As a character modeler for NieR:Automata, my job is to bring characters to life in three dimensions. When people think of rough models, they often imagine something very rough, but that's not always the case. In fact, creating a good rough model requires a lot of thought and effort.

My first task as a member of the NieR:Automata team was to create a rough model for the character 2B. I had received a design from character designer Akihiko Yoshida, which gave me a sense of what he was looking for. With that in mind, I set out to create a rough model.

To start, I studied many reference images, including games that Yoshida-san had worked on in the past. This helped me understand his tastes and what he was looking for. I also hid some reference images within the image I provided earlier (don't worry, they're not weird or anything!).

The process of creating a rough model is more complex than simply converting an illustration into 3D. It requires a deep understanding of character design and modeling principles.

As a character modeler, my goal is to create high-quality models that are both visually appealing and precise. I aim to predict the overall form and final image of the character with my rough model.

In this article, I'd like to share some insights into my thought process and how I modeled 2B using some in-progress images. From my perspective, creating a good rough model is an essential step in the character modeling process.

As you can see from the image above, my rough model of 2B was well-received by our game director Yoko Taro, who gave it a 'great!' after reviewing it. This was a great encouragement for me as a new member of the team.

Throughout this article, I hope to dispel any misconceptions about character modeling and show that it's not just about creating a simple 3D model from an illustration. Instead, it requires careful attention to detail, a deep understanding of character design principles, and a passion for bringing characters to life in three dimensions.

As a character modeler for NieR:Automata, I'm excited to share my experience with you and show you how we bring our characters to life.

Nier automata 2b set by dint999