Workflow

[JVRenderer]

Most of you are just like me, a hobbyist. I do get paid once in a while for graphic work, but those are nothing to write home about. I have very little time to play. So let me start with workflow.

For years I would start a render just by opening up a program whether it's Photoshop or poser by just starting to sketch or to pose, but that is a very inefficient way to doodle.

In the last few years, I've established a kind of work flow that I employ with every doodle.

1. Idea
2. put idea on paper ( yeah, I'm old fashion)
3. add elements
4. open poser or DS
5. find elements on my list in the libraries (luckily there's a search function in poser, I still have to figure out DS)
6. pose all elements in Poser or DS
7. check on the composition
8. Add lighting
9. Do a fast test render
10. Make final adjustments to poses, lighting, poke thru's etc
11. Final Render
12. Post Work

I want to hear how you do it.
 

[dRaCX]

Though I’m not a render artist, my workflow pretty much runs along the same lines. It varies slightly when taking on projects for a client.

1. Idea. (No client)
2. Rough Sketch. (Keep a sketch pad with me at all times)
3. Scan to computer and create base mesh. (Now mostly in Blender)
4. UV Map.
5. Load in Zbrush for sculpting detail and painting.
6. Generate high res maps and texture for use on the original mesh.
7. Finalize maps and textures in Adobe CS2
8. Format the model in the software is it to be used in and apply maps, textures, rig, ...…
9. Save to file….All done! (If there is a client, I send before deadline is up and get final payment)


That’s about all there is to my workflow give or take. Some projects more complex than others but that’s the norm.
 

[Radkres]

O.o Humm
Read, Watch stuff, Listen to Music, Look at Others who Tackled that theme or Idea Before.
Brianstorm Look at Deadline Shrug and say still have time.
Wake from Pleasant Dream and Realize the Deadline is closer than it appears.
Get Frustrated at Self  trying to get stuff done while trying to do more than was requested.
Build Framework of what is the Main point or Theme.
Find variants that have not been used if possible.(Sexy Vampire Geee Another one of those o.o)
Scrap First Idea.
Return to start.
Watch Time slowly eat away as I ponder the reasons for  Why I said Sure I can make this Image.
Play With Cat.
Go exercise.
Wash socks
Pound  head against wall Wonder why the wall puts up with this.
Start again.
Find strange and different Literature.
Wonder why they wrote This vs That.
Rewrite others peoples movies , Books , plays, etc.. till time is almost  over.
Go back to realizing why you hate the male figure in Poser Delete Male figure place lamp stand in his place add female  begin to  swap clothing and  props till picture is
Born.
Render.
Scream at render!  :sad:
Rerender
Fix something
Rerender
Fix something
Rerender
Fix something
Rerender
Fix something
Rerender
Fix something
Rerender
Fix something
Rerender
Post work
Scream at post work
Redo post work
Etc..
Finish Picture.
Post Picture.
Pray that the Client likes it.
Get ripped a new one by client as you are told that it does not match their dream/ Idea.
Rework image to meet insane vision!
Watch Your Dreams Die! 
Rinse repeat!
Now You are a professional artist! :crazysmile:

[sidherose]

My workflow is pretty much the same as yours, save that I don't write it down unless it's something for later...so I don't forget. I don't do any sketches because most of the time what I want to do is in my head fairly graphically. And I have a very good memory. But, what's in my head isn't always what comes out. Probably 85% of the time, yes. But the other 15%, sometimes characters get a mind of their own and show me something different 'they' want to do. Often, it works better than what I had in mind in the first place, so I go with that.

"How" I do a scene depends on the complexity of it though and how many characters/how much stuff is in it. Then my workflow changes somewhat based on that.

Unfortunately (as far as rendering goes) I spend a whole lot of time in Poser doing thumbs, Promos (ugh) and tweaking morphs (rendering and rerendering) and skin textures, saving and editing textures, etc. Therefore, don't always have a lot of energy to do more complex scenes because they'll sometimes take hours.

Getting the lighting just right is often the biggest thing.

[sidherose]

Rad. That was great :)

[JVRenderer]

We all have our way of doing things. Some are straightforward, some like Rad's have more drama. 

Similarly to Rad, I do look at others for inspiration, especially when I am stuck or suffering from MAS  (Muse Abandonment Syndrome).
 

[sidherose]

I just went through a period of MAS. My usual tactic is to 'flog' her back to work by forcing myself to play around mostly in Photoshop and Poser and sometimes something will click and get her going again. Then again, I also write, so sometimes will do that instead of art.

Getting new stuff to play with helps sometimes.

But yes, others do often provide inspirations.

[JVRenderer]

I had to work 12 hours today. Got home late. I see that this thread slowed down a little.

We can continue this thread if you have more to add.
But I will start the next thread.

We are going into composition.
I am in the process of starting a render, maybe I can have you participate through out the process.

I have to work a few hours Thursday. so bear with me.

[sidherose]

Ugh...12 hours is a long time to be at work and extremely wearing - so we appreciate you taking a little time to get back to us.

I think you'll find that there are only certain people here who will respond to threads, but with some gusto. ;) I'm sure more will be said here, eventually.

Composition is a great topic to address. Even if it's a very simple render/image, there still has to be some composition considered to give it interest. Looking forward to it.

Now you get some rest! 

[Jherrith]

Step 1 always seems to take me the longest