3D Environment Artist: Build Realistic Digital Worlds
Environment artists work from concept art, real-world reference, and scans to create digital 3D environments. They can compile an entire set or scatter tiny rocks to form the world of a film or video game. This job also involves populating an environment with assets, known as set dressing. Typically, this role is a specialization of a 3D modeler.
What does an environment artist do?
In films or TV shows, environments are often built or extended digitally when filming in real life is not achievable or practical (e.g., outer space, historical recreations, fantasy lands). Actors may be video-shotted against a green screen, and computer-generated environments built by 3D Environment Artists may return their surroundings.
World-building in video games involves creating environments that conduct and respond according to the laws of physics and the rules of the game universe. This means that characters cannot walk through walls, and objects must respond to gravity unless these are unique features of the game universe. The additional layer of complexity in video game world-building is due to the need for everything to function within the game’s parameters.
3D environment artist job description
The stoic mountains framing the background of a game’s scene, the abandoned building you explore in search of supplies, even the ground your avatar walks on — all the modular pieces that make up the world of a film or game are the responsibility of an environment artist.
They are also commonly responsible for texturing and shading the environment assets they create and, when completed, laying them out in the scene. Before building anything, environment artists must research and collate real-world references to map out the different aspects of a game’s geography.
Role & responsibilities of an environment artist in the film and games:
- Producing high-quality organic (e.g., shrubs) and hard surface (e.g., buildings) models and texture maps in line with brief and reference material, including interpreting abstract ideas
- Presenting work in a turntable-style environment with adequate lighting for improvement reviews and support (including scale reference)
- Providing consistency of UV mapping and polygonal subdivisions
- Working closely with Design and Art Directors to ensure their geo (and textures maps) are working as they should be and addressing mesh fixes as required
- Optimizing the topology of assets in their scene so the environment runs at a manageable frame rate
- Mapping out scenery elements and props that help drive the story of the game
Skills required to become a 3D environment artist
An environment artist must have a keen eye for landscape, cityscapes, town planning, and geography, as these skills will be used to create virtual worlds within a film or game.
Game artists must also have the technical skills to understand whether a game engine can support low-resolution images in distant backgrounds and the limits of high-resolution images in the foreground.
While some junior positions are available in the industry, most environment artists have at least several years of experience in 3D modeling, sculpture, and design. An excellent way to break into this field is to study 3D modeling and build a portfolio of original 3D environment assets and set dressing pieces.
Film and game studios accept talents with the following skills as 3D environmentalists:
- Familiarity with the VFX pipeline or the game development pipeline (depending on the chosen field)
- Strong knowledge of geography, architecture, and the laws of physics
- Experience processing and working with scans (Megascans, LiDAR scans, etc.)
- High-level drawing skills
- Able to interpret and follow reference material to create clean, detailed, and accurate 3D environments and sets
- Real-world understanding of proportion, depth, scale, and physical space
- Highly efficient UV layout experience using a UDIM workflow
- Ability to imagine expansive worlds that characters and objects can interact and move around in (video games specific)
What software and tools do 3D environment artists use?
Environmental artists work with various reference materials such as photography, geographical and political maps, architectural drawings, botanical elements, road structures, city planning layouts, etc.
3D environment artists may need knowledge of a combination of the following software:
Conclusion: Creating Life Environments
In media such as movies, TV, and video games, the job of creating realistic worlds that viewers or players can become immersed in falls to environment artists. These skilled professionals use techniques like 3D modeling, texturing, and world-building to design digital environments where people can do everything from walking in a past era to exploring a city that doesn’t exist yet. Dig deeper into the environment designer’s world by going through our earlier publishing Environment Designer: The Art of World Creation.
To make places look great while also functioning well, they base their designs on things that exist in the real world and work closely with teams of other designers. These environments are not just lovely to look at; they also help move stories along by providing settings for action.
To become a 3D environment artist, you will need to develop skills including 3D modeling, texturing, and digital sculpting. And remember: there’s loads more information available about software used within the profession via tutorial-style guides available here.
If you’re keen on getting practical experience and building knowledge, check out our differently organized curriculums for your needs. Check academy programs for a comprehensive study. Explore our single courses to acquire only a specific skill. And attend some of our masterclasses and get insider practices from industry leaders and experts. If you are unsure how to enroll, visit the enrollment & finance section to get the latest info. And if you are more than sure, you can apply now, as the numbers are always limited, so that we can provide the best quality possible.
