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I wanted to learn more from a professional 3D artist and designer named Marcin Flisikowski. He has been a long time follower of The Pixel Lab and I have always been super impressed with his work. His style is very engaging and other worldly and I really dig it.
Let’s hear his process, favorite plugins, the way he uses VDBs in his work and his thoughts on AI, which I thought were very good!
My name is Marcin Flisikowski. I am a senior 3D designer working for a company that specializes in developing electrical VTOL aircraft and self-driven electric cars. My job involves creating visualizations of these vehicles, showcasing them in different real-world situations, and crafting engaging animations to bring our concepts to life. It’s an exciting role where I get to blend creativity with cutting-edge technology to showcase the future of transportation.
(Check out our Cloud VDBs seen in this render here)
Over the past five years, my journey in the world of 3D design began amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 confinement period. While I had dabbled with various 3D software before, it wasn’t until the quarantine period provided me with ample free time that I truly delved into learning Cinema 4D.
Opting for Cinema 4D was a strategic choice, influenced by my position at a small television station where Maxon’s software was recognized as the go-to solution for motion design.
However, my focus eventually shifted towards environment design, where I found my creative passion truly flourished.
With a background in graphic design, I’ve diversified my skill set across multiple creative domains, including photography, videography, and motion design.
Much of my proficiency in these fields has been cultivated through self-directed learning, leveraging online platforms like YouTube as invaluable resources for expanding my expertise and honing my craft.
Futuristic Fiction, Cyberpunk, Solar Punk etc…. Science Fiction holds a special place as my favoured genre. Although I do venture into other realms like fantasy or contemporary themes on occasion, I’m totally hooked on the fascinating world of Sci-Fi.
I rely primarily on Cinema 4D and Octane for my creative projects, complemented by essential tools such as Photoshop, Substance Painter, and World Creator. Moreover, my workflow is benefits from the integration of plugins such as Forester and GSG, which further enhance the efficiency and quality of my work.
I believe my fascination with sci-fi began when I first watched Star Wars at the age of eight. I was captivated by the film and it ignited a passion for the genre within me. From Star Wars to Firefly to Mad Max, and everything in between, I’ve been drawn to the imaginative worlds and captivating stories of science fiction.
For me, sci-fi serves as a portal to escapism, allowing me to immerse myself in otherworldly adventures beyond the confines of reality.
One of my most frequently utilized assets is the cloud pack. It’s become somewhat of a staple for me, serving as my go-to starting point for various projects. I’ve found versatile applications for these clouds, whether it’s simulating fog, mist, engine thrusters, smoke effects, or just as clouds 😀 It’s amazing how one resource can offer so much versatility in enhancing visual compositions.
My creative process typically starts with conceptualizing the scene in my mind, sketching out the initial idea before sourcing suitable models. I often rely on models from Kitbash 3D and Big Medium Small, as well as utilizing Epic’s Bridge for additional resources.
Once I have the models in place, I focus on blocking out the environment and meticulously crafting the lighting setup, incorporating HDRI, sun, and supplementary lights to achieve the desired ambiance.
To further enhance the atmosphere, I carefully select VDBs, leveraging them to add elements such as fog, mist, smoke or clouds. Each choice of VDB is tailored to complement the specific theme and mood of the image, resulting in a cohesive and visually compelling composition.
VDBs are absolutely fantastic due to their remarkable versatility and efficiency in generating intricate visual effects, including smoke, fire, clouds, and atmospherics.
From animations to visual effects in films and video games, VDBs offer a seamless blend of realism and performance optimization.
Begin by watching tutorials that introduce you to the basics of VDBs. There are plenty of resources available on YouTube that can help you understand how VDBs work and how to integrate them into your software/workflow.
Experiment, don’t be afraid to try different VDBs and settings to see how they affect your scenes.
(Here’s a great article on using VDBs if you’re interested)
I initially began my journey with Cycles but found its rendering speed to be inadequate for my needs.
I then experimented briefly with Redshift, attracted by its performance, but encountered difficulties navigating its complex node workflow and experienced significant slowdowns due to displacement issues and subpar denoising capabilities. This experience was based on the 2019 version before its integration with Maxon, and I am unsure of its current state.
Moving on to Octane, I appreciated its ability to deliver decent results swiftly, thanks to its efficient optimization settings and robust denoising features. Even though I encountered stability issues with frequent crashes detracting from an otherwise positive experience I still consider it the top choice.
(Here’s a great article on which render engine to pick)
Unreal Engine and real-time rendering technologies continue to improve, enabling us to create photo realistic visuals interactively. I think this trend will likely accelerate, leading to more immersive and photo realistic results.
While it’s true that the quality of generated content continues to improve each year, I remain skeptical about the notion that it will replace human creativity entirely.
Ai is just stock footage that can enhance our projects, but it can’t replace us or our creative input.
Thank you so much for having me and you can find me on Instagram and Artstation.
(Check out our Meteor VDBs seen in this render here)
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Marcin. If you want to use the same assets that he uses in his renders, check out our VDB Cloud Packs!
Joren Kandel is an Emmy Award winning artist with 15 years of experience in sports motion design. He is also Founder and CEO of The Pixel Lab, which has become the biggest collection of 3D VFX and VDB assets in the world!
