The Process
It all begins with an idea!
Every single project big or small starts with an idea. My ideas are inspired by everything I see, from images posted by other artists on social media to 3D assets I find online and want to build a scene around.
Crafting 3D models
With an idea firmly in mind, each needed element is now recreated as a virtual model. A 3D model is a digital recreation of a physical real-world object.This phase demands patience and expertise, dedicating countless hours to ensure precision and accuracy
The same level of attention to detail extends to every element required in the setting in which the car will be placed.
Everything from the car to buildings, props, nature, people and landscapes. Every curve, every detail is meticulously crafted to faithfully replicate the car and any other elements required.
The next step is to "unwrap" the 3D model, taking the model and flattening it into a 2D space, creating what is called a UV map.
Imagine the 3D model is like a cardboard box and you want to wrap this box with wrapping paper, you need to know how the paper will fit around the box. To do this, you could unfold the box into a flat piece of cardboard. This flat version is what we call a UV map.
Without a UV map, texture images would be misaligned or stretched in weird ways on the model. The UV map ensures that textures fit perfectly. It allows you to place details like logos, labels, and patterns precisely where you want them on the model.
Texture Time
Using specialised 3D texturing software like Adobe Substance Painter, I start adding textures to the model, creating 2D flat images that will be wrapped around the 3D model using the previously mentioned UV Maps.
In this step, I create and apply the various materials that real-world objects are made up of, which include multiple images like colours, surface bumps, reflectivity, and others. These maps help simulate how the object interacts with light
I will paint directly onto the 3D model to add details like scratches, dirt, and wear and tear, to give the object a more realistic and unique appearance.
Bringing The Idea To Life With Light
Once the digital scene is perfected and ready, the final step before rendering is to breathe life into the 3D scene through lighting.
Just like a traditional artist or photographer, I use lighting to transform the virtual scene into a stunning visual that captures the essence of the original idea
Rendering The (almost) Final Product
Rendering is the process of combining every step previous to generate the final output from the 3D software. This is where the computer does the work, it uses all the work I’ve done at to point to calculate how light interacts with the 3D surfaces and materials as it virtually bounces around the scene.
But before committing to a full render, I will do quick, lower-quality previews to check how the lighting and textures look. This helps me make minor adjustments to the scene and spot things I've missed along the way without waiting for the full render to finish
Once everything looks good, it’s time for the final full render. This process can take anywhere from hours to a full day, depending on the scene's complexity and chosen settings.
Refinement Through Post-Processing
The journey doesn't end with 3D Modelling, Texturing, Lighting or Rendering.
The final render is taken into imaging manipulation software to be further refined, to enhance colours, sharpen textures, and add imperfections.
Presentation In Vibrant Detail
The culmination of the final artwork lies in the presentation
Printed on archival quality paper, to ensure that the colours are vibrant, the details crisp, ensuring that the printed artwork accurately represents what you see on the screen.