Project #3: Garden

Using the techniques learned in the previous projects and a few new ones, I created a sort of vegetable garden in a Minecraft-like art style.

Initially, after coming across the reference for this project, I created a PureRef file with all the different and unique textures I would need to create to bring this environment to life. 

Then, in Maya, I unwrapped the cube and laid it out in a specific pattern, which would help me in identifying which texture would go on which UV shell. This then allowed me to work easily in Photoshop, as all I had to do was to paint the appropriate texture on where the appropriate shell would be, without guesswork. Reimporting the texture to Maya allowed me to map it out correctly and get a preview of the cube. 

 

I reiterated this process multiple times for all the other textures I needed to create. Then I imported all the assets into Unreal. 

In Unreal, I created a master material in a manner similar to how I did for the previous projects, with a few extra parameters for much more nuanced control, should I need it. 

I instanced the Master Material multiple times for each of the different textures I needed, and applied them on the cubes wherever necessary.

Transparency was a challenge, and even now I don't think I have fully understood Unreal. Especially when it insists on messing up the base color of my textures, forcing me to go back into Photoshop and change it. Regardless, I am proud of how this came out. Later, I'll render a video so I can demonstrate the bobbing motion of the water shader.

Please let me know what you think.