How do you ideate, "sketch", prototype?

#1

Hello. This is mostly a question for the artists that started directly in 3D like me and skipped drawing. What is your equivalent process of sketching, ideating, without doing some 2D concepts? Z-Brush helps a bit but sometimes when you think of a whole scene or details etc, i have some trouble translating what i’m thinking into 3D directly and i really struggle with drawing even silhouette thumbnails on 2D, so my process at the moment lacks some popper planning stage and that translates into a longer modeling and more prone to bad flow/anatomy. So i was wondering if anybody had the same issue and how do you dealt with it. :wink:

#2

I skipped drawing and I know that I can’t draw anything on reasonable level so I always looking for references in Google until I get what I need. Sketches, blueprints, screens, photos. The more, the better.

You don’t need a jet
You don’t need a pet
If you don’t know yet
All you need is to meet
The GarageFarm.NET

#3

This is a great question, I constantly wrestle with this. I also use photos/concepts from online to get started with the ideation process. Usually my next step is super low poly modeling in Maya - I’ll start with an existing mesh (if I can) and build really basic shapes on top of it.

What I focus on is just the silhouette: I hit 7 to go into lit mode, and with no lights in the scene, everything turns black and I can just work on the silhouette. If I stick with it long enough eventually I create something that I feel like working to a higher level of detail.

#4

I seriously suggest you practice 2d thumbnail sketches. It’s the basis of all things. If you can do that well, it will translate well into Zbrush, too, it’s the same skill.

Watch Feng Zhu’s tutorials. I really like how he sketches his thumbnails and his explanation.

#5

I think the answer is to learn to draw in 2D. It is the most human basic way to touch with this medium.

It is not something that has to come natural. I had been drawing my whole life but it was not something that translated well into 3D until I was able to sit myself down and force myself to learn drawing as if I had never done it before, some basic sketching books and eventually human anatomy.

I still pretty much suck and drawing in 2D but I have improved my ability greatly by learning to do it better.

In my opinion there is just no substitute. You don’t have to be good enough to get a job drawing in 2D, but I think you should connect with that basic almost primal human expression in regards to art.

And when it comes to modeling, I always use references. My own of course if that is the job but always a reference to something, in the BG when possible as well as on a second screen.

#6

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.