HOW DO I MAKE STYLISED PROPS AND SETS IN 3D?
Jennifer Rushoose, US
This question is really more about concept and art direction, as the tools used to create the models, along with associated materials, are just the same as if you are working on a photorealistic project. Remember that no matter what software you are using, or what names that software might give a specific tool, an extrude is still an extrude and bevelling an edge will have the same result pretty much anywhere you choose to bevel it.
Sometimes thinking about the visual language you use is far more important, so really try to forget about the technical elements and think about developing the style. Immerse yourself in the world you are creating and think about some of those details; that will help your audience lose themselves in your story.
That said, there are some neat tricks you can use to help you achieve the look you want more efficiently and there is no harm in making sure that your skills are there and are complete enough to help support your narrative.
Let’s begin by thinking about an example, in this case an exterior set. We will look at making a tree that might be more suited to a simple, illustrative style. This means using different geometry and therefore modelling or set-up tools than you might otherwise choose.
Rather than modelling a tree based on reference, start by breaking the shapes down into the simplest forms you can. A tree can be seen as a column and a ball. While that is very simplistic and not overly accurate, it works for our needs as a starting point.
Using a simple cylinder for a trunk is one approach, or you could draw a spline
for a little added extra, as I have. For the canopy, a good method is to use simple geometry to define the volume and then use a cloner to add leaves. Using a few discs as clones, with slightly different colours applied, makes for a nice stylised tree, however, you will need to look at how to orient them and maybe add some extra organic chaos with the use of a random effector.
For slightly more realistic but still stylised results, you could use simple leaf shapes instead, painting on veins if you feel they need the boost in texture.