Hard Surface – for the 3D design of smooth geometric surfaces with less fine detail than organic elements. Hard modeling is the second type of polygonal modeling, along with the Organic category.
Hard surface model – solid modeling: vehicles, weapons, mechanisms, cool Sci-fi gizmos. Hard surface modeling is all the rage and in demand from small indies to the biggest and most expensive projects; in film, video games, and motion design.
This style is developing in huge leaps. Art directors strive for realism and accuracy, mechanisms become detailed, and concepts become logical, natural, and interesting. We will now tell you about the features in our article.
Hard Surface Applications
The development of technology has made it possible to transfer truly unusual things to a monitor, TV, or smartphone screen. Before, you could only imagine monsters from Lovecraft’s books – today, you can see each one – all this is the work of a hard surface modeler. As a rule, there are 3 areas of using 3D:
- Video Games. Hard surface modeling is one of the core competencies of a 3D artist in games. Artists create characters, vehicles, environments, weapons, and props. Tasks may include creating storyboards and scenery and adding shadows and textures to visual effects. 3D modelers work closely with the creative and technical teams to improve the game’s visual quality and maintain a consistent character style. 3D modeling in games is used much more than all other technologies. Thanks to this, truly cool projects are obtained that gamers are waiting for and are ready to pay for them.
- Movies and TV shows. Movie character artists create three-dimensional creatures or objects integrated into live action. Their work primarily takes place in post-production, but sketches and concept art are developed in pre-production as part of the production design of a film or series. The work is important for believability: the elements must fit organically into the footage.
- Animation. 3D modelers in animated films, TV shows, or shorts develop and create character images used throughout the production cycle. They are as simple as their movie counterparts and do not require interactivity. They work closely with directors, writers, and designers to bring the characters to life.
Avengers, Transformers, The Matrix, Blade Runner, Batman, Star Track, Akira, Destiny, Gears of War, and the list goes on – these projects with a hard surface model.
Software
The software you use is not that important. For example, many 3D programs use the same anti-aliasing method (the Catmull-Clark algorithm). If you understand how it works, you can model under SubDiv in any package you are used to. But artists often use two basic tools: a full 3D package and sculpting software.
- Maya and 3D Studio Max is the most commonly used 3D programs. Their capabilities are comparable but are used in different industries. The film industry uses Maya almost without exception, and game dev uses 3D Studio Max and Maya equally.
- ZBrush is the sculpting package that dominates games and movies alike. If you’re just getting started with sculpting, you can also try out Sculptris, a free and easy-to-use app.
As additional software, the following are also popular:
- Blender
- Autodesk Mudbox
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Substance Painter
- Houdin
As an applied tool, character artists use graphics tablets. But among many hard surface modeling jobs, knowledge of technical sciences and the interaction of different components is often required (in turn, Organics requires knowledge of biology or anatomy). Why? Therefore, a hard surface model requires the most detailed elements; without basic knowledge, this will not work.
Final Thoughts
In the past, many computer games or movies used pre-rendered images of 3D models as sprites before computers could render them in real time. Having come a long way, a hard surface artist can create a truly unique character, object, or entire city with just software, imagination, and drawing experience. Answering the question of what is hard surface modeling, this is the basis on which the whole mobile game outsourcing team works. Just knowing how to model is no longer enough – to be relevant, you need to be able to conceptualize. People who know how to invent will always be valuable. That’s why studios create a stir around hard surface modeling jobs because finding a worthy specialist in this direction is difficult.