Work Process

[azerukaze]

At first I wanted to pose the question solely on 3D works but it seems like a proper one for the whole game creation process as well.

I'm not a game developer but slowly becoming interested in the whole idea of it. I know that different people have different workflows. So I would like to know what's yours? It can be either in artwork designing, programming, script writing or anything that you can relate to game developing process. Some of us have full time job, so it would be great to know how you manage your time as well.

These might help someone like me to avoid making common rookie mistakes that might cost time and money. Much appreciated to anyone spending your time to share here.

Cheers.

[Trucla]

Have a look at viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3675
I think your question(s) are answered there.

[azerukaze]

Have a look at http://www.the-new-lagoon.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3675
I think your question(s) are answered there.

Thanks for the input.
I've read the thread but it's more like a general "How to create a game?" thread.

What I would like to know is in line to this thread viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3683 but more in depth.

Example workflow questions. For 3D works:
"How do you create your character?"Do you look at pictures of celebrities? Friends on Facebook? or just play around in the 3d software until you get something that you like?
"What do you do before starting a scene?" Do you do research? Do you sketch out the scenes like storyboard?
"How do you start a scene?" Do you do the figure 1st from texture to pose to expression, then add the structure around it, then lighting, finally camera?; or do you do the opposite and start with camera 1st and so on?
"What do you do when you have a designer's block?" Do you take a step back, have a breather and attempt at it again? Do you do more research? or do you watch porn to find a good sex position?

For scriptwriters:
"How do you create a story?" Do you sit at the coffee shop for inspiration? Do you pen out everything you think interesting and later choose the best?
"How do you elaborate the story?" Do you start off with the character? Do you have like a whole tree of ideas and cancel out the 'meh' ones? Do you just 'wing' it and hope for the best?
"How detailed is the story in your notebook?" Do you write every single dialog? Do you only have the basic story?
"What about writer's block?" Do you go out and observe people's behavior? Do you read erotica for ideas? Do you watch porn with storyline?

I don't actually have questions for the programmers as I have zero knowledge in it but if anyone have an related questions that they wanna ask, feel free to do so.

I think that by knowing others' methods of working not only benefits the ones that just started but also give insight to the experienced ones to try out new methods that might improve they're own workflow.

I might've gone all business in the last part, so I think it's better for me to stop now.

Cheers.

[Mortze]

Example workflow questions. For 3D works:
"How do you create your character?"Do you look at pictures of celebrities? Friends on Facebook? or just play around in the 3d software until you get something that you like?
"What do you do before starting a scene?" Do you do research? Do you sketch out the scenes like storyboard?
"How do you start a scene?" Do you do the figure 1st from texture to pose to expression, then add the structure around it, then lighting, finally camera?; or do you do the opposite and start with camera 1st and so on?
"What do you do when you have a designer's block?" Do you take a step back, have a breather and attempt at it again? Do you do more research? or do you watch porn to find a good sex position?

1/ I use 3 methods. First I have an idea in my head and do the character from scratch. Second I want to make something inspired by a model or actress, or character from game or comic book. Third, I see some premade character I like and I simply use it, fully or with diferent textures or morphs from other characters.
2/ I simply see a general picture in my mind and then I start looking for what content I have. If I need something specific I search for it.
3/ Structure first. Always. The room/setting, the furniture and props. Second come the characters. I pose them all. Third, I set the lights. And last I try to find a good camera angle. I reset lights if need be to adapt to my camera. Usually, since I do many camera shots in the same setting I use this schema. But if I do only one picture, for a wallpaper or promotion, I swap third and fourth. Camera first and lights at the end.
4/ I usually go do something else. Porn is never out of the equation.

[azerukaze]

1/ I use 3 methods. First I have an idea in my head and do the character from scratch. Second I want to make something inspired by a model or actress, or character from game or comic book. Third, I see some premade character I like and I simply use it, fully or with diferent textures or morphs from other characters.
2/ I simply see a general picture in my mind and then I start looking for what content I have. If I need something specific I search for it.
3/ Structure first. Always. The room/setting, the furniture and props. Second come the characters. I pose them all. Third, I set the lights. And last I try to find a good camera angle. I reset lights if need be to adapt to my camera. Usually, since I do many camera shots in the same setting I use this schema. But if I do only one picture, for a wallpaper or promotion, I swap third and fourth. Camera first and lights at the end.
4/ I usually go do something else. Porn is never out of the equation.

Awesome stuff!

I've only started DAZ3D for a few weeks and I always find myself doing the figures first. I'm guessing that's the reason I've always dump a background by the end of it without a thought due to spending too much time with posing and changing expressions. I'll try your way of doing and see if it can improve my render.

For those who wants to share, don't set my example questions as a constraint, you can share anything you want in relation to work process ie. "I make expressions in front of the mirror so that I can emulate it." (guilty) or "I imagine myself as the protagonist to get a better understanding of the character." (guilty again)

[Mortze]

For those who wants to share, don't set my example questions as a constraint, you can share anything you want in relation to work process ie. "I make expressions in front of the mirror so that I can emulate it." (guilty) or "I imagine myself as the protagonist to get a better understanding of the character." (guilty again)

Emulating the expressions yourself in front, or not, of a mirror, is legit. I don't get in front of a mirror but I do the expressions and try to feel what muscles on the face I move and try it out on the character. I also google for pictures. For example, sometimes Tlaero describes me an expression she wants for the character but I don't know the word she uses or I don't understand it clearly so I google it and get pictures.

[sylakone2]

I pretty much think of a story idea then I create the characters and decide their basic personality.
Then I think of the endings I would like and the sex scenes.

I kind of jot those down then I start to write the story in Inklewriter.
Depending on the type of game.

For games like inspiring Celina, Dreaming with Elsa, Pandora and so on. I write a detailed story with the choices the player will have in inklewriter.
With games like my New one Model Friends and the lop games. I just write the events and the endings in Inklewriter.

The reason I use inklewriter is that it's online so I can drop in ideas while I am at work and also it is a choose your own adventure story creator so it is good for putting in all the choices the player will have through the game and the different paths based on those choices.

once I have the basic story outline then I create my characters in Daz or Poser.

Like Mortze I tend to use different character morphs you can buy from Renderosity and Daz3d then I choose the skin and hair style for the character then their everyday outfit. As the story progresses I work out what other outfits they might require and add them to the basic character.

Then I start to create the scenes this usually involves buying Scenes from Renderosity or Daz3d then I add the character to the scene and then work on the lighting.

I have bought quite a collection of expressions from Renderosity so when I am doing the expressions I am usually going though all of the expression I have and finding the one that feels right for the story.
I often try about 3-4 different expressions before I decide on the right one.

Then I render the images as I require them while doing the coding.

If I hit either a writers block or graphics block then I usually step away and do other things like playing other dating sim games to help with the ideas I have for the game or mainstream games to clear my head.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Sy

[azerukaze]

Emulating the expressions yourself in front, or not, of a mirror, is legit. I don't get in front of a mirror but I do the expressions and try to feel what muscles on the face I move and try it out on the character. I also google for pictures. For example, sometimes Tlaero describes me an expression she wants for the character but I don't know the word she uses or I don't understand it clearly so I google it and get pictures.

Just wish I'd stop goofing around in front of the mirror and do legit work instead.

"Everything that sylakone2 said."

Thanks for sharing man!

I like the part where you mentioned using Inklewriter so that you can add ideas whenever/wherever you want. It gave me the idea to download sketch/drawing apps so that I can do it whenever I have free time. It's a shame I can't do the same for DAZ.
It's also good to know that you approached different games using different methods. It simply shows that there's no "ultimate workflow" that you must follow for every each game.

I got a few questions of my own though, how much time do you usually spend daily on projects/practices during weekdays? Do you usually stop cold and continue the day after if it gets too late or just continue until you finish render/coding/writing and worry about work the next day? I asked because DAZ can become hauntingly addictive when I use it (well, mostly I just play around with poses and facial expressions) that by the time I noticed it's already past midnight. There's always one more pose or expression to test out. I'm guessing it's the same for anyone that just started out.