Hello all. This is Wren, the background(BG) artist for Missing Stars. I am here to show you the process taken to make the backgrounds for the project.



I do things differently than what a normal artist will do in this project. Also I have an array of programs to use to generate what you will see here.



First of all the list of applications I use.



AutoCAD 2012

AutoCAD Architecture 2012

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012

Global Mapping 13.0 (for terrain creation)

3D Studio MAX 2012

Google Sketchup 8 Pro w/ Twilight Render 1.45

Adobe Photoshop CS5 (soon to be CS6)



I am sure you are asking what the heck are so many programs needed. First off I am not as talented like my artist counterparts with freehand. And secondly, I am good at designing things with my engineering background. So long story short, I designed the whole campus with these programs and generate the shots needed for the project.



First step: AutoCAD.



Lines, lines, everywhere! I need a foundation and AutoCAD is perfect to setup layouts needed.





Second Step: Revit.



Revit is a very powerful architecture program. It can design everything needed in a 3D view. The bulk of my designing will be done in Revit.











































Also as a bonus with Revit. I can walk in 3D mode to find out any issues such as lighting and structure.









And if I really want to show a good shot, I can generate a full 3D rendering. But that can take sometime to do in Revit so I normally will import that into 3D Studio MAX to get it done.



















Depending on what is needed. I would export the Revit drawing to Google Sketchup 8 texture-less.



Third Step: Google Sketchup 8 Pro























Here I place color, textures, lighting, and anything else needed to make it go “anime” mode.































































Once I get the shots needed, I bring it all together into Photoshop CS5.



Fourth Step: Photoshop























After some cleanup and last minute touches, we have our end result.





















This looks like a long process, but I can generate several scenes in a few hours, give or take any change requests by the other members of the project.



Revit is a very powerful architecture program. It can design everything needed in a 3D view. The bulk of my designing will be done in Revit.Also as a bonus with Revit. I can walk in 3D mode to find out any issues such as lighting and structure.And if I really want to show a good shot, I can generate a full 3D rendering. But that can take sometime to do in Revit so I normally will import that into 3D Studio MAX to get it done.Depending on what is needed. I would export the Revit drawing to Google Sketchup 8 texture-less.Here I place color, textures, lighting, and anything else needed to make it go “anime” mode.Once I get the shots needed, I bring it all together into Photoshop CS5.After some cleanup and last minute touches, we have our end result.This looks like a long process, but I can generate several scenes in a few hours, give or take any change requests by the other members of the project.