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Donato Navas - My Rookies Entry!
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Donato Navas - My Rookies Entry!

Donato Navas
by DonatoNavas on 1 Jun 2024 for Rookie Awards 2024

Hello, my name is Donato Navas and I am a Material & Texture Artist. I have just completed the CGI masterclass at Skyup Academy. Since then, I have spent my time practicing by working on personal and group projects, as you can see below. I am really excited to participate in this year's Rookies Award!

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Diorama Hipster: Immersion in Vintage Vibes

I am pleased to showcase my personal project for the 3D Photorealism module at Skyup Academy. In this context, I was tasked with faithfully reproducing a diorama

↓ REFERENCE         RENDER↓

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REFERENCE OBJECTS

MODELING PHASE

In this phase, I focused on combining camera matching and modeling the object using various references.

Camera matching was a crucial step to ensure that the 3D model integrated perfectly with the reference images. This technique allowed me to align the perspective of the virtual camera with that of the reference photos or videos, ensuring that the proportions and angles were accurate.

Next, I used these references to guide the modeling process. Every detail of the object was carefully recreated, taking into account the specific dimensions and features visible in the reference images. This approach ensured a greater fidelity to the original design, capturing every nuance and particularity of the object.

TEXTURING

Subsequently, I immediately delved into Adobe Substance Painter, initiating the texture creation process. Initially, I categorized the objects into groups such as metals, non-metals, and glass. However, I encountered some difficulties in grasping how to make my project more realistic and aesthetically pleasing. As the work progressed, I gradually gained a deeper familiarity with the software.

This phase of the process proved to be my favorite, perhaps even pivotal in identifying my future specialization. Above all, I found great satisfaction in envisioning how the object could appear realistic, flaws and all

STRAY: B/12

This is my latest personal project, which is part of a group project where I focused on creating the robot co-protagonist from the video game Stray.

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                                                                                                   REFERENCE

SCULPTING AND MODELING

The first phase was to create the model from scratch, inspired by various references. The model was initially sculpted and modeled in ZBrush. Afterward, it was redone using the quad draw method for retopology.

This process began with gathering and analyzing multiple references to capture the robot's distinct features and essence accurately. Using ZBrush, I sculpted a high-resolution model, focusing on intricate details and ensuring the overall form was true to the character from Stray. This step allowed for creative freedom and fine-tuning of the robot's aesthetic elements.

Once the sculpt was complete, I moved on to the retopology stage, utilizing the quad draw technique. This involved creating a new, optimized mesh over the high-resolution model. Retopology is crucial for making the model suitable for animation and real-time rendering, ensuring it has an efficient polygon count while maintaining the essential details.

TEXTURING

After completing the modeling phase, I delved into texturing using Substance Painter and Designer, which was my favorite part of the project. It was satisfying to create a variety of textures, color variations, dirt effects, and stickers. Using these tools enabled me to achieve intricate details and realism, enhancing the character's appearance to fit into the Stray universe. I particularly enjoyed adding color variations, dirt, and stickers, as they added depth and personality to the robot. Constant iteration and refinement were key during this phase to ensure the desired result and overall immersion in the game world. Overall, the texturing phase was a gratifying experience, allowing me to showcase my creativity and attention to detail while bringing the robot character to life convincingly.

The video of the group project in which the robot was included represents the culmination of our collaborative work. In this video, you can see the robot in action, interacting with other objects and the scene. It was a very fun and satisfying project to participate in.

The production of the video required meticulous planning and continuous coordination among all team members. The video creation process involved several stages: from the initial storyboard, to modeling and animation, and finally to post-production. Each stage required specific skills and a high level of collaboration.

Participating in this project was not only educational but also extremely rewarding. It was an opportunity to apply and develop new technical skills, work as a team, and tackle creative challenges. The satisfaction of seeing the robot come to life and function as intended in the final video was priceless.

In summary, the group project video is a demonstration of our collective commitment, skills, and ability to work together to achieve a common goal. It was an exciting and formative journey, culminating in a final product that we are all very proud of.

VIDEO SCENA FINALE

Cobblestone street after the rain

For this creation, I drew inspiration from the streets of my city, and I'm happy to share both the final result and the creative process that accompanied it

Creating this material using Substance Designer and rendering it with Marmoset has been an exciting adventure for me. Both programs are new to me, but I'm finding them very user-friendly and enjoyable to work with. Substance Designer has allowed me to work with procedural textures in a highly flexible way, while Marmoset has provided powerful tools for rendering my material realistically and attractively. Although it might have seemed a bit daunting at first, learning to use these programs has been rewarding and has allowed me to express my creativity in a new and stimulating way. I'm truly excited to continue exploring the possibilities offered by these tools and to see where my future creations will take me.

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               GRAPHIC NODE

Thank you all for watching; I hope you enjoyed it. If you'd like, please leave a like or a comment.


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