View source for Environment Modeling

About modeling levels and environments in games.

== Environment Modeling Tutorials ==
* [https://environmentart.wordpress.com/ Environment Art Blog] - by [http://www.richardpipespiper.com/ Richard 'pipes' Piper] and [http://onlinewarriors.beyondunreal.com/ Rogelio 'rogelio' Olguin], also see the [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143337 Polycount Forum thread].
* [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89151 Blade & Soul Environments] Polycount forum thread, plus info on large terrains in UE3 (Unreal Engine 3).
* [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88933 How to make terrains for games] - by [http://www.polycount.com/forum/member.php?u=21965 'choco']
* [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1424523&postcount=8591 Erosion Terrain Tutorial] - by [http://www.polycount.com/forum/member.php?u=21965 'choco']
* [http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=62114 Gears2 Environment Art] - by [http://www.kevinjohnstone.com/ Kevin Johnstone]
* [http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=54311 UT3 & Gears Environment Art] - by [http://www.kevinjohnstone.com/ Kevin Johnstone]
* [http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1492296#post1492296 UT3 & Gears Environment Art - Step By Step] - by [http://www.kevinjohnstone.com/ Kevin Johnstone]
* [[attachment:rorshach_scifi_supportbeam.pdf|SciFi Support Beam PDF]] - by [http://www.kevinjohnstone.com/ Kevin Johnstone]
* [http://chrisholden.net/tutor/ Environment tutorials] - by [http://chrisholden.net/ Chris 'cholden' Holden]
* [http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=40608 Environment modeling basics] Polycount forum thread
* [http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=53002 Environment Modeling FAQ & Resources] Polycount forum thread
* [http://www.vimeo.com/album/227064 De-Constructing "DemonThrone" – A Video Series] - by [http://www.jasonlavoie.net/ Jason Lavoie]
* [[ModelingRubbleIntoAPath|Integrating rubble into a path]] - by [http://www.ivassago.com Joshua Stubbles]

== Normal Map Modeling ==
[[NormalMap|Normal maps]] for mechanical/constructed items are often done with subdivision surface modeling. See [[SubdivisionSurfaceModeling#Hard_Surfaces]]. To add some organic wear and tear, artists bring their finished sub-d models into Zbrush or Mudbox or 3DCoat for a quick sculpt pass. Some artists do all their mechanical work in a sculpting app, but it seems to be a bit harder to get clean results. See [[CharacterSculpting#Hard-Surface_Sculpting]].

Normal maps for organic/natural assets are usually made entirely in your [[Tools#A3D_Sculpting_Software|3D sculpting tool]], but some people use procedural tools.
See [[EnvironmentSculpting]].

Sometimes you can shortcut the sculpting/baking process by using a [[Tools#A2D_Normal_Map_Software|2D normal mapping tool]] like nDo or Crazy Bump. This can save a lot of time, but can cause seams if you're not careful.

== More Information ==
* [[EnvironmentSculpting]]
* [[Modular environments]]
* [[Polygon Count]]
* [[ReTopologyModeling]]
* [[Subdivision Surface Modeling]]
* [[Topology]]
* [[:Category:EnvironmentModeling]]

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[[Category:Environment]][[Category:EnvironmentModeling]]