Case Studies — John Bacile

Theia | Lookdev Kit | Part 1

This kit, named Theia, focuses on Lookdev optimizations while offering other useful tools such as scene setup, cleanup tools, shot tools, and more. This is a project I’m very happy to revisit, especially in an ever-changing industry with powerful new tools constantly emerging. Revisiting this project has allowed me to redefine some goals I had for the toolkit. It has also provided me with a better perspective on how tools should and could be used in the industry, and I've generated many new ideas for enhancing this pipeline. This newfound curiosity has led me to explore innovative techniques such as implementing USD, LookdevX, AOVs, and various other methods to create a Lookdev kit intended to increase efficiency and achieve project goals.

Assets provided by PolyHaven

Autodesk Maya | Autodesk Arnold

Cars 01 | Ink 01

This work was focused on the exploration of using Arnold Toon Shaders. I had focused mainly on the Look Development, relying on tools in maya, shader manipulation and and some camera projection techniques to get a halftone effect and other various results.

Autodesk Maya | Autodesk Arnold | Adobe Substance Painter

Asset Studies | CG Boss Distortion Pedal

This work was focused on making a photo realistic Boss distortion guitar pedal. I focused on proportional & detailed modeling combined with realistic Texturing and Look Development. The aim was to do this efficiently while achieving high quality results. Luckily I own this pedal so it was nice to have a real-life model to work from. I was also able to get feedback from artists such as Logan Pittman and others.

Autodesk Maya | Autodesk Arnold | Adobe Substance Painter

Asset Studies | CG Pabst Blue Ribbon Bottle

This was a Asset study focused on achieving photo-realism in Look Development along with precise Texturing. I was able to hone in on a lot of new and techniques to get me to a closer result of photo-realism. The Asset was able to give me a lot intriguing areas to focus on that helped challenge me. I was able to experiment more with programs such as SideFX Houdini and Maxon Cinema 4D.