TREAD: Hard Surface Asset Creation for Video Games

Instructor:
Chunck Trafagander

Get a grip on hard surface modeling and the complete game asset workflow.

TREAD takes us on a ride through the entire workflow of hard surface asset creation, from start to finish line.Β 

We'll explore how we can harness modifiers and non-destructive modeling techniques in Blender to design complex models with relative ease. We will discover some tools to help us create efficient UV unwraps which will also play a critical role in clean, high quality textures. Using Substance Painter, we will generate those textures which will bring life into our model. Finally, we will look at importing our game-ready asset into Unreal Engine and set up a material using our texture maps.

The techniques explored in TREAD will provide a universal basis for tackling any future hard surface modeling, and build a foundation for understanding the game asset pipeline in its entirety.

Get Caught Up

Are you brand new to Blender?

These courses should help you get up to speed in no time.

Course Overview

Chapter 1

Modeling

We'll start by creating the "high-poly" version of our model, taking the time to model out the important details that will increase the realism and believability of our asset. Once we've crafted our high-quality model, we will spend some time developing a lower-polygonal version which will serve as the game-ready asset.

Chapter 2

Unwrapping

Before we can start texturing our model, we need to provide our model with a UV Map. This process will involve strategically adding "UV Seams" to our model so that the software knows how to properly "unwrap" it for texturing.Β 

Chapter 3

Texturing

Texturing is the best way to bring life into a 3D model, and convey the type of environment your model could inhabit. This chapter will explore texture baking and creation using Substance Painter, a 3D texture painting application used professionally in productions for film and video games.

Chapter 4

Rendering

Back in Blender, we will discover how we can generate high quality renders for our game asset using simple but effective lighting setups and backdrops. Blender makes it easy for us to capture top-notch renders for our assets which could be used for portfolio renders, or other image-based assets for a game.

Chapter 5

Importing into Unreal Engine

Finally, we'll cover how we can import our game-ready asset into Unreal Engine, and set up a material to display the textures we had created.Β 

Let's get rolling with hard surface, game asset creation!

Start Course

Get this course and 267 others by joining CG Cookie

Awarded upon completion:
100xp +
Course Curriculum
4 Reviews
  • β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†
    Nas Kharsa(naskharsa) ·

    I really appreciate the non-destructive and procedural approach Chunck takes in his modeling, I learned some interesting and useful tricks and techniques. As someone very interested in video game design, It was great learning the workflow for creating game assets in such a clear and enjoyable process and I look forward to implementing it in more projects. I'm really impressed with InstaMAT and am excited to use it more often.

  • β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†
    Sascha Feider(SFE-Viz) ·

    My usual work does not include game assets, so I was totally new to the whole workflow. I'd call myself intermediate by now in terms of modelling, but I still picked up a few new tricks here and there. More importantly I learned the whole workflow of low poly conversion and baking. Chunck's calm and detailed explanations made the learning process a breeze.

    The most interesting part for me was learning a new software for texturing and I'm really happy that an alternative to SP is provided. Although Instamat is still young and needs more work, I liked working in it and this course offers a very good introduction to it.

    I definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to dip their toes into game asset creation.

    • author Chunck Trafagander(Chunck) ·

      Thank you for the recommendation, Sascha! I'm thrilled you were able to pick up some new tricks, and that my voice didn't put you to sleep. Much love for InstaMAT myself, so we will make sure to continue covering that application in future courses! β™₯

  • A
    β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†
    Matt Sutton(Altire) ·

    Thanks for this course, you guys have done a great job. I've got a fair amount of experience with modelling, but have really struggled to piece together a real, working and feasible workflow for creating game assets. I've watched countless hours of YouTube videos to try to get an understanding of this, but nothing gives a complete picture and everyone seems to have completely different methodologies! It's quite frustrating creating models of assets and exporting them into Unreal, only to find the texturing is completely off.Β 

    This course has finally given me the information I've needed, and as a beginner, I now feel like I have enough information to create game assets, and improve my skills... even if I am having to regularly refer back to the videos for help!

    Definitely recommend this course for anyone in a similar position.

    • author Wes Burke(wesburke) ·

      Thank you Matt, and I'm happy the course has helped along the way. Excited to see what game assets you created and happy Blending!

  • G
    β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†β˜†
    'Guest' ·

    going into this with some experience i still learned alot. The instructor teaches many useful techniques and tricks.

    I rate this course 5 stars for these reason. It does use substance painter which is a plus for me as someone who wants to have the skills of a texture artist.Β 

    Great course highly recommend itΒ 

In playlist: Main