art tests (interview results + 2 more pics)

[Ivalice]

Like the title states, a couple of tests I took recently for a couple game companies.

[RPGD]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

You are made of sex and rainbows.

[Alex]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

This is genius. I reaaally like the third pic, even though the road looks kind of iffy.

[Naruto]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Looks very nice. How big is this environment? I see that house in the 3rd pic is not in the top ones, right? Did you model the insides too? Also, did you prelight this or are you using real lights?

[Armored]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Yeah the third one is awesome.

[Vonwert]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

That looks really good!

[Gustaff 13]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Who wants to help me get my jaw off the floor?!

[Chrono]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Jaggies!!!....joking, they look incredible, the third pic looks like something straight out of Oblivion.

[d2king10]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Jaggies!!!....joking, they look incredible, the third pic looks like something straight out of Oblivion.

I was going to make the exact same comment.

Good stuff man, i hope to be as good as you one day =)

[Ivalice]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Blarg! I got questions about stuff so Ill try and give some insight.

The first two pics are for one company while the third pic is for another. Both companys required "next-gen" specs. Both provided 2d art to go by.


The first ranges from 20,000-30,000 tris. It's size is about 200yds x 200yds. No interiors where modeled, and most of the textures where provided by the company who requested the test. I rigged up a very simple lighting solution so that over all the piece would match the company's style of work. 1 target with 1 light tracer. Anti-aliasing turned off, all done in 3ds max. I was timed on this test, and it took around 12 hours to model and about 16 hours to unwrap and texture.


The second...well I lost count..but its somewhere around 200,000tris I think. The interior wasn't modeled for this peice either. This is real time in the unreal 2004 engine, so it's lit accordingly. This test took about 2-1/2 weeks to complete. It's size is about 900yds x 900yds

I've been very fortunate to have both companies request onsite interviews. Hopefully in a couple weeks after everything is said and done I can go into more detail with wires and textures.

I want to thank everyone for the comments both here and in my inbox thingy ma-bobber.

[Chrono]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Hey Ivalice, what program would you recommend for 3d modeling? I'm really interesting in getting involved. It doesn't really have to be professional grade, just a good program that’s easy for novices. Thanks.

[TheHonorableRyu]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

Chrono:
I'm currently working with Maya. It's pretty intuitive.

Maya 7 Personal Learning Edition
You pretty much get the entire program for free; you just can't use the Learning Edition for commercial purposes.

There's also open source 3D modelling programs like Blender.
But you're out of luck if your graphics card can't handle 3D.


Ivalice, have you worked at all with Maya? If so, how do you think Maya and 3D Studio Max compare?

Very cool work! I look forward to seeing the wireframes.

most of the textures where provided by the company who requested the test.

How does that typically work in the game industry? Do modellers often have to create their own textures in a professional setting?

[Ivalice]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

what program would you recommend for 3d modeling?

I would recommend finding your niche. All of the below programs are free, but have some restriction on certain features. IE watermarks, renders whited out, and so forth.

If you have Half life 2 on hand, then you get a free copy of XSI (also known as softimage).

Also, there are free versions of Gmax floating around the internet, this is like the PLE version of 3ds max.

Then there is the Maya PLE version Ryu mentioned.

As far as what I would recommend, your best bet would be Max, it's tools are quicker and easier to learn in the beginning. Maya is much of the same thing, but it has always felt more advanced to me, mainly because of its lighting network and its hypershade can become very complicated, very quick. I honestly havent touched XSI yet because no company I have applied at, or even looked at required it.

have you worked at all with Maya? If so, how do you think Maya and 3D Studio Max compare?

Essentially they are the same program with different sets of tools. Typically in the gaming industry, max is used for modeling while maya is used for animation.

I have worked with both, and much of the content that is on my website is from both max and maya.
Max
-easy modeling tools
-easy to learn shader network
-simple lighting tools
-Ive always been able to generate better renders with max
Maya
-Easy animation tools
-In depth lighting tools
-Unwrap is much easier to work with
-The hardware runs smoother and it crashes less

Do modellers often have to create their own textures in a professional setting?

Yes and No. Each company does this differently, but so far all of the companies I have interviewed with or talked to have a team of texture artists that paint out the core set of textures. After that if a level guy or object modeler needs to make modifications to the texture, they do so according to the needs of the mesh.

[BIOHUNTERZ]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

I love it so much it made me do this!

[Red Dragon]

Re: art tests (3 heavy images)

The first one are meh compared to the third one. Is the grass planes with a raytraced texture on them? I have yet to do that in any of my models (I usually do 'em for fun though untill I get assigned to do some).

Keep up the good work.