Omernick: Creating the Art of the Game

Highly visual guide to the workflow and creative process of a game artist.Includes images from some of the most popular games currently available from a variety of game publishers. Offers insight into what it is like to be a game artist through a combination of real world perspectives and experiences. Provides conceptual tutorials that will allow readers to apply what they learn using Maya, 3ds max, or any other 3D application. Written by an experienced 3D game artist and instructor, this book provides readers with the opportunity to explore the workflow, tools, and techniques used to create the 3D art used for today's most advanced and creative video games. Instead of providing point and click tutorials on how to implement 3D creation applications like 3ds max and Maya, this book provides carefully chosen software agnostic tutorials that will enable readers to understand the conceptual underpinnings of creating dynamic 3D art: planning, modeling, texturing, lighting, creation of common effects, creating user interfaces, and putting all of the pieces together for a complete art package. Special attention is paid to creating and refining textures using Photoshop, since it is the tool of choice regardless of the 3D tool being used for art creation. Explanations and tutorials are supplemented with discussion of how art was created in some of the most recognized games currently available. Descriptions and screen captures from such games as Medal of Honor, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Secret Weapons over Normandy, Bounty Hunter, RTX Red Rock, and from soon to be released Gladius will be included. This unique combination of explanation, tutorial, and real world documentation promise to make this book a rare and innovative tool for artists.Matthew Omernick has spent over 6 years in the game industry as a 3D artist for innovative companies like DreamWorks, Electronic Arts, and LucasArts. His experiences have given him with the opportunity to work on dozens of projects with varying requirements like Medal of Honor Frontline, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead and Secret Weapons Over Normandy, and RTX Red Rock. Matthew is currently working on a LucasArts title designed for the next generation of video game consoles. He has developed numerous tutorials and has 4 years of teaching experience at the Cal State Fullerton and the Academy of Art College, San Francisco.