What is a Modeler's Role

Projects that require 3D modeling come in all forms and sizes, and can require a team made up of just one or dozens of artist. Working closely and understanding the needs of the team elevates the quality of the project (texturing, lighting, modeling, animating).

Production Pipeline Example:

Stages: pre production, production, and post - production

The stages are distributed among several different departments, depending on the project.

Some of the common departments for animation.

Story

Storyboard

Scene setup

Modeling

Texturing

Rigging

Animation

Lighting

Effects

Rendering

Compositing

Audio

Different studios have different pipelines, but they all have one thing in common, a pipeline does exist.

Although every project will go through all three stages of the production process, not every project that you create 3D models for, will require every component.

To give you an idea of where a 3D modeler fits into a project, lets use a common pipline for an animated short.

Stage 1: Post production

This is the stage of preparing all the elements involved in a production.

And is the foundation / blueprint of the entire project, visual look , story and overall planning.

Any shortcuts taken at this stage can affect the project's success or failure.

 

Story:

After the initial concepts are approved. Writers develop the story in the form of a script or screenplay. Story is of the utmost importance.

WIP 9/6/14 , more to come next week end 9/13/14

The information I will provide will come from,

My extensive traditional library of books, my digital collection of DVDs and online courses as well as the 10 years of personal study and practice.

Where inserts of information have been taken from other artist I will
make an effort to always mention this artist. But just to make sure they are given full credit for their information I will mention them now as well.

Some of my favorite authors are George Maestri, Chris Maraffi, Ryan Kittleson, Adam Crespi, William Vaughan, and Scott Spencer. 
There are actually quite a few others but these are the ones I reference the most.


I would also like to give thanks to the following online sites:
1. Digital Tutors      http://www.digitaltutors.com/
2. 3DBuzz              http://www.3dbuzz.com/
3. Lynda.com         http://www.lynda.com/

What Is Digital Modeling ?

 

Digital modeling refers to the process of creating a mathematical representation

of a three-dimensional shape of an object.

The result of this creation is what the industry calls a 3D model or 3D mesh.

Most often 3D models start out as 2D concept drawings.

In the simplest of terms, digital modeling is 3D modeling.

 

Once limited to careers in the science and entertainment markets, digital

modelers have more opportunities now than ever before. The demand for

high-quality 3D graphics and animation is on the rise, and according to the

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the job market for 3D artists is expected to

grow at a rate of 12 percent through 2018 (www.bls.gov).

You see 3D graphics literally everywhere these days, and at their core are

digital models. Digital modelers work in television and feature films, game

design, medical illustration and animation, print graphics, product and architectural

visualization, and many other markets that make up this growing

field.

To be successful in this field, you need to become a problem solver with good

observation skills and a desire to create things. You never stop learning in

this field. You face new challenges with every new project, many of which

require innovative solutions that you must discover on your own. If you get

to a point where you stop seeing these challenges as lessons that help build

your ever-growing skill set, it’s probably a sign that you’ve lost your passion

for the medium.

 

Remember that talent is only one very small part of the equation and counts

for nothing if it isn’t backed up by perseverance, determination, resilience,

and practice. If you want to be good at anything, learn as much as you can

and work at it every day until you’ve mastered it.

What you need.

Software: Leading 3D software

programs:

• 3ds Max: www.autodesk.com/3ds-Max

• LightWave 3D: www.lightwave3d.com

• Maya: www.autodesk.com/Maya

• Modo: www.luxology.com

• Silo: www.nevercenter.com

• XSI: www.autodesk.com/Softimage

• ZBrush: www.pixologic.com

Hardware:,

Most 3D modeling applications come in versions for both Mac and Windows,

so whatever type of system you prefer, you should have no problem as a digital

modeler. If you are buying a computer, make sure that its specifications are up

to the requirements of the software you want to run. Don’t feel like you have

to run out and get the latest and greatest monster machine, as many may suggest.

You might be surprised at how a modest system configuration can be all

you need to work comfortably. That said, the more powerful the system, the

more you can throw at it.

RAM

Random access memory (RAM) is where the data set you are currently working

with resides in your computer. This data can be in the form of images or

3D point data, such as models. The more RAM you have, the more data you

can simultaneously access without having to wait for the system to load it

from the hard disk. Loading from the hard disk is slow.

CPU Speed and Number of Cores

With today’s multi-core CPUs, computer processor speed is becoming less

and less important. The more cores you have, the better off you are, so CPU

speed is to be considered in relation to how many cores your computer has.

Simply put, speed and number of cores are the main features that make rendering

and data processing faster.

Graphics Card and GPU

A decent graphics card is an important factor for digital modelers, because

it’s responsible for displaying your data onscreen. Because most applications

use OpenGL (Open Graphics Library)—the industry-standard Application

Programming Interface (API) for writing applications that produce 2D and

3D computer graphics—a strong graphics card allows you to view your digital

models as smoothly as possible.

The more geometry or hi-res (high-resolution) textures, the harder your

graphics card has to work. Having a good graphics card definitely increases

productivity as projects become more complex. NVIDIA is a graphics card

industry leader and has the most stable platform for the CG industry.

Another factor to consider is Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) technology.

The industry is starting to make a shift towards GPU-based rendering, essentially

harnessing the power of the graphics card, which often is 50–100 times

more powerful than a CPU for performing certain tasks. When choosing a

graphics card, it’s best to consider the amount of GPU cores it has; the more,

the better.

If you’re unsure of what type of system is best for you, visit one of the many

online community forums—for example, CGSociety (www.cgsociety.org),

3DTotal (www.3dtotal.com), or Foundation 3D (www.foundation3d.com)--

talk to artists who use these systems, research what’s available, and most

importantly, know your options.

Two Monitors

Something I have strong opinions about when discussing workstations is the

need for a dual monitor setup. I believe dual monitors are a must for any digital

artist and can’t imagine accomplishing my work using just one monitor.

A digital modeler working with just one monitor is like a draftsman working

on an end table instead of a large drafting table. Having two monitors gives

you more than just a comfortable workspace—it affords you the room needed

to display multiple applications at the same time, as well as the ability to display

your reference material on one screen while you work on the other.