3 Jul 2015
Interviews
Did you know that playing video games can become an inspiration for greater things? You're about to find out! This time we talk to Dmitry, 3D modeler from Russia who talks about the importance of learning all software features, shares his knowledge about marketing mistakes and his delight to model perfect things. He also advises us on how to become a 3D artist. Should you read it? It's not really a "should", it's a must.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into the 3D industry?
Hello, my name is Dmitry, I'm from Russia. My acquaintance to 3D graphics happened in 2001-2002. I was fond of the Counter Strike game on a local network. Someone told me that I can not only play, but also create my own levels with Valve Hammer Editor. I started creating the new worlds. It was a strange feeling when my friends and I were playing in the locations that I created. I felt like a creator!
So, I became interested in 3D. While there were few books, the Internet had almost no information. I installed 3ds Max 3.1, bought a tutorial and learned it completely.
After that, there was a big break in studying 3D graphics. In 2008, I started studying 3ds Max again and joined the company of interior and architectural visualization in Moscow, as a modeler. I have worked in the company for 1 year. One thing which I learned there was to model very quickly. It was necessary to create several models every day.
A year later, I changed my occupation and since then I rarely model, only in my free time in the evenings as a freelancer. Sometimes for myself (to sell in 3D stocks), and sometimes to carry out the orders. So I do not work professionally in 3D, rather it is a hobby of mine.
What kind of research process do you have?
To quickly and accurately make a 3D model, you have to know the tool and all of its features well to use them to the maximum. For me, it’s these tools - 3ds Max, ZBrush, V-Ray. Many people use less than a half of all features of the program. Therefore they often ask how to do this or that.
When I look at any objectI immediately see, what method to model would be the most optimal. For example, I often start building from curves, as they are easily edited and allow me to receive the necessary form quickly. And only then convert the object into polygons and refine. I try to hold the object editable for as long as possible, without collapsing stack modifiers.
How do you market your products? Can you share some tips & tricks?
One big mistake I often see at sellers is ugly pictures. You can have an excellent 3D model but if a render is unattractive, the buyer will not even notice your product! Previews are obliged to be bright, colorful, with a beautiful turn and occupy a maximum of the useful area.
The second mistake is low prices. 3D is hard work and dumping here is evil! Typically, higher price means higher quality, and if the buyer needs a good model, he will buy the one that is more expensive. I had low prices at first, then I raised the costs almost twice. The number of sales did not decrease, and my income has increased!
At one time I wanted to go to the TurboSquid and become a member of the Guild. But I made an analysis and found that selling my models on a number of other sites (such as The 3D Studio , CGTrader, Creative Crash, etc.) yield quite noticeable revenue in general. Yes, if I refused it and started selling only at TurboSquid Guild, I would have received the same income, but there is still the "do not keep all the eggs in one basket" rule. Besides, I am against the monopoly in the market.
What do you enjoy most about working in 3D industry?
Modeling in 3D, you can create the perfect thing - something, that does not happen in nature. You can create beauty and perfection. I study the shapes and intersections of surfaces. When I studied Houdini, I was struck by how it is possible to describe mathematical formulas for anything and any layout of objects on it. I think that 3D combines the beauty of mathematics and intuitive creativity.
What’s the hardest thing being a professional 3D designer?
I do not consider myself a professional 3D designer. As I said, it is rather a hobby of mine. I can even tell why. If you are a modeler, you must not only know how to move the point and cut polygons, but also take the texture mapping into account to be able to do UV and rendering to show your model. While making a model for animation, modeler must understand the correct rigging. If you are a visualizer, you should be able to also improve someone else's model, understand the physics of light and color, know a few renderers. The animator should understand the setup and rigging, as well as being a modeler to make the correct model, know how to use video editing software. And still many and much.
Each 3D artist should possess several programmes for modeling, animation, rendering. And these are constantly updated, more than a few times a year. It is necessary to buy a new, more powerful computer, check for updates of programs and that there would be no conflict between them. The level of photorealism is constantly growing, there are new programs, increased requirements for the artists and so on. 3D artist have to run and catch up just to remain in the same place. This is the reason why I left 3D. This is what seems to me the most difficult in 3D.
Now I have a good job, where the software is not updated every six months, where I do not have a headache, and I can quietly do my job without constantly seeking answers to questions.
But sometimes, when nostalgia comes, I open 3ds Max and start to create...
What software do you use?
I use 3ds Max, V-Ray, ZBrush, TopoGun, and UVLayout for texture. I also studied the Maya and Houdini, but there was no opportunity to apply them in my job.
What are you working on next?
I'm not working on anything right now. Unfortunately, I need to have a regular job for money. If my income allowed me not to work, I would have engaged in close study of Houdini as I have a dream to make the short 3D film.
Please finish the following sentences (being as honest as you can ☺)
My greatest inspiration is ... watching movies with well-made 3D graphics.
I abandon some of my works because, ... hmm, I do not know. I do not remember one!
When I catch myself procrastinating, ... I’m just writing to-do list on paper. This is discipline. And I just do one item after another.
I’m most productive, when ... I have no money even to eat. Once I tried to stay in Thailand for about 8 months. I earned only by freelance - models made with 3ds Max. Sometimes there were many orders, but sometimes there was no work, and I was grasping at everything. Even things I had never done before. For example, I started doing animation - a series of cartoons for children. I've never studied animation and composite before. I worked day and night, did not eat or sleep for several days, and in a short time learned a lot about the animation, rendering movies in layers and video editor. Hunger is the best motivator!
I take a break from my work when ... I start to get sick of modeling. The best way for me is quitting for six months, completely switching to something else. Then, after a few months, thirst to create reappears!
Do you have any advice for those who are just about to start their career as 3D designers?
My advice: If you want to become a 3D artist, it is better to try to get into a team. Work for the company. Do not repeat my mistake. I learnt everything independently, under articles and video lessons. It takes too long.
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