Learn AAA Workflows to Create Your Own Modular Environments

In this Sierra Division Academy course, led by Ben Keeling, Principal Environment Artist at Studio Gobo, you will discover how to use AAA workflows to create stunning modular environments from start to finish using Substance 3D, Unreal Engine, and Blender.

The course covers all the essentials of professional environment work. You'll learn to break down your scenes into reusable pieces, create your own materials and shaders, and build up different types of assets from modular kits to hero props. On top of that, you'll master the art of set dressing and lighting to elevate your scene and breathe life into it.

Here is what you'll learn across 8 weeks of modular environment creation:

• Week 1: Project Planning & Initial Blockout
• Week 2: Breaking Down the Scene & Final Blockout
• Week 3: Building Reusable Textures, Materials & Shaders
• Week 4: Modular Asset Creation
• Week 5: Unique Assets
• Week 6: Hero Asset (Robot)
• Week 7: Set Dressing & Scene Refinement
• Week 8: Final Polish, Lighting & Renders

The project you're going to create will be based on a sci-fi Cyberpunk-style scene. You'll start with project planning, reference gathering, and an introduction to modeling software. Then, you'll create the blockout and start working on the assets – Modular, Unique, Large Scale, and Hero. After that, you will make reusable trims, textures, and shaders. Finally, you will learn how to balance out the scene with set dressing and polish it by choosing the right lighting and post-processing settings.

You will complete an assignment after each section of the course, and by the end of it, you'll have a fully realized real-time modular environment, as well as polished renders and a library of custom reusable assets. Most importantly, you'll develop an understanding of professional workflows and techniques that will allow you to create high-quality 3D pieces within reasonable timeframes.

You can get 8-week access to the course or extend it to 12 weeks if you prefer slower-paced learning. Plus, you can opt out of mentor feedback and be your own unforgiving critic. Find more details and get the course here.