To be considered a 3D visualization professional, you need to follow certain rules and standards that cover technical, creative and organizational aspects.
In this post, let's talk about the technical and creative aspects. Here are the main ones:
Technical skills and proficiency with tools
Knowledge of software: It is important to be fluent in Autodesk 3ds Max, as many processes and libraries are created under this program. And this also includes render engines V-Ray, Arnold, Corona, etc. It is not bad to possess minimal knowledge and understand the process of Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya, ZBrush. Skills with post-processing programs such as Adobe Photoshop or After Effects are also required.
Working with textures and materials: A professional 3D artist must be able to create photorealistic materials using normal maps, reflection maps, and other complex textures. This helps to make the object as believable as possible, and the rendering itself closer to photorealism.
Lighting: Lighting is one of the most important competencies! Visualizer must know how to use different types of lighting (natural and artificial).
Customizing rendering: It is mandatory to be able to customize rendering settings to achieve photorealistic results.
Artistic approach
Composition and perspective: Knowing the rules of composition (golden ratio, rule of thirds, balance) helps you create visually appealing scenes. It is also important to be able to choose and adjust perspective to show the subject at its best.
Color and Light: Understanding how light and color work in a scene is the foundation of photorealistic 3D visualization. Proper use of shadows, highlights, and reflections helps add depth and realism to an image.
Creativity: Not only technique is important, but also the ability to come up with out-of-the-box solutions. For example, creating unique interior designs or innovative visual effects.
Rules in photography: Observance of proportions and scale, the ability to designate the main object in the image. It is necessary to know the principle of camera operation, as the camera settings in 3D programs are identical to the real one. It is important to be able to tell a story through rendering, to convey atmosphere, mood.
Work efficiency and project management
Model Optimization: A professional 3D artist should know how to optimize 3D models to reduce CPU and RAM overhead. This is especially important for animation or large scenes where every detail requires computational resources.
Time Management: It's important to be able to allocate time for modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering, especially for large projects with tight deadlines.
Project archiving: A professional should organize work in such a way that the project is easily accessible for adjustments or future use.