Dev Blog - Art production (Pusat)

Hello Space Pilots!

With the release of the new Vengeance ship design PUSAT, we would like to give you an insight into our art production process.

In the following 4 steps, you are going to see how we develop a new spaceship from sketch to final concept.

Step 1.
In the first step, it is all about finding the right idea and the direction which fit to the specifications of the ship. At the same time, both need to follow the overall art direction of technical assets in the DarkOrbit universe.

By starting with thumbnails, we ensure that the shape is understandable and works also in small sizes.

In this particular case a “clipping mask” technique is used. In the beginning the first row of ships are painted. Afterwards, the shapes are used as clipping masks with each other to quickly create the rest.

Step2.
After discussing with other departments like Game Design, two drafts are picked and quickly blocked out to give a better understanding of the form. Also visual landmarks like decals, stripes and lights are distributed. At this stage first mid-level details are defined.

Step 3.
After choosing the final direction the level of detail is raised and the shape refined to be more aggressive but at the same time a little fragile with sharp edges and open parts, as this showed most clearly the specs of the ship.

Functional elements are added to give the design more authenticity, like movable joints at the wings to retract them, rotatable cockpit for better access of the pilot and pillars on which the ship could stand.

Step 4.
In the final step,more details and decals are added. Light and dark parts are better separated, colors tweaked, and the difference between glossy materials and dull surfaces is emphasized.By this, the design gets more understandable and more appealing. Now everything is ready for the 3D artist to take over for the final 3D production.

We hope you liked our art production overview.

Young-il Shim
Lead Artist, DarkOrbit

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