03: Achieving photorealism - Different techniques

There are multiple ways to achieve photorealism using different techniques and software. Depending on the artist and their job or even what they need it for they would use a specific way to create more realistic 3D assets. 

 Photogrammetry 

The Evolution of Video Game Graphics (thelogocreative.co.uk)

How Is Photogrammetry Used in Video Games? – PhotoModeler

Photogrammetry is the process of extracting information from photographs. It starts with taking photographs and inputting them into a software, such as Recap by Autodesk.  Adjusting the settings to obtain either a measuring, 3d objects or a scene. Films such as The Matrix and Fight club have used this technique before, in Fight club, the scene in wich the parking has multiple destructive equipment, was done using 100s of images. 

Fight Club (1999) - Computer Animation history-CGI! (jimdofree.com)

The studios that worked on Death Stranding used photogrammetry to create a more accurate 3D character version of the actor.

Pros and cons with photogrammetry

Is lidar or photogrammetry better for building capture? (navvis.com)

Photogrammetry pros

• Depending on the project it can be cheap or expensive.
• It can be done using an expensive camera equipment or even a smartphone.
• Captures RGB visuals, for textures.
• You can quickly create an outdoor environment using a drone.

Photogrammetry cons

• It can be easy to create 3D objects however you need the right equipment and great training to obtain the highest and most accurately detailed 3d asset.
• High-accuracy data needs high resolution photographs which means spending more time on set and after.
• You can struggle with low contrast environments and flat surfaces.

Projection mapping

This is the process of using real images and projecting them onto 3D meshes. Using a software such as Autodesk Maya, we can project our image and create simple geometry that we then will give the shape of the actual image to it. In the image bellow you can see how the artist adjusted vertices to match the silhouettes and general shapes of the room. 

Although you can quickly create an environment, the main issue is that the image is fixed and when you move the camera from that point of view, the textures will look stretched.

Texturing

"A 3D Texture Artist creates stylized or natural textures and materials that are then applied to 3D models and environments in games, films, or TV shows. They play an important role in the VFX Pipeline." Stefyn N. (2020)

What is 3D texturing? How to become a 3D texture artist | CG Spectrum

There are multiple softwares used to texture 3D assets, the most common programs are Substance Painter, Mari and also Quixel Bridge. In conjunction with these, artist also use Photoshop and 3D coat. 

As a texture artist if you have been tasked to texture a 3D asset, you would start gathering as many references as possible. If you have the object, you could take multiple pictures of it, if not there are websites where you can find specific products with good quality image resolutions. Antic shop websites or gun websites or even the army's website if you needed a weapon. If the object is very old, you could even go to a museum and find great references. Time is one of the factors that will dictate the way you texture an object, as this could be very old and for example, the paint could be worn off. The environment will also affect the object, the sun can change the colour of the paint, there could be specific areas that have more dirt or scratches.

"A good Texture Artist might collect these images to build a library for future projects."  Stefyn N. (2020)

Bellow you can see how the before and after of a tank textured by the artist John Olofinskiy.

Substance Painter is one of the programs that have become industry standard, as most studios use it and therefor, they sometimes ask for it as a requirement in order to work with them. In this program you can create unique textures either hand painted or procedurals. This is the software I will be using for my personal work later on.