Learn How to Create Better 3D Character Designs

Now that you have completed your 3D character design course you need to channel all your learnings to find better ways to create production ready game figures. Here are a few tips that will help you build low-poly models in a much more efficient manner –

• Understand your Limitations 

The first thing you need to look into when starting work on any 3D game character design is your set of working restrictions. Take into account factors such as the environment settings and how the character will be seen and used in the game overall. Environment setting refer to variables like working units. Consider whether you will be working in meters or centimetres, for instance. Make sure this stays constant all through the game to avoid any scale issues. 

Also, understanding how the character will be used and what they should be able to do can have a significant effect on the modelling process. Will your character be animated? Will it need to bend, open its mouth, use a specific movement when working with a weapon? If you give your character a hat, will you ever need to see what is underneath? 

• Spend Time Researching 

Starting a character design project with absolutely no research is a redundant exercise. While working from memory is fine, it is always better to have a folder of photographs handy or a wall of concept work in front of you that allows you to stick to your path.

• Take Baby Steps 

When you begin work on your character, avoid rushing into creating a very detailed one complete with tattoos on the hand, accessories and more. It is recommended that you first block out the whole figure using basic primitives and then stitch them together. Many designers like to start by using a simple cylinder. This is a great way to get a broad overview of the proportions of your character and a feel of how it will look eventually. 

• Work with Subdivision Surfaces 

A great way to create smoother models with an initially low polygon count is to work with subdivision surfaces. This approach allows you to create a very detailed model from a low-resolution ‘cage’ mesh allowing to you continue working without having to push a lot of geometry around. Once you are satisfied with what you have created, you can bake out the model and then convert it into a fully polygon-based mesh that can be optimized and edited. 

Finally, it is recommended that you add detail only where it is necessary. It is common for first time designs to cave into their impulse of putting details into all aspects of their creation. While you want to do your best in creating an amazing character, in the world of gaming, your efforts may go wasted, especially since many of your details may go unnoticed. With an understanding of how your character will be used and seen from a distance you will be able to add relevant details to it that add to the aesthetics of the game character.