Research Project - Realistic Texturing Tips

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XQ5_GPMzObh8Xv8BNPhvMbfkpEnBIoxi/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101686828604906175373&rtpof=true&sd=true [link to PowerPoint]

Final Katana Project

I finally finished working on this research-type project!  I'm very happy with the final result I got in Marmoset, especially the metal hilt (will still experiment with the model in Unreal Engine though.)  I used a mix of hand-painted lines and rendering outlines to achieve this look.

Toon Lines Research

[I will be adding screenshots to this eventually.]

For my research project, I am working to replicate this sword model from ArtStation, with a focus on hand-painted textures and toon lines.

 I am experimenting with settings on a a toon shader post-process material in UE 4.27.  I haven't quite found the consistent look I'm going for, so I'm also trying out another method that involves inflating mesh normals in Maya, and then inverting the mesh and assigning a matte black material to it in UE so it becomes an 'outline' [tutorial link of the inflation method https://youtu.be/8U0TpNSkEX8 ].  This only outlines the outer edges, not inner details, so I will also be hand-painting some linework to the inner details of the hilt.

Artist Inspirations

Boris Groh: contrast in color palette, glowing eyes, good use of silhouette,  horror elements

https://www.artstation.com/borisgroh

Sergey Vasnev: color palette, composition, subject matter, atmosphere and tone

https://www.artstation.com/sergey_vasnev

Tommy Lee Edwards: sharp contrast, bright colors, visual appeal, lighting

https://www.artstation.com/tle

Maksym Grodiyenko: unique shapes/designs, glowing effect, color choices

https://www.artstation.com/gordi

Romain Durand: hand-painted visual style, stylized textures

https://www.artstation.com/romaindurand

Duy Hoang: rendered outlines, simple texture style, clean look

https://www.artstation.com/hqduy

Gleb Levonto: clean style and visual appeal, screentone-like flat colors

https://www.artstation.com/levonto

Isaac Oster: interesting design, bright colors, nice textures

https://www.artstation.com/isaacoster

Raphael Jean: 2D meets 3D style, distinct/sharp edges and highlights, worn appearance

https://www.artstation.com/raphjean84

Paolo Crimaldi: shape language, silhouette of item, design

https://www.artstation.com/macridil

To research: Sketchfab toon shader, ways to do toon shader in Marmoset, DOTA shader

Initial Goals

 Goals:

-looking for entry level position into a medium-sized or AAA studio

-also interested in animation studios - aspirations of being character artist

-would like to do props/weapons with an emphasis on hard-surface

-the style I gravitate towards is semi-realism

-Game Studios: Epic Games, Valve, Gearbox

-Animation Studios: Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Dreamworks Animation