Explore a new workflow

Whether you’re new to CG or a seasoned pro, we all need to freshen our outlook. Find out how with advice from experienced artists...

Whether you’re new to CG art or a seasoned pro, we all need to freshen our outlook. Find out how to shake up your workflow with our advice from experienced artists

There’s always something new to learn in 3D art, no matter how experienced you are. You might want to experiment with new ways of working, or perhaps discover new software and tools. We can all get in a rut, even without realising it, and often choosing to break away from your usual workflow to try new things will reap many rewards.

This issue, we asked experienced industry artists for their advice on how to freshen up ways of working. Whether it’s revamping your tired portfolio by embracing Substance Suite for a more current, modern mix of work, or discovering a new way to rig in Maya, there’s always something you can do to push your workflow and your art to the next level.

Even something as simple as exploring how to better use your Wacom tablet – tweaking your setting and configurations to find a new way to work – can benefit your productivity and creativity.

The artists over the following pages include co-founder of Digital- Tutors (now part of Pluralsight), Kyle Green; visual effects lecturer Laura Hawk; and former Sony Imageworks animator and modeller Justin Marshall.

Their approach to CG art varies – some are primarily modellers, others are rigging artists, compositors or texture artists – but their desire to find new ways of working and share these ways with you will hopefully spur you on to develop your skills and workflow. In turn, you’ll also broaden your field of expertise and have fun experimenting with your work.