Get Inspired by 3D Digital Art in the Video Game Industry
Once again, the BandurArt team offers aspiring video game artists the chance to explore the secrets and examples of this constantly evolving industry. Now we want to tell more about 3D digital art that helps to build the games we love. From vast open worlds to immersive characters, 3D digital artists have shaped modern video gaming titles as we get used to seeing them.
With detailed examples of fan-favorite video games, we will show beginner artists how to create digital 3D art that inspires and remains in the hearts of gamers. There are endless possibilities to express your creativity and imagination – from fantasy landscapes to realistic worlds with breathtaking life simulations. If you dream about creating visually stunning games, a career as a 3D digital artist is your path.
What is 3D Digital Art?
3D digital art is an inevitable part of 3D computer graphics, a concept when the special software produces three-dimensional models of the in-game environment, objects, and characters. Unlike traditional art with the its dwelling on two-dimensional flat surfaces, digital 3D art has to add depth to each object and piece of environment from all angles.
This is how 3D digital art is different from traditional 2D format:
- Dimensions. The length and width are present in 2D art, while 3D art introduces depth;
- Perspective. 3D digital art objects can be rotated and viewed from different angles;
- Complexity. Digital art in 3D makes use of polygon meshes, textures, and lighting to show more realistic visuals;
The history goes back to the early days of 3D computer graphics of digital art just a small, unexplored part of it. The game developers just used simple wireframe models for their projects. Over the decades with the constantly improving technologies, the professional niche of digital art in 3D has evolved into the highly detailed, realistic visuals we see in today’s games. From the first 3D-rendered games in the 1990s to open-world masterpieces we can play, 3D digital art has been a game-changer. Especially, when it comes to 3D digital artistic styles.
The Diversity of 3D Digital Art Styles – Surreal and Abstract Examples
3D digital art is not bound to be just realistic. Strict forms should not limit regulations, artists can explore surrealism and abstraction with mind-bending visuals to alter the players’ perceptions. These 3D art styles in video games are meant to bring out solid emotional responses as gamers become submerged in these strange and dreamlike worlds.
Surreal 3D Art In Digital
Games like Control and Inside perfectly demonstrate how one can effectively use surrealist 3D art in the enhancement of storytelling. In Control, for example, the gaming space and environment constantly shift and morph in impossible ways: objects float, spaces distort, and weird geometric forms are present.
This adds so much to the mysterious and eerie atmosphere of this game and allows players to walk their way through some kind of twisted reality. While Inside is more about the minimalistic, unsettling 3D visuals, it gives a haunting vibe to experience. The surreal surroundings with abstractive narrative in their flow leave much to the interpretation of a player. The whole gameplay turns into an artistic journey.
Abstract 3D Digital Art
Abstract 3D digital art removes the constraints of reality. It often focuses on shapes, colors, and forms rather than recognizable objects. The examples include games that are more about solving puzzles or deep meditation while exploring. 3D digital artists mostly use such tools as Blender and ZBrush for creating organic, fluid shapes or geometric designs. Abstract 3D art supposes experiments with lighting, textures, and unique camera angles for constructing visual puzzles or environments that evoke emotion rather than logic.
If you follow our blog for quite some time, then consider checking the post dedicated to 3D digital art styles. There are so many ways to express yourself as a 3D digital artist.
How to Make 3D Digital Art – Explanation with Examples
The active use of 3D digital art took video games to the next dimension and made them fantastic to explore. The BandurArt team loves to create unique 3D sculpture art in digital form and appreciates the best examples in the video game industry.
Horizon Zero Dawn
This post-apocalyptic world leaps to life through the brilliant use of 3D digital art. The game boasts stunning landscapes and robotic creatures. The lush environment houses towering mountains, flowing rivers, and ruins from the future, with attention to the smallest details. Also, the facial expressions and movements of the wind through the hair of the protagonist, Aloy, are just mind-blowing. 3D models of robotic creatures are simply visually stunning and should become an example for all aspiring 3D digital artists.
The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II is a simple masterclass in how to make 3D digital art to tell an emotional, riveting story. Every character comes to life with realistic facial and body motion that makes the storytelling more believable. Everything from dilapidated cities to plush forests comes with impressive attention to detail. Lighting and texture work together to add to the realism, making every single moment in the game full of intensity and believability. They also offered some of the best examples in digital black-and-white 3D art.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is a neon-lit futuristic world filled with towering skyscrapers and teeming streets. The mind-blowing 3D graphics in this game make the vast Night City almost a living and breathing character itself. Character models are diverse thanks to their cybernetic enhancements, detailed to the dot to bring out the game’s perspective of the future. Even at launch, despite the technical hiccups, the game’s 3D art had stood out in the whole industry for its ambition of scale and detail.
Check the comparison table that explains how to make 3D digital art like in the mentioned video games.
| Game Title | Art Style | Tools Used | Key Techniques |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | Realistic with sci-fi elements | Blender, Substance Painter | High-poly characters in 3D digital art, textures |
| The Last of Us Part II | Photorealism | Maya, ZBrush, Unreal Engine | Motion capture, realistic textures |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Futuristic, dystopian | 3DS Max, Unreal Engine, Houdini | Complex lighting, cybernetic models |
Creating 3D Digital Art – Recommended Tools and Techniques
3D digital art is too complicated to create. That is a common misconception. In reality, if you use the right tools and learn several techniques to use those tools, then making 3D digital art can be a fun and rewarding process. It might be about building 3D art digital characters, environments, or full game worlds, but knowing these fundamentals will give you the best possible foot forward to start your journey.
How gaming developer studios create 3D digital art – they use different professional tools for it. First of all, the team of 3D artists needs to pick up the right software:
- Blender (Free). This open-source tool is very powerful for 3D modeling, texturing, and animation solutions. Great both for beginners and professionals;
- Maya (Paid). The industry’s standard is used in countless AAA game studios. It is especially good for creating 3D digital art with advanced 3D modeling and animation;
- ZBrush (Paid). This software specializes in 3D sculpting to make really detailed 3D digital art characters and models;
| Software | Type | Cost |
| Blender | Free | Free |
| Maya | Paid (Subscription) | $ 235/month |
| ZBrush | Paid (One-time fee) | $ 895 |
| Substance Painter | Paid (Subscription) | $ 19.90/month |
After choosing the software, 3D artists go for making awesome 3D objects in such stages:
1) 3D Modeling
This is the actual modeling of a basic structure of your 3D object – be it a character, building, or tree. You start with a simple shape, like a cube, and use the default tools to stretch, pull, and mold the shape into what you want. You will be able to create models with polygons in Blender and Maya, while ZBrush offers digital sculpting techniques with a more organic feel.
2) Texturing
Texturing includes the process of making the model ready, followed by adding textures to it and then giving color and details to your model. The material application will involve applying images or manually painting the surface of your model to make it look similar to real-world objects. Programs such as Substance Painter are more common at this stage. However, Blender and Maya have more tools for 3D texturing.
3) Rigging and Animation
This is the process of putting a skeleton in your model so it can be made to move. This step is required when your character model needs to walk, run, or jump. Once rigged, animators can use keyframes to create fluid movements. Both Blender and Maya feature strong rigging and animation systems.
4) Rendering
Rendering really means the very last step in the creation of 3D digital art. This is where you take your 3D model and make it really shine with lighting, shadow, and camera angles. Applications and tools such as Arnold create a final, high-quality image or animation.
Now that you know how to do 3D art digital with professional tools, go for it – practice your skills every day and you will start seeing the progress in a few months, for sure. Also, do not forget to visit the blog of the BandurArt team where we share our experiences with 3D digital art software free and paid.
How to Improve Your 3D Digital Art Skills?
If you already know something about digital art in 3D, techniques, software, or just any insights of this career/hobby, feel free to share with the world. Even aspiring developers and artists can start a video blog or join the communities on Reddit to inspire others who just made their first baby steps in this interesting world of creativity and hard work.
Through tutorials, courses, or mentorship programs, game artists have chances to give back to others in very rewarding ways and grow as professionals as well. Knowledge sharing will help communities grow, nurture new talents, and certainly help with advanced skills.
Popular 3D digital art websites and educational sources you can use:
- ArtStation. A very popular website among 3D artists for showing their work, communicating with other people, and getting inspiration. This is a great place to learn something new by analyzing other professional portfolios;
- Polycount. A community forum for 3D artists that includes tutorials, discussions, and feedback for your works. It is just the right place for asking questions and collaborative work together with other artists;
- Blender Artists Community. This forum is dedicated to users of Blender and offers tutorials, resources, and support from its ever-growing community of 3D artists;
- CGSociety. Being a home for many digital artists, CGSociety features online challenges, discussion forums, and a showcase gallery full of inspirational 3D digital art;
- Udemy. This largest education platform offers a variety of paid courses on different topics including 3D art – from beginner modeling to advanced techniques in animation;
- Youtube. This largest video hosting platform probably includes every possible 3d digital art tutorial you can imagine and all these video lessons will be free to watch. However, do support the creators who share their priceless experience with sponsorship or become their patrons;
Frequently Asked Questions
What software do I need to start doing 3D digital art?
Free software used for creating 3D digital art includes Blender, while paid ones are Maya and ZBrush. Each tool outperforms in something different: Blender is versatile for modeling and animation, Maya in character rigging and complex animations, and ZBrush for detailed sculpting. Most beginners pick Blender because it is free and can do many things. Eventually, they moved to more professional programs like Maya and ZBrush.
Is 3D digital art hard to learn for beginners?
Though this is difficult, this is something that can be learned by a zero-level beginner with enough dedication and practice. Start with using free 3D digital art software like Blender and complete beginner-friendly tutorials. Gradually learn such basic skills as modeling, texturing, rigging, and rendering. Use the help of free communities on Reddit, YouTube tutorials, and Udemy courses to switch from an amateur to a professional 3D digital artist.
Conclusion
Of course, we just scratch the theme of digital 3D art for beginners but, hopefully, we helped you to understand the beauty and creativity that this professional can bring. The video game industry keeps growing and despite temporary difficulties skilled 3D digital artists are always in demand. Learning to make 3D digital art opens up a wide range of creative opportunities. And you can always consult the BandurArt team about how to become a 3D artist or work on interesting projects. Let’s create great games and 3D art together!
