There was a time when movie effects were done exclusively
using physical mediums to bring characters and environments to life. Thanks to
the kind of technologies that are continuously being developed, computer
programs are taking a much more prominent role in this field. While there’s
still something to be said for the process of physically sculpting a character
using a traditional material like clay (and in truth, many artists still prefer
this more hands on approach), programs like ZBrush are providing up and
coming creature and character designers with the skills necessary to design and
sculpt characters from the comfort of their desk chair.
What is ZBrush?
ZBrush is a revolutionary digital sculpting tool that
combines 3D modeling, texturing, and painting. It’s an intuitive, easy to use
program that provides artists with all the tools they need in order to sketch
2D or 3D concepts, or develop realistic renders.
How are ZBrush Oriented Courses
Reshaping the Industry?
It goes without saying that programs like ZBrush are
revolutionizing the way creature and character design is being taught. The mere fact that these
types of courses now lend themselves to the realm of e-learning is incredibly
significant, as geographic location is no longer a barrier for otherwise
qualified students from being able to partake in the course.
Convenience aside, ZBrush allows skilled artists to up their
game in terms of creating photorealistic characters and environments to the
level it needs to be in order for them to be a serious contender for some of
the industry’s most highly sought after and difficult to land jobs.
Finding a Way to Pair Digital and
Practical Skills
ZBrush helps students learn about 3D workflows,
3D painting, 3D anatomy, and 3D concept creation. It’s also the perfect
software to teach students the art of developing high resolution characters and
environments as well as 3D scanning and printing of completed works.
The Job Market: A Sobering Reality
Compared to other industries, the film and television
production industry is incredibly difficult to break into, let alone to rise to
a level of enviable prominence. Even entry level positions that might have you
working on something you wouldn’t normally be proud to put your name on are
rife with competition. To get your foot in the door, you’ll likely be competing
against highly capable and eager individuals from a variety of different
educational backgrounds, each bringing with them a slightly different skillset
or area of expertise.
Though it might take you aback to learn just how difficult
it can be to get the position you want, you should look at it as an opportunity
to improve your own skillset, thereby making yourself that much more
competitive. And that’s where a condensed program featuring ZBrush and other
cutting edge tools can lend you an advantage. Though arduous and very
immersive, enrolling in a condensed course could end up with you owning a
certificate of completion in a matter of a few short weeks, not to mention a
greater understanding of how the industry operates. As good of an artist as you
might be, it’s important to know that skill alone won’t open all the doors. You
need to be able to show employers that you can use the tools used in the industry so
that you can hit the ground running.
Some careers require you to learn a finite number of things;
accounting, after all, will always be
about numbers, and journalists will always be wordsmiths. When it comes to a
career in the digital arts, it’s generally understood that with it comes the
requirement of continuous learning. Which isn’t to say that if you finally
achieve your lifelong goal of becoming a game character designer that you’ll
need to feverishly keep abreast of all the new technologies being used in the
industry, but it does mean that you will need to keep an eye on emerging trends
and update your skill set accordingly.
Additional Careers
ZBrush Can Help You With
It’s important to note that ZBrush isn’t the one and only
tool you’ll need to master creature, character, and environment design for film
and games. Ask those in the industry and they’ll likely come back saying that
ZBrush, while incredibly important, is just one of many tools of the trade. If you’re keen on deriving a career from a
strong knowledge of ZBrush and little else, you might consider pursuing a
career as a toy and action figure sculptor.
Thanks Ashley it sure sound interesting !!
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