Modelling Artist
Modelling artists, also known as modeller, create art assists digitally by using a wide range of objects from 3D software, ranging from characters, vehicles to living creatures and environments. They creates every elements from mesh to final rendering, before they can be animated or VFX can be applied.
The software for modelling artists are not limited to Blender, Cinema4D, 3DsMax, Maya, Mudbox, Zbrush, other software, as well as Unity and Unreal, are also involved in modeller’s daily job tasks. Some companies may not distinguish between modelling, character design and texturing artist roles.
See example of a modelling artist’s showreel as below:
Animator
Animator is a position to animate characters and objects for conveying emotions and assisting audience to immerse themselves in the story being told. After modelling, rigging, and texturing, animators set keyframes and add in-between on objects to demonstrate living and convincing sequences in animation. In an attempt to entertain audience, animators have to work 25 frames per second for producing realistic and stylised animation, and thus adding captivation in moving images.
Besides key framing, the ability of motion capturing is also one of the job task for animators. By using motion tracking suits, animators can obtain the motion data from it to animate look-alike character.
And here is example of an animator’s showreel :
Texture Artist
Texture artists design the surfaces of object, in order to look indistinguishable from the real thing, by applying shaders to the plain grey mesh. As an illustration, they rough objects up or they make them shine – scales on a crocodile’s skin, reflections on car doors, skid marks on roads, creases in trousers. In other words, texture artists apply “skin” to characters and objects, which, in turn, be able to adjust the shading, and lighting of the surface as well.
Similar to modelling artist, this job position required a wide range of software knowledge on Photoshop, ZBrush, Mudbox, 3ds Max, V-Ray, Maya, Nuke, etc.
See more details of what texture artist’s daily routine is with the interview of Solene as below:
Environment Artist
Environment artists are specialized artist that build anything from terrain to sky and everything in between, which are construction of world assets. They also able to make the mundane feel interesting. With a basic layout, they transform it become a fully-fledged world, with subtle details that fits the story. And as always, the more detailed the environment is, the more photorealistic it looks to convince the audience.
Some VFX companies or studios may not distinguish between environment, modelling, and texturing artist roles. Therefore, the series of software they access are quite similarly same.
See the showreel of the environment artists at MPC for details as below:
Reference:
1.ScreenSkills (n.d.). Careers in VFX. [online] ScreenSkills. Available at: https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/visual-effects-vfx/
2.UK Screen Alliance. (n.d.). Careers advice for VFX, animation, post production, TV & film studios or SFX. [online] Available at: https://www.ukscreenalliance.co.uk/subpages/careers-advice/?section=skills
3.Failes, I. (2019). Life as a motion capture performer. [online] befores & afters. Available at: https://beforesandafters.com/2019/08/19/life-as-a-motion-capture-performer/
4.Okun, J.A. (2015). The VES handbook of visual effects : industry standard VFX practices and procedures. Oxford: Focal.
5.www.accessvfx.org. (n.d.). Careers. [online] Available at: https://www.accessvfx.org/careers
6.80.lv. (2020). Tutorial: Rigging and Texture Blending Digital Humans with FACS. [online] Available at: https://80.lv/articles/tutorial-rigging-and-texture-blending-digital-humans-with-facs/