CG.TUTSPLUS: How to Create a Video Game Dumpster: The Complete Current-Gen Workflow

Tutorial Details

Program: 3DS Max 2009 (or equivalent), Photoshop
Difficulty: Advanced

Twice a month we revisit some of our reader’s favorite posts from throughout the history of Cgtuts+, and what better place to start than with a tutorial by ex-site-editor Kaleb Aylsworth. This tutorial was first published in June 2009 and proved immensely popular. Let’s take a look…

As technology evolves, the tools and requirements for creating current-gen game art are constantly changing. In this tutorial we will learn the current game art workflow in its entirety, from the low-poly model all the way to final game-ready asset. We will create a realistic grimy dumpster suitable for any urban setting.

This mammoth video training series features over 194 minutes of video instruction on all aspects of game art creation, including creating the low-poly and high-poly models, the UVW unwrap, baking normal maps from high-poly, and creating diffuse, specular and detail bump textures.



1. Creating the Low-Poly Model: 3DS Max 2009 (or equivalent).




2. Creating the High-Poly Model: 3DS Max 2009 (or equivalent).




3. UVW Unwrap: 3DS Max 2009 (or equivalent).




4. Baking Normal Maps From High-Poly: 3DS Max 2009 (or equivalent); X-normal; CraziBump.




5. Creating the Diffuse Texture: Photoshop CS2 (or higher); Photo texture source.




6. Creating the Specular Texture & Detail Bump Texture: Photoshop CS2 (or higher); CraziBump