3D Asset Workflow: Retopology - Revision history

Mio Mäkijärvi at 06:18, 4 September 2023

2023-09-04T06:18:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:18, 4 September 2023
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	<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; margin-bottom: 25px; text-align: center; float:top;">		<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; margin-bottom: 25px; text-align: center; float:top;">
	⬑ [[3D Asset Workflow]]</div>		⬑ [[3D Asset Workflow]]</div>
			<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; float:right; margin-bottom: 25px;">
			Next step: [[3D Asset Workflow: UV Mapping]] →</div>
	<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; float:left; margin-bottom: 25px;">		<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; float:left; margin-bottom: 25px;">
	← Previous step: [[3D Asset Workflow: ~~Exporting to Editor~~]]</div>		← Previous step: [[3D Asset Workflow: Sculpting]]</div>


	<div style="padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 1000px; padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 80px;">		<div style="padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 1000px; padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 80px;">
	{{#lst:3D Asset Workflow}} <!-- Link list transcluded from main 3D Asset Workflow page -->		{{#lst:3D Asset Workflow}} <!-- Link list transcluded from main 3D Asset Workflow page -->
	</div>		</div>

	= Summary =		= Summary =
	We use [[Modo]] for this work phase, so all of the notes and screenshots here are mostly Modo specific		We use [[Modo]] for this work phase, so all of the notes and screenshots here are mostly Modo specific

Mio Mäkijärvi at 06:17, 4 September 2023

2023-09-04T06:17:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 4 September 2023
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	<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; margin-bottom: 25px; text-align: center; float:top;">		<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; margin-bottom: 25px; text-align: center; float:top;">
	⬑ [[3D Asset Workflow]]</div>		⬑ [[3D Asset Workflow]]</div>
			<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; float:left; margin-bottom: 25px;">
			← Previous step: [[3D Asset Workflow: Exporting to Editor]]</div>

	<div style="padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 1000px; padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 80px;">		<div style="padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 1000px; padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 80px;">

Mio Mäkijärvi: /* Frozenbyte Lowpoly Model examples */

2023-08-01T07:15:57Z

Frozenbyte Lowpoly Model examples

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:15, 1 August 2023
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	File:Book chomber.png		File:Book chomber.png
	File:Npc goat.JPG		File:Npc goat.JPG
	~~File:Friday meeting 2015 02 20 image2 enforcer rends.jpg~~

	File:Blocky rock alternative textures 01.jpg		File:Blocky rock alternative textures 01.jpg

Mio Mäkijärvi: /* Frozenbyte Lowpoly Model examples */

2023-08-01T07:15:13Z

Frozenbyte Lowpoly Model examples

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:15, 1 August 2023
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	= Frozenbyte Lowpoly Model examples =		= Frozenbyte Lowpoly Model examples =
	<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color: #~~e6f2ff~~; border-width:2px; border-radius:10px; margin: 5px;">		<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color: #f3e9f5; border-width:2px; border-radius:10px; margin: 5px;">
	Lowpoly model gallery		Lowpoly model gallery
	<div class="mw-collapsible-content">		<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Mio Mäkijärvi at 13:40, 28 July 2023

2023-07-28T13:40:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:40, 28 July 2023
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			<div style="border-bottom:2px solid #99aac7; background:#d0def5; padding:0.4em 0.5em; font-size:130%; margin-bottom: 25px; text-align: center; float:top;">
			⬑ [[3D Asset Workflow]]</div>

			<div style="padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 1000px; padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 80px;">
			{{#lst:3D Asset Workflow}} <!-- Link list transcluded from main 3D Asset Workflow page -->
			</div>

	= Summary =		= Summary =
	We use [[Modo]] for this work phase, so all of the notes and screenshots here are mostly Modo specific		We use [[Modo]] for this work phase, so all of the notes and screenshots here are mostly Modo specific

Mio Mäkijärvi: Created page with "= Summary = We use Modo for this work phase, so all of the notes and screenshots here are mostly Modo specific * Retopology means '''creating a low density mesh based o..."

2023-07-28T12:01:39Z

Created page with "= Summary = We use Modo for this work phase, so all of the notes and screenshots here are mostly Modo specific * Retopology means '''creating a low density mesh based o..."

New page

= Summary =
We use [[Modo]] for this work phase, so all of the notes and screenshots here are mostly Modo specific

* Retopology means '''creating a low density mesh based on the high-poly sculpt'''
** What's considered "low-density" has greatly to do with the platform the game will be played on: we're making PC/console games, so we can afford more polygons than e.g. mobile games
*** The assets still need to be optimized, so '''don't add unnecessary geometry where it's not needed''' (e.g., where it doesn't affect silhouette at the gameplay camera distance, in most cases)
* '''Keep all the models of one 3D asset set in one Modo file'''
** For example, if you have a big set of furniture, keep them all in one Modo file, on separate layers (and export them to the game as one FBX)
<br>
== While retopoing, keep the following things in mind ==
# '''The scale of the object in the game world in general'''
#* If the object is huge and covers a lot of area in the camera view, it's justified to use more polygons in it
#* Small details can be retopoed flat, as the baked normal map will add the necessary amount of information there, but forms that will be seen in the silhouette need to be retopoed
#** [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_General_Tips#Lowpoly.2FUVs.2FBaking|Floaters]] can also be used to create detached geometry that looks like it's attached, even if it's not
# '''The distance in which it'll most likely be viewed at'''
#* If the object is huge but will be used far in the background only (e.g. mountains), less polygons are needed for it to look good
# '''Can some parts of the asset be mirrored?'''
#* Mirroring symmetric parts of the assets will save retopology time, as well as UV space
<br>

= Retopology Steps=
# Once your sculpt is [[3D Asset Workflow: Sculpting#Exporting from Zbrush|exported from Zbrush]], it's time to retopo the model
#* If you have the base mesh done before sculpting already, then you can use that as the low-poly model - just make sure that the meshes still line up and match correctly
# '''Retopo''' the sculpt using [[Modo#Topology_Tools|topology tools]] and basic modeling tools, or start with a decimated triangle mesh ([[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Retopo_and_UVs#.22Triangelihuttu.22:_A_decimated_triangle_mesh_made_in_Zbrush_.26_cleaned_up_in_Modo|triangelihuttu]]) and optimize/clean it up
#* You can also use both methods partially in one mesh
#* Symmetrical parts of the model can be '''mirrored''' - this way, you don't have to do the same retopology work twice
# '''Add hard edges''' using the [[Modo#Vertex_Normal_Toolkit|Vertex Normal Toolkit]] - usually hard edges need to be added for any angle 90 degrees or more (on both outwards or inwards turning angles)
#* Especially important for hard surface models - most natural environment assets don't need these, as they don't have steep angles
# In the end, it's good to check that there are '''no holes or n-gons''' (polygon with more than 3 or 4 vertices) in the mesh, and perform the [[Modo#Mesh_Cleanup|Mesh Cleanup]] command
#* Our Editor won't render ngons, so they will look like holes in the mesh
#* Note: the Mesh Cleanup merges the vertices that are in the same position, so if you have duplicated alpha planes (in e.g. tree foliage), they'll be merged
#* [[Modo#Fixing_Geometry|More info on fixing geometry]]
# Once the model is ready and has hard edges assigned, it's time to [[3D Asset Workflow: UV Mapping|'''make the UVs''']]

==Good topology for animation==

=== General rules ===
* Static objects need less polygons where they won't be clearly visible, but with the animated models, the 3D artist needs to think what those parts look like when deformed (e.g. armpits, knees, corners of the mouth)
* The edge flows of the deforming areas should be clean - if the loops are messy and the area needs to bend a lot, it'll create even messier a silhouette when deformed
** Also, when the edge flow is clean, it's easier to select loops and weight paint - it saves a lot of rigger's time!
* If the model is '''animated but only swaying slightly or is shown very far''', then these points becomes less important
* For characters this is important - especially if they will be shown close-up in e.g. cutscenes!
* '''Model characters' eyelids thick enough''' - in a game rig there's only one (1) bone for each lid
** Some of the vertices has to be partially weighted, which means that when the controller is rotated, the vertices move slightly inwards
** If the lid surface is too close to the eyeball, the lid will clip - this is easily fixed by making the lid thicker
* Same applies to all layered geometry, like clothing

=== Retopoing a characters' face ===
# Continue the loop inside the mouth, don't stop it at the corner
#* When the character opens the mouth wide open, there needs to be enough geometry to smoothly deform the mesh
# Don't use triangles in places that break the flow of the surrounding loops
#* Fillers like these are fine when the polygons would stretch too much otherwise and it supports the flow
# Don’t over optimize by stopping the loops in middle of the surface when it’s not absolutely needed - end the loop in less deforming area instead
[[File:face_topo_reference_2_19.11.2019.jpg|1000px|center]]

* '''Interior of mouth should be modeled so that teeth + tongue fit in neatly'''
** When the character opens the mouth normally, the teeth shouldn't clip - the rigger can't fix clipping with weight painting, if the clipping is already there in the model
** Make sure there are enough polygons between the lips and the teeth, so that precise weight painting is possible
*** Clean edge flow helps here as well!
[[File:Modeling_guides_teeth_clipping_20.11.2019.jpg|640px|center]]

==Retopo in Modo==
* Check [[Modo]] for more detailed info on Modo's configuration, modeling tools and hotkeys
* Check especially the [[Modo#Topology_Tools|Topology Tools]] section
<br>
# [[Modo#Importing_and_Exporting_with_Modo|Import]] the highpoly model to Modo
# Create a new mesh layer and name it as <nowiki>[partname]_[suffix]</nowiki>, where
## <nowiki>[partname]</nowiki> matches with the name you gave to the subtool in Zbrush, and
## <nowiki>[suffix]</nowiki> separates this from the highpoly model, e.g. _lp or _low
##* For example, if you want to retopo a mesh which was named as 'hobbitfoot_hp' in Zbrush, you should name your mesh layer as 'hobbitfoot_lp'
##** This is because when baking, the software (Substance Painter) needs to be able to match the parts together and know which is which
##** Note that the naming is ''case sensitive''!
[[File:Lowpoly naming.PNG|center|alt=Lowpoly naming|An example of low poly naming]]

=== Two ways to retopo ===
Note that if you have made a [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Concepting#How_to_make_a_concept_for_a_3D_asset|3D base mesh before sculpting]], that mesh can be used as the lowpoly model either as is, or tweaked, depending on the case
* More detailed info at [[Modo#Topology_Tools|Topology Tools]]
* The two ways, which can be used intertwined in the same asset as well:
# '''[[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Retopo_and_UVs#Retopoing_by_hand|Retopoing by hand]]'''
#* Pros: Nice and clean mesh that is easy to UV and add hard edges to, and that deforms nicely in animation
#* Cons: Takes more time and effort
# '''ZBrush generated triangle mesh aka "[[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Retopo_and_UVs#.22Triangelihuttu.22:_A_decimated_triangle_mesh_made_in_Zbrush_.26_cleaned_up_in_Modo|triangelihuttu]]"''':
#* Pros: A quick method for assets that don't need to have nice quad geometry, e.g. natural rock assets, terrain
#* Cons: A bit more difficult to UV map neatly at times, harder to add hard edges where they need to be, doesn't work well with animation
<br>
* Here you can see the both retopo results in one character asset
** Most of the Owl is retopoed by hand
** Wing feathers are triangulated
[[File:Owl lowpoly.jpg|1000px|center]]

==== Retopoing by hand ====
If you have '''an animated character''', a symmetrical, and/or some quite basic geometrical shape model, you'll probably want to use this method
* Summary:
** Results in a mesh made from quads (and triangles in the areas where needed)
** Usually takes more time than the triangle method, but can also be surprisingly faster in some cases
** Easy to edit & optimize
** Easy to see if the topology of the mesh is optimal in all the areas
** Easy to make UVs as the edge loops are easy to select
** Deforms nicely when rigged & animated
*** Sway usually works O.K., if it's not too drastic
* Switch to Topology tab and start retopoing. Here are a couple of useful videos explaining how the retopoing tools work:
** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om9YnlnR30w Modo 701 Retopology]
** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCFKbOV9MVw Zbrush to Modo 801 Retopology Workflow]

==== "Triangelihuttu": A decimated triangle mesh made in Zbrush & cleaned up in Modo ====
If you have an organic, non symmetrical, not clearly any basic geometric shape model that is '''not going to be animated nor deformed too much''', you can use this method. Sometimes this is even better method than the hand retopo one. For example, you might lose time needlessly by making a clean retopo by hand for a rock model. If it's not really necessary to have clean edge loops, use this method!
* Summary:
** Results in a mesh made from triangles
** Can be much faster than retopoing by hand
** Needs to be cleaned up and optimized in Modo
*** E.g. by welding geometry and using the Reduction Tool for the whole mesh or selected parts, and getting rid of triangles that are stretched too thin
** Harder to edit & optimize
** Harder to see if the topology of the mesh is optimal in all the areas
** Harder to make UVs as the edge loops are harder to select
** Deforms badly if rigged & animated
* More about the [[Modo#Decimated_triangle_mesh_made_in_Zbrush_.26_cleaned_up_in_Modo|Triangle mesh workflow]]

[[File:Triangelihuttu method.png|1200px|center]]

== Density of the Lowpoly Mesh ==
# What's considered "low density" has greatly to do with the platform the game will be played on: we're making PC/console games, so we can afford more polygons than e.g. mobile games
#* The assets still need to be optimized, so '''don't add unnecessary geometry where it's not needed'''
#* However, '''do add simple backfaces''', e.g. don't leave holes to the model even if it's most likely always e.g. sitting on the ground
#** This makes the asset more usable for the level artists
# '''Keep the scale of the object in mind'''
#* If the object is huge and covers a lot of area in the camera view, it's justified to use more polygons in it
#* Small details can be retopoed flat, as the baked normal map will add the necessary amount of information there, but forms that will be seen in the silhouette need to be retopoed
#** [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_General_Tips#Lowpoly.2FUVs.2FBaking|Floaters]] can also be used to create detached geometry that looks like it's attached, even if it's not
# In general, we want round areas to look round in the silhouette
#* Always check how the silhouette looks '''at the distance the object will be most likely looked at'''
#** In most cases, the distance is the '''camera distance''', which can be checked by e.g. exporting a temp version of your model to the game and testing it that way
# '''If the geometry will not affect the silhouette, delete it'''
#* If the asset is not a character that will be deforming in animation, you'll only need to worry about the silhouette
#* Delete all unnecessary, overlapping geometry, which can sometimes be left inside the actual model by accident

= Frozenbyte Lowpoly Model examples =
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color: #e6f2ff; border-width:2px; border-radius:10px; margin: 5px;">
Lowpoly model gallery
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
<gallery widths=300px heights=300px mode="nolines">

File:Amadeus renders head 01.png
File:Amadeus renders body 02.png
File:Amadeus renders body 01.png
File:Amadeus lowpoly wireframe 01.png | Amadeus wire frame, about 13500 polygons (25000 triangels in the game engine)
File:Amadeus lowpoly wireframe 02.png

File:Undergrowth textured wip02.jpg
File:Vegetables textured part02.jpg
File:WisteriaSmall.jpg | Pieces used to build bigger arrangements
File:WisteriaTextured.jpg | Arrangements built from smaller pieces
File:WireFrameExampleVegetation01.jpg| Model wire frames
File:WireFrameExampleVegetation02.jpg| Flat piece wire frames
File:BadgersHerbBundles.jpg

File:Fountain pegasus1.jpg
File:Nightmare wolf mt rends.jpg
File:Nightmare spider ice.jpg

File:General assets.jpg
File:Beam set wireframe.jpg
File:Pavilion pieces wireframe.jpg

File:Castle furniture.png
File:Book chomber.png
File:Npc goat.JPG
File:Friday meeting 2015 02 20 image2 enforcer rends.jpg

File:Blocky rock alternative textures 01.jpg

File:Wizard box screenshot.png

File:Redwood deer 02.png

File:Healer wizard color variations.png

File:MushroomsInEditorWip02.jpg

File:Long case clock.png

File:Platform and lever.jpg
File:Lion lift.png
</gallery>
</div>
</div>