Software essential for excelling in Guild Wars 2 artistry, as disclosed by the game's artist
Chelsea Mills: Advanced Prop Artist at ArenaNet
Chelsea Mills, an Advanced Prop Artist at ArenaNet, is a key figure in the world of game art. Her success in creating stunning 3D models and textures for the popular game, Guild Wars 2, can be attributed to her talent, practice, and the desire to continually improve her art, as she suggests.
Mills' creative process begins with ZBrush, her preferred software for intentional organic sculpting. This powerful tool allows her to bring intricate detail to her creations, whether that's weapons, player armor, creature models, or creature animation. Once she's sculpted her masterpiece, she moves on to Maya, her all-in-one workhorse software. With Maya, she handles simple rigging, animation, physics setups for cloth and bones, and minor effects in her projects.
For efficient UV mapping, Mills turns to RizomUV. She praises its advantages, including its efficiency, precision, and user-friendly interface that simplifies complex unwrapping tasks. RizomUV serves as a safety net for her game art and 3D modeling work, ensuring that her models are ready for the next stage of production.
Once the 3D models are ready, Mills uses Substance Painter for creating efficient, reusable textures. This software streamlines her texturing process, allowing her to quickly apply textures to her models and make adjustments as needed. Photoshop is still essential software in her daily work, particularly for fine-tuning and organization.
Mills often takes pieces from concept to completion, ensuring that her work maintains a cohesive and polished look. More inspiration can be found in the Creative Bloq's list of digital art to inspire. For those interested in learning more about Guild Wars 2 and its latest expansion, Visions of Eternity, the ArenaNet website provides more information.
The latest Guild Wars 2 expansion, Visions of Eternity, is currently available, and Mills' work can be seen throughout the game. Her role at the studio includes environmental set dressing, architecture, and character-focused items like weapons, gliders, chairs, and fashion-based back items. With her talent, dedication, and deep understanding of her tools, Chelsea Mills continues to make significant contributions to the world of game art.
