Difference between revisions of "Arcane University:3D art"

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*[[AU:Rigging in Outfit Studio|Rigging in Outfit Studio]]
 
*[[AU:Rigging in Outfit Studio|Rigging in Outfit Studio]]
  
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==Basic Software==
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== Software ==
 
As a 3D artist you have to use a variety of software and plugins to achieve the results you want. Below you'll find several alternatives within each category that are suitable for asset creation. You must have a 3D modeling, 3D baking and 3D texturing program in order to create your asset - this is your most basic programs in the unique 3D workflow.   
 
As a 3D artist you have to use a variety of software and plugins to achieve the results you want. Below you'll find several alternatives within each category that are suitable for asset creation. You must have a 3D modeling, 3D baking and 3D texturing program in order to create your asset - this is your most basic programs in the unique 3D workflow.   
  
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===3D modelling and sculpting programs===
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=== 3D software ===
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All 3D artists need a modelling and sculpting program to create the geometry of their asset.
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{{3D software}}
  
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*[https://www.blender.org Blender] - free, modelling and sculpting. (also read [[AU:Blender for Skyrim|Blender for Skyrim]])
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=== 2D software ===
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*[https://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/overview Maya] [$] - modelling. (also read [[AU:Maya for Skyrim|Maya for Skyrim]])
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These programs can be used to manually alter texture maps. These are not mandatory to download, but they are useful for editing textures by hand or combining maps.
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*[https://www.autodesk.com/products/3ds-max/overview?term=1-YEAR 3ds Max] [$] - modelling. (also read [[AU:3DS_Max_for_Skyrim|3ds Max for Skyrim]])
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*[[AU:GIMP|GIMP]]: Great free alternative to Photoshop
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*[https://pixologic.com ZBrush] [$] - sculpting. (also read [[AU:Z-Brush for Skyrim|ZBrush for Skyrim]])
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*[https://affinity.serif.com Affinity]: Not free
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*[https://www.autodesk.com/products/mudbox/overview Mudbox] [$] - sculpting. (also read [[Mudbox for Skyrim|Mudbox for Skyrim]])
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*[[AU:Photoshop|Photoshop]]: Requires yearly subscription
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===3D baking programs===
 
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*[https://xnormal.net xNormal] - free
 
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Some texturing programs are also good at baking. See list below for what options offer baking.
 
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===3D texturing program===
 
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*[https://quixel.com/mixer Quixel Mixer] - free, texturing.
 
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*[https://marmoset.co Marmoset Toolbag] [$] - baking, texturing.
 
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*[https://www.adobe.com/products/substance3d-painter.html Adobe Substance 3D Painter] [$*] - baking, texturing. Free with Student License.
 
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**[https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/44400?tab=description Substance Painter Plugin] - free. if you're using Adobe Substance 3D Painter, you'll also want to use the PBR to Skyrim plugin.
 
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**[https://www.adobe.com/products/substance3d-designer.html/ Adobe Substance 3D Designer] [$*] Create materials with nodes - not for applying texture to an asset, only to create complex materials. Adobe Substance 3D Designer is not required use, you can usually create the materials you want in Painter, but it's a powerful program for complex materials.
 
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*[https://www.blender.org/download/ Blender] Blender does not provide quite as many fancy features as the above programs, but it is free.
 
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===2D texturing program===
 
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These programs can be used to manually alter texture maps. These are not mandatory to download, but you might need one at some point.
 
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*[[AU:GIMP|GIMP]]
 
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*[https://affinity.serif.com Affinity] [$]
 
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*[https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/plans.html?promoid=8JD95GBM&mv=other Adobe Photoshop] [$] - Can be used with Nvidia Plugin to convert maps to DDS format. PS: you sign up for yearly subscriptions, paid monthly.
 
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==

Latest revision as of 16:22, 1 December 2025

< Arcane University
AULabel.png AU Disciplines
Project Management
Writing
Concept Art
3D Art
Animation
Implementation
Level Design
Sound Effects
Music Composition
Voice Acting

The 3D Art department takes two-dimensional concept art—usually digital drawings—and uses them to create three-dimensional models to be placed in the game world. The 3d artist must also take into account any special requirements regarding pre-existing lore, and technical restrictions required by the animation and implementation teams.

General Workflow[edit]

With the concept art imported into the modelling software, blockout modeling starts. For the high-polywork flow, the 3D artist sculpts a high-poly mesh. They then bake the high-poly details into the normal map of a retopologized low-poly version of the mesh, and add textures to this low-poly model.

  1. Blockout
  2. Sculpting
  3. Retopology
  4. UV Unwrapping
  5. Baking
  6. Texturing

After this, the asset is passed to the Nif implementation team to be exported to NIF format. It is then given its physical properties such as collision and physics. It may then be rigged/skinned to bones and animated, if necessary. In some of the Partner Projects your work as a 3D artist finishes here, and an asset implementer takes over. However, in others, you are encouraged to implement your own asset. This is also what we recommend in the Arcane University, as it allows you to see and fix errors in your mesh and textures that's not visible until you see it in game.

Tutorials[edit]

General[edit]

Weapons[edit]

Armor[edit]

Landscape[edit]

Trees and Plants[edit]

Tilesets and Architecture[edit]

LOD Objects[edit]

Rigging/Skinning[edit]

Software[edit]

As a 3D artist you have to use a variety of software and plugins to achieve the results you want. Below you'll find several alternatives within each category that are suitable for asset creation. You must have a 3D modeling, 3D baking and 3D texturing program in order to create your asset - this is your most basic programs in the unique 3D workflow.

3D software[edit]

Software Free Modeling Sculpting Texturing Rigging Skinning Animation Notes
3ds Max No


Yes


No


No


Yes


Yes


Yes


The official nif export plugin only works for very old versions, but ck-cmd works with newer versions
Blender Yes


Yes


Yes


Yes


Yes


Yes


Yes


Receives very wide support due to being free and open source
Maya No


Yes


Yes


 ?



Yes


Yes


Yes


Maya is preferred as an animation software
Mudbox No


No


Yes


No


No


No


No


Substance Painter Free with a student license


No


No


Yes


No


No


No


Particularly good for texturing
xNormal Yes


No


No


Normal maps only


No


No


No


Specialized software for creating normal maps
ZBrush No


Yes


Yes


Yes


No


No


No


CrazyBump Yes


No


No


Yes


No


No


No


Specialized software for creating normal, occlusion, displacement, and specular maps
MindTex 2  ?



 ?



 ?



 ?



 ?



 ?



 ?



2D software[edit]

These programs can be used to manually alter texture maps. These are not mandatory to download, but they are useful for editing textures by hand or combining maps.

Links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://wiki.beyondskyrim.org/w/index.php?title=Arcane_University:3D_art&oldid=5832"