Retro Sci-Fi 3D Scene

Time after doing the original scenario, I decided to reilluminate and add a character I had made for a short film. Here below the breakdown of the first version.

Job - Model a radio with an enviroment
Job time -  2 Weeks - Relight 1 day
Software -  Maya / Substance Painter / Arnold / Nuke

Modelling

For the next class work, we had two weeks. This time we had to model radio and integrate it with an environment. But composition and lighting had to be copied from a movie frame or still photography.

I decided to model a jukebox radio, specifically, the Rock-ola Tempo model from 1959.

I wanted to make the modelling as detailed and real as possible. I used photographic references and the original radio manual. For the mapping, I used Maya and UV Layout and so I could practice as the two programs.

The next step was to find a way to integrate a classical radio with an environment. First, I looked for references of North American roadside cafes, imitating a vintage look. Finally, I chose the tribute that George Lucas does to American Graffiti in StarWars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Obi-Wan enters a restaurant that looks vintage to visit Dex Jettser. This scenario was perfect, so I could mix new with a classic. [+] Star Wars Sequence - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neyY2qC9pCA

Lighting

For the lighting, I needed a reference. I chose the movie My Blueberry Nights by Wong Kar-Wai. I wanted to give the scene a retrofuturistic organic look. The lighting of the scene is simple. The main light is a directional light of Maya. The interior lights are Arnold’s mesh lights. The jukebox is illuminated with area lights. I added the volume later in Nuke.

Texturing

The scene is textured entirely with Substance Painter. I had previously practised with Substance on the Fighter Helmet, but this was my first scenario. First I texturized the radio jukebox and made it the definitive lighting with the glasses.

The scene is divided into 8 UDIMs for a better resolution. Once the texturing was finished and the glasses were placed, the stage was ready to render.

Final Composition

The final render this time I did it by layers in EXR with AOVs in Arnold. The final composition was made in Nuke with the different layers I had taken from Maya. Finally, I added the colour grade, grain and depth of field from the Z channel.