Dream Destination
Software Used: Autodesk Maya, Adobe Substance Painter, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Nuke
I modeled the entire scene in Autodesk Maya, and then textured it using Adobe Substance Painter. I also used Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for help me in texturing. For the final touches, I added smoke coming from the house using Adobe After Effects, and completed the color grading in Nuke. Each step was a great opportunity to explore different parts of the pipeline and bring more mood and life to the project.
Reference & Blocking!
I started this project as a way to practice my modeling, lighting, and texturing skills. I find that using illustrations as references really helps me train my eye — it challenges me to take a 2D composition and bring it to life in 3D while preserving its mood and appeal.
One illustration by Xiansen Ni especially stood out to me. It had such a warm and comforting atmosphere, and I was inspired to use it as a base for this project. My goal wasn’t to recreate it exactly, but to interpret it in my own way — with a more realistic and colorful look, while love that same emotional tone!
I began by blocking out the environment in 3D to establish the composition and scale before moving on to detailed modeling.