3D Concepts with Google Sketchup - Features

Sunil Pant was responsible for the 3D props and pre-viz layout for fims such as Dreamworks' Megamind and Iron Man 2. In this workshop, he demonstrates how Google SketchUp can help you work quickly to block out a 3D concept. A quick block out of your design will help you evaluate the design in 3D form to get a better idea of proportional and scale issues.

We'll start with a simple prop (building an artist desk) where you will familiarize yourselves with the tools available: cameras, materials and ways to render out your design. Sunil will then demonstrate the approach and setup of building your 2D designs into 3D. By week four, you will be involved in more complicated props and vehicle designs by building a Concept Steam Train in 3D, from basic shapes to detailing.

A FREE version of Google SketchUp is available as a download, and it's all you need to do this course.

Sunil is a Designer and a 3D sketch artist and has been working in the motion picture and video game industry for over 4 years. During his undergraduate study at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Sunil worked as an art intern at Electronic Arts in Redwood Shores, and as an apprentice to veteran film designer George Hull.

Throughout this connection, Sunil began to sharpen his skills while working for George Hull Design, specifically working on film projects. Responsibilities included creating quick 3D sketch models for props and sets using Google SketchUp. "Quick" being the key attribute, Sunil’s quick designs allowed for many variations and fast ideas to accelerate the design process. Some
include: THE CLUB video game, IRON MAN 2.

In 2007 Sunil began working for Dreamworks as a 3D Visual Development artist for the animated film MEGAMIND where
he was responsible for the 3D design of props and pre-viz layouts of the various sets in the movie. He is currently the lead designer on an animated feature called 'Escape from Planet Earth' at Rainmaker Entertainment in Vancouver, BC

In this workshop, you will learn how to take your basic 2D sketches and quickly transform them into 3D shapes and for a quick turnaround, ready for the art director/production designer to see.

You will also learn tips and tricks on how to speed-up your 3d workflow using pre-built models and merging them seamlessly together to make detailed 3D designs. This workshop will also cover creating layout/presentation pages of your 3D prop design for modelers to use further down in the production pipeline. Also, presentation basics, adding materials to your model, exporting it into Maya and doing further tweaks if needed.

We will also cover the modeling techniques useful in preproduction, going over styles, materials and interactive light/shadow options as well as what the difference is between grouping a model and making it into a component and how useful in the modeling pipeline.

Also:

- Best practices on how to keep a model clean without any floating edges.

- Applying transparency and varying edge styles to get a more personalized look to your designs during the presentation stage

- Setting up two workflows - exporting your models as .JPEG's into Photoshop and/or exporting your models as .OBJ's into Maya and doing a lighting pass using Maya’s advanced lighting techniques.