How To Make Realistic 3D Models of Your Animation
3D printing is a great way to recreate your favorite animated environments and characters. Find out how to
make realistic 3D models for yourself.
Use Realistic Materials
What helps make monsters and other animations realistic in live-action films is special effects with realistic
materials, like latex, clay, and foam. These materials have made many of our favorite props from films like
Avatar come to life. But what about animated films
couldn’t you create a realistic model of your favorite League of Legends character? You can with the right
resources.
Using realistic materials in your 3D models of animated figures is essential to your production; each filament
spool adds something unique to the final product, resulting in accuracy and careful attention to detail. There
are a few ways to determine how much filament you need, like taking measurements and considering your
past projects. Once you know the properties you’d like your filament to have, stock up on it.
Focus on Structure Maps
Before creating your 3D models, get to know structure maps, particularly bitmaps. A bitmap is a way for
technical artists to design the figure’s look and feel. Lossy and non-lossy bitmaps help designers choose the
best textures to capture the prototype’s likeness.
Bump mapping is another technique to know. Bump mapping is found on high-end digital print software,
allowing users to create art with various tools. You can use these tools to apply texture maps to creations,
especially if some of the design is more complex than other parts.
Reconfiguring the Maps
One step you should highly consider taking is reconfiguring the maps. Readjusting the bitmaps of each 3D
model makes every creation unique. For example, you could make a 3D model of an animated Spider-Man in
his original red and blue colors, or you could switch it up. If you aren’t looking to create an elaborate 3D
model, avoid changing the basic map properties.
Use Professional Photogrammetry Software
Making realistic 3D models of your animation requires professional photogrammetry software.
Photogrammetry software is an advanced system that scans bitmap images to build high-quality 3D print
models. These images aren’t always 100 percent clean, so ensure you have a program to clean up deformities
before printing.
The best way to get polished 3D models is to have the right materials and software. Next time you create a
realistic model of an animated character or environment, use the best software to clean up deformities and
avoid creating poor-quality models. These are the ways to create realistic 3D models of your animation.