Often in complicated models or with designs that have less clear definition, Photoshop is used to quickly pose a solution. Once the concept art is imported into Rhino 3D, it can be combined with the control artand details added to create a 3D models. It is an essential aspect of how I connect with a customer to ensure that the resulting model is exactly what the client had pictured in his or her head. This process is repeated until the model is complete and the client is happy. These new images are imported directly into Rhino where even the smallest nuance is both clearly visible and easily captured.
The client receives the images, adds a layer with his or her comments, and e-mails it back. Again, Photoshop is the tool that keeps the process moving. These images are e-mailed to the client for review and marked up if necessary.
This is the original control art sent to theconsultant by Hotwheels designer Alec Tam.Īs the 3D model progresses, screenshot images are generated from Rhino in ortho and perspective views. Eliminating guesswork or interpretation at this phase makes the difference between getting it right, or just getting it done. Since the image is right there in the Rhino modeling environment, there is no guessing. This makes capturing the client’s design intent easy. Once a design direction is chosen, sketches are imported into Rhino 3D to be used as reference while building the 3D model. The process happens very quickly, often with a design decision being made in minutes from across the country. There is no verbal direction to misunderstand the communication is crystal clear. A client can easily add a layer and redline changes, and e-mail it back. Changing a sketch, adding details, or combining ideas is as simple as adding a new layer, cutting and pasting, or simply drawing it in.Īnother significant benefit is the ease with which client collaboration occurs. With this seemingly simple step, Photoshop has already improved the process. Photoshop enables comments and suggested changes to the model. Original concept art drawn on a Cintiq tablet by designer Alec Tam. This immediately enters the job into a digital pipeline. To begin any project, I draw a concept sketch using Photoshop on a Wacom Cintiq tablet. It is both an irreplaceable ideation tool and a powerful communication medium for my clients. We use it for everything from sketching and early concept generation to the creation of finished presentation art.
Our design consultancy, The Outside, located in Jericho, VT, offers high-end digital design and finished 3D modeling, and Photoshop is an absolute requirement in our day-to-day function. It links each phase of a design project and ensures that the final product is done right and on time. You can help by expanding it.A final 3D rendering of the completed digital model in Photoshop illustrates detail in this toy.Īs an industrial designer for more than 10 years, I have come to rely on Photoshop CS3 Extended as the most important component in my process for designing quality products.