Category Environment Modeling

Topics about modeling levels and environments in games.

Normal Map Modeling

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. Your mileage may vary, see what works for you. See CharacterSculpting#Hard-Surface_Sculpting.

Normal maps for organic/natural assets are usually made entirely in your 3D sculpting app, but some people use procedural tools. See EnvironmentSculpting.

Sometimes you can shortcut the sculpting/baking process by using a 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. See.

Environment Modeling Tutorials

• Blade & Soul Environments Polycount forum thread, plus info on large terrains in UE3 (Unreal Engine 3).
• How to make terrains for games - by 'choco'
• Erosion Terrain Tutorial - by 'choco'
• Gears2 Environment Art - by Kevin Johnstone
• UT3 & Gears Environment Art - by Kevin Johnstone
• UT3 & Gears Environment Art - Step By Step - by Kevin Johnstone
• SciFi Support Beam PDF - by Kevin Johnstone
• Environment tutorials - by Chris 'cholden' Holden
• Environment modeling basics Polycount forum thread
• Environment Modeling FAQ & Resources Polycount forum thread
• De-Constructing "DemonThrone" – A Video Series - by Jason Lavoie

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