Advanced Stylized Character Art for Games Mentorship [CGMA, Weston Reid - 2023]
- Publisher
- CGMA
- Product Type
- Video Course
- Product URL
- https://www.gameart.cgmasteracademy.com/courses/advanced-stylized-character-art-for-games-mentorship
- Author
- Weston Reid
- Language
- English, English Subtitles
- Duration
- 18:44
- Release date
- May 1, 2023
- Skill level
- Project Files
- Yes
- Product Price
- $998
This 10-week course outline for creating a full character from scratch using Zbrush, Maya, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine 5 looks comprehensive and well-structured! Here’s a refined overview of each week, along with suggestions for additional activities or resources to enhance the learning experience:
Course Outline: Full Character Creation for Games
Week #1: Introduction / Zbrush Blockout
- Focus: Course overview, concept approval, and initial blockout.
- Activities:
- Introduce students and discuss their goals.
- Review and analyze character concepts.
- Begin first pass blockout in Zbrush using Dynamesh and Zmodeler.
- Homework: Refine initial blockout based on feedback.
Week #2: Zbrush Second Pass
- Focus: Refine character model with emphasis on shapes and proportions.
- Activities:
- Continue modeling, focusing on silhouette and secondary shapes.
- Conduct peer reviews to evaluate silhouette readability.
- Homework: Make adjustments to the model based on critiques.
Week #3: Zbrush Final Pass
- Focus: Finalize high-poly model for retopology.
- Activities:
- Polish all shapes to ensure they match the concept in neutral pose.
- Prepare for retopology by addressing any last-minute issues.
- Homework: Ensure the high-poly model is ready for retopology.
Week #4: Retopology
- Focus: Create a clean low-poly model.
- Activities:
- Dedicate the week to retopologizing the high-poly model.
- Discuss principles of topology for rigging and animation.
- Homework: Submit the final low-poly model for review.
Week #5: UV Creation / Texture Baking / Substance Painter Setup
- Focus: Prepare the model for texturing.
- Activities:
- Create UVs for the low-poly model.
- Explain smoothing groups and tangents for normal maps.
- Set up the model in Marmoset Toolbag for baking.
- Homework: Ensure all UVs are correctly laid out.
Week #6: Substance Painter Texturing Blockout
- Focus: Initial texturing phase in Substance Painter.
- Activities:
- Set up texture sets and export settings.
- Begin texture blockout.
- Set up the base project in Marmoset Toolbag or Unreal Engine.
- Homework: Prepare the initial textures for review.
Week #7: Substance Painter Texturing Second Pass
- Focus: Refine textures and materials.
- Activities:
- Further refine textures and materials in Substance Painter.
- Implement first pass lighting and post-processing in Marmoset Toolbag or Unreal.
- Homework: Prepare to present refined textures for feedback.
Week #8: MGear Rigging and Skinning (Optional)
- Focus: Optional rigging session using MGear.
- Activities:
- Introduce rigging basics and apply MGear for rigging.
- Continue refining textures and lighting in Marmoset Toolbag or Unreal.
- Homework: Complete any rigging and skinning tasks.
Week #9: Optional MGear Idle Animation and Posing
- Focus: Create idle animations or posed character.
- Activities:
- Implement idle animation using MGear.
- Pose the character and export to Unreal or Marmoset Toolbag.
- Homework: Finalize animation and prepare for review.
Week #10: Final Polish
- Focus: Complete final touches and prepare for portfolio.
- Activities:
- Finalize model, textures, materials, lighting, and post-processing.
- Render shots and prepare composite images for portfolio.
- Homework: Create a portfolio presentation showcasing the character.
Additional Resources and Activities
- Reference Material: Provide links to anatomy references, PBR material guidelines, and character design resources.
- Guest Speakers: Invite industry professionals for Q&A sessions about character creation.
- Portfolio Reviews: Schedule individual or group sessions for feedback on portfolio presentation.
- Community Building: Create a Discord or Slack channel for students to share progress and ask questions.
