How 3D Works in Games - Beginning Game Art in 3ds Max 8 - page 8

Figure 1.7 displays a timeline of the evolution of the game character to show how
computer art has advanced over the years.
Figure 1.7 The timeline shows the advance of digital graphics in video games.
Moving forward, there are limitless possibilities for creating computer art. Many
off-the-shelf PCs are powerful enough to handle complex digital composition.
Software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, CorelDRAW, Alias Maya,
Autodesk 3ds Max, and many others, has come down in price, as has hardware,
effectively creating an environment that favors the artist. Artists are free to create
incredible art with advanced tools, and the future looks like it will only get better
for the computer artist.
2D and 3D Art
Artists use a variety of computer programs to create art for games. These programs
fit into two basic categories—two-dimensional (or 2D) programs and three-
dimensional (or 3D) programs. Two-dimensional programs are the easiest to
understand because computer screens and video game screens are basically flat. A
2D art program directly manipulates pixels on screen. Many of these programs are
very sophisticated, and some even simulate natural media, such as airbrushes, oil
paints, or even watercolors.
Three-dimensional programs create virtual 3D objects used in the creation of 3D
game characters and game worlds. 3ds Max is a great program for creating 3D art
for games. It has a huge following with developers in the industry, to the point that
almost every game artist who deals with 3D game art has to have at least a work-
ing knowledge of the program.