How It's Made in VFX: A 3D Artist’s Industry Notebook

Aspect Ratio  Aspect ratio is simply the shape of your video – how wide it is compared to its height. Think of it like different picture frames: 16:9  > Standard widescreen (YouTube, most TVs) 9:16  > Vertical videos (Instagram Reels, TikTok, Shorts) 1:1  > Square format (classic Instagram posts) 2.39:1  > Anamorphic (film/ cinema look, allows for a wider field of view, used in movies for that epic feel) If you’d like to dive deeper into picture frames and aspect ratios, you can read more here:  Aspect ratio (image) – Wikipedia Safe Margins (Title Safe & Action Safe) Back in the TV days, screens used to cut off the edges. To be safe, the Safe Margin was created: Title Safe  > The inner box. Keep all text here so nothing gets chopped off Action Safe  > The larger box. Keep important action inside so the audience sees it all Rule of Thirds Divide the frame into a 3x3 grid. Placing your subject ...

Each animation uses ease-in/ease-out and loops at different frame rates, providing a visual comparison. Keep in mind that not all monitors can display above 30 or 60 FPS, it depends on the hardware. The good news is that as technology advances, monitors become more affordable while better options also enter the market to meet consumer demand. FPS stands for F rames P er S econd. In motion graphics, we write it after a number (e.g., 24 fps) to show how many frames appear each second, similar to PPI (Pixels Per Inch) or DPI (Dots Per Inch) in a still image. Generally, higher frame rates look smoother, but they also require more storage space. 8 FPS 1 second = 8 frames 15 FPS 1 second = 15 frames 24 FPS 1 second = 24 frames 30 FPS 1 second = 30 frames 60 FPS 1 second = 60 ...

When it comes to movies and TV, you often hear the terms special effects (SFX) and visual effects (VFX) . They are not the same, and knowing the difference makes a big difference in understanding how the magic happens on screen.   Image credit: "Cómo se ven las películas modernas sin los efectos especiales" by Periodismo.com, used for educational purposes.  Special effects are real-life effects created on set and captured directly by the camera . Think explosions, fire, rain, smoke, or even mechanical creatures. They are tangible and happen in the moment, which gives a sense of realism that can be hard to replicate digitally (today it is not the case anymore since the technology and education has changes since 1980s). Visual effects happen after filming , in post-production. These are digital manipulations and enhancements added by a CG or VFX team . VFX can remove objects, create environments, add creatures, or make something impossible in real life come to life on screen...

Over the years, I have gathered a bunch of go-to links and tools that have helped me through everything from tight client turnarounds to personal R&D projects. This page is where I am collecting and sharing those resources. It is a mix of free and paid options, all geared toward CG Generalists/Artist like myself. Whether you are building environments, tweaking shaders, lighting a scene, or just exploring ideas, I hope something here saves you time or sparks inspiration. I will keep adding to the list as I find more. Feel free to share a helpful link in the comments. I’d love to check it out. 🧊 Geometry / 3D Models Type Name Link Description Free STW myminifactory.com A platform for 3D printable models, featuring designs from independent creators and major brands. Free PBRMAX pbrmax.com Free 3D models, PBR materials, and brushes for game and VFX artists. ...

 If you are new to the digital art world, the job titles can be confusing. Whether you are applying to work on movies, commercials, or video games, here is a breakdown of common roles in the industry and what you should know before saying "yes" to a position. Job Title What It Means Key Responsibilities What You Should Know or Learn 3D Artist A person who works only with 3D objects and scenes - Create 3D models (props, characters, environments) - Add textures and materials - Prepare for animation or game engine - Modeling tools (Maya, Blender, ZBrush) - UV mapping - Basic texturing and lighting CG Artist A person who creates computer-generated images (can be 2D or 3D) - Create images using 3D and 2D tools - Work on lighting, rendering, and sometimes compositing - Often finis...

  Hi, and thanks for stopping by. This blog is where I share the notes, insights, and lessons I have learned over the years working as a 3D artist in the VFX and animation industry. I have collected pages of workflow tips, problem-solving methods, and practical techniques that helped me grow. Now, I am organizing and sharing them here to support aspiring artists on their journey into the field. This blog won't focus on the newest automated pipelines. Instead, it will give you a strong foundation in the traditional methods that still play a valuable role in production. Whether you are aiming to land your first studio job or build a freelance setup from home, you will find focused, easy-to-follow pages covering tools like Maya, Houdini, Substance, Arnold, and more. Once the blog is live, I will also launch a YouTube/Discord channel where we can work through projects together in real time. Let’s get started. — Vitaliy