DemoReels, where are they at?

[leigh]

I recently applied for a job as a texturing artist at one of the biggest, best VFX companies in the world... with 8 stills. The work was good enough for them to consider offering me a job (too bad I didn't use the software they used, or else I'd be there now).

If I'd had more time, I would have put together an actual reel though - to demonstrate your skills to the fullest, it's cool to be able to show all your different maps, and how you construct each, using a series of stills that show how you build up all your individual maps.

[Crazzy Legs]

Definitly. I'm focusing mainly on game work. With Normal mapping coming about, do you think including normal maps would be such a good idea. I know they are normally created based upon higher res models, so they're not created in the same scense that other maps are, but do you think they are still worth while putting on. I personally think so, but others migh not. If I take the time to model and create a well definifed surface of an object, I belive there would be value in that, since it is a texture, just not a flat one. Any opinions?

[EricChadwick]

I would definitely add normal maps. If you do, try showing the wireframe for the low-res model, also the highres model you made the normal map from. Like Leigh said, it would help the interviewer to see how you created the final image, by showing all the layers/models that went into it.

One thing that has worked well for me is to stick the model on a virtual turntable, and transition from one layer to the next as it rotates. Maybe first the high-res model, then the low-res wire, then low-res shaded smooth, then diffuse only, then normal mapping only, etc. Each layer separate, and labeled, then the final combination.

Just don't do more than one rotation for each, to keep it moving along.

Might also help to render to fields, if creating a reel for NTSC TV. Really worth the extra effort, makes things look very smooth.

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