[General Confusion]

Here are some images that I'm finally allowed to show, per the client. These images are for a cinematic that was made for Mech Assault (an X-Box live game). I did matte paintings, as well as some 3-D texture terrain map paintings. The cinematic was used as the promotional movie for the game, and I believe it was shown at E3, and from what I hear it may be in the newest X-Box magazine issue, on the mags' CD (but don't quote me on that!!!)

This first image was the first run I did. It was decided by MS that the mountains appeared to be too realistic. They wanted them to look more like they were created via 3-D modeling, so I had to revise their look, thus came the second image here.

Then from there, I pretty much had in mind what was needed, so I produced the work for the remaining shots. Image three here is one example... Notice the mountain range is similar, it had to be done that way cause it was a different time of day, but same location.

Image four is of a texture map I did. This is a comp of what it would look like when the modeled geometry was included. I did it for my sake, but the client found it to be very helpful, in deciding on the direction they wanted. So I ended up having to add the tank treads and the walkway to the grass texture I already created... Everything else in the image is modeled..

Check out my site, for multiple screen shots of the cinematic, as well as the rest of the imagery I had to create....

image 1


image 2


image 3


image 4

[Ylla]

very nice. good how you can adapt you style.

[Max]

Just wow.
The first image is the best I think.
I love this sharp rocks.
Very imaginary.
The others are also awesome.
It's my dream to work in the computergameindustry.

[Binke]

Heh damn why didnt they choose the first version of the mountains? Like why did they want stuff to look 3d rendered heh. they look alot better then the 2nd version imo. Oh well stupid MS..
Anyways looks good. Texture terrainmaps is always a bit tricky to paint. (Thats what im doing atm).

[ August 15, 2002: Message edited by: Binke ]

[General Confusion]

Ylla - thanks, it was disappointing to have to do that, but whatever the cleint wants I guess

Max Kulich - thanks also, I agree the first one was the direction I would have chose myself... and yah this project along with 2 others I'm on is my first commission in the game industry, after all those years I spent in corporate, and I'm loving it...

Binke - we talking the same language here... when I got that call I was annoyed, but I guess for the purposes of how it was used, they wanted to the look to be seamless.. and with the terrain maps, I can't even begin to tell you the amount of time I spent of just doing a grass texture (you could see it at my site) for something that you see for seconds.... but I got paid for it anyway

[The Machine God]

I really like the first one as well. But I think that you could easily get the look of the first one with 3D. Why would they think that something not so detailed and a little more plain would be 3D? That's stupid. To me the second and third one looks un finished next to the first one.
But anyway I like them all. I wish I could use colour like you.

[xmmx]

that really is great work, and is a shame that they didn't use the first one

[General Confusion]

The Machine God - yah you could easily get the look, but they wanted to scratch that look, because there were mountains already established in the game content.. the cinematic I did work for was done after all the otehr work had been completed, I wasn't told this until after I did the first rendering.. the other ones were accepted, because they gave me screen shots from the game, and I basically took what I did and toned it down.. so it wasn't that they didn't like the first pass, they loved it, I wish I could repeat the comments they made towards them.... they were really impressed.. but when doing this kind of work it comes down to making sure there is a consistency to everything involved so it doesnt look odd to the viewer.. and I find that making good color is easy, especially on the computer... when I used to paint traditionally with acrylics, I would lay down all the values I was happy with (values being the light and darks in an image) and I would use color to do this, but when I was done, I would use a slight very transparent overlay of color to enhance the color to where Iliked it... it usually worlked out well, but with digital.. you have color adjustments, so if you don't get color right the first time, use a color adjustment layer to correct it.. it works real well,better then traditional... experiment with it, you won't lose out on anything.

xmmx -I agree, but I'm using the first one in a piece I'm doing for myself so it wont go to waste.... but thanks for the compliment

[lalPOOO]

they're all really great, but the only thing I could think of is magic cards. I'm no obsessive m(agic)t(he)g(athering) person, I just think those would make some incredible lands. You ought to get in touch with wizards of the coast.

[General Confusion]

lalPOOO - funny you say that... I sent some work to them and got the form letter.. "hi, you're not good enough for us, letter!!!!!! it's funny I agree with you, and not because it's my work per say, but yeah I think I could do really well with Wizards... they have some great artists there, but they also have some... well, I'm not going to get into that.. I guess I have to keep sending them stuff, but thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it... too bad you don't work for Wizards