How To Get Started with 3D Illustration
3D illustration is an exciting and rapidly growing field that combines artistic creativity with technical skills. It's a fantastic way to bring your imagination to life and create visually stunning artwork. It also sets you apart in the otherwise 2D-dominated industry. Whether you're interested in character design, environmental art, product visualisation, or just want to experiment with a new medium, 3D illustration offers endless possibilities.
For this guide, I will keep the focus on 3D illustration and stay away from the animation and film industry. Animated movies usually require a full team and an enormous budget where whereas 3D illustration can be just one person doing everything.
What is 3D Illustration?
3D illustration involves creating three-dimensional images using specialised software. Unlike traditional 2D art, which is flat, 3D illustrations have depth and can be viewed from various angles. This allows for a more immersive and realistic experience for the viewer. 3D illustrations are also the go-to medium for Virtual and Augmented Reality. There are a lot of interactive things you can build with 3D illustrations, and you can even 3D print them.
Benefits of 3D Illustration
Versatility: 3D illustrations can be used in various industries, including technology, advertising, gaming, education, virtual reality, and architecture.
Creativity: 3D illustration enables endless creative expression, allowing artists to manipulate shapes, textures, lighting, and more to create unique and captivating visuals.
Realism: With the right tools and techniques, 3D illustrations can achieve a level of realism that's almost indistinguishable from photographs.
Commercial Value: Skilled 3D illustrators are in high demand either for a website or content creation, making it a potentially lucrative career path, especially with the emergence of Virtual and Augmented Reality.
Top 3D Illustration Tools for Beginners
Choosing the right software is crucial for beginners as it can significantly impact your learning experience. Here are some of the best 3D illustration tools that are beginner-friendly and offer powerful features:
Blender (Free and Popular):
Blender, a free and open-source 3D creation suite, is a fantastic option for beginners. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for modelling, texturing, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking. Its intuitive interface and vast online community make it easy to learn and get support. And it has amazing plugins.
Cinema 4D (Motion Design Industry Standard):
Known for its user-friendly interface and intuitive workflow, Cinema 4D is a popular choice for 3D artists and motion designers, although its expensive. It offers a wide range of features, including modelling, texturing, animation, and rendering. Its procedural workflows and powerful plugins make it a versatile tool for various projects.
Maya (Animation Industry Standard):
An industry-standard 3D animation and modelling software used in film and game development. Maya is the go-to software if you want to work in an animation film studio.
Spline (Suited first-time users and web designers):
Spline is a relatively new 3D design tool that's gaining popularity for its ease of use and collaborative features. It's a browser-based tool, meaning you don't need to download any software. Spline allows you to create interactive 3D designs, animations, and prototypes with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Other specialised Top 3D Illustration Tools
ZBrush: A digital sculpting tool used for creating highly detailed 3D models.
Nomad Sculpt: Like Zbrush but cheaper and runs on iPad.
Houdini: A powerful software known for its complex simulations and visual effects.
3ds Max: Another popular 3D modelling and animation software used in various industries.
Unreal Engine: A 3D gaming environment builder that can do a lot in real-time.
Tips for Beginners
Start with the basics: Learn the fundamental concepts of 3D modelling, texturing, lighting and animation.
Practice regularly: The more you practice, the better you'll become. Experiment with different techniques and styles.
Join online communities: Connect with other 3D artists to learn, share your work, and get feedback.
Take online tutorials and courses: Many online resources offer tutorials and courses that can help you learn 3D illustration skills.
Don't be afraid to experiment: Try out different software and find the one that suits your workflow and style.
The Basics
3D art is vast, and people often specialise in one thing, but as a 3D illustrator, you need to be a generalist.
Before you do any of the main features, I would suggest getting used to the 3D space in a 3D tool that has X, Y, and Z axis. If you are very new I suggest using Spline in the browser and following a tutorial.
Start with modelling either in Blender or Cinema4D. You can even learn it using a sculpting tool like ZBrush or Nomad Sculpt, but additional steps need to be completed in a tool like Blender or Cinema 4D.
Then, you will need to learn how to texture, which is adding materials and colours to your artwork.
After that, you need to light your 3D scenes to set the mood and prepare for the final render.
If you want to move things, then you also need to learn animation and rigging; every subtopic is a vast subject in its own.
That being said, there are numerous resources available, including 3D models, environments, materials, rigs, and animations. So if you want to make use of that it can be a great time saver.
Conclusion
3D illustration is a rewarding and creative field that can lead to exciting career opportunities. With the right tools, dedication, and practice, you can create stunning 3D artwork that captures your imagination and inspires others. but it will take time, it will take years to be good at it and find your style.
