Spring is here, making way for the upcoming summer months. Hard to believe that I started this 3D set back in February and here I am planning for vacation trips. Since the last log, Production Log 21, you’ve seen the beginning of the Shading and Texturing phase to my set. Today I like to show you the set with the use of lighting and shadows. Let us begin:
Believe it or not, light and the behavior of how an element reacts to light is the sole proprietor of selling a 3D effect. As you look around you from where you’re sitting at, you can see how light is either reflected, bounced, or absorbed. This is crucial in creating a 3D set. How does your set react to light? Fortunately this set if very practical where I can study and research how props like furniture, doors, wallpaper, and flooring all behave towards light. Yes it’s tedious but once you assimilate yourself in this particular line of thinking, it becomes natural.
For example, study the image below. This is a shot that displays my lobby area seeing the lobby staircase. Notice the shadows and how the light interacts with the objects. Of course I’m still designing and experimenting with different looks and is by far not a finished photo, but it’s important to note the process on how things are created. This process determines how realistic the set will become. One of the finishing touches is to have water sprouting from the fountain and gathering at the base.
As I stated last Production Log, I aimed to create Video Game Covers that will be displayed in the picture frames placed in the lobby area. I’ve found some really cool Photoshop tutorials online that I chose to do because time right now is imperative. Here’s a look at some of the video game poster’s that will be displayed in the lobby area. My goal is to create an additional three more. Manually click on the poster image to see them bigger. Some of these games I myself wouldn’t mind playing if they were real.
Below are additional stills for you to view to see the progress we’ve made. My personal favorite is the final image of the lobby entrance.
To recap from my previous month goals I was successful in finishing the design phase of the lobby entrance but still need to complete the materials and texturing phase. I am about halfway in designing the Video Game Covers in Photoshop which I aim to complete by the end of June. Not too bad when I had a short work month in May due to personal traveling.
I’m always excited each month to look back on my work and to see the progress. I hope you are as well. In the upcoming month of July, my goal is to finally composite our footage inside this set. Stay tuned!
“I’m not inspired by someone else’s great movies, or great directors. Instead I’m working on my mistakes.”
– Takeshi Kitano (Fireworks, Brother, Outrage)
