Description

We often see how the most beautifully crafted and creative images made for video games and animation get translated into their 3D form in a technically immaculate way. The missing details from the drawing are propagated by alpha maps and microskin bumps—the more you zoom in, the more SSS details you can admire—yet somehow, some of the initial essence is lost in the process. Why is this happening? The Art Director speaks to the VFX Supervisor, they argue passionately, each pushing for their own side of things: “That’s not technically doable!” says one, “But it doesn’t look pretty!” says the other. """"We don't have any more rounds of feedback anyway..."""" —We hear the producer adding timidly from another room. Both get a bit frustrated and settle for a sweet middle spot. And even though both islands—2D and 3D—are doing an amazing job, why is everyone still unsatisfied? Perhaps there’s a missing block in the bridge between our two gorgeous islands? In this talk, I’ll share how I stumbled upon that missing piece—and how it accidentally became my career path