Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
r
e n d e r I n G
2d I
m a G e s
F r o m
3d s
o u r C e s
Quite a few 2D backgrounds or characters can be designed in 3D. One of the
advantages of this approach is that the camera in the 3D program can be
moved around the image to get just the right angle the artist wants to use
to then paint the finished 2D piece. The focal length of the camera lens can
also be adjusted. 35 mm is the standard length for the lens and is meant
to mimic the way humans normally see things. Changing the focal length
of the camera allows the viewer to create the impression of being closer to
or farther away from objects, without physically moving closer or farther
away. Changing the focal length tends to be something to adjust when
rendering out backgrounds, however, it can be used to alter the appearance
of a character or prop.
Once the render has been created from the 3D program and opened in
Photoshop, then the following steps are one approach to creating beau-
tiful images that show believable volume ( shadow and highlight) and
perspective.
Open the image in Photoshop.
Duplicate the layer.
Multiply the top layer. (This will leave the shadows. Multiply can be
found in the blending modes at the top of the layer menu.)
Create layers underneath and paint in color or add real textures.
The multiplied layer on top will automatically provide believable shad-
ows over the paint and texture layers underneath.
Reading can be another source of inspiration. Nick Kozis, animator and char-
acter designer, says, “Choose anything from novels, short stories, and poetry. Do
whatever it takes to get your imagination working. At this point I just read and
try to limit my visual exposure to the subject matter. I enjoy focusing on what I
am reading and let my imagination run wild. In doing this I try and get a fresh
look. With the amount of visual references available to artists these days, it's
easy for anyone's work to become derivative.”
