My 3D Artist Toolkit - From Concept to Creation
My digital toolbox is something that is constantly evolving the more I experiment with different techniques, learn new software, and refine my workflow. Each project teaches me something new, and I’m always adding tools that help me push my creativity further. In this post, I’ll walk through the key tools I currently rely on to bring my 3D art to life.
Brainstorming and concepts - AI
Hear me out, AI is NOT your enemy, and this is coming from someone who was somewhat of a hater when these tools were first coming out. I get it—there’s a lot of controversy around AI in creative fields, but I’ve come to realize that tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney can actually be incredibly useful in the initial stages of brainstorming and concept development. They don’t replace my creativity; instead, they help spark new ideas, offer fresh perspectives, and speed up the ideation process. At the end of the day, I’m still the one making the decisions, but these tools help me get there faster and with more options on the table.
ChatGPT (with Dall-E integration sometimes): I usually have a general idea of the environments that I want to create, but where ChatGPT comes in is with helping me organize my thoughts and make detailed lists of the different assets I can include. It’s great for suggesting elements that fit the setting or even suggesting new ideas I hadn’t considered. Whether it’s generating a list of props, environmental details, or thematic variations, it’s been a great help making me ensure I’ve thought through every aspect before jumping into the modeling phase. Sometimes when I just feel like practicing modeling, I’ll ask it to give me a randomized prompt of an object or setting, which can be anything from “create a futuristic desk lamp” to “design a medieval marketplace.” It’s a fun way to keep my skills sharp and get out of creative ruts. The randomness sort of challenges me to try things outside of my comfort zone, while still having a structured idea to work from.
MidJourney: Now I'm going to be completely honest with you, I'm a TERRIBLE concept artist. Sometimes, what I picture in my head doesn’t come out the way I want when I try to sketch it, because my strength is in 3D modeling, not in creating polished 2D concepts. That’s where MidJourney comes in. It helps me take those rough ideas and turn them into something more concrete, providing visual inspiration that I can use as a jumping-off point. It’s not about copying what it generates, but using it to guide the overall feel, color palette, and style before I start building in 3D. It makes the concept phase a lot less frustrating and helps me focus on the part I love—bringing the idea to life in 3D.
PurRef: My moodboards can all be found here and I usually keep this open on my other screen so that my references are in plain site.
Sites I use for inspiration:
Dribbble
Pinterest
BeHance
Instagram
Artstation
Modeling/Sculpting
Maya (Autodesk): When it comes to modeling assets in environments I always start in Maya, it’s quite literally the backbone to my whole pipeline. It offers a lot of flexibility whether I’m building large-scale environments or intricate props. I use it also for animating if necessary and for UV mapping.
Blender: Although I don’t use Blender as much as I used to, it’s still a tool I try to keep up with since it offers features like Grease Pencil, which I’m currently trying to learn. Grease Pencil allows for 2D drawing within a 3D space, which opens up a lot of creative possibilities for concept sketches, animations, and even adding hand-drawn details to 3D environments. All this FOR FREE!
NomadSculpt: I’m not much of a sculptor, but when I do I tend to reach for NomadSculpt on my iPad which I find way easier to use rather than connecting my wacom to a computer and using Zbrush (which I don’t have access to anymore anyways since I’ve graduated school). It’s a much cheaper yet still powerful alternative and much easier to use.
Texturing
I’m not much of a texture artist and it’s something I’m trying to improve upon but when I do have to make them I either go for:
Substance Painter
or preferably:
Mari
Shading, Lighting and Rendering
Unreal Engine: This has definitely been the newest addition to my toolbox and one that I'm still learning, but it’s quickly becoming a game-changer for my workflow. Unreal Engine is incredible when it comes to rendering, lighting, and shading—it takes my 3D environments to the next level with realistic visuals that would take much longer to achieve elsewhere. Plus, the access to free assets through the Unreal Marketplace is a huge bonus. I can use high-quality models for small details, like props or background elements, without having to model everything from scratch, allowing me to focus on my hero props instead.
Editing
Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects): For polishing my renders, I use Photoshop to composite certain elements into my renders, whether it's tweaking textures, adding subtle details, or refining the overall look. Premiere Pro comes in handy when I need to put a sequence together or add matte painted backgrounds to my scenes. And for small visual effects that don’t need to be done in 3D, I rely on After Effects (particles, light flares, or subtle motion effects)
Portfolio or work showcasing
Squarespace: Full stop-shop for anything related to showcasing my best work or managing everything related to my professional presence.
ArtStation: Primarily for networking with other artists and staying active in the 3D art community. It’s where I post projects to get feedback or ask questions to other artists, explore their work, and stay up to date with industry trends.
Instagram: Used mostly for casual art posting and sharing behind-the-scenes or work-in-progress shots that wouldn’t make it to my professional portfolio.
Canva: Making a CV or any type of personal branding related thing when I don’t have the time to open photoshop.
