The 3D Process

Working in 3D has a steep learning curve. Unlike using Photoshop for illustrations, where one program handles everything, 3D artists use multiple programs, each for a different task. Projects start with creating 3D models, which consist of meshes, materials, and bones.

Mesh:

A model's mesh is its physical object. The first image shows a mesh without any material. The second image displays the mesh as a wireframe, revealing that it consists of polygons. Detailed models can have millions of polygons. The last image shows the model with material applied. Usually, the mesh is sculpted in one program and the material is added in another.

Material:

Adding material involves more than just coloring the mesh; it includes various textures that affect how the material appears. The image below shows a material made of three textures.

1. Base Color: This texture determines the mesh's color.

2. Normal Map: This simulates bumps and details on the model, altering how light and shadows interact with it. Instead of creating a complex model with lots of wrinkles, which can slow down your computer, normal maps are used to represent these details.

3. Roughness Map: This controls the model's shininess. It affects how light interacts with the surface, making some areas shiny and others matte.

For example, a human model can have shiny eyes and matte skin due to these texture variations.

Bones:

After shaping the mesh in one software and painting it in another, I import it into a third program to add "bones." This enables animation and facial expressions. Below, you can see the bones inside the model. In the second image, I rotated the first bone in the model's leg. The third image shows the final result on the fully textured model.

This process is the same for animated and non-animated objects, but non-animated ones don’t need bones. After creating all the models, they are imported into another software to build the story world, like in the video of the dojo. Characters are then added and posed in this environment. Lighting and a camera are included, similar to real cameras, allowing for adjustments in framing, dimensions, and lens behavior. You can create a blurry background while keeping the focal point clear, or have everything in focus. You can adjust settings like weather, color, and fog. Once decisions are made, I render the image, which means taking a picture with the camera. Then I send the rendered image to Photoshop and Procreate for further color editing, fixing issues, and adding hand-drawn elements.

While it might seem like creating illustrations in 3D would take longer, it’s actually faster for kids' books. I create the world and characters once instead of redrawing them for each new illustration. Initial creation takes longer, but future illustrations are quicker since the groundwork is already done.

Thank you for learning about 3D with me! If you want your story brought to life in 3D, I’d love to hear from you!