TEXTURING AND LIGHTING

Car Texturing and Lighting in Maya using V-Ray

Objective:
The objective of this project was to develop a realistic and high-quality car render using
Maya and V-Ray. The goal was to achieve accurate material properties, reflections, and
lighting setups that enhance the realism of the car’s surface, including metallic paint,
glass, and rubber textures. This project also aimed to improve my understanding of
physically accurate materials and their interactions with light, helping to achieve
professional-grade results. Additionally, it focused on the importance of post-processing to
enhance the final visual appeal.

1
2
Procedure:
1. Imported the 3D car model and ensured proper UV unwrapping.
2. Assigned appropriate materials using V-Ray shaders for metallic paint, rubber tires, glass
windows, and chrome parts.
3. Set up HDRI lighting to create natural reflections and shadows.
4. Used V-Ray lights to simulate studio lighting for enhanced surface detailing.
5. Adjusted reflection glossiness, specular highlights, and subsurface scattering for
realistic materials.
6. Rendered multiple passes including diffuse, specular, and reflection layers.
7. Composited the final image in Photoshop to enhance contrast and color balance.

3
Conclusion:
This project helped develop a deep understanding of automotive rendering techniques,
focusing on realism through proper lighting and texturing. The results demonstrated how
material properties play a crucial role in creating lifelike renders. Through this process, I
learned how to use HDRI lighting effectively, balance reflections for realism, and refine
textures to avoid an artificial look. The final output showcased the importance of
meticulous attention to materials and lighting setups in 3D rendering.

4
 Still Life Photorealistic Render in Maya using V-Ray

Objective:
The goal of this project was to create a highly detailed still life composition featuring a glass
table with various objects such as a bottle of alcohol, a glass, books, a camera, and a
flower vase. The focus was on achieving realistic lighting, reflections, environmental fog,
and god rays. This project aimed to study light behavior in indoor setups and how different
materials react under various lighting conditions. The goal was also to enhance storytelling
through environment creation and effective composition techniques.

Procedure:
1. Modeled and arranged all objects in the scene, ensuring correct scale and proportions.
2. Applied realistic materials with appropriate roughness, glossiness, and transparency
settings.
3. Set up V-Ray lighting to mimic a soft, natural light source.
4. Introduced environmental fog and subtle god rays to enhance depth and realism.
5. Rendered the scene in high resolution with multiple passes.
6. Post-processed the render in Photoshop for minor corrections and enhancements.

Conclusion:
This project emphasized photorealism through detailed material setups and lighting
strategies. The addition of god rays and fog created a cinematic quality, making the render

5
more visually appealing. This project also demonstrated how different object materials
interact in a single scene, highlighting the significance of light diffusion and refraction to
achieve believable results. Furthermore, post-processing techniques enhanced the final
render, giving it a more polished and professional look.

6
 Razorcrest Spacecraft Texturing and Lighting in Maya using V-Ray

Objective:
The goal of this project was to texture and light the Razorcrest spacecraft model using
Maya and V-Ray, focusing on achieving realistic metallic surfaces, imperfections, and
reflections. This project aimed to study how different metals react to light and how to
effectively create wear and tear details that add realism to the final render. The emphasis
was on making the spacecraft look battle-worn, ensuring an accurate representation of
aged metal surfaces.

Procedure:
1. Imported and prepared the Razorcrest 3D model, ensuring proper UV unwrapping.
2. Applied realistic metal shaders with varying levels of roughness and reflection.
3. Used texture maps such as scratches, dirt, and wear to enhance the realism of the
spacecraft.
4. Set up an HDRI environment to create natural reflections.
5. Adjusted lighting to emphasize surface details and imperfections.

7
6. Rendered multiple passes to refine reflections, shadows, and highlights.
7. Finalized the render with post-processing adjustments in Photoshop.

Conclusion:
This project provided valuable insights into texturing and lighting metallic surfaces with
realistic imperfections. The final render showcased the effectiveness of proper texture
layering and reflection adjustments in achieving a worn-out and battle-damaged look.
Understanding the interaction between light and metal helped create a believable
spacecraft render, enhancing my skills in V-Ray material creation and lighting setups.

8
 VFX COMPOSITING
Spaceship on a Deserted Land - Drone Shot VFX Composition

Objective:
The objective of this project was to integrate a 3D spaceship seamlessly into real-world
drone footage of a deserted landscape. The aim was to achieve a photorealistic
composition by matching the color grading, lighting, and shadows of the CGI elements with
the live-action footage. This project focused on advanced VFX compositing techniques
such as motion tracking, rotoscoping, and depth integration to make the spaceship appear
as a natural part of the scene.

9
Procedure:
1. Captured drone footage of a deserted landscape ensuring a steady and high-resolution
video.
2. Tracked footage in Blender using camera tracking tools to match the motion of the CGI
elements with the live footage.
3. Modeled and textured a detailed spaceship with realistic surface imperfections.
4. Applied realistic shaders, reflections, and shadows to match the lighting conditions in
the scene.
5. Used After Effects for final compositing, including color grading, atmospheric effects,
and slight motion blur to blend elements smoothly.

Conclusion:
This project helped in mastering camera tracking, motion integration, and color grading
techniques essential for VFX compositing. The final outcome demonstrated how CGI can
be seamlessly integrated into real-world footage with proper attention to lighting, textures,
and perspective. Additionally, it showcased the importance of atmospheric depth and
environmental effects in achieving realism in VFX shots.

10
 Spacecraft Flying Above a Forest - Animation and VFX Composition

Objective:
The aim of this project was to create a realistic animation of a spacecraft flying over a
dense forest. This involved simulating flight dynamics, integrating environmental effects
like mist and motion blur, and adding sound effects for enhanced realism. The focus was
on achieving an immersive experience by paying attention to details such as atmospheric
depth, shadow interaction, and background motion.

11
Procedure:
1. Searched for a perfect drone shot video for this project..
2. Animated the spacecraft with realistic flight movement, considering aerodynamics and
speed variations.
3. Applied motion blur, depth of field, and atmospheric haze to increase the believability of
the scene.
4. Added sound effects such as engine hum, wind rush, and distant echoes to create an
immersive audiovisual experience.

Conclusion:
This project helped in understanding the importance of environment design in animation
and VFX composition. The final render demonstrated how motion blur and environmental
effects contribute to realism, making CGI elements blend naturally into the scene.
Additionally, this project showcased how animation, lighting, and sound work together to
create an engaging and dynamic visual experience.

12
 PROCEDURAL MODELING AND SIMULATION

Donut Shot with Sprinkle Simulation in Houdini

Objective:
The objective of this project was to create a realistic donut model using procedural
modeling techniques in Houdini and simulate sprinkles falling onto the donut’s surface.
The project focused on understanding Houdini’s procedural workflows, physics-based
simulations, and lighting to enhance realism. Additionally, it aimed to refine texturing
techniques to achieve a visually appealing final render with realistic shading, reflections,
and surface properties.

Procedure:
1. Created the base donut shape using procedural modeling tools in Houdini.
2. Applied procedural noise displacement to add realism to the donut’s surface.
3. Generated icing using metaballs and surface tension settings for a fluid-like appearance.
4. Created sprinkles using instanced geometry and used Houdini’s rigid body dynamics to

13
simulate their falling and settling naturally.
5. Applied realistic shaders for the donut, icing, and sprinkles using Houdini’s material
system.
6. Set up a simple three-point lighting system to enhance the final render.
7. Rendered the scene using Mantra and applied post-processing for minor color
corrections.

Conclusion:
This project provided insight into procedural modeling and rigid body simulations in
Houdini. It reinforced the importance of shader development and lighting in achieving
realism. By simulating sprinkles falling naturally onto the donut’s surface, I gained a better
understanding of dynamics, gravity, and collision behavior in 3D simulations. The final
render demonstrated the effectiveness of procedural workflows in creating high-quality
assets efficiently.

14
 Concept Art Simulation in Houdini

Objective:
The goal of this project was to create an abstract concept art simulation in Houdini where a
ball falls through a glass tube, bounces three times on a surface, and transforms into a
liquid state on the third bounce. The focus was on mastering Houdini’s rigid body
dynamics, fluid simulations, and procedural texturing while incorporating a stylized
environment for artistic appeal.

Procedure:
1. Modeled a simple glass tube and surface using procedural methods.
2. Created a dynamic simulation where a ball falls through the tube and bounces on a hard
surface.
3. On the third bounce, triggered a transformation effect where the ball changes into a
liquid state using particle-based fluid simulation.
4. Designed a stylized background with procedural box formations and applied procedural
textures.
5. Adjusted simulation parameters such as viscosity, surface tension, and collision settings

15
to achieve a seamless transition from solid to liquid.
6. Rendered the scene with realistic lighting and applied depth of field to enhance visual
impact.

Conclusion:
This project enhanced my understanding of dynamic simulations and material transitions
in Houdini. The ability to control the transformation of objects within a simulation was a
valuable learning experience. Additionally, the procedural approach to environment
creation demonstrated how effective texturing and lighting could significantly improve the
visual quality of a scene. The project also reinforced the importance of combining rigid
body and fluid simulations for creative storytelling in 3D animation.

16
Ocean Simulation in Houdini

Objective:
The objective of this project was to create a realistic ocean simulation in Houdini,
incorporating wave dynamics, foam generation, and environmental lighting to achieve a
high level of realism. The goal was to understand the principles of fluid dynamics and how
to utilize procedural techniques to generate complex water surfaces efficiently.

Procedure:
1. Used Houdini’s Ocean Spectrum tool to generate realistic waves and water movement.
2. Adjusted wave parameters such as amplitude, choppiness, and wind speed for a
dynamic effect.
3. Applied procedural foam generation to simulate whitecaps and water disturbances.
4. Used environment lighting and HDRI reflections to enhance realism.
5. Rendered the simulation using Mantra with advanced water shading techniques.
6. Post-processed the final render to refine color balance and contrast.

17
Conclusion:
This project provided a comprehensive understanding of ocean simulation techniques in
Houdini. The ability to control wave behavior and foam distribution was essential for
achieving realism. The final render successfully captured the fluidity and movement of
ocean waves, demonstrating the power of procedural simulation in creating large-scale
environments efficiently. This experience was instrumental in advancing my knowledge of
fluid simulations and environmental rendering in Houdini.

18
 ENVIRONMENT DESIGN

Objective:
The objective of this project was to create a highly detailed and immersive 3D environment
that showcases advanced texturing, lighting, and modeling techniques. The project aimed
to enhance spatial composition skills while focusing on realism and artistic aesthetics. By
integrating natural and artificial elements, the environment was designed to feel both
visually appealing and believable.

Procedure:
1. Conducted research and gathered references for the desired environment style, focusing
on realism and storytelling.
2. Created the base structure of the environment using modular modeling techniques in

19
Maya.
3. Developed procedural terrain using height maps and displacement techniques to add
natural variations.
4. Applied detailed textures to the environment using Substance Painter and Blender to
enhance realism.
5. Integrated foliage and assets using scattering techniques to populate the scene
naturally.
6. Set up lighting to match the desired mood and atmosphere, using HDRI for realistic
reflections.
7. Adjusted post-processing settings to fine-tune color correction, shadows, and contrast
for a polished look.

Conclusion:
This project significantly improved my ability to design immersive 3D environments with a
balance of realism and artistic direction. The modular approach to modeling helped in
efficiently constructing complex scenes, while procedural texturing and scattering
techniques allowed for a high level of detail. The final rendered environment successfully
demonstrated the integration of multiple disciplines—modeling, texturing, lighting, and
composition—to create a visually compelling scene. Through this experience, I gained a
deeper understanding of environment design principles, which will be beneficial for future
projects in both film and game development.

20
 3D MODELING
Furniture Modeling in Maya

Objective:
The objective of this project was to create a highly detailed and optimized 3D furniture
model in Maya, focusing on proper topology, UV unwrapping, and realistic texturing. The
project aimed to understand the modeling techniques required for furniture assets in a
professional workflow, ensuring the model is game-ready and suitable for rendering in
different environments.

Procedure:
1. Researched different TV shelf designs and selected a reference for modeling.
2. Created the base shape of the TV shelf using polygon modeling techniques in Maya.
3. Focused on maintaining clean edge flow and proper topology to ensure a smooth and
optimized model.
4. Used booleans and bevel tools to add intricate details such as handles, drawers, and

21
support structures.
5. Performed UV unwrapping carefully to minimize distortion and optimize texture space
usage.
6. Applied realistic wood textures using Substance Painter, ensuring proper roughness,
normal, and ambient occlusion maps.
7. Set up a basic lighting environment in Maya to preview the final textured model.
8. Rendered the final model using Arnold to evaluate realism and make necessary
refinements.

Conclusion:
This project was an excellent exercise in modeling and texturing hard-surface objects with
precision. It reinforced the importance of topology, clean UV unwrapping, and realistic
texture application. Through this project, I gained valuable experience in furniture
modeling, which will be beneficial for creating assets in game design, interior visualization,
and animation.

22
 GRAPHIC DESIGN

Product Graphic Design

Objective:
The goal of this project was to design compelling and marketable product graphics,
ensuring visually appealing designs that align with branding and target audience
expectations. This project aimed to enhance my understanding of product aesthetics,
packaging design, and layout composition.

23
Procedure:
1. Researched existing product graphic trends and analyzed brand identity.
2. Created initial sketches and digital mockups using Photoshop and Illustrator.
3. Focused on color schemes, typography, and composition to make the design stand out.
4. Applied branding elements such as logos, patterns, and unique textures.
5. Refined the design based on feedback and ensured scalability for various packaging
formats.
6. Exported final designs in high-resolution formats suitable for printing.

Conclusion:
This project enhanced my ability to create impactful and professional product graphics. It
reinforced the importance of branding, consistency, and attention to detail in design,
making me more proficient in developing product visuals that attract customers.

24
 T-Shirt Graphic Design

Objective:
The objective of this project was to design creative and unique graphics for T-shirts that
cater to various themes and audiences. The goal was to explore different styles such as
streetwear, minimalist, and illustrative designs while understanding the printing process
and material compatibility.

25
Procedure:
1. Conducted research on current T-shirt graphic trends and target audience preferences.
2. Created digital sketches of multiple design concepts.
3. Developed vector-based graphics using Adobe Illustrator for scalability.
4. Incorporated textures, gradients, and custom typography to enhance the visual appeal.
5. Ensured the design worked well for different fabric colors and printing methods (screen
printing, DTG, vinyl).

26
6. Exported designs in high-resolution formats for printing and digital mockups.

Conclusion:
Through this project, I learned the importance of designing for specific materials and
printing techniques. The process helped me understand how to create visually striking and
wearable designs that appeal to a wide audience.

27
28
29
Poster Design

30
Objective:
This project aimed to create engaging and visually striking posters for events,
advertisements, and branding purposes. The focus was on composition, typography, color
theory, and message clarity to make the poster effective in communication.

Procedure:
1. Researched various poster design inspirations and industry standards.
2. Developed a clear visual hierarchy to direct the viewer’s attention.
3. Used Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to craft the poster layout.
4. Applied bold typography, high-contrast color schemes, and visual elements to enhance

31
readability.
5. Experimented with different styles such as minimalistic, modern, and retro to match the
theme.
6. Finalized the design and exported print-ready and digital-friendly versions.

Conclusion:
This project helped refine my ability to create eye-catching and functional poster designs.
Understanding visual hierarchy and the psychology of colors played a crucial role in
delivering an effective and aesthetically pleasing outcome.

32