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

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#[[Arcane University:Texturing|Texturing]]
 
#[[Arcane University:Texturing|Texturing]]
  
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After this, the asset is passed to the [[AU:Nif implementation|Nif implementation]] team to be [[AU:Mesh Export to NIF|exported to NIF format]]. It is then given its physical properties such as [[AU:Mesh Collisions|collision and physics]]. It may then be rigged/skinned to bones and [[AU:Animation|animated]], if necessary.
+
After this, the asset is passed to the [[AU:Nif implementation|Nif implementation]] team to be [[AU:Mesh Export to NIF|exported to NIF format]]. It is then given its physical properties such as [[AU:Mesh Collisions|collision and physics]]. It may then be rigged/skinned to bones and [[AU:Animation|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 ==
 
== Tutorials ==
 +
 +
=== General ===
 +
*[https://www.twitch.tv/videos/53095530 Start to Finish Game Asset (Video on Twitch)] By Bartalon
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTfIo_bezqw How to Model Anything in 3D - Modeling Fundamentals (Youtube)] by FlippedNormals
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVbIOHAI3iY 6 key principles for 3D modeling (Youtube)] by CG Cookie
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e6zvJqVqlA What is Texel Density and How to Master it (Youtube)] by malcolm341
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVsIIkJNkjM What is Texture Padding and How to Master it (Youtube)] by malcolm341
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmuHLe6MjEA UDIMs - Modelling and Texturing Essentials (Youtube)] by FlippedNormals
  
 
=== Weapons ===
 
=== Weapons ===
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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===
+
=== 3D software ===
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All 3D artists need a modelling and sculpting program to create the geometry of their asset.
+
{{3D software}}
−
 
 
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*[https://www.blender.org Blender] - free, modelling and sculpting. (also read [[AU:Blender for Skyrim|Blender for Skyrim]])
 
−
*[https://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/overview Maya] [$] - modelling. (also read [[AU:Maya for Skyrim|Maya for Skyrim]])
 
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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]])
 
−
*[https://pixologic.com ZBrush] [$] - sculpting. (also read [[AU:Z-Brush for Skyrim|ZBrush for Skyrim]])
 
−
*[https://www.autodesk.com/products/mudbox/overview Mudbox] [$] - sculpting. (also read [[Mudbox for Skyrim|Mudbox for Skyrim]])
 
−
 
 
−
===3D baking programs===
 
−
You'll want to avoid [[AU:baking|baking]] in Blender, as the results can be slow, prone to errors and inaccurate.
 
−
 
 
−
*[https://xnormal.net xNormal] - free.
 
−
 
 
−
Some texturing programs are also good at baking. See list below for what options offer baking.
 
−
 
 
−
===3D texturing program===
 
−
We recommend these programs to texture your asset, as the tools at your disposal are vastly superior to Blender.
 
−
 
 
−
*[https://quixel.com/mixer Quixel Mixer] - free, texturing.
 
−
*[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 is not recommended for texturing assets, as all the programs above are ''much'' easier to use and superior in features and results. However, it does exist.
 
  
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===2D texturing program===
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=== 2D software ===
−
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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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.
 +
*[[AU:GIMP|GIMP]]: Great free alternative to Photoshop
 +
*[https://affinity.serif.com Affinity]: Not free
 +
*[[AU:Photoshop|Photoshop]]: Requires yearly subscription
  
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*[https://www.gimp.org GIMP] - free (also read [[AU:Gimp for Skyrim|GIMP for Skyrim]])
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==Links==
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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.
 
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==See Also==
 
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*[[AU:NIF_Data_Format|NIF Data Format]] explains NIFs, the file format Skyrim uses to read meshes
 
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*[[AU:DDS_Data_Format|DDS Data Format]] explains DDSs, the file format Skyrim uses for texture images
 
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*[https://www.twitch.tv/videos/53095530 Start to Finish Game Asset (Video on Twitch)] By Bartalon
 
−
'''Modelling'''
 
−
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTfIo_bezqw How to Model Anything in 3D - Modeling Fundamentals (Youtube)] by FlippedNormals
 
−
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVbIOHAI3iY 6 key principles for 3D modeling (Youtube)] by CG Cookie
 
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'''Texturing'''
 
 
*[https://store.substance3d.com/blog/see-how-team-modders-uses-substance-recreate-skyrim How a Team of Modders Use Substance Painter to Recreate Skyrim] article on Substance Painter blog by Hayden Price
 
*[https://store.substance3d.com/blog/see-how-team-modders-uses-substance-recreate-skyrim How a Team of Modders Use Substance Painter to Recreate Skyrim] article on Substance Painter blog by Hayden Price
−
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e6zvJqVqlA What is Texel Density and How to Master it (Youtube)] By malcolm341
 
−
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVsIIkJNkjM What is Texture Padding and How to Master it (Youtube)] By malcolm341
 
−
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmuHLe6MjEA UDIMs - Modelling and Texturing Essentials (Youtube)] By FlippedNormals
 
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*[[Arcane University: Hiding Texture Seams with Blended Decals|Hiding Texture Seams with Blended Decals]] By mathy
 
  
 
[[Category:Arcane_University-3D_Art| ]]
 
[[Category:Arcane_University-3D_Art| ]]

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]

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