English
Name: Patric Verstraete
Job: CG and 3d architectural visualization artist, starting as a freelancer in 2009 and now heading Vizcon3D
Country: Belgium
Web site: http://www.vizcon.be
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3DA: How did you start working in 3D field? How much time has been passed and what kind of studies did you do?
PV: I studied Interior architect and my first contact with CG in 1995 when some friend showed me 3dstudio max. I was really fascinated about that great piece of software, and from that point computer graphics becomes my favorite hobby. I remember it was quite a struggle fighting my way through 3ds Max at the beginning, internet was not readily available, and resources were thin at best at that time.
I don’t know if it is correct to use the expression self-taught person but what I know today I haven’t learned it at school .
3DA: Which are your favourite software and plugins for your daily projects?
PV: I am a fully 3ds Max user, running version 2013. For rendering I use V-Ray. Other plugins are Forest Pack Pro, and plenty of scripts, For postwork I use Photoshop, ProEXR.
3DA: Tell us something about a project that gave you great satisfactions
PV: Some two years ago I joined the first lecture at CG Workshop, with Pawel Podwojewski . At that moment I started my own project Khouse, which was a great succes and futered many times in magazines.
That project could never be so succesfull without the help and advice of all the members of CG Workshop and specially my friend Simonhc.
3DA: From where do you take ispiration for your artworks?
PV: In my opinion you should always gather as much reference images and inspiration as possible. Before you create the first polygon you should already have at least one direction and thought about what it is that you’re trying to achieve. I have a great admiration to artists like Alfa Smyrna, Bertrand Benoit, and Peter Guthrie. They have workflows and approaches to what we do that really push things forward. It’s not often we get the chance to really do something unique in the CG World, so I respect these guys :) enormously.
3DA: What would you suggest to people that are approaching to 3D and architecture?
PV: Patience, never give up!!. Set your goals that are real, but keep moving forward. Don’t be discouraged by the first negative review. Accept reviews, learn from them but keep your own opinion at the same time.
Search for information on the internet, read tutorials, news, magazines, or inscribe you at one of the many workshops.
Observe nature, make sketches, take pictures, make notes…One major skill I think, is the ability to carefully observe and be able to translate that into CG.
