Ansel Hsiao shares his process to add hull panels and details to a Star Wars themed spaceship using 3ds Max.
With the imminent release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Industrial Light & Magic’s use of old fashioned kit-bashed models to recreate the tone of 1977’s A New Hope, we turned to artist Ansel Hsiao this issue for his advice on how to get that Star Wars kit look in your CG.
“First you have to ask the question: what is it?” explains Ansel as we ask where to begin. “Real machines are typically built for a reason. Science fiction machines tend to be built for a look. The best Star Wars design incorporates both elements; the ‘used universe’ aesthetic works because the vehicles it produces look like they could plausibly be used.”
To capture that balance of use and imagination, Ansel recommends starting with an idea of what the vehicle or spaceship is designed to do and, “work those considerations within the overall art direction. After all, a freighter bristling with guns looks a bit weird.” Ansel explains
further: “Here, I wanted to capture the classic Imperial Star Destroyer look, but much smaller. The idea was for the ship to be a scout. So continuing to brainstorm the design, I gave it lots of sensors and antennae, and wanted to make it look fast and elusive.”
Start at the base
Ansel begins creating the Star Destroyer variant with the basic hull shape. “The basic Galactic Empire aesthetic is based on relatively clean and geometrically regular shapes and sharp angles,” he explains. “There are lots of complex surface details, but they should by and large conform to the basic shape.” (Take a look at the boxout: Start with Basic Shapes, in order to see Ansel’s step-by step process for creating the base shape of his Star Destroyer).
This story is from the January 2017 edition of 3D World UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2017 edition of 3D World UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HOW DO I QUICKLY ITERATE LIGHTING FOR LOOKDEV USING REDSHIFT AND CINEMA 4D?
3D rendering can be a massively time-consuming process for artists, which can tie their primary machine into render cycles.
Scanning the stars
Matthew McMillion discovers why artist Kazu Hiro turns to 3D scanners when creating special effects makeup for Hollywood's A-listers
HOW DO I CREATE CINEMATIC CAMERAS IN KEYSHOT?
KeyShot provides powerful yet simple-to-use rendering tools through both a standalone package and a plugin for all the best-known DCC applications.
ADD RAIN TO RENDERS IN POST-PRODUCTION
3D World Editor Rob Redman shows you how to build the storytelling in your scenes with dramatic rainstorm effects
FOR 10 MODO 17.0
How to get the most from Foundry's updated 3D package
MAKE AN ANIMATION FOR A MOVING VEHICLE
Get revved up with Oscar Juárez as he details how you can create a realistic animation with help from a 3ds Max plugin
CREATE STYLISH HAND-PAINTED CHARACTER ART
Video game artist Weston Reid reveals the process for building his stylised Wild West-inspired character
THE ART OF Surajit Sen
The digital sculptor speaks to Cesci Angell about his thought processes, work on major Indian films, and having a 3D obsession
REBELS WITH A CAUSE
Trevor Hogg embarks on a galactic journey to uncover the secrets behind Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire NEXT
DRAMA & SPECTACLE
Trevor Hogg gets dangerously close to kaiju to uncover the secrets behind Monarch: Legacy of Monsters