In 2020, as part of the Sculpt January challenge, I crafted a 3D model of a Cat Skeleton. While I was content with the sculpt itself, the initial render felt lackluster, employing a standard three-light setup against a plain black backdrop. Returning to this project, my aim was to infuse the scene with a more compelling atmosphere.
To achieve this, I experimented with volumetric fog and a striking color contrast, playing with red and dark green lighting. The scene’s composition is quite straightforward. A potent red light source illuminates the cat skeleton from the side, complemented by a softer cyan-green fill light positioned at the front. Additionally, two area lights placed on the floor contribute to illuminating the volumetric fog, enhancing the overall depth and mood of the render.
Dramatic lighting setup for a 3D cat skeleton model in Blender
The volumetric shading within the scene is achieved through a combination of two noise textures, meticulously blended. One texture introduces high-frequency details, while the other provides a broader, low-frequency grain. This layering of noise textures adds complexity and realism to the volumetric fog, creating a more visually engaging environment for the cat skeleton.
Volume shading setup using noise textures in Blender for a 3D cat skeleton scene
To further emphasize the cat skeleton and ensure it stood out against the volumetric background, I utilized camera position data to dynamically adjust the volume density. As the volume approached the camera, its density decreased. However, this technique initially caused the appealing green volumetric light near the ground to diminish. To rectify this, I reintroduced the green light by blending in a gradient from the ground upwards, effectively restoring the desired atmospheric ground illumination and maintaining separation for the cat skeleton model.
Volume density adjustment based on camera position to highlight the 3D cat skeleton
For the cat skeleton‘s material shading, I employed an ambient occlusion node mixed with a noise texture. This combination effectively accentuates the crevices and shadowed areas of the skeleton with a darker, dirt-like color. This subtle texturing enhances the skeletal details and adds a touch of realism and age to the 3D model.
Material shading details on a 3D cat skeleton using ambient occlusion and noise texture
This project marked my first foray into Blender 3.5 alpha, specifically to leverage the new viewport compositor. The real-time feedback offered by the viewport compositor proved invaluable for color grading, allowing for immediate visual adjustments without the need for repeated full renders. This streamlined workflow significantly enhanced the efficiency and intuitiveness of the rendering process for the cat skeleton scene.
Additionally, I opted to use the AgX view transform instead of the standard filmic transform for this render. While my understanding of the technical intricacies of these transforms is still developing, I was immediately drawn to the aesthetic qualities of the colors produced with AgX. The resulting color palette enriched the overall visual appeal of the cat skeleton render.
Final render of a 3D cat skeleton in an atmospheric scene created with Blender Eevee and AgX
The final render was executed using Eevee, Blender’s real-time render engine. Eevee’s speed and efficiency allowed for rapid iteration and experimentation throughout the process, making it an ideal choice for achieving the desired atmospheric effects for this cat skeleton 3D art piece.
