Monday, December 16th, 2024 Posted by Jim Thacker

Master Designing Sci-Fi Props for Film


The Gnomon Workshop has released Designing Sci-Fi Props for Film, a guide to concept design and modeling, recorded by concept artist Kris Turvey.

The workshop provides over three hours of video training in Photoshop, CAD application Fusion, and Substance 3D Painter for texturing.

Discover how to design and model sci-fi props suitable for use in movie productions
In the workshop, Turvey demonstrates his complete workflow for designing and modeling a sci-fi object that can be fabricated as a physical prop for use in a movie: a handheld DNA scanner.

Beginning with his mind-mapping process to generate ideas, he explains how to develop concepts quickly by sketching in Photoshop.

He then demonstrates how to take those quick concepts to more advanced presentations using simple techniques with the Airbrush and Selection tools.

Turvey then takes one of the designs into Fusion, showcasing the parametric 3D modeling techniques he uses to create models that can be physically fabricated.

To complete the workflow, he demonstrates how to take the final Fusion model into Substance 3D Painter to apply materials and generate final presentation renders efficiently.

As well as practical techniques, Turvey sets out the design principles involved in creating objects that communicate their function to an audience quickly and effectively.

Viewers of the workshop can download the final Fusion project file as well as the tutorial videos.

About the artist
Kris Turvey is a freelance concept artist and art director with over 15 years of experience. He serves on the core committee of the British Film Designers Guild and is a member of BAFTA.

He has worked on movies and TV shows including Dune: Part Two, Renegade Nell and Black Doves, as well as projects in games, advertising and live events.

Pricing and availability
Designing Sci-Fi Props for Film is available via a subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, which provides access to over 300 tutorials.

Subscriptions cost $57/month or $519/year. Free trials are available.

Read more about Designing Sci-Fi Props for Film on The Gnomon Workshop’s website


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