one kind of mixes with number two, what is the best way to make terrain? Say I want to make a decent size forest area, how would you guys suggest I go about doing this?
I am really looking forward to learning this stuff because Ive always wanted to be an environmental artist so any tips and pointers would help. Thanks in advance guys.:poly141:
Replies
You can also play around SpeedTree, which comes along with any version of UDK (free). This allows you generate trees and also export them.
For nice detail below the tree, the same idea of using high poly to low poly applies. Just use an alpha to phase out the mesh into the ground (transparency).
The most realistic way, at least that I know of, to generate terrain is to make them with height maps. These can be found freely on the net and also from terrain generators.
There are probably some more experienced artist here that can give you better advice though.
http://wiki.polycount.com/CategoryEnvironmentTerrain
Creating Foliage for UDK has a bunch of great workflow info. Applicable for bushes and trees. You can also use Paint FX in Maya to create the high-res branch and leaves for baking your maps.
No problemo
I would start working entirely on the PC. If your school gave you a Macbook as the means to learn and work with game art, then they screwed you over. The only schools I know that purposefully push students to use macs is solely for the purpose of film and animation.
You dont want to have to swap between computers just do 3d work on one which you could have done on the other. PCs have all the tools you will need to generate the top of the line game art, not to mention lots of customization and support.
I would also recommend you start small, dont aim for realism or perfection just yet. Baby steps will lead you better art than jumping right in and trying for the best and most realistic low poly tree you can imagine.