3D Art - Guns for Unreal Project

jjaeger95 · Sep 16 2025

Hi everybody,
I'm new to the polycount forum and currently on the third module of my Master program where I get to choose skills to improve. So in order to prepare for this module I would like to ask you fine people what you think I should improve on my 3D models. The final project in this program is supposed to be a Zombie shooter in the style of Call of Duty Black Ops. My props are realistic style and I aim for them to become photorealistic in the future. The first two posts on my portfolio are recent props I created.
portfolio link: https://www.artstation.com/jonajaeger

If I had to critique myself I would say that the models still have too many edges and are not detailed/ round enough. Also the Textures could be more detailed and lack individuality. Okay that's so far from me. So what do you guys think? Thanks in advance for taking your time and your responses.

kosh3d · Sep 16 2025

Welcome to polycount!

Your portfolio shows that you have a solid foundation but I think you might benefit a lot from taking a closer look into current-gen pipelines for weapon/prop creation. Both modeling and texturing-wise. I've made a breakdown here on polycount a while ago that might be a good starting point to get an overview: https://polycount.com/discussion/237029/breakdown-of-the-aaa-pipeline-for-game-ready-realistic-hero-props

Your models have some issues in terms of modeling and baking, the latest 2 pieces are a solid improvement over your older works though. The weakest part are the textures and presentation. The materials are far from photorealistic and seem more like default/smart materials with scratch grunge maps on top. Realistic texturing is fairly complex and difficult and requires a good understanding of how PBR works and how materials are constructed. I highly recommend checking out content by Dan Kenton, he has a discord server and really great tutorials on texturing:

https://www.artstation.com/daniel-kenton

Artstation learning section also has really good free resources, on both modeling and texturing:

https://www.artstation.com/learning/courses/OzX/introduction-concepting-in-blender/chapters/MA57/making-weapons-for-games

https://www.artstation.com/learning/courses/owg/substance-painter-pushing-your-texturing-further/chapters/d3J/introduction

And ofcourse the polycount wiki has lots of useful information.

jjaeger95 · Sep 16 2025

Hi,
thank you so much. That helps a lot. I’ll check those links and get to work ASAP.

3D Art - Guns for Unreal Project

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