Who’s the CG artist? Professional guide in computer graphics

The field of computer graphics is vast, with dozens of directions ranging from movies and games to advertising and virtual reality. Let’s figure out what jobs the CG artist can access, what skills they need and where they can work.

One of the most prestigious areas for the CG artist is the film industry and the creation of visual effects for blockbusters. Here, experts are working on the digital worlds, the characters and the destruction that the viewers see on the screen. In projects such as Dune, Avengers or Avatar, almost every frame requires complex computer graphics and team work by hundreds of artists around the world. For film work, it is important to know Houdini, Maya, Nuke, and to be able to work on a team with directors and supervisors.

3D models create digital models of characters, techniques, and environments. — 3D scanners digitize objects, locations, and actors for realistic graphics.

— VFX artists are working on integrating CGI into live-action footage. — The composers collect the final image from the 3D layers and the footage. — 3D animators revive digital characters and creatures.

— Riggers create skeletons and control systems for animation. — Motion Capture animators are cleaning and adapting the captured actors' movements. — FX artists simulate destruction, fire, water, dust, sand, as well as any extraterrestrial effects. ===Matte painters===Matte painters / Digital environment artists create digital background and entire worlds. — Layout artists are building a frame and prejudicing scenes.

Big animation is also one of the key areas for the CG artist. Here, experts create full-blown cartoons, working on character patterns and whole worlds from scratch. In Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks and Illumination, each project requires hundreds of artists to work together.

— 3D animators of characters revive heroes, work on emotions and acting. ===Character TD===Character TD creates rigs, skeleton systems, and controls characters. — 3D models develop characters, environment, props. — Surfacing artists are responsible for textures, materials, and the appearance of models. — Lighting Artist builds the light and the final mood of the frame.

«Effects Artist mimic natural phenomena and magic — fire, water, smoke. — Layout artists are involved in the composition of the frame and the movement of the camera. — The tissue and hair simulation experts make the clothes and hairlines realistic.

Major animation studios require the ownership of Maya, Houdini, ZBrush, Nuke, as well as the understanding of classical animation principles and the ability to interact with the team.

The game industry is another major employer for CG artists. Unlike the movies, the graphics here should not only be beautiful, but also optimized for real time. For the game, it’s important to own Maya, MotionBuilder, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Unreal Engine or Unit, understand the piplines of optimization, and be able to work with the game designer team, left designer designer and art director.

— Concept artists create the first visual images of future characters and locations.

— 3D artists of characters model heroes, NPCs, and creatures, taking into account anatomy and stylistics. — The prop artists create objects, weapons, transportation, and small parts of the world. — Text-writers are responsible for surface, material, and realistic models.