The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

In his blog, artist Andrzej Poznanski reveals what it takes to fake reality Photogrammetry was used heavily in the video game The Vanishing of Ethan Carter because, according to Andrzej Poznanski, it’s the best way to replicate reality… because you’re using reality. However, the problem with video game textures is your brain can spot the difference, he argues. Gritty textures are placed too evenly, stains and dirt placed with too much care or found in places your subconscious knows they shouldn’t be.

From rocks to waterfalls, bricks to entire buildings, the team on The Vanishing of Ethan Carter created detailed studies of these objects using Photoscan by Agisoft, in Andrzej’s words: “You feed it with good photos taken around some object and you get the exact replica of that object, in 3D, in full colour, with more detail than you could ever wish for.”

Andrzej reveals how photogrammetry is a skill in itself that just being a good photographer won’t help, “Most people know how to snap photos, but very few know this craft really well, and even for those few, a change of mindset is required. You see, most of things that photographers learn is the opposite of what photogrammetry requires.”

Photogrammetry is one of those moments in CG art where industries converge, film VFX and video games – but there will be more to come. As real-time rendering becomes more powerful, and industries merge products, VR movies are coming and understanding these convergence points will help your career. Read more of Andrzej’s insights on his blog: www.theastronauts.com