Tutorial: Cityscape Set Design – Volume 1 and 2
The Gnomon Workshop has launched Cityscape Set Design, a two-volume tutorial on designing environments for VFX and games, recorded by Meta Visual Development Artist Tony Ianiro.
The step-by-step guides are aimed at 2D artists who are looking to make the transition to 3D.
Volume 1 covers 3D modeling, and provides over five hours of video training in Maya, Arnold and Photoshop.
Volume 2 covers texturing, lighting and rendering, and provides over four hours of video training in Maya, Arnold, Photoshop and Materialize.
Volume 1: professional workflows for modeling environments for film, games and VR
In Cityscape Set Design, Volume 1: Modeling, Ianiro walks viewers through the process of creating a 3D set based on New York City, suitable for use in film, games or VR projects.
He begins by gathering reference images and using them to create a thumbnail concept image through photobashing.
Next, using Photoshop, he creates correctly scaled architectural blueprints that he imports into Maya to use as guides while modeling the 3D set.
The tutorial follows a real-world production workflow, with Ianiro creating modular buildings that can be assembled in different configurations to create the final environment.
Once the set is complete, Ianiro covers the basics of texturing and lighting the 3D geometry, and creating camera set-ups.
Volume 2: texturing, lighting and rendering the environment
In Cityscape Set Design, Volume 2: Texturing, Lighting & Rendering, Ianiro explores texturing, lighting and rendering in more detail, taking the grayscale model to a final full-color image.
He begins by preparing textures and a custom skybox using Photoshop and Materialize.
Ianiro then moves to Maya where he covers shader creation, texturing the scene, setting up the skybox and environment fog, lighting the scene, and placing cameras.
He demonstrates how to render the scene in passes using Arnold for Maya, then composites the passes in Photoshop, applying the finishing touches to create a final illustration.
As well as the tutorial videos, viewers of the workshop can download Ianiro’s layered Photoshop files, renders, textures, and reference files.
About the artist
Tony Ianiro is a Visual Development Artist, currently working with Meta. He has over 25 years of experience, in roles including Concept Artist, Background Designer, and Art Director.
Projects he has worked on include animated feature films like Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, a Scooby-Doo TV series, and AAA game titles with Electronic Arts and Pandemic Studios.
Price and availability
Cityscape Set Design Volume 1 and 2 are 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 Cityscape Set Design, Volume 1: Modeling
Read more about Cityscape Set Design, Volume 2: Texturing, Lighting & Rendering
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