Underwater Sci-fi Lab Interior (feedback welcome)

bil80b · Nov 17 2025

Hello,

I would like to share a project inspired by Star Citizen and Subnautica I’ve been working on as part of my learning experience with Unreal Engine and improving my environment art workflow. There are still areas I’d like to improve, but I learned a lot from the process.

The full project on my website at https://www.billbalzer.com/portfolio/underwater-lab

Thanks for taking a look!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/wa/s3udgct01e28.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/ea/m0jh3ub0xfs8.jpg

Lab robotic arm isolated

High-poly Zbrush sculpt

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/v3/fa83xmxkaog0.jpg

Robot arm concept iterations

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/o3/u8vsaxd9mmfc.jpg

Asset Zoo

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/0h/m7w2fl0ftwbt.jpg

Ref

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/7w/pzo9ajdgqaym.jpg

Eric Chadwick · Nov 17 2025

Hey this is looking pretty neat already!

I think it needs more visual story-telling to explain how it's underwater. The "windows" don't look like portholes into watery views. The floor could use puddles of water, the walls could use leakage stains, drips might help, lighting could use god rays with refraction patterns, etc.

I recently checked out one of the Naughty Dog environment artist portfolios, this might give you some inspiration for how to achieve the "underwater" look.
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/eaJ24G

bil80b · Nov 18 2025

Thank you for the suggestions!
I actually started with porthole windows, but opted for larger ones to add more color to the scene. but I totally get your point, I will take another look to see if I can get a more aquatic feeling solution. The reference you provided is super helpful. I have been getting more comfortable with RGB masks, and I plan to take another pass on the scene to make it feel more lived-in. I guess I could try adding some drip decals, too.

Eric Chadwick · Nov 18 2025

Nice! For the underwater-scifi-lab look, you could look at The Meg and other similar horror-thriller movies for inspiration. What was the one with Samuel Jackson? Ah, Deep Blue Sea. Might help with the visual story-telling.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/oz/962cafirkc7d.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/ed/cqmj3kpqlvov.jpg

bil80b · Nov 18 2025

Yeah, the strong underlighting creates a really cool effect. I was inspired by The Abyss, which has a similar lighting on the Deep Core platform, but my version ended up pretty subtle to draw more attention to the workbench, but I now realize I may have over corrected. I have a caustic effect on the moonpool light that I can try boosting to see if I can get that look back. With more color from the lighting, I can redesign the windows without losing color.
Thanks again for the suggestion!
The Abyss Trailer 1989 - video Dailymotion

The Abyss Trailer 1989 - video Dailymotion

Underwater Sci-fi Lab Interior (feedback welcome)

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