3 IMPORTANT Tips for Greybox Level Design - ArtStation Challenge | VLOG EP.002

Polygon Academy
23 Oct 201810:03

TLDRIn this engaging video, Tim from Polygon Academy emphasizes the importance of the gray box or block out process in 3D environment creation, highlighting its foundational role in the production pipeline. He shares personal insights on how a strong gray box layout can prevent future production issues, and argues that even artists should understand this process to enhance collaboration with level designers. Tim's practical tips include focusing on layout and composition, reusing assets to prioritize production, and maintaining efficiency to save time. His demonstration of creating a basic environment in Unreal and 3ds Max illustrates these points, showing how a simple gray box can evolve into a detailed, game-ready space.

Takeaways

  • 🔹 The gray box or block out process is fundamental to the success of any 3D environment and should be given proper time and attention.
  • 🔹 A strong gray box layout is crucial even for artists, as it provides a reference and direction for asset production, preventing future issues and overtime work.
  • 🔹 Gray boxing skills are not only for level designers but are also beneficial for level artists to communicate effectively with designers and agree on gameplay spaces.
  • 🔹 The gray box phase helps in determining the look of scenes and the required asset list, which is essential for efficient production.
  • 🔹 Focus on layout and composition during the gray box process, keeping it simple to prioritize production assets effectively.
  • 🔹 Utilize the same gray box pieces repeatedly to identify which assets will be most visible and should be prioritized in production.
  • 🔹 Keep the gray box process quick and efficient by avoiding time-consuming tasks like lighting tests and grid adjustments at this stage.
  • 🔹 The gray box kit should be organized in a way that aligns with the production pipeline, starting with the most important assets.
  • 🔹 Even with a basic gray box, it's possible to create a sense of environment and gameplay space, which can be expanded upon with the same assets.
  • 🔹 By focusing on the main assets and keeping the production process efficient, you can achieve an alpha or beta state quickly, leaving more time for polishing and detailing.

Q & A

  • Why is the gray box or block out process considered critical to the success of any 3D environment?

    -The gray box or block out process is foundational to the production process as it helps set the stage for asset production and ensures that the creators have a clear direction and understanding of the required assets. It prevents time wastage and the need for overtime work or rework due to incorrect layouts or compositions.

  • How does a strong gray box layout benefit artists in the long run?

    -A strong gray box layout benefits artists by providing a reference to build from, which helps in planning and organizing their work. It prevents them from getting overwhelmed during production and ensures they have a clear understanding of what needs to be created and prioritized, ultimately saving time and leading to a more efficient workflow.

  • What are the three tips for effective gray boxing in 3D environment design?

    -The three tips for effective gray boxing are: 1) Focus on layout and composition to establish the basic structure and prioritize production assets. 2) Use the same pieces repeatedly to streamline the production process and maintain a consistent look. 3) Keep the process quick and efficient by avoiding time-consuming tweaks and focusing on the overall composition and layout.

  • How does gray boxing help in prioritizing production assets?

    -Gray boxing helps in prioritizing production assets by allowing designers to see which elements are most prominent in the environment and therefore need to be created first. By using the same pieces repeatedly, designers can identify the larger forms and more visible assets that will have the most impact on the final scene and should be addressed early in the production process.

  • What is the significance of starting with the largest forms in the environment during asset production?

    -Starting with the largest forms in the environment ensures that the most impactful and visible assets are addressed first. This approach helps in establishing the overall structure and layout of the scene, making it easier to build upon and add details as the production process progresses.

  • How does using a modular kit in gray boxing contribute to the design process?

    -Using a modular kit in gray boxing allows for the efficient use of assets by reusing the same pieces throughout the environment. This not only speeds up the design process but also ensures consistency in the final look of the scene. It also makes it easier to expand the scene's scope without being intimidated by the additional work, as the same assets can be reused.

  • Why is it important to keep the gray box process dynamic and avoid spending too much time on details?

    -Keeping the gray box process dynamic and avoiding detailed work ensures that the focus remains on the overall composition and layout. Spending too much time on details at this stage can lead to inefficiencies and distractions from the primary goal of establishing the scene's structure. It's crucial to maintain efficiency and move quickly to the next stages of production.

  • How does the gray box process help in creating a sense of gameplay space?

    -The gray box process helps in creating a sense of gameplay space by allowing level designers and artists to design and communicate gameplay spaces effectively during the early phases of production. This helps in establishing a clear understanding of the environment and its intended use, leading to a more engaging and well-structured gameplay experience.

  • What is the importance of organizing assets in the order of production?

    -Organizing assets in the order of production helps in streamlining the production process. By knowing the sequence in which assets will be created, artists can focus their energy and time on the most important elements first, leading to a more efficient workflow and a higher-quality final product.

  • How does the gray box process contribute to achieving a AAA quality final product?

    -The gray box process is essential for achieving a AAA quality final product as it lays the foundation for the entire production. By focusing on the layout and composition, and efficiently prioritizing the production of assets, artists can ensure that they are investing their time and effort where it will have the most significant impact. This focus on the foundational elements allows for more time to be spent on polishing and detailing the final product, leading to a higher quality and more immersive experience.

Outlines

00:00

📐 The Importance of Gray Boxing in 3D Environment Design

This paragraph emphasizes the critical role of the gray box or block out process in the success of any 3D environment. It highlights that this foundational aspect of production should be given ample time and attention before commencing with asset production. The speaker, Tim, shares from his experience that neglecting a strong gray box layout can lead to disorganization and inefficiency in the production process. He argues that a solid gray box layout is not only essential for level designers but also beneficial for artists, enabling them to understand gameplay spaces and collaborate effectively with designers. Tim demonstrates his gray box process in Unreal and presents his simple gray box kit in 3ds Max, explaining the rationale behind each element, such as the house, retaining walls, steps, torii gate, and basic placeholders for foliage and rocks. The focus is on keeping the composition straightforward yet effective for initial stages of environment design.

05:01

🎨 Enhancing Production Efficiency through Gray Boxing Techniques

In this paragraph, Tim delves deeper into the practical application of gray boxing, offering three key tips for optimizing the process. Firstly, he advises focusing on layout and composition, maintaining simplicity while establishing the environment's basic structure. Secondly, he encourages the reuse of the same basic elements throughout the scene to prioritize production assets effectively. Lastly, he stresses the importance of keeping the process quick and efficient, avoiding time-consuming adjustments during the gray box phase. Tim shares his progress through a time-lapse video, showing the evolution of the environment using a modular kit, and explains how this approach allows for scene expansion without intimidation. He concludes by detailing how the gray box process enables clear identification of essential assets, facilitating a strategic production workflow from large to small elements, ultimately leading to a more polished and high-quality final product.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡gray box or block out process

The gray box or block out process refers to the initial phase in 3D environment creation where basic shapes, often gray in color, are used to represent the layout and composition of the environment. It's a foundational step in production that helps to establish the structure and required assets before detailed work begins. In the video, Tim emphasizes the importance of this process for both level designers and artists, as it sets the stage for efficient production and clear communication.

💡3D environment

A 3D environment refers to a computer-generated space that is designed to be experienced in three dimensions, often used in video games, virtual reality, and other digital media. It involves the creation of textures, lighting, and spatial relationships to produce a realistic or stylized world. In the context of the video, Tim discusses the critical role of the gray box process in setting up a successful 3D environment, highlighting how it aids in planning the overall look and required assets.

💡level designer

A level designer is a professional who designs and creates levels or stages in video games. They are responsible for the layout, gameplay mechanics, and overall experience of individual game sections. The video emphasizes that having a strong understanding of the gray box process is essential for level designers, as it allows them to effectively communicate their ideas and plan the gameplay spaces they are creating.

💡asset production

Asset production in the context of 3D environments and video games refers to the creation of digital assets such as characters, objects, buildings, and other elements that populate the virtual world. The process involves modeling, texturing, and animating these assets to be used within the environment. Tim explains that a solid gray box layout is crucial for efficient asset production, as it helps prioritize which assets to create first based on their prominence and importance in the scene.

💡composition

Composition in art and design refers to the arrangement of visual elements within a space to create a balanced and appealing whole. In 3D environment design, it involves decisions about the placement and organization of objects, structures, and other elements to convey a certain mood or message. Tim discusses the importance of focusing on layout and composition during the gray box phase to establish the basic structure and aesthetic of the environment, using repetition of elements to enhance the composition.

💡modular design

Modular design is an approach where a system or structure is composed of self-contained units that can be easily recombined or rearranged. In the context of 3D environments, it means creating assets that can be used in multiple places or configurations to streamline production. Tim mentions creating a modular kit for his environment, which allows for efficient expansion and reuse of assets without being intimidated by additional work.

💡prioritization

Prioritization is the process of determining the order in which tasks or activities should be undertaken based on their importance or urgency. In the video, Tim explains how the gray box process helps in prioritizing asset production by identifying which elements are most prominent and necessary for the environment, allowing designers to focus their efforts on the most impactful assets first.

💡production process

The production process refers to the series of steps taken to create a final product, such as a 3D environment or video game. It typically involves planning, designing, creating assets, and polishing the final work. Tim emphasizes that investing time in the gray box phase early in the production process can save time and effort later on by providing a clear roadmap for asset creation and layout design.

💡level artist

A level artist is an individual who focuses on creating the visual and artistic aspects of a level or environment within a video game. They work closely with level designers to bring the conceptual ideas to life through the use of textures, lighting, and other visual elements. The video suggests that having a strong foundation in the gray box process not only benefits level designers but also level artists, as it enhances their ability to understand and execute the design intent effectively.

💡gameplay space

Gameplay space refers to the area within a video game where the player interacts with the game world and engages in the game's activities or challenges. It is designed to be immersive and conducive to the intended gameplay experience. Tim's discussion of creating a compelling gameplay space illustrates the importance of considering player movement and interaction during the design process, aiming to create an environment that feels natural and engaging for the player.

💡production assets

Production assets are the various elements, such as 3D models, textures, animations, and sounds, that are created and used in the making of a video game or other digital media. These assets are the building blocks that make up the final product. In the video, Tim stresses the importance of identifying and prioritizing the production of these assets during the gray box phase to ensure that the most critical components of the environment are addressed first, leading to a more efficient and successful production.

Highlights

The gray box or block out process is critical to the success of any 3D environment.

It's a foundational part of the production process that should be given proper time before asset production.

A strong gray box layout helps avoid confusion during production and prevents the need for overtime or rework.

Even artists should invest time in gray boxing to understand level design and gameplay spaces.

Good communication with designers is facilitated by a shared understanding of gray boxing.

Being proficient in gray boxing makes a level artist more employable.

The presenter shares a time-lapse of their gray box process in Unreal Engine.

A simple gray box kit is used, including basic placeholders for various environmental elements.

The torii gate serves as a basic placeholder for a tree in the concept.

Efficiency is key; the gray box phase should be quick and not overly detailed to avoid wasting time.

The composition should be interesting, playing with verticality and level differences.

Prioritize production based on the frequency of asset use in the gray box layout.

The gray box process helps in identifying the most important assets to focus on for efficient production.

The presenter demonstrates how a basic gray box can be expanded using the same modular pieces.

A well-composed gray box can create a compelling gameplay space and atmosphere.

By focusing on main assets, one can achieve an alpha or beta state quickly, allowing more time for polishing.

The gray box process is essential and should not be rushed to ensure the best outcome in 3D environment creation.

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