What is your usual workflow?

Usually I start with a specific idea and concept of the scene I want. I do a lot a research about it (references images, objects, etc).

I’m always working with 3dsMax. I use VRay for rendering and Photoshop for post production. I will maybe try different render engines like Corona or Fstorm as I saw people with really good result with it.
I like to use different plugins to help me to achieve specific things or doing a faster job such as “Floor generator”, “Multiscatter”, “Forestpack” or “Marvelous designer”. I don’t hesitate to learn new softwares or plugins in order to get the results that I want. Actually, I never delegate any work and did all by myself but who know maybe for the next projects.

What your consider most important in creating photo-realistic lighting and materials?

There is not one but many important things to consider when you create realistic visualization. One of the most important thing is to look at the details in the real world and work on it. More you work on the details, more the scene will be realistic. In most 3d scene, they don’t work enough on the texture to add a realism to it. The light is also really important and it’s the same that for the details you have to look at to understand how the light works.

My main advice will be to wondering what is the difference between your work and the environment around you and work harder to eliminate these differences in order to get closer to the reality.

Do you have any personal know-how for creating photo-realistic vegetation and plants?

I work a lot with multiscatter and forestpack, this is powerful plugins for 3Dsmax.
The only limit will be probably your Hardware :) It’s really easy to do some small scene with different grass but if we want to create a huge forest is better to be patient and have a good computer.
There is more and more resources like grass, plants and trees on internet to achieve great results with these plugins. The diversity of the grass and the plants models as well as a good material (vray2sided) should provide you with a good result.

What are your plans for the future? What forecasts can you make about the future of 3d-world in general?

I don’t know what will be my plans in the next 10 years but I am actually freelance and passionate by the 3D Industry.

I try to getting better and learn new thing everyday to reach another level of realism in my 3d works. I’m looking for a great company with a great team and great projects to evolve. I hope the softwares will continue to develop new tools to give more creativity to the artist and less technical stuff to do.

Regarding the 3D industry, they grow so fast it’s hard to plan the future but I think the industry need more and more 3d graphic designers. People is asking for more 3d movie , more architectural visualization and video games. So I don’t think it will be the end for us :)