3D software - worth the time to learn?
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Hi Everyone,
Does anyone have experience with using 3D Max or the like? I am learning to use photoshop to paint images for children's books illustrations, and I'm wondering if it is worth the time to also learn 3D modeling to help create backgrounds and environments? Thanks! -
Hi @lisanganart, I spent a fair amount of time in 3dsmax and Maya back about 12 years ago. I think now the majority of people getting into 3d modelling start with Blender as it's free and has loads of tutorials our there.
I've never tried this myself but, as for backgrounds, I've seen people greatly cut down their perspective drawing time using 3d modelling programs. Try throwing together simple shapes in Blender that represent the dominant structures (boxes for buildings, tubes for pipes and trees etc) and then paint over.
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My problem with using 3d software to set up backgrounds (or characters in general) is that when you can tell that 3d software was used, you can REALLY tell it was used. And when you can tell it was used, it looks BAD (most of the time). It takes just as much skill, artistry and work to make that technique look good as 2d rendering does. If not more.
However, that being said, I'm certain there are people who's art I enjoy that use 3d software, and I CAN'T tell
and it probably looks amazing.I guess it all depends... Do you want to set up a 3d model, run it through a quick brushy filter and call it a day? Then don't. It often does not look good. Do you want to set up a 3d model and use it as reference for your painting? Then heck yeah, that's an awesome idea!
@skillydan has the right advice with the setting up simple shapes then painting over
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@lisanganart I know that many concept artists use Google SketchUp to build quick backgrounds with correct perspective. Then they decide the camera shot they want, take a screen shot of that angle and trace the image in Photoshop. Maybe you want to check it out. It's very very easy to use regarding other software.
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@lisanganart another option is get a bag of clay, wooden board and a torch or two.
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@skillydan @Braden-Hallett @christinakal @sigross Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, suggestions and ideas! Very helpful indeed!
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@lisanganart I don't know whether it is worth the time but it is something I've been learning for several months now. I'm learning Blender because I wanted to create reference for paint overs and to create guides for lighting scenarios and camera angles. It has been somewhat of a slog to learn just the basics but I'm finding it helps me think of ideas and I'm enjoying the process. I'm going to write something up on my Medium blog about my experience at some point. I also keep a dev log of a personal project I'm working on where I've written about learning 3D.
https://medium.com/the-art-squirrel. I also found an online software some time back called smoothie 3D which is an easy way to make quick 3D models from images if you don't have time to learn the more complicated software- and there is online sculpting software which is an easy way to try 3D sculpting (https://medium.com/the-art-squirrel/what-is-digital-3d-sculpting-and-what-are-some-softwares-i-can-do-it-with-9c3654202f36). -
Something like Goolge SketchUp might be all you need. It's pretty basic, pretty easy, and pretty free.
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I just got an email off Zbrush and their new version is just out ZBrush 2019 features says you can get it on subscription now like photoshop. Might try it out for a bit. I'd love to learn how to use it. Just not sure if 3D is for me. There's not enough hours in the day!
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I do like the idea of the ZBrush new features where you can turn 3D designs into 2D! That's defo something I'm up for. Especially for lighting scenery and stuff.
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@sigross ZBrush 2019 looks really cool. It is known as NPR rendering (Non photo realistic). You can do that with Blender as well with different material types.
website: https://thimblefolio.com
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@sigross I felt like that for years as well. I wish I hadn't put off learning it for so long though.
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@Christine-Garner Yeah I had a go on blender. Essentially I'd like to learn them both. I do prefer the interface of ZBrush. But they're both complicated as a beginner. Once I know where all the buttons are I'll be able to get into it. I think it'll be worth the effort.
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@sigross Hi
I just happened to be online doing research for my blog so this is going to be a long reply sorry. Yeah they are complicated to begin with. I'd recommend doing a beginner level course for either first to get the hang of the basics. Once you have an understanding of the UI, how to navigate in 3D space and add objects it gets a little better. I did a crash course on CG Cookie (They have a Blender beginners series of videos) and followed some beginner courses on Udemy. It took me about 3 months to get the basics, but I'm still going through a course on Udemy. There are a few free ones on Udemy and around YouTube, but what really helped me was doing a crash course on CG Cookie which has a beginners series on Blender. There is a tutor (he's done some courses here on SVS Learn)- Marco Bucci, who uses Blender- I found a YouTube video he did of an overview of using 3D for 2D art here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PRiM1LAh2U
I read that Schoolism does a really good beginner course for ZBrush: https://www.schoolism.com/lp/introduction-to-zbrush-justin-goby-fields/
What I would have liked ideally to begin with would have been a course aimed toward 2D illustrators with no prior knowledge of 3d software describing the real world benefits of using 3D for helping the creation of 2D art and with a focused syllabus for the core skills needed without going too complicated. Most are aimed at gamedev, architecture or AAA concept art, but maybe one day someone will do that or I will find one.website: https://thimblefolio.com
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Oh- just realized Marco Bucci HAS done a course for blender for using with digital painting-. https://marcobucciartstore.com/collections/online-workshops/products/using-3d-techniques-with-digital-painting. I should have read the YouTube description more.
There are also artists like Tony Leonard who demo using ZBrush for 2D line art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHQvh0oCMCo -
@Christine-Garner Thats a great help. Thanks I'll take a look at those links. Cheers.
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@sigross Cool
Glad it was useful. There are a fair amount of Blender tuts and one by Justin Goby Fields on Skillshare as well, thought I'd mention it as lots of people use that site already and I think if you have a subscription you can watch any of the courses (I'm not affiliated with any of these links I've mentioned btw). https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Digital-Concept-Art-Designing-Creatures-Learn-with-Wacom/1752963798?via=search-layout-grid -
I went into writing mode today and made an article about "Some Techniques for using Digital 3D Art Software for Digital 2D Painting, Illustration and Design workflows" if anyone feels like reading
. https://medium.com/the-art-squirrel/some-techniques-for-using-digital-3d-art-software-for-digital-2d-painting-illustration-and-design-d7a6fb45ea5c. I think I was procrastinating about drawing peacocks today.website: https://thimblefolio.com
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@Christine-Garner I'll have a read of that. Sounds interesting. I tend to read crypto/bitcoin stuff on medium and forget there's a whole range of subjects on there!
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@Christine-Garner I've been getting more into blender since this post, had other stuff to make in between. I just bought The Grove so I can grow my own trees, which I'm quite excited about. There's also FLIP Fluids I'm looking at so I can experiment with liquids. Now that the grease pencil has been upgraded I can see many things in my mind that I can now make without having to spend a fortune.
