Working as a 3D artist involves a lot of nuances. Creating high-quality graphics requires understanding which tools will yield the best results. Beginners often have the most questions as they start mastering this complex profession.
Do 3D Artists Need 2D Drawing Skills?
Where should a beginner start learning to become a 3D artist, and what skills should they acquire first? These questions concern many newcomers. The biggest challenge for them is projecting a traditional drawing into three-dimensional reality. This raises the question: how important are 2D drawing skills for a 3D artist?
The goal of any artist is similar—they aim to create a beautiful object. Initially, it’s important to understand what can be transferred from 2D to 3D to bring an idea to life. No artist can do without working with composition, color, and contrasts. The skill of creating two-dimensional drawings will definitely come in handy, but first and foremost, focus should be on mastering the basic tools for creating 3D models.
Should a 3D Artist Have a Specific Specialization?
A beginner artist might wonder whether to focus on character creation, game objects, or learn to model in all directions. In the credits of any Western project (whether a game or a film), you can see that each type of object is handled by a separate specialist.
In CIS countries, this isn’t the case, primarily due to much smaller budgets. Choosing any option—whether a specific specialization or working across all areas—has its advantages. In the first case, the artist won’t be left without work, as they’ll have high-level mastery in their field. If opting for the second approach, there’s no need to worry about job availability either, as there will be more employment options.
Here are two pieces of advice for beginner artists. First, find a balance. Don’t go too deep into a specific specialization, but still choose what to focus on. Second, study what interests you most—this is the key to creative success.
Popular Modeling Software
Every 3D artist uses a specific set of software. Typically, the toolkit looks like this:
- 3ds Max;
- Zbrush;
- Substance Painter;
- Substance Designer.
Work also involves using various additional programs, such as Photoshop, RizomUV, SpeedTree, and Marvelous Designer. A modern artist needs to know Unreal Engine. Products like Houdini are in demand, though their main complexity lies in requiring programming knowledge.
There’s no single standard for software use. The main assembly point doesn’t necessarily have to be 3ds Max—it can be replaced by Maya or Blender. The principles of working in different programs often overlap. To get a job, you need to be able to work with various software; switching from one product to another shouldn’t be a problem.
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