Difference between revisions of "3D Asset Workflow: Concepting"

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* Next workflow phase [[3D Asset Workflow: Sculpting]]
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* This site is a part of a series of 3D asset creating process related wiki sites [[3D Asset Workflow]]
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⬑ [[3D Asset Workflow]] </div>
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Next step: [[3D Asset Workflow: Sculpting]] →</div>
  
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= The Concept Process =
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<div style="padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 1000px; padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 80px;">
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== General ==
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{{#lst:3D Asset Workflow}} <!-- Link list transcluded from main 3D Asset Workflow page -->
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* There can be two starting points for a 3D asset concept:
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</div>
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# No existing concepts, or
 
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# One/several concepts already exist
 
  
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* In both cases, the 3D artist should make their own concept, when they start to work with the asset  
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= Summary =
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** The concept can be very directional and not rendered at all, because that's not the end product, the 3D asset is
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* '''Concepts aren't marketing art per se - it's enough to just communicate the idea'''
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** The point of this is to have a very clear idea of what you will be doing, and to polish the possible existing concepts before starting the actual model
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* The general goal of concepting a 3D asset first is to make sure that '''the assets are as usable and efficient to the level artists as possible'''
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* '''Concepting a 3D asset is an umbrella term for:'''
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# Sketching a concept in 2D
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# Photobashing
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# Making a '''base mesh''', i.e. blocking the asset roughly in 3D
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#* '''Can also be done as a second step for either of the above''', to help the [[3D Asset Workflow: Sculpting|sculpting]] and [[3D Asset Workflow: Retopology|retopoing]] process later on
  
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=== The Goal for the 3D Assets ===
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= Concepting Workflow Steps =
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* The '''1st goal''' is to achieve as good looking asset as possible - there can be several paths to this, and it might take some trial and error to get there, which is normal
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== First and Foremost ==
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* The '''2nd goal''' is to allow some room to the 3D artist's creativity, but within certain boundaries based on the big picture defined by concept artist's concept
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* If the asset is a blockset (consists of a larger set of pieces, that are used together to build big areas), make sure to follow the guidelines in [[3D Asset Workflow: Blocksets]]
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** This actually supports the 1st goal, as creative freedom for the 3D artist can mean more and better ideas for the asset!
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* For bigger sets that use e.g. [[3D Asset Workflow: Tile Textures and Trimsheets|tile textures and trimsheets]], '''they should be planned at this stage already'''
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* The goal is not to make a barely good enough asset as fast as possible and move on, but really try to come up with the nicest looking asset - even if it takes some back and forth testing, and more feedback and overpaints
 
  
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== How To Make a Concept for a 3D Asset ==
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== Research ==  
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# '''RESEARCH'''
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# If there aren't any existing plans or concepts for the asset, '''discuss with the AD and the level artists about what is wanted'''
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#* If there ''aren't any existing plans or concepts'' for the asset, '''discuss''' at least with the leads/AD, and possibly also with the designers and the the writer, about what is wanted, and research any materials related
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#* Research any materials related to the asset
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#* If there ''are'' concepts made by the concept artist, use them as '''a starting point''', but try to add your own ideas to improve the general idea, if possible
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#* If there are existing concepts, use them as a starting point
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#* Please read all the texts and descriptions related to the asset, and check the level/environment it's supposed to be used in, if that exists already
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# Look through the level's wiki page to '''get a good idea of the context where the asset will be used'''
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#* When exploring the context, pay attention to how '''the general shape language''' is in the level the asset will be used in. Are the forms for example curvy, straight, round, sharp, angular, thick, thin, horizontal, vertical? How are e.g. the decorative details on different concepts? If there is an established style for e.g. the decoration flourish curves, that is repeated around different concepts, pay attention to that style, and try to capture it in your asset as well
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#* Pay attention to the '''the general shape language''' of the level
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#* Depending on the stage of the project, there might already be the actual level and/or some '''assets that are made for that same level'''. Observe those to make sure your asset will match them, when used side by side
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#** Are the forms curvy, straight, round, sharp, angular, thick, thin, horizontal, vertical?
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#* Think about the story of the asset - is it old or young/new, what is the nature of the asset, the environment it will be used in etc. What's the history of the asset? How does all this affect to the look of the asset? Read all the possible other related background information about the asset
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#** How are the decorative details on different concepts, if there are any?
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#* For example, in the Trine style, everything should be more or less worn/mossy/crooked, to create the organic feeling. Generally nothing should be perfectly straight and symmetrical
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# If there is an actual level already created, or '''assets that are made for that same level''', check them
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#* Search for '''reference images''' online (Pinterest is a good option)
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#* You can also try to see if there are already similar assets that you might have planned to make for your asset set, to make sure you're not making 1:1 duplicates of them
 +
#** This can be done e.g. in the Editor by searching some general asset name from the TypeTree
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# Think about the '''story of the asset'''
 +
#* Is it old or young/new, what is the nature of it, the environment it will be used in etc?
 +
#* What's the history of the asset, how does all this affect to the look of the asset?
 +
# Search for '''reference images''' online
 
#* Analyze the reference images, '''combine ideas''', and come up with a general idea for the asset
 
#* Analyze the reference images, '''combine ideas''', and come up with a general idea for the asset
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#* Pick images that have any nice usable ideas that you like. They don’t have to be perfect, and often aren't. That's where the concept art steps in!
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#* Pick images that have any nice usable ideas that you like - they don’t have to be perfect and often aren't. That's where the concept art steps in!
  
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# '''CONCEPT'''
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[[File:How to use reference images in concepting.jpg|300px|center]]
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#* Make your own 2D or 3D concept(s) with the above mentioned material as you guide
 
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#* At any point, you can ask for opinions and feedback, but at the very latest, once you have the concepts and you are ready to start working on the actual sculpt, it's time to '''ask for feedback from the leads'''
 
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#* Once you have a good idea of the level and how the general style for that level looks like, you can start thinking the asset. You can now '''use the possible concepts related to your asset as a starting point''', and also concepts that aren't exactly your asset, but might help keeping the general style of the level in mind. It's definitely recommended to also search for some reference images at this point, to get more good ideas for your asset
 
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#* Use the best ideas from the possible concepts, your reference images and your imagination, '''never copy stuff 1:1''', but shape it to work with your unique asset!
 
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#* Concentrate on the '''big forms, silhouette, proportions and the overall design'''
 
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#* Keep the detail level and distribution in balance: have small, medium and large detail, and make sure it's not repetitive.
 
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#* Fundamentals of Composition very clearly and shortly explained
 
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#** [http://www.neilblevins.com/art_lessons/clumping/clumping.htm Neil Blevis: Composition: repetition]
 
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#** [http://www.neilblevins.com/art_lessons/primary_secondary_and_tertiary_shapes/primary_secondary_and_tertiary_shapes.htm Neil Blevis: Composition: Primary, secondary, tertiary shapes]
 
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#* Think about the colors of the asset too. Remember the '''importance of the values''' - if it's hard to read in [http://www.artofscholes.com/checkingvalues/ true black & white], it'll be hard to read in color, too
 
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#* A good concept will make sculpting and texturing easier, and also let the AD and the team know what you are up to
 
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#* '''3D asset concept art is not marketing art, so don't use time to make a pretty finished image'''. It’s just a plan and a guide for the sculpting process, and to share the idea with the AD '''before''' using a lot of time to make the final asset
 
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#* At this point, if the concepts seems good to the AD, you can start working, or then there can be some feedback and modifying rounds
 
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#* The details can be further specified during the sculpting process - use reference images for this part of the process as well
 
  
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== The Concept Artist's Role in the 3D Asset Workflow ==
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== Make the concept ==  
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Here you can find some answers for this question: ''Why do we have a separate concept artist, but the 3D artists still need to make concepts?''
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# Use the best ideas from the possible existing concepts, your reference images, and your imagination - '''never copy stuff 1:1''' from existing reference images
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* Concept artist makes concepts with the big picture of the level and the whole game in mind. As the focus is on the big picture, the concept artist can leave some details out on purpos,e to not use too much time thinking about them, as that's not the main job of the concept artist in our projects
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# '''3D asset concept art is not marketing art, so don't use time to polish it unnecessarily'''
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* Sometimes the concept artist's concepts are more vague and sometimes they have more details, but in both cases the 3D artist should make their own more detailed concept (2D drawing or a rough quick sculpt), where they really think about that specific asset more deeply - something the concept artist usually haven't got time to do
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#* It's just to share the idea of the asset with the AD, before using a lot of time to make the final asset
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* In many cases, the 3D artist might come up with something better than the original concept, but it's not always even necessary, and the concept artist's concept might already be so finalized it's best just to use it pretty closely. '''These always depend on the case'''
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# Concentrate on the '''big forms, silhouette, proportions and the overall design'''
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* The AD wants to offer the chance for the 3D artist to evolve the asset idea further, and add their own touch to it, but in some cases if it doesn't seem to go in the direction the AD wishes, it's possible to also return to the original concept
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# Keep the detail level and distribution in balance - have '''small, medium, and large''' detail
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* '''At any point of the process, the 3D artist can request feedback from the leads'''. Then the AD can offer written or visual (overpaint) feedback, to guide the asset to a more suitable direction. Usually the AD first offers written feedback, to give more freedom to the 3D artist to modify the work, but if this doesn't seem to be clear enough, then the AD can make an overpaint. The overpaint should be safe to follow, but there might still be some room for 3D artist's own suggestions if they hope to add something. It might end up being OK, or then the AD might ask to just follow the overpaint in the end. This allows more chances for new ideas to surface, so it's worth trying even if it doesn't end up working!
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#* The details can be further specified during the sculpting process (use reference images for this part of the process as well)
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# Think about the colors of the asset - remember the '''importance of the values'''
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#* If it's hard to read in [http://www.artofscholes.com/checkingvalues/ true black & white], it'll be hard to read in color as well
 +
#* A good concept will make sculpting and texturing easier, and also lets the AD and the team know what you are up to
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# You can ask for opinions and feedback at any point, but at the very latest '''before you start working on the final sculpt'''
  
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= Example of the concept process =
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<gallery widths=600px heights=800px mode="nolines">
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[[File:How to use reference images in concepting.jpg|1000px|How to use reference images in concepting.jpg]]<br>
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File:trine_concept_tips_02.jpg|An example of how to take the idea of the concept further
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<small><i>Trine Flourish Curve Style Guide</i><br>
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File:trine_concept_tips_01.jpg|3D asset process from the concept to the final asset
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
== Concepting Examples ==
 +
* Below in the collapsibles there are a few concepting examples for reference
 +
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color: #f3e9f5; border-width:2px; border-radius:10px; margin: 5px;">
 +
Concepting Example: Modular Fountain Set Concept Process
 +
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
<gallery widths=600px heights=800px mode="nolines">
 +
File:How to use reference images in concepting.jpg
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File:Fountain pegasus1.jpg
 +
File:Fountain goat1.jpg
 +
</gallery>
 +
<small><i>How to use reference images in concepting</i><br>
 
<i>PHOTO:Multiple [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Concepting#Sources|Sources]]</i></small>
 
<i>PHOTO:Multiple [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Concepting#Sources|Sources]]</i></small>
 +
</div></div>
  
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'''The final game asset set'''<br>
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<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color: #f3e9f5; border-width:2px; border-radius:10px; margin: 5px;">
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[[File:Fountain pegasus1.jpg |800px]]
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Concepting Example 2: Modular Tree Set Concept Process
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[[File:Fountain goat1.jpg|800px]]
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<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
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'''Planning the separate Assets'''
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= Concepting Example: Modular Tree Set Concept Process =
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* A good way to start planning an asset is to collect all the info you have first, and then start concepting. The more complicated and big the asset task is, the more preparations are needed in the planning phase
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== Planning the Separate Assets ==
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** First you can just concept different things you think would be useful
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* A good way to start planning an assetm is to collect all the information you have and after that is clear, then start concepting. The more complicated and big the asset task is, the more preparation is needed in the planning phase
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** Once you think you have everything down, you can check if some of the stuff could be recycled between your different models to save time
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** Asking if the task is still up to date and have everything relevant in it - the nature of game developing is that plans can change quickly, so tasks can have old information
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** There is no point in having different models for something that would work as well with just one model in every situation needed, so only make variations that are different enough  
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** Checking the possible wiki site for the level(s) that the asset should be made for
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set plan.jpg|1200px]]<br>
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** Checking the possible already existing concepts related to the task
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'''Making Quick Rough Models for Testing Before Finalizing the Assets'''
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** Checking and gather reference images
 
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** Checking what kind of similar assets already exists in the Editor, so you can avoid making duplicates/very similar assets
 
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* Once you've got all the information you might need, you can start concepting
 
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** First, you can just concept different things you think would be useful
 
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** Once you think you have everything down, you can check if some of the stuff could be recycled between your different models, to again save time
 
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*** There is no point in having different models for something that would work as well as just one model in every situation needed
 
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** It can sometimes be hard to decide if two pieces are different enough, but too similar stuff can be eliminated at any time during the asset creating workflow
 
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set plan.jpg|1200px]]
 
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==  Making Quick Rough Models for Testing Before Finalizing the Assets ==
 
 
* Sometimes it can be hard for the level artists to say if some assets will be useful or not, and how they could be improved based on only the 2D concept image
 
* Sometimes it can be hard for the level artists to say if some assets will be useful or not, and how they could be improved based on only the 2D concept image
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* For complicated sets it's a very effective method to first make the planned pieces very quickly and roughly, and let the level artists test them
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** For complicated sets it's a very effective method to first make the planned pieces very quickly and roughly and let the level artists test them
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* Testing the assets before finalizing them can be a lifesaver, as some assets might end up being totally useless
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** Testing the assets before finalizing them can be a life saver, as some assets might end up being totally useless
 
* Here is an example of super rough models that were first made, but decided not to be used as level artists noticed it would be better to have whole tree trunk pieces instead of these smaller pieces
 
* Here is an example of super rough models that were first made, but decided not to be used as level artists noticed it would be better to have whole tree trunk pieces instead of these smaller pieces
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models.jpg|600px]]
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models.jpg|600px]]<br>
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* After level artist testing and feedback, the pieces were scrapped and new ones created, not much time was lost as the pieces were done very quickly
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* After level artists' feedback the pieces were scrapped and new ones created, not much time was lost as the pieces were done very quickly
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models2.jpg|600px]]
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models2.jpg|600px]]<br>
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* Once these were tested and confirmed working, the finalized detailed assets could be made
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* Once these were tested and confirmed working the finalized detailed assets could be made
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* Also similar test models of the branches were added for the same purpose
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** Also similar test models of the branches were added for the same purpose
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* Here are the test pieces and how the level artist tested them
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** Here are the test pieces and how the level artist tested them
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models3.jpg|600px]]
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models3.jpg|600px]]<br>
 +
[[File:Trine4 modular tree set wip pieces level artist test.png|600px]]<br>
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* These ended up being the final pieces needed for the set
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models sculpt 3.jpg|600px]]<br>
 +
</div></div>
  
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[[File:Trine4 modular tree set wip pieces level artist test.png|600px]]
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<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color: #f3e9f5; border-width:2px; border-radius:10px; margin: 5px;">
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* These ended up being the final pieces needed for the se, and there are more useful and less useless pieces because of the communication and testing with the level artists
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Determining the Assets of a Set Based on Existing Concept Art
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[[File:Modular tree trunk set trash models sculpt 3.jpg|600px]]
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<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
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[[File:3d_workflow_determining_asset_set_pieces_based_on_concepts.png|1000px]]
 +
</div></div>
  
 
= Frozenbyte concept art examples =
 
= Frozenbyte concept art examples =
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* Concepts can be anything really depending on the situation
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* These are all concepts made by the 3D artists who also created the final game model so it's up to each artist how far they feel like they want to design in the concept phase
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* Usually a very crude concept is enough to communicate the idea
 
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* In many cases, the further the design is taken during the concept phase, the easier it'll be in the sculpting phase
 
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* But on the other hand, it can be easier to fully figure out the object in 3D based on just a very vague concept
 
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* It depends on the artist and the asset
 
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* Often with characters, it's good to take the concept quite far and design some details and colors as well
 
  
 +
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color: #f3e9f5; border-width:2px; border-radius:10px; margin: 5px;">
 +
Concept art gallery
 +
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 
<gallery widths=300px heights=300px mode="nolines">
 
<gallery widths=300px heights=300px mode="nolines">
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File:Amadeus concept.png | Only the front of the character was designed during the concepting, the rest was figured out during the sculpting
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File:Amadeus concept.png | Here only the front of the character was designed during the concepting, the rest was figured out during the sculpting
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File:Mistymountainsboss sketch.jpg | Only the look of the character was decided in the concept art, and the colors for the final model were designed during the texturing phase  
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File:Mistymountainsboss sketch.jpg | Here only the look of the character was decided in the concept art and the colors for the final model were designed during the texturing phase  
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File:Ice wizard concept.png | Both the front and back of the character are designed, so the sculpting process was faster for that part
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File:Siamese warlock concept.png| Here only the front of the character was designed during the concepting, the rest was figured out during the sculpting
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File:Deer concept 01.png | Sometimes it's OK to take the concept further, if there's time - then it can be used possibly in marketing, too!
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File:Healer wizard concept.jpg | Here only the front of the character was designed during the concepting, the rest was figured out during the sculpting
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File:Kappa concepts 2.png | Here are different ideas for the character - the one on the left was chosen to be made into the final game asset
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File:Ice wizard concept.png | Here both the front and back of the character are designed so the sculpting process was faster for that part
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File:Redwood logs shot.png | Here you can see the very polished concept and the final asset set based on that
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File:Hanging lantern concept 3.jpg | Often a simple concept gets the job done
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File:BadgerCaverns props stickShelves 121017.png|A bit more polished bookshelf concepts, and some silhouette exploration
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File:Owl map concept 04.png|A good example of how to approach making a larger building block set, and what pieces are needed for it
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File:Deer concept 01.png | Sometimes it's ok to take the concept further, then it can be used possibly in marketing too
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File:Nightmarespider 03.jpg|Exploration of how to approach the Spider Enemy with a flower body, as was requested
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File:Possessed boss concept.png | With a complicated asset it's useful to solve most of the design problems in the concept phase
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File:T4 concept chandeliers 190918.png|When making a gameplay asset, how it's used is usually known beforehand. Here you can see how the artist tried to figure out e.g. how to make sure Amadeus's box isn't clipping with the candles of the chandelier
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File:Christmas sarek.jpg | In some cases the mood and feeling of the character can be brought out more than the actual details
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File:Trine 4 light potion concept.png|Oftentimes the artist can make multiple versions of the same concept. In this case, it's advise to add numbers next to the different versions, so it's easier to give feedback on them!
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File:Goody good concept.jpg | Different ideas for the character
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File:Modular telescope concept.png|When making a modular set, it's good to think about the different ways all the pieces can be used together in the concept phase
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File:Kappa concepts 2.png | Here are different ideas for the character, the one on the left was chosen to be made into the final game asset
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File:BogWilderness concept structures 231018.png|Figuring out the shape language of the assets
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File:Redwood logs shot.png | Here you can see the concept and the final asset set based on that
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File:Gretchen T4 concept.png|It's good to have a character as a scale reference in your concepts, so that the leads can better analyze the shapes and the detail level!
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File:Orrery sketch.png | Scale is important, here the asset seems a little bit too small compared to the character but it can be fixed before sculpting phase and time is saved
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File:MoonlitForest swanStatue concept comp.png|A concept for a gameplay/environmental asset can be just a scribble over a crude screenshot
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File:Broomstick watering can bucket concepts.png | It's very much recommended to keep the scale of the assets in mind right from the beginning of the design process
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File:T4 castle entryHall v1.png|If there's a concept of a whole room like this, the artist can start thinking of the different kind of assets needed to create this kind of an environment to the game
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File:Book lift concept.jpg |A concept for an environment asset can be just a crude scribble over a screenshot
 +
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
</div></div>
  
 
=Sources=
 
=Sources=
 
<small>
 
<small>
 
[PHOTO: How to use reference images in concepting.jpg] - Source list :<br>
 
[PHOTO: How to use reference images in concepting.jpg] - Source list :<br>
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*Img. 1 : Pintrest [accessed June 5, 2018] <i>(311) Pinterest.</i> Available at: https://fi.pinterest.com/pin/557883472571184162/<br>
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*Img. 1. [(311) Pinterest] https://fi.pinterest.com/pin/557883472571184162/ (accessed June 5, 2018)<br>
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*Img. 2 : outdoorartPROS [accessed June 5, 2018] <i>Garda Three Tier Pond Fountain.</i> Available at: https://www.outdoorartpros.com/collections/tiered-outdoor-fountains/products/garda-three-tier-pond-fountain<br>
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*Img. 2. [Garda Three Tier Pond Fountain] https://www.outdoorartpros.com/collections/tiered-outdoor-fountains/products/garda-three-tier-pond-fountain (accessed June 6, 2018)
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*Img. 3 : Lushome [accessed June 6, 2018] <i>Water Fountains, Front Yard and Backyard Designs.</i> Available at: http://www.lushome.com/water-fountains-front-yard-backyard-designs/52334<br>
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*Img. 3. [Water Fountains, Front Yard and Backyard Designs] http://www.lushome.com/water-fountains-front-yard-backyard-designs/52334 (accessed June 6, 2018)
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*Img. 4 : SpecialtyFountains [accessed June 5, 2018] <i>Bronze Fountain Statuary.</i> Available at: http://www.specialtyfountains.com/bronze_fountains.html<br>
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*Img. 4. [Bronze Fountain Statuary] http://www.specialtyfountains.com/bronze_fountains.html (accessed June 6, 2018)
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*Img. 5 : FFBarbecues [accessed June 6, 2018] <i>FONTAINES POUR JARDIN ROMANA – FFBarbecues.</i> Available at: https://www.ffbarbecues.com/produit/fontaines-pour-jardin-romana/<br>
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*Img. 5. [FONTAINES POUR JARDIN ROMANA – FFBarbecues] https://www.ffbarbecues.com/produit/fontaines-pour-jardin-romana/ (accessed June 6, 2018)
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*Img. 6 : Natural History Photography [accessed June 6, 2018] <i>Nyc Public Library Photo, Stock Photo of NYC Public Library, Phillip Colla Natural History Photography.</i> Available at: http://www.oceanlight.com/spotlight.php?img=11155<br>
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*Img. 6. [Nyc Public Library Photo, Stock Photo of NYC Public Library, Phillip Colla Natural History Photography] http://www.oceanlight.com/spotlight.php?img=11155 (accessed June 5, 2018)
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*Img. 7 : Flickr [accessed June 5, 2018] <i>Robed angel looking down | Monceau | Flickr.</i> Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/monceau/6291672868<br>
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*Img. 7. [Robed angel looking down | Monceau | Flickr] https://www.flickr.com/photos/monceau/6291672868 (accessed June 6, 2018)
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*Img. 8 :China Daily Europe [accessed June 6, 2018] <i>Giant lion sculpture.</i> Available at: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/08/content_868100.htm<br>
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*Img. 8. [Giant lion sculpture] http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/08/content_868100.htm (accessed June 6, 2018)
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*Img. 9 :  Geograph[accessed June 5, 2018] <i>Swan fountain, Darignton.</i> Available at: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1401554<br>
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*Img. 9. [(NO NAME)] no website (accessed June 5, 2018)
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*Img. 10 : Palermo e dintorni ma anche… [accessed June 5, 2018] <i>Palermo e dintorni ma anche...: maggio 2009.</i> Available at: http://palermodintorni.blogspot.com/2009/05/<br>
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*Img. 10. [Palermo e dintorni ma anche...: maggio 2009] http://palermodintorni.blogspot.com/2009/05/ (accessed June 6, 2018)
 
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Latest revision as of 09:17, 4 September 2023

⬑ 3D Asset Workflow
Next step: 3D Asset Workflow: Sculpting →

Summary

  • Concepts aren't marketing art per se - it's enough to just communicate the idea
  • The general goal of concepting a 3D asset first is to make sure that the assets are as usable and efficient to the level artists as possible
  • Concepting a 3D asset is an umbrella term for:
  1. Sketching a concept in 2D
  2. Photobashing
  3. Making a base mesh, i.e. blocking the asset roughly in 3D
    • Can also be done as a second step for either of the above, to help the sculpting and retopoing process later on

Concepting Workflow Steps

First and Foremost

  • If the asset is a blockset (consists of a larger set of pieces, that are used together to build big areas), make sure to follow the guidelines in 3D Asset Workflow: Blocksets
  • For bigger sets that use e.g. tile textures and trimsheets, they should be planned at this stage already

Research

  1. If there aren't any existing plans or concepts for the asset, discuss with the AD and the level artists about what is wanted
    • Research any materials related to the asset
    • If there are existing concepts, use them as a starting point
  2. Look through the level's wiki page to get a good idea of the context where the asset will be used
    • Pay attention to the the general shape language of the level
      • Are the forms curvy, straight, round, sharp, angular, thick, thin, horizontal, vertical?
      • How are the decorative details on different concepts, if there are any?
  3. If there is an actual level already created, or assets that are made for that same level, check them
    • You can also try to see if there are already similar assets that you might have planned to make for your asset set, to make sure you're not making 1:1 duplicates of them
      • This can be done e.g. in the Editor by searching some general asset name from the TypeTree
  4. Think about the story of the asset
    • Is it old or young/new, what is the nature of it, the environment it will be used in etc?
    • What's the history of the asset, how does all this affect to the look of the asset?
  5. Search for reference images online
    • Analyze the reference images, combine ideas, and come up with a general idea for the asset
    • Pick images that have any nice usable ideas that you like - they don’t have to be perfect and often aren't. That's where the concept art steps in!
How to use reference images in concepting.jpg

Make the concept

  1. Use the best ideas from the possible existing concepts, your reference images, and your imagination - never copy stuff 1:1 from existing reference images
  2. 3D asset concept art is not marketing art, so don't use time to polish it unnecessarily
    • It's just to share the idea of the asset with the AD, before using a lot of time to make the final asset
  3. Concentrate on the big forms, silhouette, proportions and the overall design
  4. Keep the detail level and distribution in balance - have small, medium, and large detail
    • The details can be further specified during the sculpting process (use reference images for this part of the process as well)
  5. Think about the colors of the asset - remember the importance of the values
    • If it's hard to read in true black & white, it'll be hard to read in color as well
    • A good concept will make sculpting and texturing easier, and also lets the AD and the team know what you are up to
  6. You can ask for opinions and feedback at any point, but at the very latest before you start working on the final sculpt

  • An example of how to take the idea of the concept further

  • 3D asset process from the concept to the final asset

Concepting Examples

  • Below in the collapsibles there are a few concepting examples for reference

Concepting Example: Modular Fountain Set Concept Process

  • How to use reference images in concepting.jpg
  • Fountain pegasus1.jpg
  • Fountain goat1.jpg

How to use reference images in concepting
PHOTO:Multiple Sources

Concepting Example 2: Modular Tree Set Concept Process

Planning the separate Assets

  • A good way to start planning an asset is to collect all the info you have first, and then start concepting. The more complicated and big the asset task is, the more preparations are needed in the planning phase
    • First you can just concept different things you think would be useful
    • Once you think you have everything down, you can check if some of the stuff could be recycled between your different models to save time
    • There is no point in having different models for something that would work as well with just one model in every situation needed, so only make variations that are different enough

Modular tree trunk set plan.jpg
Making Quick Rough Models for Testing Before Finalizing the Assets

  • Sometimes it can be hard for the level artists to say if some assets will be useful or not, and how they could be improved based on only the 2D concept image
    • For complicated sets it's a very effective method to first make the planned pieces very quickly and roughly and let the level artists test them
    • Testing the assets before finalizing them can be a life saver, as some assets might end up being totally useless
  • Here is an example of super rough models that were first made, but decided not to be used as level artists noticed it would be better to have whole tree trunk pieces instead of these smaller pieces

Modular tree trunk set trash models.jpg

  • After level artists' feedback the pieces were scrapped and new ones created, not much time was lost as the pieces were done very quickly

Modular tree trunk set trash models2.jpg

  • Once these were tested and confirmed working the finalized detailed assets could be made
    • Also similar test models of the branches were added for the same purpose
    • Here are the test pieces and how the level artist tested them

Modular tree trunk set trash models3.jpg
Trine4 modular tree set wip pieces level artist test.png

  • These ended up being the final pieces needed for the set

Modular tree trunk set trash models sculpt 3.jpg

Determining the Assets of a Set Based on Existing Concept Art

3d workflow determining asset set pieces based on concepts.png

Frozenbyte concept art examples

  • These are all concepts made by the 3D artists who also created the final game model so it's up to each artist how far they feel like they want to design in the concept phase

Concept art gallery

  • Here only the front of the character was designed during the concepting, the rest was figured out during the sculpting

  • Here only the look of the character was decided in the concept art and the colors for the final model were designed during the texturing phase

  • Here only the front of the character was designed during the concepting, the rest was figured out during the sculpting

  • Here only the front of the character was designed during the concepting, the rest was figured out during the sculpting

  • Here both the front and back of the character are designed so the sculpting process was faster for that part

  • Often a simple concept gets the job done

  • Sometimes it's ok to take the concept further, then it can be used possibly in marketing too

  • With a complicated asset it's useful to solve most of the design problems in the concept phase

  • In some cases the mood and feeling of the character can be brought out more than the actual details

  • Different ideas for the character

  • Here are different ideas for the character, the one on the left was chosen to be made into the final game asset

  • Here you can see the concept and the final asset set based on that

  • Scale is important, here the asset seems a little bit too small compared to the character but it can be fixed before sculpting phase and time is saved

  • It's very much recommended to keep the scale of the assets in mind right from the beginning of the design process

  • A concept for an environment asset can be just a crude scribble over a screenshot

Sources

[PHOTO: How to use reference images in concepting.jpg] - Source list :

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