Category: Research

When looking for inspiration, I turned to other artists that also use Blender to create their projects, and was directed to 3D artist and ‘Blender Foundation Certified Trainer’ Zacharias Reinhardt. Zach managed to turn a hobbit he had had since he was a child into a freelancing career, using Blender to implement 3D content into his and his brothers short films and experimenting through the process of trial and error.

After a while, Zach switched his main 3D tool from Blender to Cinema 4D, but soon switched back once the interface was revised in Blender 2.5:

“I fully switched to Blender, since it is free of charge and offers a lot of professional features. There was no reason for me to stay with Cinema 4D any more.”

Zach’s 3D artwork has been featured on various internationally known websites and journals, including the likes of Artstation and Sketchfab, and also hosts his own creator contests where he encourages artists to participate in bi-weekly competitions that will help  to improve their artistic skills.

Zach’s Portfolio

While Zach’s personal story is inspiring, his 3D art is the real reason I chose to discuss his work. Two projects of his caught my eye right off the bat, his entries for Humster 3D Car Render Challenge and Artstation 3D Transport Art Challenge. Zacharias also offers a number of tips and tutorials on his website, some of which I would highly consider using within my final project.

“Final Takeoff”

“A grandfather and his grandchild had builded this flying car. Now, after months of hard work, finally it takes off. The old Trabant was decaying in a shed, but now it is put to good use again.”

The following images formed his entry for the Humster 3D Car Render Challenge 2016, for which he won a special prize from PolyBrush for the most creative work.

“The Journey”

“A traveller and his dog are waking up early in the morning to start another day on a long journey. My idea was to put a self made robot vehicle (Lada + trailer + robot legs) into a nature scene with a sunrise/foggy mood.”

This render was created for an Artstation Challenge titled “The Journey”. Zach was awarded 3rd place in the Artstation 3D Transport Art Challenge.

– Reinhardt, Z. (2018). Zacharias Reinhardt – 3D Artist & Blender Trainer | Free Blender Tutorials, Blender Products & 3D Artworks. [online] Zachariasreinhardt.com. Available at: http://zachariasreinhardt.com [Accessed 20 Feb. 2018].

– Reinhardt, Z. (2018). Zacharias Reinhardt. [online] Zacharias Reinhardt – Artstation. Available at: https://zreinhardt.artstation.com [Accessed 20 Feb. 2018].

I decided to collect some reference images before I begin modelling the scene in order to see what options I had, as well as become aware of how many items I need to create before completing enough models to fill my scene. The following images are all taken from google images and represent one of the asset ideas I have mentioned in the planning of my campsite scene.

Tent

While I have decided to use the first of these reference images as my main inspiration, I decided to keep some other examples of campsite scenes so that my options are open through the modelling process.

Furniture

Chair

While each hold equal complexity, I aim to replicate the first image in this album as the parts are easily established from the rest. I also enjoy the wooden material in this chair, and find it rather unique.

Table

There were little other types of tables when considering what style of outdoor furniture to create, therefore I took to this simple model.

Bed

As opposed to creating a sleeping bag, I felt a camping bed would be practical in the scene as well as when reducing negative space inside the tent.

Campfire

I originally considered including a cooking bracket above my campfire, however felt this compromised the effect the campfire may have on the overall scene, and opted to create something easily recognisable.

Cooler

I find each of these designs rather simple to create, but enjoy their functionality within the scene. They also pose opportunity for propping other assets, for example the tinned food could be placed on top of this object.

Cutlery and Crockery

Plates and Bowls

Camping crockery can be made out of both plastic or metal as well as the traditional porcelain, but the shape all resembles the of the above images.

Knife and Fork

Again, camping cutlery can be made out of other materials, but the design can vary from either one solid material, or have detailed handles.

This tutorial includes a useful method when creating a complex shape such as a fork:

Flask

A flask has a rather simple design, but it also hold opportunity to add detail in colour or design of the product.

Saucepan

A simple design would make the most sense in this scene, but each of these images have great reference points in how this product can be made and/or held together.

Tinned Food

Tinned food comes in all different shapes and sizes, but seem to resemble a universal design.

Lighting

Lantern

Again, lanterns come in all different shapes and sizes, but are most recognisable as the above traditional shape.

Fairy Lights

Fairy lights can be as simple as a small bulb, or have a uniques shape and colour.

Kitchen Roll

A rather simple asset, but adds personality and a ‘lived in’ vibe to the scene.

Before I can begin creating the environments, I need to decide on the theme of each of the two environments I hope to create. While the aim of this project is to create two different environments, I hope to keep their concepts from straying too far from one another, so to ensure this, I decided to consider multiple different areas I could go down, with the aim of basing the scenes loosely within the same area.

When deciding on which area to go down I need to consider not only the aesthetics of the location but how effective each of the assets will be in showcasing my skills. Working in Blender has many benefits, one of them being the variety of features it contains, so choosing an environment that allows me to use as many of these elements as possible, without breaking away from the theme of the set.

While modelling is a large part of my project for this semester, I need to also focus on the texture painting of the assets and environment I create. Not only do I need to prove I can texture paint, I need to show possible employers that I have the ability to texture paint appropriately, with consideration to detail and relevance within the scene. The scenes I am creating will more than likely include a sense of realism, demonstrating this side to my skill set effectively.

The following is a list of ideas, each containing potential assets I could design to create my desired effect.

Modern Campsite

• Caravan/Tent/Camparvan
• Fire/BBQ
• Table
• Chairs
• Food
• Tree stump
• Bunting/fairy lights

City

• Road & Pavement
• Lampost
• Cars
• Bin
• Postbox
• Shop window
• Floating litter
• Flapping posters

Aquarium

• Coral
• Plants
• Rocks
• Pebbles
• Filter
• Bubbles
• Fishtank Decorations

Medieval Camp

• Tents
• Flags
• Weapons
• War table
• Gazebo
• Barrels
• Buckets

Modern Living Room

• Sofas
• Coffee Table
• TV & Unit
• Rug
• Cabinets
• Curtains
• Plant

As I began my final semester of university, I began to think ahead to what I hoped to achieve from this project, and where I want to end up in the creative industry. Following this thought, I then began to wonder if using Blender is the most efficient way to learn how to model.

The features it offers are brilliant, and fact it is free is ideal for someone like me who is just starting out in the 3D modelling world, but does it fit the “industry standard”? Is there an industry standard? And should I be using another software to launch myself into the industry with? All of these questions were answered in one short video posted by Blender Guru on Youtube.

The above video makes multiple points about why Blender is a great software to use, but begins by stating that in order to work within any of the 3D modelling industries out there, a basic knowledge of 3D is required. Whether users of the software want to become VFX artists, 3D printers, Game developers, Animators, work with VR or in Architectural Visulisation, there are three 3 ‘building blocks of 3D’ that creators need to learn, and once they do, that can be transferred into what ever industry desired:

1. Modelling
2. Textures
3. Lighting

When it comes to 3D modelling software, there isn’t really an industry standard. Some well known studios even have their own in-house software when creating animations, software that is not available to the public, like Pixar, for example, so picking a software is not the key to getting noticed in this industry, the Art you create with that software is the number 1 attraction to you as a possible employee.

“… we look for a broad artistic and technical skills, rather than the ability to run a package over another.”

– Pixar Careers Page.

Most studios offer training in their proffered software as part of your job in order to get you up to their standards. Beorn Leonard, for example, dedicated his first two weeks on the Lego Movie to learning how to use XSI after learning his skills in Blender.

Why Blender?

1. Inexpensive.

Blender is not only free to download, but there are many online resources available that are dedicated to teaching people how to use the software. Youtube channels such as Blender Guru offer free courses on how to work with the functions available in Blender. The software its self has also been developed by volunteers across the world, this being an advantage as we get features users ask for.

The following Open movies were created in order to develop the programme:

• Elephants Dream (2005) – helped with compositor
• Bug Buck Bunny (2008) – helped with rendering
• Sintel (2010) – helped with smoke simulations
• Tears of Steel (2012) – helped with camera tracking and visual effects
• Cosmos Laundromat (2015) – helped with painting and performance

2. Functional

Blender allows you to render photo realistic images, sculpt and model characters, create realistic environments, architecture, fire, smoke, fluids, object simulations, camera tracking, compositing, and even more.

“Blender can do almost everything that Pixar’s in-house software can do”

– Tony DeRose

3. Easy to Learn

Blender has its own subreddit, stack exchange, news site, and art forum, that is all part of a community filled with people helping others understand the software.

Sources

–  Blender Guru (2016). Beginners Guide to Learning 3D Computer Graphics.

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5oZndzj68 [Accessed 27 Mar. 2018].

You play the game as Paul Prospero, an occult-minded detective who receives a disturbing letter from Ethan Carter. Realizing the boy is in grave danger, Paul arrives at Ethan’s home of Red Creek Valley, where things turn out to be even worse than he imagined. Ethan has vanished in the wake of a brutal murder, which Paul quickly discerns might not be the only local murder worth looking into.

Inspired by the weird fiction (and other tales of the macabre) from the early twentieth century, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter aims to significantly evolve immersive storytelling in games. While it features a private detective and quite a few mental challenges, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is not an especially puzzle-ridden game. Our focus is on atmosphere, mood, and the essential humanity of our characters.

Still, the discoveries won’t happen on their own, or without your help. Using both Paul’s supernatural skill of being able to communicate with the dead, and your own powers of observation, you will discover the mystery behind a trail of corpses, the roots of a dark ancient force lurking in Red Creek Valley, and the fate of a missing boy.

Sources:

– The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. (2018). The Vanishing of Ethan Carter – Official Website. [online] Available at: http://ethancartergame.com/#ECabout [Accessed 21 Mar. 2018].