3D modelling is never an easy task, especially for self-taught beginners like us. We still remember the excitement of creating our first 3D model in Blender. It was simple, nothing too fancy, but it sparked a sense of accomplishment. At that stage, our learning process relied heavily on YouTube tutorials, following each step meticulously to replicate what professionals did. We believed—and still do—that the best way to learn something new is to study and imitate the best until we develop our own techniques over time.
However, as we delved deeper into the world of 3D modelling, we realized just how complex and demanding it truly was. Hard surface modelling, physics simulations, and texturing each came with their own set of challenges. But we had no choice—we had a vision for our game, and that vision required high-quality 3D assets. Learning 3D modelling was not just an option; it was a necessity.
The Budget Constraints
One of the first hurdles we faced was the cost of acquiring assets. Buying ready-made asset packs was tempting, but with our extremely tight budget, it simply wasn't feasible. High-quality asset packs with hundreds of models often came with a price tag that was far beyond our reach. So, instead of purchasing, we decided to take on the challenge ourselves and learn 3D modelling from scratch.
The Need for Realistic Cloth Simulation
While we were making progress with 3D modelling, we quickly realized that creating clothing for our characters was an entirely different beast. Traditional polygonal modelling for cloth was time-consuming and often produced inconsistent results. Clothing is essential in character design, and we needed a solution that would provide realistic fabric behaviour while also streamlining the workflow.
That’s when we started looking into cloth simulation systems. We knew that physics-based cloth simulation could save us time and effort, but it required a deep understanding of how real-world fabrics behave. We needed a tool that would allow us to create realistic, high-quality clothing without spending weeks refining each detail manually.
Discovering Marvelous Designer
After extensive research, we discovered Marvelous Designer, a software specifically designed for 3D fashion design and cloth simulation. From the very first glance at a quick tutorial on YouTube, we knew this tool would be a game-changer for us. The ability to create detailed, realistic clothing with natural folds and creases in just a few clicks was mind-blowing. The software also provided 2D pattern templates, making it incredibly easy to generate complex garments without the painstaking process of manual modelling.
Partnering with Marvelous Designer
Realizing the potential of Marvelous Designer, we took the next big step: partnering with them. This decision changed everything for us. Coming from a traditional 3D modelling background, this software revolutionized the way we approached clothing in our game. What used to take us weeks could now be done in a matter of days, with results that were far superior to anything we had previously achieved.
Learning and Implementing the Software
Once we had access to Marvelous Designer, we dove headfirst into learning its full potential. We started by importing our 3D character base meshes and experimenting with different 2D pattern designs. Within a week, we had already created five different clothing variations just for practice. This speed and efficiency left us speechless. The texturing and UV unwrapping process was also streamlined within the software, saving us even more time.
One of the most impressive features was the ability to replicate different fabric behaviours. For example, leather behaved rigidly, while cotton had a softer, more fluid motion. Marvelous Designer allowed us to fine-tune fabric properties through adjustable parameters, giving us full control over the final look and feel of each garment.
Enhancing Our Game with High-Quality Clothing
With our newfound skills and access to Marvelous Designer, we finally had the tools to elevate our character designs. We revisited our main character’s outfit, which initially felt flat and uninspired. Using Marvelous Designer, we were able to redesign it with more intricate details while maintaining a lower polygon count—an essential factor for optimizing performance in games.
The most surprising part was how well the software managed polygon counts in the background. Unlike traditional modelling methods that required manual optimization, Marvelous Designer automatically structured the meshes in a way that made them game-ready. This saved us even more time and effort, allowing us to focus on creativity rather than technical constraints.
Looking Ahead
Marvelous Designer has been an invaluable tool in our game development journey. What started as a daunting challenge—creating realistic 3D clothing—became an exciting and manageable process thanks to this software. Our partnership with Marvelous Designer has not only improved the visual quality of our game but also accelerated our workflow, making high-quality character designs achievable even with our limited resources.
We’re excited to share more insights and experiences in future posts. For now, we just want to express our gratitude for how this partnership has helped us bring our vision to life.
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