topic Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props? in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 18:00:21 GMT

I've been searching for information about the typical, i.e. industry standard, timeframe for the complete modeling cycle when making environment props.

The specific cycle steps/stages I'm considering are: creating the high poly, low poly, unwrapping the low, and then baking the normals etc.

However I've been unable to find anything (thus far) that answers this question. I do recall reading an article by a professional modeler, about a year ago, and I think he said that overall process for him was about 2 working days.

Again, I can't find that article or anything else, so I'm not sure if my memory is accurate or not. Plus, that was just one person's situation and I'd really like to get a general sense of what kind of timeframe is expected in the game industry.

So I'd really appreciate if anyone has insight into this matter as I'm looking for an appropriate timeframe to aspire towards in terms of said modeling cycle.

Thanks!

Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 19:07:59 GMT

It can change drastically depending of the asset size, complexity or quality.

Also repetitive type of assets can be done quicker than lots of specific tasks.

In top of that you need to consider if the client ask revisions.

A person with strong portfolio and resume can ask more money.

Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 19:56:58 GMT

Yes, I’m aware of that which is why I stated “environment props” as those tend to be much smaller and more simple than all other types of game models as they’re just ancillary models. Also, I specifed a modeling workflow that involves normal maps, which are usually reserved for, again, small/minor models.

Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 20:09:40 GMT

That doesn’t narrow down any of my points.

The only way you can know the budge is knowing specifically the design of the assets and examples of execution as reference.

In general I recoment being paid by days, no by assets.

Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 23:33:09 GMT

Please don’t respond to a post if you’re just going to make unnecessary comments and confusing statements.

Nothing in my original post said anything about budgets. You’re talking about things that aren’t relevant to my question because, again, environment props tend to be small things like crates, barrels, chairs, etc. Therefore, it’s reasonable to expect that there be a general timeframe for completing such props. In fact, as I wrote, I have seen one professional modeler say that his usual turnaround for such props is 2 days, but that’s just one person and as I said earlier, I’d like to know if that’s typical. Also, I’m not asking about independent/freelance artists. I’m specifically asking about artists that are employed by game companies, but if that wasn’t clear, I’ll edit that for clarity.

So again, please stop responding just to add unnecessary criticisms. You’re not helping at all.

Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 23:57:20 GMT

Ok, I will unsubscribe of this post. I hope that the person that replies you next will be aware that he needs to give you the correct response to avoid annoying you.

By the way, never was my intention to criticize you and I'm sure nothing that I have written can be seen like that.

Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

loganfoster — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 23:52:38 GMT

Sorry @Anonymous, but @Anonymous is correct in that you have asked a very open question that has a lot of different answers which are entirely dependent upon the type of project that you are working on such as its what it is, how important it is, its artistic pillars it needs to meet, what the output platform target is, etc.. As such the answer could be anywhere from 4 hours to 14+ days

To give you a general idea though on what it can take to make something in the AAA realm of quality here is what the team at DICE were quoting a few years back at GDC 17 in regards took them to develop props for Battlefield 4 vs using Photogrammetry for Star Wars Battlefront 1:

I hope that helps you understand your question better. However with that said you really did not need to go and be snarky at @Anonymous and really do owe him the professional courtesy of an apology as he was only trying to help better understand your question so that he could give you a solid/reasonable answer to it that would better fit your situation.

Re: What is a typical timeframe for the modeling cycle of environment props?

dgorsman — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:31:23 GMT

Steady on... the term "budget" in the context of project management is used for total resources, not just raw monetary cost. It includes number and experience of workers, and how many hours of work they can provide (both actual and effective, which accounts for experience).