This document exclusively deals with the model creation process following the standards of the Cylindo workflow, standard, and pipeline. For that purpose, this document aims to establish a standard workflow, quality, and turnaround time between Cylindo and our External Partners through predetermined filters and tools. This document focuses on the following areas:
- Requirements - the requirements for software, tools, plug-ins, and scene setups that every artist needs to have for standardized modeling and modeling QA workflow.
- Process - a step-by-step explanation of the modeling process and the dependencies between each of the steps, between product data and modeling, between modeling and QA, between models and pipeline, between tools and pipeline. This section also focuses on how each of the steps will affect the next/previous step and why the precise setups need to be followed, for example, how archetype should be modeled and how variations should follow the archetype.
- Technical standards - focusing on the technical aspects of the modeling process and how they influence the final model. This section also underlines specific technical aspects that must be followed in order to have a more streamlined and standardized process as well as step-by-step guidance into how particular elements need to be modeled, how the UV layout needs to be cut, open, scaled, and placed, how and when assets need to be used, and more.
- Visual standards - this section focuses on what the model needs to look like in the final rendering and what needs to be done to ensure a standardized output of models. This section also explains how external factors like different materials and lighting setups influence the model differently.
- Checklist - a complete list of all the details, aspects, and steps that need to be taken into account before a model is approved and sent for rendering. This section also focuses on the acceptable level of quality as well as the standard response/comment and how that comment needs to be addressed.
It is of particular importance to understand these dependencies through which the model is processed and how they contribute to the final appearance so that they can be located during the process as such and the possible impact and limitations of each of them can be understood. We will elaborate and explain all these aspects in more detail in this document.
Cylindo Tools
Cylindo uses an internal tool/panel that helps us speed up production as well as standardize the modeling workflow. Along with the software, a must-have for all modelers and modeling QA artists working with Cylindo will be:
- Cylindo Modeling Panel
The Modeling Panel is a 3D pipeline toolset to facilitate the creation and QA process of the 3D assets with Cylindo standards and quality. The ultimate goal of this tool is to produce technically better 3D models that are closer to the real-world physical models and have fewer vendor/client revisions. The Modeling Panel consists of tools to perform different tasks:
- Import models from Cylindo’s platform
- Tools to check 3D model topology
- Check product’s scene structure (layers and meshes) against the product data
- Check mesh naming
- View product references and dimensions
- Create Cameras
- Create Camera Presets
- Publish the geometry and perspective match image
- Publish Cameras
For installation of the modeling panel please contact :
Jostein Pedersen - VP Product, 3D Commerce
For Modeling Panel usage instructions please check the following link:
Plug-ins and additional tools
Every software, plug-in, and tool in the following section is simply a proposal as a set of “good to have” additional tools. Since we already use the same tools internally, it would be ideal to use the same tools externally.
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● Rizom Unfold 3D |
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● ShareX Screenshot |
We found that the best software for opening, arranging, scaling, and mapping UV that also serves our needs is the Rizom Unfold 3D. It is easy to use and fast in regard to unfolding, cutting, scaling, and placing of the UV Island. It also has some extra options that are very useful such as: vertical and horizontal constraints, unfolding similar objects, automatic unfolding of hard surface models, etc.
To make things easier, you can also apply the Rizom Unfold - 3ds Max bridge plug-in, which will add the Rizom Unfold 3D software as a part of 3ds Max for faster use. For additional information, please refer to this video link: Rizom Unfold - 3DS Max bridge
For visual commenting and communication between Cylindo and external partners as well as within Cylindo internally and with customers, the easiest and fastest way is to use the ShareX Screenshot tool. It is easy to use, and the simple options and tools inside will make communication clearer and easier for everyone.
Software Requirements
As a primary software for production, Cylindo uses Autodesk 3DS Max software along with the additional plug-ins needed. All of our pipeline and production tools are strictly built to work with 3DS Max and V-Ray. Our modeling production is entirely based on 3DS Max, and the camera setup and scene setup are based on V-Ray. Even if another software is used, we will need the final file to be exported through 3DS Max in the .fbx format for models and .vrscene for cameras. This means that all of the internal and external artists should be familiar and have the following software installed:
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● Autodesk 3DS Max 2021 |
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● V-ray 5 Build 5.10.02 (hotfix 2) |
Note: In addition, our internal tools, scripts, and support will be all based on these two 3D software programs. We can support the use of this software, but we won’t be supporting the use of any other 3D software programs or plug-ins in the future.
System Requirements
Qualified Operating Systems:
- Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Windows 11 (64-bit)
Requirements:
- Autodesk / 3DsMax - 2021
- Chaos Group / VRay NEXT - VRay 5 Build 5.10.02 (update 1.2)
- Cylindo / Modeling Panel 2.50
Release Date:
03-22-2024
Note:
It is very important to know that in mass production processes, several parties participate in the overall outcome, especially when a particular project is divided into different parts to different artists. For that reason, it is very important to have alignment of certain quality standards and workflow that need to be followed among all participants. This statement refers to any part or platform of the model production, especially the technical parts such as modeling, layout, and layer structure.