How long will it take?

#1

Hi all,

So basically I get asked a fair amount of times how long a specific model will take to complete from start to finish including UVs and I never really know what to say as each model and requirements are different and ofcourse you end up with a few hiccups now and again that take up time.

How do modellers determine how long a model will take to create?

For example a mid level modeller being asked to model a mid detail Reaper aircraft with all the main bits, nothing too crazy but enough so that after texturing and lighting it’ll look the business for wide shots. I would say for me it could take a couple of weeks. If lower detail about a week or less and if high detail with mechanical bits here and there, bolts, vents etc it would probably take 4-5 weeks from start to finish.

Does this sound fair or would it be way off the mark? Keeping in mind I’m talking about 8 hour working days monday to friday.

Any thoughts on this from anyone would be appreciated. Sorry if this post is in the wrong section.

#2

I guess just experience. It also depends on how good your reference material is, and if your modeling a real object or a fictional piece. Obviously if your doing the design yourself, you can put most of your time into modeling, and things move much faster.

On some realistic technical models I’ve worked on, probably half to a third of my time was spent just trying to dig up reference materials to figure out whats going on.

You can also buy a pre existing model, and add some detail. It looks like you can pick up a decent Reaper model for around 200 bucks.

-AJ

#3

Cheers AJ.
Ye the Reaper was just an example.
I find working from concept drawings takes longer than real life objects, especially when you’re only given a couple of basic sketches and expected to deliver a full working model within a couple of weeks with detailed mechanical parts. <-- Another example of what I was asked to do a few months ago which didn’t go too well due to lack of reference.
Its getting a bit ridiculous now as some places dont even consider the amount of time it takes to research if you’re not provided with a good amount of reference. Less of a problem with bigger experienced studios thankfully.

#4

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