Using 3d objects in comics/to draw?

[DragonPena]

What do you think of comics where 3d objects are used?
I haven't found any comics that use 3d characters, but I have found plenty of comics that use 3d backgrounds, for example preset backgrounds like schools, or classrooms instead of drawing them..
What do you think of them?

I have been using the 3d models for characters in mangastudio (clip studio) when I draw certain angles, and since I dont really like drawing backgrounds I just use the 3d backgrounds in clipstudio instead of drawing the backgrounds..

What do you think? Do you consider this lazy?

Also for you guys that do use 3d objects, any tips? I have been trying to find more 3d objects specially backgrounds, but I can't seem to find a good page with backgrounds that would look good in a comic, for example the 3d backgrounds in clipstudio look good in comics.

[R.n.P]

Dunno bout that but I would prefer learning how to draw the backgrounds by myself
Like dis
I will probably improve over time

[mariusthered]

I use 3d models and backgrounds but i draw out the figures in my comic Talesfromswipecity

and anyone who thinks its easy or lazy to make a comic this way has no clue just how much work goes into making pages this way. it has its pros and cons but working out camera angles and sets and blending 3d with 2d is far from easy at times.

[Marshminator]

I don't combine 2D or 3D, and I can't imagine it would be easy...

But if you want to make comics for an extended amount of time, and you want to make more than one - I'd recommend taking the time to master the skills you need to draw your own backgrounds. Being able to draw the background elements on your own gives you so many more options for how to lay out panels and choreograph scenes. I can't really fathom being restricted to preset objects from a library, if that is how it works (I don't know if it is). Plus, over time you'll get faster at drawing your own backgrounds. You could probably draw a background in the time it takes you to hunt down one 3D asset for a scene.

Sorry if that wasn't the answer you were looking for, but hopefully some more 3D experienced folks can chime in.

[DeadAccount]

I think using 3D for drawing reference is perfectly fine. I often use Google SketchUp for environments and even used 3dsMax to model out some more complicated objects in the past, though I realise it might be a pain for anyone without a 3D background. Sketchup's probably easier for basic blockouts, plus it's got a whole library of models you can download.
I don't like 3D used as final art, though. Poser comics just make me sad. And I found Manga Studio's ready-made environments pretty limiting for what I want to do. There's literally no creative freedom if you just copy/paste whatever they've got.

[Sanz]

I make 3d models and use them all the time !! its so much fun, very tedious....but well worth it. if you model them yourself alot of time gets put into it tbh.. here's two of my favs from my comic .

best thing i would recommend is get some sort of 3d program, and make the backgrounds yourself...import them anyway you can... and do it that way...i mean thats no exactly easy either if you don't know how to 3d model...im an industrial designer...so i just can...BUT anyone can learn !

[SirHellsir]

I use the Freestyle renderer on Blender and make the texture invisible, that basically gives me the outline of the model on a transparent background

I then fix the imperfections and draw the rest of the backgroung like trees and stuff (it was taking me like 3 hours to draw a fence in perspective, I made this model in half an hour and each render takes 5 min)

I'm still experimenting, but I enjoy doing 3d-modeling and have some really complex ones (gothic houses, full cities) and like to change the angle on every panel, I'm not saying is better, but I like to think in terms of efficiency.
As for the characters, their proportions vary too much for 3d models and I find it easier to pose them from imagination (they end up more organical)

[Ringarune]

My problem with the 3D backgrounds is that I feel they are integrated very poorly with the hand drawn characters. It's usually very obvious when a 3D model is used, and for me personally, I feel that it takes me out of the story since I'm usually distracted by it. I find that it's mostly the rendering that's the problem, and if the lines from the model are just used and colored, I think that takes away my problem.

[DragonPena]

@christinaeliz
Those 3d models look very nice, I know nothing about 3d modeling, and looking at some of the tutorials it looks like something that would take a looong time to learn xD
But I'm trying, though I doubt I will ever get to do a 3d background lol, thanks

@SirHellsir
Yours looks pretty good too O.o

As for the people that have been saying that sometimes 3d backgrounds look to different from the comic, I don't know if anyone has read GANTZ it's a manga that uses 3d models and they look pretty good.

[SethJH]

Occasionally, I'll use the 3D model I made of my protagonist for my comic to get reference for how a pose or expression should look. Usually though, I'll model the background to get an idea of perspective and lighting.

Here are some examples:

There are a few exceptions (like the train image here) where I will leave the 3D in the finished panel. Otherwise, I only use my 3D models for reference and perspective. I use Blender to model and render my 3D stuff.

Lately, I've been trying to avoid using 3D reference for my comic because I don't want it to be a crutch for me. But sometimes it helps me make a scene way faster than having to sit down and plot out all the perspective lines by hand.

[iamABLE]

well it depends.. a lot of popular korean webtons use 3d in their work and some marvel inkers do too ... you still need to understand perspective and light and shadow to make it fit in the scene and the line quality is usually off if integrated with drawn foreground elements including characters... Its kind of personal preference based on your desired look and feel for your comic

.... redraw. mask out , selective paint over its up to you nothing is wrong though just another tool to the realization of the goal

[gruetzi]

I used 3D models for backgrounds, mostly for buildings, of course first I need to modeling all the stuff. . The 3D is just the "base", I paint everything by hand to keep the page homogeneus

[APM]

I use a lot the Manga Studio's 3D character models (It can be lazy... but hey! I'm still spending 12 hours to do a page, it's fair). But of course, I draw without the models too (I use it just to save time, and because of some extremely hard angles).

But just why you're using a tool to facilitate your work, it doesn't mean it'll stop your improvement. On the contrary! When you're using 3D references, by manipulating the object and drawing above it, you will be improving your 3D perception, making draw characters and objects in different angles more easy. At least it works for me!

About 3D objects and backgrounds as a final art, depending on the way you do it. Manga Studio's 3D objects in monochromatic layers works good, because it looks like more a 2D drawing. But when it's colored or greyscale, better choosing just one: 2D or 3D. By mixing both, you usually don't get a good result.

[sarrowsmith10]

I also use Google Sketch up for my backgrounds. But I mostly just use it as reference since I don't have a rendering program to go with it. I don't see any problem with using the tools at your disposal. Copying and pasting someone else's background drawing (like the ones that might be preloaded?) might have some moral issues involved, but I don't use Manga Pro (or Clip Studio) so I don't know much about it.

So, for example. I build a model in sketch up. Mostly with basic shapes:

Then here is the scene in the comic:

[heterodont]

Much like everyone else, I've also started using sketchup for backgrounds However, I have yet to use it in a comic page! I just prefer '''winging''' my perspective and practicing my freehand because I like the look of it better (as long as I don't horribly screw the perspective up)

I don't mind it when people use 3d models or backgrounds as set up - there's really nothing wrong with using shortcuts! It only bothers me when the person doesn't...bother 'tracing' over their 3d model? It's frankly my own opinion but I always find it so jarring to see what is very clearly a sketchup model but photoshopped to be a different color (An example from a hiveworks comic comes to mind but not going to name names!) I understand it's probably the most efficient way to do it but I frankly find it kind of. lazy. (note it did not have any sort of textures on it. it was just a blank sketchup model for a full page...)

[AnnaLandin]

Short answer: no, using 3d objects isn't lazy, it's just a tool.

Long answer - as long as the final result fits with the overall look of the page, you do whatever you want to do. Use 3d objects to get the perspective on an environment right, and then draw over it; use a 3d object with cell-shading on it so that it looks 2d, och heck, do the entire comic in 3d if you want. All that matters is that it comes out looking the way you want it to look, and you haven't stolen anything from anyone else.

I haven't gotten around to using and 3d myself, but I've been considering SketchUp to do models of the trickier buildings I need to draw, so I know what certain camera angles are going to look like - I'd be drawing over them, though.

[Doubtcent]

I've tried using 3D when it comes to backgrounds or character positions, but I find the whole process tedious and unnatural. There's a sort of uncanniness that can come about using pre-rendered backgrounds and characters. I find using references and your own noggin helps with the overall look of the comic, even if detail isn't your forte.
However, if you can get the 3D to look like you drew it, then kudos.
The Iron Giant is often the kind of 3D & 2D combo that I find pleasing to the eye, simply because they succeed in the illusion the art is supposed to represent.
I would only use 3D if I had no idea on how to draw something, but then I would then immediately try to draw it on my own. The more I can do that, the less I have to rely on the use of 3D.

[donathinfrye]

I think using CGI can be challenging, and it's certainly a less traveled path for comics, but it can still be very effective. And using 3D elements really isn't any less work if you're trying to come out with a finished product that looks good. For example, Atonement uses a blend of 3D and 2D elements. It's a very time consuming process, but it's allowed us to create a very unique art style that represents the spirit of the story well.

For example:

On the first page, you can see a blend of painted backgrounds (and background characters and objects) mixed with CGI renderings in the foreground that have been painted over.

On a later page ...

Again, you can see how our comic is blending CGI and painted elements to create a unique style.

There are so many different ways to draw comics. In any style, the quality is going to vary based on skill, experience, and effort.

To sidestep and talk about films for a second, there are a lot of people who prefer CGI to hand-drawn cartoons, or vice-versa. For me? I'd be hard-pressed to choose between Finding Nemo and Lion King. They're both fantastic, and those art styles were absolutely the best choices for those stories ... in my opinion, at least.

[DsCashewsOfficial]

It depends on the type of comic you are drawing. If it's a comedy or gag comic than it's less critical and gives you more freedom to play around.

For me, I like to occasionally draw a 3D background but my characters are almost never 3D. If I get called out for it...I make gag comics this isn't a life and death issue...and in some cases adds to the ridiculousness of my already ridiculous comic themes. It gives me a great opportunity to take a little extra time and test out my skills and also learn some new things along the way. But this has to be balanced because like others have mentioned it is MUCH more time consuming and you need to pay attention to being able to consistently put out work.

But if you are drawing more of a drama/story/realistic type of comic then it will be much more critical that all of the art is congruent.

[monotone_ink]

If it benefits you in terms of time restraints, then sure, go for it, just make sure that the end result looks appropriate and not 'artificial'. There's a manga artist I adore called Asano Inio, and he creates all of his backgrounds through photographs he takes himself.
You may think that his work might look a little lazy because of that, but dear god, it's magnificent.

He processes things in such a way that everything looks hand drawn, and it effectively leaves the viewer in awe, thinking: "Did he really draw all that?"

I think the problem with a lot of beginners who incorporate 3D Models/Photographs into their comics that most of the time it looks very artificial. When it looks artificial, it loses that charm that could have been brought about if it was just hand drawn.

So I guess, use it to your discretion, and create a method of incorporation so that it doesn't look out of place.

(btw, if you want to watch his Asano Inio's process, you can watch that here: )