Since you watch me, you probably have some idea of what 3d is, but for those of you who want to know more, i've written an article explaining what 3d is...the artistic process, what it's used for, the works.

Hope you find it helpfull.

=Masterwks has full permission to quote any part of the following in her article, 3D Artwork for the Layman
Her full article can be found Here


Sections:
1) What is 3d?
2) Artistic Process
3) Uses

[SECTION 1 - WHAT IS 3D??]


3d is a form of digital art – it is created using a computer. Artists use a variety of programs, ranging from freeware, like Blender, to professional-grade programs, such as 3D Studio Max, commonly referred to as 3ds or 3ds max. However, the artistic process remains the same – I’ll use 3Ds max as an example. 3Ds max features a 4 pane system. Think of this as drawing 4 different pictures – a left view, a top view, a front view, and a view of the desired angle – all at once. Draw something in the left view and it will also appear in the top view…but you will see it from the top! This creates the 3d environment in which we work in.


[SECTION 2 - ARTISTIC PROCESS]


A typical work is created in 5 basic stages. Visualization (optional), Modeling, Texturing, Rendering, and Post-production (optional). First, the artist must visualize what he wants to create, similar to a painter coming up with an idea. Models are then created simultaneously in all 3 views, using “vertexes”, or the points at each corner, creating a fully functional 3d object, appearing as dots and lines. The modeling stage can take anywhere from months for a fairly complex scene to just days for a simple object. In the rendering stage, the vertexes are connected with lines, creating boxes, which are then filled in with colour. This is done entirely by computer, in a matter of milliseconds. The colour of the object can be changed in the Texturing stage (the artist will go back and forth between texturing and rendering, as you cannot see textures in the modeling stage). Lighting is also added in this stage, creating added realism and shadows. This is similar to how a painter would sketch an outline with a pencil, then colour it in and shade it. However, as this is a digital art form, anything may be changed and moved at any time! Rendering is generally the most time consuming, yet most enjoyable part of the whole process. An artist can render an image thousands of times before he finds the correct angle and lighting. The final render of a work can literally take days – 12 hour and over renders are not uncommon for just a medium quality render! The last phase is post production – artists typically take the render to Photoshop for colour correction and levels.


[SECTION 3 - USES]


3d art is very similar to photography. The view is determined by a “camera”, which can be rotated and moved around. Lighting, reflectors, wind, reflections…all of these things can be created in 3D, and all of these things affect the render. This can create extremely realistic images, and because of this, 3d is most often used for animation. Just like a real life camera, you can walk around an object and take pictures at any angle. However, unlike real life, you can create the surreal in 3d. I’m sure many of you have seen the movie transformers? How do you think they filmed the transformation of the autobot from vehicle to robot? Scale miniatures? NO! They modeled and rendered it in 3d. Much of the “special effects” you see in movies today are indeed renders. This enables the director to blow up an entire building, without having to pay for it. 3d is also used for cartoon animation –Ratatouille, Meet the Robinsons, all of these movies were created in 3d. Commercials take advantage of this technology as well. A talking moose, talking beavers, dancing toothpaste, all of these things can be rendered and animated in 3d programs. In fact, 3d is so widely used today that I can safely say that most of the movies and commercials you see today have a part in them that has been rendered in 3d.

Another of its major uses is for interior design. Let’s say an architect has come up with a brilliant design. Boundary pushing design, abstract lighting, whatever. Great. But nobody can see what the architect sees; nobody can really visualize what he is thinking. Building a showcase for each design would be ridiculous – think of the costs and the time involved! And who has the space? Therefore, they call in a 3d artist, who can make a render of the washroom, kitchen, living room, etc, so realistic; you’d think it’s a picture.

The final major use for 3d is in game design. Every 3d game today is modelled in a 3d program, and rendered in a 3d program. The world, the characters, the objects, EVERYTHING. When somebody goes, “wow that game has the best graphics!!” it’s not just because it’s seen on the newest game console, it’s because an artist modelled and textured each detail.

Many of you may be wondering why you have never heard of an art form that is used so widely? It’s because we strive for realism. We want you to walk out of the movie thinking “OPTIMUS PRIME!” not “Wow that CG (computer generated) effect was terrific”. We strive for photorealism, and the greatest achievement for us is to hear the audience say “How did they do that? It looked so real!” In fact, we do it so well that it has become almost impossible to detect. I present you with a challenge. Have you seen the movie Poseidon (2006)? You know the very first scene, where the main character takes a leisurely jog around the boat, while the camera pans around him, filming the ship in all its splendour?
That’s right. That isn’t a boat.

It’s 3d.

~alt0208

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