Photo realistic modeling and rendering of a hiking shoes 3D.

Recently I finished work on very exciting and challenging project. I had to make realistic looking hiking shoes. I am very happy with a final result.

Black & red hiking shoe 3D, Peter Zigich

White, grey & blue hiking shoe 3D, Peter Zigich

What I am posting on this blog is just a small selection of early concept renderings, but I think it shows the quality and photo realism that was required for this particular project.

Hiking shoes 3D, Peter Zigich

First step was creating detailed 3D model with a lot of small details that would be visible in a close up product renderings. Equally important was creation of realistic materials, including textures and bumps that help break specular highlights and reflections.

Hiking shoe, side view 3D, Peter Zigich

All that adds to the realism of the model.

Hiking shoe 3D, Peter Zigich

Hiking shoe 3D, Peter Zigich

Next step was lighting up the scene. I used combination of physical lights that cast ray traced shadows and HDR (high dynamic range) based lights. Carefully placed and tweaked lights add dept and realism.

Black & white hiking shoes 3D, Peter Zigich

Next step was rendering. Scene was rendered using render passes. Without going into too much technical details, image was broken into separate passes (such as reflection, ambient occlusion, illumination, material specular etc).

Black hiking shoe 3D, Peter Zigich

Render passes were combined in a post to create final image with a lot of control and precision.

Hiking shoe 3D side view, Peter Zigich

Final step was Photoshop retouching and colour correction of hiking shoes 3D, making sure minor imperfections are corrected in post.

Hiking shoe 3D back view, Peter Zigich

Hiking shoes 3D