Step-by-step MAKING THE DRESS

One Set the CONCEPT

I take a render of my character and place it on my tablet so I can test ideas on the go. I pop it on a new layer in Sketchbook and carry it around for a few days, sketching and trying lots of ideas and colours until I come up with a concept that I am happy with. In the case of this image, I tried several variations, but opted to stick with a fantastic concept by artist Kelly Vivanco.

two START WITH THE BASICS

I find it helpful to start with basic shapes on the default 3D character in MD. In the March 2016 Issue (#205), Camille Kleinman from CG Elves shared her process for creating a realistic dress in MD. Her comprehensive and easy to follow tutorial will most certainly help demystify MD for experts and beginners alike. If you don’t already have a copy of Issue #205, I recommend grabbing one.

three REFINING THE DESIGN

I import my posed 3D character to MD (as an Avatar) and apply my basic garment. I adjust the garment to fit my character and begin fine tuning the design. I add subtle details to make the dress more unique, staying true to the original concept. I finish up in MD by applying appropriate fabric and simple textures, draping the garment, and exporting as an .obj file.

four FOCUSING ON THE DETAILS

I add finishing details in my favourite 3D software, in this case, a button and better textures. Excellent textures help hide imperfections in the clothing and make the dress more realistic. To help me understand what I was trying to achieve, I went to my wife’s closet and examined her clothing. In Photoshop, I added stitching along the seam lines using a stitch brush; this hides where the textures come together.