Coven

My goal was to push my creativity to the limits. I aimed to create a vast cavern filled with mechanical and magical elements. In the process, I also taught myself new skills such as basic Niagara effects like fog particles and making water shaders.

My achieved skillset throughout the project includes modeling, sculpting, retopology, texturing, composition, UE4 shaders (glass, water, panning and rotating) and lighting - also, ray-tracing and Niagara.

The theme is based around a clockwork vampire hideout situated in a cave that leads to the ocean. The vampires are masters of magic and alchemy. They are brilliant inventors who strive to make magical mechanical marvels powered by magma. 

Each area tells a story. Entering the cavern, you engage with the ritual platform by collecting magical essence that strengthens the poisons and potions created in the alchemy chambers located just left of the platform. 

The alchemy chamber is below a lava depository. This molten rock and metal are used to power the alchemy table and heat any reagents used in potions or poisons. The marble gargoyle sips the Magma and feeds it to the table. 

After passing the alchemy table, you enter the garden. In the rich mineral-filled soil, reagents grow. The volcanic rock and underground mineral pool boost the flora to grow and thrive in magnificent quantities and sizes. Florae are utilized to produce the potions and poisons at the alchemy table.

Another possible entrance into the coven is through the moon gate via boat. After entering, you can dock at the small port that leads to the war room. The port has regal walls and pillars, representing the full moon. You will notice the remains of prisoners hanging from the walls, serving as a warning to those who would challenge the vampires.

The war chamber is filled with a phenomenal astrological clockwork table. Here vampires strategize their missions and conquests. Above the table is a moon-shaped power source that powers the holographic stars and map rotating around the table. Behind the table is a clockwork door leading deeper into the vampires' lair. 

The two particle systems are what I created when I did some personal research into creating Niagara effects.

Across the table is a cage designed to trap vampire traitors and restrain their movements and abilities until the sun gate above opens, leading to the traitors' execution. 

Breakdowns

The following listing summarizes renders and breakdowns of essential assets in my project.

Software I used includes Maya, Substance Painter, Zbrush, and Quixle mixer.

The order of breakdowns: 
Renders: Albedo, Wireframe, Normal, Roughness, Metalness
Textures: Albedo, Emissive, Normal, Occlusion (red channel), Roughness (green channel), Metallic (blue channel).

Clockwork Dragon Statue

Polycount: 158555

Marble gargoyle

This asset also makes use of 2 layers of subsurface scattering in Unreal Engine. I added texture pairs next to one another. 

Polycount: 169986

Clockwork Astrological Table

Clockwork Pillar

Polycount (with gargoyle): 169476
Polycount (without gargoyle): 60500

Clockwork Door

opacity :

Alchemy table

Polycount: 28114

Clockwork cage

Polycount: 30246

Ritual platform

Polycount: 900

Gears

Polycount (gear1): 9792
Polycount  (gear2):  6224
Polycount (gear3): 4368

Honorable renders

Polycount (platform): 468
Polycount (wall): 782

All the assets I created

Initial Block-up

lighting block-up

Coven Wrap-up

My coven story grew within the artwork, and I'm proud of how the journey ended. I hope you enjoyed the journey through my lava, vampires, and creative coven cave just as much as I did.

I am wrapping up my entry by noting my immense enjoyment while working on this project. It was truly worth every second of hard work. It made me believe that my creativity will keep on growing into a never-ending story. 

Reference list

The majority of the assets in my project are my creation. However, I did use some Quixel Megascans and Unreal marketplace assets to fill the environment with more detail.

I mostly used Megascans assets to construct the cave and refine the constructions with foliage. I also used Marketplace asset foliage for trees, along with particles and smaller assets such as candles, small statues, pipes, skeletons, torches, etc.

Here is a list of all the Marketplace bundles I used:

Particle Effects
DarkForest
FantasyDungeon
MidievalDungeon
Lazygodray
Blueprints
Flocking Behaviour System
NaturePackage
Particle Impressions
Fantastical Resource Shader

I also used one or two shaders from the Water Planes Unreal learn project. 

I found the free animated bat model for the flock system at the following link:
https://www.renderhub.com/nonecg/vampire-bat

Added Music:
'The Fury' (from 'Monomyth') by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdhQNtA0mDk

The link for sound effects I added to the video:
https://www.zapsplat.com/

Other Projects

While Coven is the focus of my entry, I also want to mention some of the other projects I have done this year. This is to showcase how my skill set and knowledge grew throughout the year.

Draconic Spirit

This is a Diorama I created of a world of my own creation. It depicts a culture of draconic people as well as a realm of spirits that lives alongside them. It is my first project as a video game art student. 

Reference List

All assets are modeled, sculpted, UV unwrapped, and textured by myself. The only exception being the foliage, decals, and some effects from Quixle Megascans and the Unreal Marketplace. I also used some stone textures from Quixle Megascans, but they are heavily modified to fit my assets.

Unreal marketplace assets used:
M5 VFX Vol2. Fire and Flames
Particles and wind control system
Underwater life
Infinity blade effects
Waterplane

Deserted

This is the second project I did last year. I was tasked to construct an environment only using Megascans assets and any Unreal marketplace assets I could make use of.

I stepped out of my comfort zone with this project and created something I have never attempted before. An abandoned desert village built around an oasis. The lifeless desert with destroyed ruins contrasts the oasis filled with vibrant life. The candles and burning bonfires create the eerie feeling that the ruins are haunted.

There are two versions. Night and day.

Day

Night

Reference List

Majority of the assets used are from Quixle Megascans.  Some materials were created in Quixle Mixer.

Unreal Marketplace Assets:
Particles and wind control system
Waterplane
Free Fantasy Weapons Sample
Blueprints
M5 VFX Vol2. Fire and Flames
Vehicle Game
Lazy Godray
Infinity Blade Effects
Modular Desert Ruins
Advanced Magic FX