3D game development is a challenging yet rewarding task that seeks different roles, such as programming, design, sound, animation, and much more. With so many hurdles, one question that often comes to mind is, Do game developers really need to know 3D modeling? Is 3D modeling a must-have skill or something you can skip?
The need for skills largely depends upon the specific role one aims to fulfill. It’s crucial to consider their interests and strengths, as well as the type of games you wish to create. If you are also a passionate developer or an artist confused about 3D modeling, we are here to help you decide.
Let’s break it down and figure out how crucial 3D modeling is for game developers and whether it’s worth learning. If you’re curious, we’ll also give you a step-by-step guide on getting started with 3D modeling.
Does 3D modeling really matter?
3D Game development is a challenging yet rewarding option for those who put the right effort and skills into use. To get a clearer picture, we will share a different role that game development involves:
- Programmers write the code and bring the game to life.
- Game designers to map out the gameplay and core mechanics.
- 3D artists and animators craft the game’s visual elements, like characters, environments, and objects.
- Sound designers will work on sound effects and music.
- Project managers to keep everything running smoothly.
Each role demands a separate set of skills and abilities. What if we say that developers need and want expertise in 3D modeling? It will help open up endless possibilities.
To make it easy, if you’re part of a small indie game development team, learning 3D modeling can be incredibly useful. That’s because these teams don’t have a budget to onboard separate specialists for every task. Once hired, individuals wearing different hats will save you time and empower you to control the look and feel of the game.
In addition, those who work on 2D games usually don’t need to learn 3D modeling. That’s because 2D games like platformers and puzzle games do not require 3D assets to work. In that case, focusing on the core skillset and making sense is requisite.
How to Get Started with 3D Modeling
Developers with 3D modeling skills are versatile and will be considered bonus candidates in the future for 3D game development purposes. They can easily communicate with the article and may make minor DIY adjustments whenever required.
For example, if you are a programmer working in a 3D game and a manager assigns you a task to tweak a model’s shape or fix a small issue in the absence of modelers. How would you do this without going back and forth with an artist? You could be in trouble. This is where you will need to act as a saving man if you have 3D modeling skills and keep the project moving forward.
Getting excited about learning 3D modeling? We will help you learn it as easily as possible. This might look complicated, but you can excel at it with your practice.
1. Choose Your Software
The process of modeling for 3D game development begins with selecting the right tools and techniques. Several tools, like Blender, Autodesk Maya, and 3D Max, will help you start. If you feel it’s hectic to decide what to use, we recommend going with Blender at first, as it’s free, has plenty of tutorials, and has all the features.
2. Learn Basic 3D Modeling Concepts
To start with 3D modeling, the best way is to grasp its key concepts first. Each and every object you create will include three main components: vertices, edges, and faces. Vertices are points in space that form the corners of your shape, while edges are the lines that connect these points. Last but not least, a face is a flat surface enclosed by edges. These are the building blocks of any 3D model.
3. Start with Simple Shapes
Begin experiments with shapes like cubes, spheres, or pyramids. You can manipulate them by moving their vertices or adjusting their faces. Most 3D software offers tools to extrude (stretch a surface outwards) or scale (resize objects) so you can gradually create more complex models.
4. Explore Texturing
This step involves applying images, like skin or metal, to the surface of your models for a realistic appearance. You must learn how to properly apply these textures with UV mapping, which wraps the textures around your model correctly.
5. Learn Rigging and Animation
If you want your models to move, you’ll need to get into rigging. This is where you add a skeleton of “bones” inside your model, allowing it to move naturally. Once rigged, your models are ready for animation, where you can bring them to life with movement.
6. Practice and Follow Tutorials
Of course, the real key to mastering 3D modeling is practice. Start with small, manageable projects and follow online tutorials to learn new techniques. Platforms like YouTube, Blender Guru, and CG Cookie offer great step-by-step guidance to help you improve your skills.
Final Thoughts
Have you got it all? Knowing 3D modeling is no longer necessarily important under all circumstances, but it can be nice to have skills if you want to shine in your career in 3D game development.
3D modeling has become a necessity for teams with low budgets, as they can’t hire separate people for different tasks; they would like to have multifaceted individuals. Even though knowing about this is not important at a high level, it helps you quickly make adjustments to save time. Need Help with 3D Game Development? Hire a reliable tech firm to help you with this.
