How to Create 3D Game Assets: From Concept to Final Product
At Asterman, we don't just see game assets as pixels and polygons — we believe they're part of storytelling. Every costume, character, and environment has a story to tell, and the 3D game art process is where that story comes to life. Combined with game development graphics, it's where imagination shakes hands with technology and says, "Let's make something epic."
Today, we're giving you an insider look into one of our recent projects: designing costumes for male and female characters across three Levels of Detail (LODs). Let's dive into the asset design workflow and see how it all came together!
Stage 1: Building the Foundation
The journey began with crafting the high-poly version of the costumes (LOD1) — the backbone of the entire 3D modeling for games process. Starting with the client's base character models, we created visually striking costumes that fit seamlessly into the game's art style while maintaining functional requirements.
Clean topology? Check. Smooth animations? Double-check. Zero clipping or distortion? Absolutely.
Stage 2: Breathing Life into Costumes with Texturing
Here's where the real magic happened. With the high-poly models complete, we dove into texturing — the moment when those static designs got their glow-up. Using Substance Painter (because, of course), we brought the designs to life.
Two versions of textures were crafted for each costume:
- PBR (Physically Based Rendering) textures for LOD1, providing lifelike materials and realistic interactions with light.
- Baked lighting textures for LOD2 and LOD3, optimized for performance by precomputing lighting effects.
From intricate fabric weaves to metallic finishes, every detail showcased our expertise in UV mapping and texturing for games.
The result? Consistent, seamless visuals that made the costumes shine at every LOD.
Stage 3: Quick Skinning
Rigging — aka skinning — is like teaching the costume to move naturally with the character. For LOD1, we kept it simple, focusing on natural movement and avoiding major clipping. Since this version isn't used directly in the game (it's more like the cool older sibling), we kept things quick and efficient. This approach let us move faster to the next stages without extensive testing.
Stage 4: Crafting the Performance-Optimized LOD2 and LOD3
Here's where the magic of optimization took center stage. Creating LOD2 and LOD3 was all about finding the perfect balance between visual fidelity and performance.
For LOD2, we simplified the models by removing unnecessary edge loops — those sneaky extra polygons that don't really add value. The challenge? Keeping the UV mapping identical to LOD1 so the high-quality textures fit like a glove. LOD3 was where things got lean. We reduced the model to its simplest form, still staying true to the design. Using the same textures (but at a lower resolution), we ensured the costumes looked great even from a distance, keeping performance buttery smooth. It's the perfect setup for 3D game models for outsourced projects — where detail and efficiency go hand in hand.
Stage 5: Comprehensive Skinning and Animation Testing
With LODs locked in, we returned to skinning — this time with extra care. Our goal? Ensuring that the costumes moved naturally with the characters, whether in a graceful walk cycle or a high-octane combat animation. We paid close attention to clipping and tested the costumes with dynamic movements to ensure everything looked and felt just right.
Final Steps: Testing and Delivery
Finally, it was time to bring it all together. We tested the costumes in the client's game engine, checking textures, animations, and interactions to ensure everything worked seamlessly in the game's world. From performance to visual quality, every element was fine-tuned to perfection.
By working closely with our client and maintaining a clear focus on quality, we were able to craft costumes that met and exceeded expectations. This project proves that with cost-effective game art outsourcing, you can ensure high-quality results, streamlined processes, and optimized game assets for your projects. If you're dreaming of bringing your own characters to life, remember that the magic lies in the details — and in the teamwork that brings those details together.
Bringing Your Game to Life with Asterman
At Asterman, we believe that creating characters is more than just a job—it's an adventure. From concept art to final model, every step matters. Whether it's crafting high-poly masterpieces, optimizing LODs, or designing game engine-ready assets, we're here to make your game world unforgettable.
As experts in game art outsourcing services, we don't just push pixels; we push the boundaries of what's possible with our techniques for creating realistic game assets (and not only realistic). From texture detailing to rigging finesse, we've got the skills to bring your vision to life.
If you're considering outsourcing game art projects, we're here to help make the process seamless, efficient, and tailored to your needs.
