Tutorials to come soon.

Guidelines for Building Game Models

Many companies want to see how detailed an object you can make using a 512x512 texture map and 2000 polygons. 2000 polys is good for a character model. For other objects in the world like trees, rocks, wagons, background creatures(dog, cat, etc.) use 500 polys or so for each prop.

When making textures use files that are power of 2. Games use very specific sizes of images. The sizes most often used are 512x512 pixels, 256x256 pixels, 128x128 pixels, and 64x64 pixels. The files are usually .tga or Targa files. Learn to use alpha channels to fake geometry like tree leaves and grass. Modeling each blade of grass and every leaf takes up way too much geometry.

Work big with your texture files and shrink them down later. I work at 1024x1024 and shrink it from there.

Remember that if you are a new artist you will most likely get placed on textures and props as your first job. Make lots of small props and a character or two for your portfolio.

Try this:

• 1 Human 2000 polys
• 1 Creature 2000 polys
• 1 Small Animal 500 polys
• 2-3 Rocks 30-500 polys different sizes
• 2-3 Small Plants 10-500 polys (grass, flowers, shrubs)
• 1 Tree 500 polys
• 1 Gun 200 polys
• 1 Tank 2000 polys

I'd err these towards realistic rather than cartoony. I love all sorts of styles, but realistic work shows that you understand alot of basic principles and it is also more acceptable to a broader spectrum of companies.