3D ON-DEMAND FOR GAMES & VIRTUAL WORLDS

Outsourcing 3D modeling for games provides access to specialized talent and flexible capacity without having to hire in-house.

Here are tips when finding the right partner:

• Review portfolios and look for expertise in game art styles matching your project. Judge quality and polish.
• Prioritize studios with capacity to take on your project and meet deadlines. Ask about current workload.
• Evaluate communication practices and project management process. Smooth collaboration is crucial.
• Consider pipeline technical compatibility for file formats, engines, and tools.
• Opt for partners with flexibility to adjust scope and capacity as needs change.
• For low costs, evaluate offshore studios. For highest quality, consider domestic or western European firms.
• Have candidates complete paid test models to judge skills before awarding contract.
• Start with smaller trial batches to test capabilities before larger commitments.
• Conduct in-person visits or video calls to establish relationships.
• Negotiate ownership and IP rights for maximum flexibility.
• Use milestone payments, not 100% upfront, to incentivize timely delivery.

Choosing the right partner using these tips will lead to a successful outsourcing engagement delivering high quality 3D game art on time and on budget.

The time to create a 3D model for a game depends on complexity and polygon count. A simple environmental prop like a barrel may take 1-2 days. A main character with textures and animations can take 1-2 weeks. Complex vehicles or architecture may take 2-4 weeks.

Here are some key factors to consider:

• Model complexity – Simple props like a barrel may take 1-2 days, while a highly detailed character with animations can take 1-2 weeks. Environments and vehicles fall in between.
• Polygon count – Low poly models are quicker, while highly dense meshes take more time for modeling and optimizations.
• Textures and materials – Simple flat textures add little time, but complex shaders, normal/displacement maps, and texture atlases can add days.
• Rigging and animations – A static model is fastest. Rigging for animation can add a week or more. Unique animated movements take additional time.
• Technical specifications – Models matching a specific polygon budget, texture resolution, or performance target require more iterations and optimizations.
• Concept/reference quality – Clear and detailed concept art and references accelerate the process. Limited references make modeling and texturing harder.
• Team size – More modelers working in parallel speed up asset completion, while solo work takes longer.
• Software and workflows – Experienced teams with efficient pipelines produce models faster. New software or techniques slow things down.
• Revisions and changes – Models requiring multiple iterations, fixes, and tweaks take longer to lock down. Changes in scope also add time.

Providing modeling partners with detailed specifications, high quality concepts, and reasonable time estimates makes development smooth and efficient. Building in buffer for revisions is also recommended.

Outsourcing 3D modeling provides access to worldwide talent specialized in game art. It allows you to scale production capacity while controlling costs. Outsourcers handle tasks like topology optimization, UV mapping, texturing, and rigging. This lets your team focus on core strengths. You also gain flexibility to change scope or switch assets mid-project.

With extensive expertise in 3D modeling for games, Cominted Labs can work with a wide range of source file formats to bring game worlds to life. This versatility allows clients flexibility in providing assets best suited to their projects.

Common file types we work with include:

• Obj files for basic 3D models due to wide compatibility.
• FBX files to store complex 3D data like geometry, lighting and animations.
• Blend files, the native format of Blender 3D modeling software.
• 3DS files for simpler 3D models within geometry and material constraints.

and more…

The average salary for a 3D modeler in the United States is $85,000, with a range of $55,000 – $125,000 depending on experience level and location. Senior modelers or specialists can earn $100,000+ at top studios. Outsourcing provides cost-savings of 60% or more compared to in-house hiring.

“The “start-up” plan provides the ability to create a range of virtual products and experiences each month. Here are some examples of what’s possible:

• 1 Fortnite game
  Or
• 2-5 custom 3D avatars (rigged & animated)
  OR
• 5-10 wearables for Decentraland or Roblox
  OR
• A virtual showroom & VR shopping experience for your physical products

These are just some of the options available to you with the “start-up” plan. The plan is flexible and allows you to work with us each month to create customized virtual products tailored to your needs. It is not limited to only the examples listed above.”