Using 3D models as a base

[pokepetter]

What are your thoughts about using a 3D (digital) base model for a concept art piece?

* Are the effort worth it?
* Is it wierd to use 3D to make 2D piece and then again make a 3D model from that?
* How efficient is it compared with only using 2D?
* What are 3D bases suited for? Architecture? Pose reference?
* When is it optimal to use a 3D base? How important must the task be?
* Have you got any experiences or tips to share?
* How far should you take the render?
- outlines?
- shadows?
- materials?
- color?
- texture?

[Flake]

* Is the effort worth it?
For a simple box room in 1 point perspective? probably not. On the other hand if you need a 3 point image of a space cathedral with dozens of arches and spiral staircases it might well be a lot quicker.

* How efficient is it compared with only using 2D?
See above.

Your main consideration is probably which is fastest? if you can do it faster in 2d, go 2d. If 3d, go 3d.
3d has the obvious benefit of being able to pan around the same scene for slightly tweaked camera angles without redrawing the whole thing.

Another thing to keep in mind is that anything more complex than Sketchup has quite a learning curve, learning the basics of Maya or XSI takes more time than learning basic perspective will so if you don't already have experience in 3d you might be better spending that time learning to do it / practicing it manually at first.
Your choice really.

The answer to most of your questions is "depends.."

/2p worth

[pokepetter]

Thanks for quick reply^^ Luckily I know how to model in both Maya and cinema 4d.

I used sketchup to model a base which had a lot of difficult arches. If I make it very basic, I feel like I which I'd done more of it in 3D because that would've been faster (hand rail xp). If I make it contain a lot of information, it feels just stupid to not just make the final model. As you know, modeling without concept art is not good. I'm trying to find the perfect balance and think people who does the same can help me.

Sketchup might be a ok tool if you don't know how to model with pro software, but it's really clumsy imo.

What I'm trying to do is to make discussion so that we can exchange opinions and eventually get more efficient and to influence each other.

For example, I think C4D is very good at making things look realistic with all the included materials. However, that doesn't matter at all I want is to use 3D in order to experiment with angels and getting the perspective and placements correct.


If the answer is "depends", where does the line go (for you)? What I want are opinions and experiences.

[Shinnoki]

Some artists use very basic environment models for perspective and composition.
For example, a spaceship hovering over a city, with tall buildings, so what they do is make a few basic cubic boxes to represent the buildings, and model a very low and rough model of the ship, then place it all in a position, pan the camera, screencap it and there they go. Now they use it as reference.

I think that's the best use of 3d in 2d paintings.

If u make 3d models directly as a part of your drawing, you will usually have to do 4 things.
1.) Make a good looking 3d model.
2.) Texture it correctly.
3.) Put it into your 2d painting
4.) Blend it precisely so that it feels 3-dimensional without looking like it was taken directly out of 3d modeling software and so that it feels like a part of the scene.

This all is quite challenging so you decide if you're up for it.

Personally, I only use 3d models to plan out the painting so that I don't have to use vanishing point lines but I never actually use 3d models directly.