This is how my 3d journey began
I wanted to become the best 3d artist I could be and I was ready to put the work in!
I got accepted to the 3d animation program at a local 4 year university.
After trying to learn 3d art on my own, via the self taught route, I decided to go to school to further my education.
The program did not prepare me well for the job market, but I managed to scrape together enough 3d works to build a portfolio. I duct-taped a poorly built website created entirely by hand coding manually with html, ughh! I graduated and it was time to start my job search!
I found work at a local game studio creating animals for local game studio.
The studio closed its doors during the housing market collapse, and I was once again in search of work.
It was time to double down, work harder and show more range!
This thing called the internet started taking off and I tried posting my works online, including stylized works. Little by little my 3d modeling started to improve.
BUT I started to lose hope...
Even after going to school and working at studios, I couldn't find consistent work. My 3d work had improved, but lacked the traction that I desired with my art. I gained momentum and began to experiment with my works ….
I decided to really focus on hard surface modeling.
If I just focused on only one thing, it would greatly improve my opportunities...
Creating more complex models would surely impress potential employers!
I spent night and day perfecting my craft sacrificing many weekends, social events and times with friends and family.
I even tried my hand at digital sculpting...
I mean if I just showed organic AND hard surface skills, that would be the icing on the cake. Right?
I was ready to quit but THEN...
At this point, I was engaged in 3d for a couple of years, bouncing around small studio gigs and mediocre paying freelance work. I tried reaching out to big "industry" artists to review my work, and most never replied.
I often switched between traditional 9-5 jobs to compensate my income as 3d jobs slowed. I exhausted my efforts as I worked during the day and practiced 3d at night. I began to think that maybe being a successful 3d artist was a pipe dream, and you just had to encounter the right people, in the right place, at the right time to land a freelance position.
One night, I went online to view the works of the top 3d artists. I started looking at their best pieces, which granted the most traction. I focused on the contents of the comments. Then immediately, I examined my work, and then an epiphany. The secret to creating the art that would gain traction with potential employers was staring right at me.
I avoided UV mapping and texturing for years. AND I paid the price.
The top 3d artists all had beautiful textured models. Even though my modeling was solid, it was unpolished without texture.
Like most people in life, at some point or the other, I fell into a comfort zone. My comfort was 3d modeling. I was quite skilled at my craft, but in the process I neglected texturing my models. I couldn’t wrap my mind around a good texturing workflow, and therefore became intimidated by UV mapping.
So I bit the bullet, hunkered down, and learned proper UV mapping and texturing. I invested months in constructing the proper workflow. I designed a methodology on how to UV map and texture any 3d asset in an efficient manner.
To the left is how my models look now. I model, UV and texture, each of my models. Great 3d modeling is still an crucial skill to have mastered, but it's only one part of a bigger picture in creating better 3d art. I was no longer a "1 trick pony". More dynamically textured models helped my 3d art appear finished, tell a story, and most importantly stand out in a congested online space full of great 3d artists.
After years of hard work, my 3d art FINALLY got traction!
Here are messages I often receive via my Artstation. Each sharing the common mention of texturing.
Don't make the same mistake I did.
Adding textures to my 3d models improved my art, employment opportunities and income. Putting it off caused my work to get overlooked for years.
What's opportunities could it be costing you?
If you are ready to start creating beautiful textured 3d models, I have the solution you have been looking for...
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