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3D Environment MasterClass VOL. 4 | Take your CG ART Above and Beyond

pwnisher・120 minutes read

The host announces guest judges for a CG challenge with over 700 submissions, emphasizing the importance of unique storytelling and style in post-apocalyptic scenes while sharing progress on their own art project. Prize details, judging process, and lighting enhancements are discussed, concluding with a reminder of the challenge deadline and upcoming live stream events.

Insights

  • The importance of storytelling and unique style is emphasized in enhancing renders for the post-apocalyptic theme challenge.
  • Detailed insights into lighting techniques, composition enhancements, and narrative elements are crucial for creating standout post-apocalyptic scenes.
  • The judging process for the render challenge involves selecting the top 100 renders for live streaming and then privately choosing the top five winners before the final stream, showcasing a curated top 100 and all submissions in montages.

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Recent questions

  • How can I enhance a post-apocalyptic render?

    To enhance a post-apocalyptic render, focus on adding a unique story and style to make it stand out. Consider elements like lighting and composition enhancements to create a moody atmosphere. Incorporate details that contribute to the narrative, such as empty rifle shells, machine gun nests, and power lines. Experiment with flags to shape the scene, create shadows, and highlight specific areas. Utilize high-quality photo scans for realistic building textures and add fog for a more atmospheric look. Remember to balance elegance and simplicity in your design, avoiding excessive sci-fi elements while exploring creative storytelling through visual elements.

  • Who are the guest judges for the CG challenge?

    The guest judges for the CG challenge are Peter France, Ren Weichman, and Ian Hubert. These judges will be reviewing submissions and selecting the top winners for the contest. Their expertise and insights will play a crucial role in evaluating the renders based on criteria like storytelling, composition, and visual impact. Their feedback will help determine the top five winners of the challenge, showcasing a diverse range of artistic talent and creativity in the post-apocalyptic theme.

  • What are the prizes for the challenge winners?

    The prizes for the challenge winners include a Rococo mocap suit, a Wacom tablet, headphones, and more. These rewards aim to recognize and celebrate the artistic achievements of the top contestants in the CG challenge. The winners will receive valuable tools and resources to further enhance their skills and creativity in the field of 3D art and rendering. The diverse range of prizes reflects the commitment to supporting and encouraging artists in their creative endeavors.

  • How is the judging process for the render challenge?

    The judging process for the render challenge involves reviewing all submissions and selecting the top 100 renders for live streaming. A panel of judges, including Peter, Ren, Ian, and the speaker, will evaluate the submissions based on criteria like storytelling, composition, and visual impact. The top five winners will be chosen privately before the stream on the next Saturday, showcasing a curated selection of outstanding renders. The live stream will feature the top 100 renders, providing viewers with insights into the creative process and artistic talent displayed in the submissions.

  • What are some practical tips for transitioning to full-time 3D work?

    Transitioning from part-time to full-time 3D work requires dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach. It is essential to balance part-time work with personal projects to build a strong portfolio and showcase your skills. Managing part-time work alongside personal projects can help you prove the viability of your creative endeavors before making a decision to transition. Practical tips on shading methods, texture toggling, rendering settings, and managing VRAM usage can enhance your workflow and efficiency in 3D work. By demonstrating commitment and consistency in your artistic pursuits, you can successfully transition to full-time 3D work and pursue your passion for creative expression.

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Summary

00:00

"CG Challenge: Judges, Prizes, and Art"

  • The stream is live, with the host in Los Angeles at 10:50 in the morning.
  • Technical issues with audio delay are resolved after troubleshooting.
  • The host announces upcoming guest judges for the CG challenge.
  • Over 700 submissions for the challenge, with plans to review the top 100 renders.
  • The host shares progress on their own art project, showcasing different versions and improvements.
  • Focus on lighting and composition enhancements in the art project.
  • Emphasis on the need for a unique story and style to stand out in the post-apocalyptic theme.
  • Sponsorship mention for NordVPN and its benefits for internet security and content access.
  • Announcement of guest judges: Peter France, Ren Weichman, and Ian Hubert.
  • Details on prizes for the challenge winners, including a Rococo mocap suit, Wacom tablet, headphones, and more.

21:13

Enhancing Post-Apocalyptic Render with Storytelling

  • The goal is to enhance a render by adding story and style to make it stand out from typical post-apocalyptic scenes.
  • The idea involves a character carrying a hovering royal box made of ornate gold, with a mysterious figure inside.
  • The concept explores a scenario where robots have enslaved humans, creating a unique narrative within the post-apocalyptic setting.
  • Details like empty rifle shells, a machine gun nest, and power lines are added to the environment to enhance the storytelling.
  • The lighting setup involves using flags to block light and create a moody atmosphere in the render.
  • The destroyed buildings in the scene are high-quality photo scans that add realism and depth to the composition.
  • The lighting is primarily done with an HDRI environment and an area light to create reflective highlights on the ground.
  • Adding fog to the scene helps diffuse the light and create a more atmospheric look.
  • The judging process for the render challenge involves reviewing all submissions and selecting the top 100 renders for live streaming.
  • The final judging will be done by a panel of judges, including Peter, Ren, Ian, and the speaker, to choose the top five winners for the contest.

37:18

"Top 100 Art Montage Revealed"

  • The top five winners will be chosen privately before the stream on the next Saturday.
  • During the stream, the top 100 will be reviewed, leading back to the top five winners.
  • Viewers will only see the top 100 renders on the stream, but two montages will be released the following week.
  • The montages will include a top 100 montage and an everybody's art montage, totaling 59 minutes with 700+ submissions.
  • The full montage will likely be around an hour and a half long.
  • The plan includes a curated top 100 and a comprehensive showcase of all submissions.
  • Flags are used to shape the scene, with each flag serving a specific purpose.
  • The first flag creates a spotlight on a specific area, while the second flag focuses on the foreground.
  • The third flag adds shadow to the side of a building, creating a natural vignette.
  • The final flag shapes the foreground area, adding shadow and enhancing the scene.

55:43

Enhancing Sandbag Visuals with Machine Gun

  • Adjust the building to avoid interference with the silhouette of sandbags
  • Ensure proper lighting on the sandbags for optimal visibility
  • Experiment with positioning to enhance the visual impact of the sandbags
  • Modify color settings for brightness and saturation of the sandbags
  • Create a placeholder machine gun using specific steps and orientation adjustments
  • Design the machine gun with specific features like handles and a muzzle
  • Apply a black glossy finish to the machine gun for a realistic look
  • Add gun cartridges to the foreground for added detail and scale reference
  • Create a 50 cal shell casing with low poly techniques and specific dimensions
  • Utilize an octane scatter tool to disperse shell casings on the ground with random rotation and positioning

01:16:09

Creating Sci-Fi Scene with Kit-Bashed Assets

  • The challenge deadline is June 1st.
  • Adjusting the positioning of objects in the scene using Octane Scatter.
  • Experimenting with different materials like brass worn from Grayscale Gorilla's library.
  • Tweaking the saturation and rendering settings for a more appealing look.
  • Using the C4D Cloner tool instead of Octane Scatter for better control.
  • Adding bullet cartridges to the environment for a storytelling element.
  • Considering creating a high-tech version of a palanquin using kit-bashed assets.
  • Exploring Vitali Bolgarov's kit-bashed assets for sci-fi elements.
  • Suggesting the inclusion of the Boston Dynamics robot in the palanquin design.
  • Utilizing various 3D assets to create a detailed and visually appealing scene.

01:41:26

Elegant box design with mysterious figure

  • The design includes a viewing window with two cuts that can be opened slightly.
  • Another two cuts are added for a mysterious effect, with the figure inside the box.
  • The box is envisioned to have some thickness and gold rings for decoration.
  • Considerations for a cyborg figure smoking are discussed but ultimately dismissed.
  • Social media links will be included in the render compilation, not Discord usernames or emails.
  • Ideas for a battery pack, solar panels, and a rusted Tesla supercharger are contemplated.
  • The design may feature a cargo attachment for practicality without compromising elegance.
  • The concept is inspired by ornate historical palanquins like King Tut's and Japanese versions.
  • The design is refined to balance elegance and simplicity, avoiding excessive sci-fi elements.
  • Practical tips on shading methods, texture toggling, and rendering are shared during the process.

02:05:43

Transitioning to Full-Time 3D Work: Tips

  • Transition from part-time to full-time 3D work involves dedication and perseverance.
  • Balancing part-time work with personal projects until a decision is necessary.
  • Personal experience of managing part-time work alongside personal projects.
  • Importance of proving the viability of personal projects before transitioning.
  • Deadline for submitting alternate realities rendering is June 1st, 11:59 PM PST.
  • Detailed instructions on the submission deadline for the rendering.
  • Considerations for rendering farm systems like Otoy and Render Token.
  • Practical advice on managing VRAM usage for rendering.
  • Utilizing CGTrader for affordable 3D models like electrical towers.
  • Creative approaches to creating spherical shapes using foreground and mid-ground elements.

02:32:25

"Reviewing Top Submissions for Live Stream"

  • The team, including Ian, Wren, and Peter, will review numerous renders, aiming to select the top five from a pool of around a thousand submissions.
  • The review process will take the entire week due to the high volume of submissions, with plans to showcase the top hundred on Saturday.
  • There is uncertainty about how to efficiently display all submissions within a live stream due to time constraints.
  • The current number of submissions stands at 733, with an expectation to surpass a thousand.
  • Ian's short film "Dynamo" is praised as one of the greatest pieces of short film art on YouTube, showcasing exceptional visuals and three years of work.
  • The team is open to suggestions from moderators for stream ideas and potentially exploring a quick process to review all submissions.
  • The musician working on the render montage's music is wrapping up the final track, a combination of two songs.
  • The process of scattering plants around a robot model involves duplicating and adjusting scatter elements to create a natural look.
  • The artist discusses selling NFTs, having sold two pieces on SuperRare and expressing appreciation for the support received.
  • The artist demonstrates the process of texturing a robot model, experimenting with different colors and materials to achieve desired effects.

02:59:00

"Robot Model Color Adjustments and Tips"

  • The speaker discusses adjusting colors using hue and saturation, focusing on specific areas of a robot model.
  • They mention using different colors for various parts of the robot, like blue for panels and gunmetal for the head.
  • Specific instructions are given for darkening colors using mix material settings, with details on saturation, brightness, and gamma adjustments.
  • The speaker emphasizes accenting core parts of the robot with dark metal colors while leaving other areas lighter.
  • They suggest chroming out missile pods and choosing any color for a backpack jetpack, providing flexibility in design choices.
  • Instructions are provided for coloring the antennas, feet, and other parts of the robot, with suggestions for darker shades.
  • The speaker experiments with applying color settings to a new mesh and considers copying them to an existing robot model.
  • They mention upcoming live streams with other artists to review and select winners from a render challenge with a large number of submissions.
  • The speaker concludes by promoting a VPN service, reminding viewers of the render challenge deadline, and inviting them to the next live stream event.
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