Role in Project
3d Modeling
Digital Sculpting
Texture
Lighting
Animation
Particles
3d Modeling
Digital Sculpting
Texture
Lighting
Animation
Particles
Darksiders 2 / Deaths' Mask
A 3d sculpting exercise that transformed into a more detailed project. This mask is from one of the four horsemen in THQ's Action Adventure videogame 'Darksiders 2'.
Process / Reference & Research
After seeing the sculpting feature in Cinema 4d, I decided to give myself a project in order to practice and learn the technique. With that came the search for reference imagery to help me sculpt the mask effectively.
While I wanted to create Deaths' mask from the videogame, recreating the low poly version wouldn't be unique. So as a challenge, realism was the preferred method for this project.
Process / Development
Modeling in a 3d space can be a challenge depending on the object and method being used but digital sculpting felt therapeutic and fun. Being my first time, I found refining the surface very intuitive.
I tried sculpting with my hands physically and found building up the clay and modeling challenging due to my amateur skills but in comparison, digital sculpting felt easier.
I still have a long way to go learning the intricacies of 3d modeling and mastering the various techniques but digital sculpting is definitely a style I will refine in the future.
Process / Texture & Lighting
For texturing and lighting, I decided to use Solid Angle's Arnold Renderer. The results achieved with this rendering software have always been impressive and I wanted to become familiar with as many of them as possible. Learning anything new takes time, so I watched several hours of tutorials to understand how it operates, in order to utilize its many features to acquire the desired result.
Process / Particles
Adding flames and burning embers to the project was a must to give the mask of Death depth since I wasn't adding a full body character to accompany it. Using the emitter system allowed me to create some dynamic particles for the embers and exploding sparks from the eyes.
The number of particles used in research and testing gave great results but unfortunately, my system couldn't handle the immense number of particles. This was a good exercise in optimizing the project in order to get the required result with limited hardware specs.
Using Turbulence FD was a great experience in creating flames and small explosions for the eyes. It still took some time to optimize and get the required result but it also allowed me the option to change the color of the flames to reflect the characters emerald flame seen in the videogame.
