The next project we have to do for the Master of Videogame Art at Universal Art School is a diorama.
For this project I have decided to make a temple in ruins, the story is that it is a temple where rituals used to be done with the aim of obtaining the power of the magic stone.
I did this first blocking in Maya to be able to complete the mood board along with the references.
Once I had more or less clear how it was going to be, I started to do the blocking in unreal.
Week 1- The first thing I did this week was update the mood board with more references and adding the images of the blocking made in unreal.
Then I started sculpting the magic stone. Once the high poly was finished, as I couldn´t start doing the retopology until it was validated, I started with the sculpting of the door, although it is incomplete, it still need work in ZBrush.
Hi there @Dxae,
Welcome to the Unreal Engine forums! 
Looks super great so far. The references are all really cohesive and seem very thought out. I look forward to seeing the updates 
Thank you!!
Week 2-
This week I finished texturing the main asset.
Once the Magic Stone is finished, continue with the modeling and texturing of the Door
Then I started with the modeling of the columns and made a version of the broken column.
Finally, I looked for some assets on megascans and started adding them to my unreal scene.
Week 3-
This week I finished the retopology and UVS and texturing of the columns.
Once I had the columns finished, I began to model the Altar
In Unreal I started texturing the floor with vertex paint and added a couple of herbs. On the other hand, I added the finished assets such as the door and the columns. I also did a first pass of the lighting.
Hi there @Dxae !
Your diorama is truly fascinating! I love the detail into all of the aged aspects of it making it look like there is truly something left forgotten that can be rediscovered. The Dungeons and Dragons adventurer side of me is truly intrigued by the orb! In such a short time you’ve managed to make something that looks very rich in lore with stunning visuals to keep the mind wondering.
Can’t wait to see what the next update holds!
Hi @The_M0ss_Man thank you so much!!
Week 4-
This week I finished three assets of the list.
The first one, will be the altar, which I changed the material of the altar because the one I used at first didn’t convince me.
The second one, will be the stone statue, which I did a little variation from the reference due I didn’t like the little statues of animals.
The last but not least, we have the dagger, it won’t attract much attention, as it’s a small asset compared to the rest, but it was a detail I wanted to put in.
I started with a base mesh in Maya and then a continued in ZBrush, where I added the details like bumps and scratches. The in Substance Painter, I did the engraved details.
At the same time, I continued working on texturing the floor and getting the final lighting on the Unreal scene.
Hi again @Dxae,
Just wanted to hop in and say this is coming along beautifully. I can’t wait to see what the final product looks like
Hi @PresumptivePand, thanks, I appreciated!
Week 5-
This week, I finished the final asset.
Once I had all the assets on my unreal scene, I focused on improving the lighting.
Hi there @Dxae !
I love the progression and details you showcase as you continue to progress! Can I ask how you made the texture with for the glass on the lantern? Was there a specific texture or brush you used?
Hi @The_M0ss_Man ! Thank you!!
The texture for the glass, I made it with a couple of brushes (scratches and dust) in Substance Painter, but then when I imported it in Unreal I used a noise texture. But when I put it on my scene with the lights and all, I realized that texture was too much and didn’t work out with the idea I had. So I stuck with the first model that I did on Substance.
Week 6-
This week I focus on the details of my scene. So I put some decals like old blood or some imperfections on the floor. I also added more assets because I felt like something was missing on the scene.
Also on the lantern that I did last week I decided to put come assets inside.
Once I finished with the assets, I put a particle system on the magical sphere to make the atmosphere more magical.
It’s all coming together so well! Love the ambiance of the scene so far. Can’t wait for next weeks update!
