About the Project

Summary

Low Poly in the World is a project where every week, I take a picture of an object in the real world and recreate it in 3d software.

The Goal: The goal of the project is to end up with a library of basic objects in a consistent style for wider use.

What is Low Poly?

Low Poly is generally considered a 3D modelling technique characterized by relatively small amounts of polygons used. The technique originated in classic 3D games that had limited polygon budgets however as technology has progressed it’s use has grown far less.

Nowadays, Low Poly has become an aesthetic choice used by many independent artists due to both being easier to develop, and generally seen as nostalgic.

 

Why Low Poly?

I chose to work in Low Poly as it has always been a style I have been interested in. Like pixel art, the power of simplicity is at the forefront. And with most everyday objects having a concrete base shape, they make for great practice in the style. 

Constraints:

• No written words
  • Reason 1: Matching typography would be a general pain and go against the style.
  • Reason 2: If these are to be part of a library, obscuring brand names and identifying features can make them more flexible.
• Must match perspective
  • The end result should be able to be composited back into the original image.
  • Object can not be obscured in the original image.
• All texture work must be done in program
  • Only tools like Blender’s Texture Paint and UV Maps are allowed for textures.
• Low Poly Rules:
  • Scale and polycount must be done proportionally.
  • Minimal to no texture work.
  • Flat lighting throughout.

Tools:

• Blender – modeling, texturing, rendering
• Adobe CC – compositing and gif creation
• fSpy – image to perspective tool

The Workflow (Week 1 as example):

1. Take a picture of the object
   • Preferably with well defined perspective lines
   • Good composition
   • Soft lighting (generally)

     

2. Upload picture to Dropbox
3. Use OBS to record all work for later time lapse to be uploaded
4. Take image from Dropbox and put it into fSpy
   • Save .fspy to work folder

     

5. In Blender:
   • Import .fspy
   • Start with base primitives and build from there
   • Texture paint last
   • Match lighting rig with three point lighting
   • Render out image of the model on it’s own

     

     

     

6. Composite the object into the original photo

   

7. Upload result
   • The result should include:
     1. Finished composition
     2. Time lapse of process
     3. Original Image
     4. Description of item/context
     5. Particular challenges faced