Hello again!
I’m starting a new project, this time focusing on an interior environment. I want to step away from cities for a while and instead prioritize the density of assets in the scene. By reducing the overall size of the environment, I can focus more on the details and storytelling.
For this project, I’m creating a Wizard’s Tower, a place where a sorcerer conducts research on various potions and spells. The idea is to convey the sense of isolation—as if the sorcerer has been locked away for a long time, completely absorbed in his studies. This will be reflected in the cluttered and overcrowded atmosphere of the scene.
A key element in the tower is a mysterious “infinite” chain that runs through it, adding to the secrecy surrounding the sorcerer. My initial idea is to make the tower seem endless, but I’m still debating this. I don’t want the environment to only look good cinematically but also be playable, so I might end up adding a dome or a ceiling instead of leaving it completely open.
Progress so far
This week, aside from defining the concept, I focused on making sure the scale was correct. I created three different chain variations and a blockout of the supports holding the chain in place. I encountered some scaling issues, but I’ve already fixed them.
Next Steps
- Decide whether the environment will be finite or infinite.
- Finalize the layout of the scene.
- Refine and texture the supports and chains.
Inspiration & Style
The style I’m aiming for is inspired by Mistborn (Dark Fantasy) and World of Warcraft’s fantasy environments, particularly Karazhan’s Library. Mistborn’s influence mainly comes from the Steel Ministry, which helps set the tone for the environment.
I hope you all like this new project!
Weekly Progress Update
Rings & Supports
This week, I finished modeling the rings and the supports. I ended up changing part of the support design so they look more like they latch onto the ring — more like a mechanical system.
Texturing Delay – ZBrush Issues
My original plan was to texture and complete both the rings and the supports, but due to some issues I’m having with ZBrush, I couldn’t create the high-poly versions yet. I wanted to add some broken rock and weathering details, so hopefully I can solve that this week.
Railings
I also modeled the railings for the different floors. The idea is to create two or three variations with different types of damage to break up the repetition.
Columns
As for the columns, I’ve started modeling them, but I wasn’t able to continue because I need ZBrush to sculpt the top details.
Floor Height Adjustments
Additionally, I adjusted the height of the first few floors again. I might tweak them a bit more, as I want to add arches and, as it is now, the spacing feels a little tight. It shouldn’t be a drastic change, though.
Goals for Next Week
If I can fix the ZBrush issue, my plan is to texture all the pieces that already have UVs and finish modeling the columns along with their arches.
Weekly Progress Update – Ground Floor Overhaul & More
Structural Changes
This week I made several changes to the ground floor, including updates to the columns, their height, and the overall number.
The new columns now feature arches and are slightly larger than originally planned, helping to define the structure more clearly.
Railing Variations
I modeled different types of railings for each floor, some of which include damage and wear to reflect that the environment is not perfectly maintained. This adds to the atmosphere and storytelling of the scene.
Texturing Progress
The texturing for the supports and chains is still a work in progress, but it’s getting pretty close to the final look I’m aiming for.
Goals for This Week
Finish the texturing- Complete the new columns
- Model the second floor
- Start working on the lighting
- Begin modeling props for the ground floor (books, chairs, tables, etc.)
Feedback Welcome!
Any feedback or suggestions are more than welcome!
I’m trying to push the storytelling and visual cohesion of the space, so feel free to share your thoughts or ideas. 
Weekly Unreal Devlog – Structural Progress & First Lighting Pass
Base Structure Complete
This week I caught up with the tasks I had pending and managed to finish the base structure for both the ground floor and the upper levels.
I modeled everything in Maya, starting with a single modular block which I duplicated to form a set of 18 columns. Then I applied a bend deformer to give the structure its circular shape.
My initial idea was to build this directly inside Unreal using the pattern tool, but I found it a bit clunky and the results weren’t what I was aiming for visually.
I ended up creating two separate structures:
- One for the ground floor, with thicker, more massive columns.
- And another for the upper levels, with slightly slimmer columns and a double-arch design for added elegance.
Both structures are now fully textured using their final materials.
Support Rings Adjustments
I also tweaked the support rings, reducing the number of connecting braces from 4 to 2. This helps clean up the view when looking upwards, reducing visual clutter and making the structure feel a bit more open.
First Lighting Pass
I did an initial lighting pass, aiming for a darker, moodier vibe—since the scene is only lit by torch fire, I’m trying to achieve a soft and mysterious atmosphere.
Reference
And here is a little Cinematic
Next Steps
Now that the heavy lifting on the main structure is done, it’s time to start dressing the environment:
Bookcases
Books
Chairs
Table- Wall Torches
Also, I still need to cut out the hole in the structure for the staircase to reach the next floor.
Lighting Adjustments and Furniture Modeling
This week I made adjustments to the lighting and mainly started modeling the different pieces of furniture that will be present in the scene.
- First, I modeled a reading table.
- Second, I modeled a bookshelf.
Topology Optimization
I also made some adjustments to the topology of the arches to slightly reduce their polygon load.
Lighting Repositioning
Additionally, I repositioned the lights on the inner side of the structure to better define how the final lighting setup will look and achieve a more accurate approximation.
Upcoming Tasks
The list of objects I plan to model for the upcoming week includes:
- Candle holders
- Books
- Display cabinet
- Chairs / Benches
- Piled books
Next Steps in Lighting
After repositioning the lights, I noticed that the center area of the scene — where the chains are — has become very dark and blends into complete darkness. I will need to either adjust the lighting further or design an object that subtly lights up this area.
See you next week!
New Models
This week I created two new models that will be the main light sources in the environment:
- A standing candelabrum
- A hanging lantern
Both were designed with a gothic style to enhance the atmosphere of the scene.
Scene Optimization
I also optimized the tower structure to reduce the polycount significantly:
- The first floor was reduced from nearly 500k tris to around 230k.
- Upper floors went from 600k tris per floor to approximately 140k per floor.
Next Steps
This week I’ll be focusing on:
- Solving some issues I encountered during texturing
- Finishing the wall-mounted torch, the last lighting prop
- Moving on to the floor and beginning the design for the staircase and its opening
Looking forward to showing more progress next week.
UV Resolution Issue Solved
This week I solved an issue I was having with the UVs of my models. Since some pieces are quite small and have irregular shapes, I was losing a lot of texture resolution. I ended up fixing it by using texture overlapping.
Book Modeling
I also modeled some books to start filling up the scene and make it feel more like a wizard’s or scholar’s study—someone in search of deep knowledge.
Candles and Atmosphere
In addition, I started placing candles to begin shaping the mood and lighting of the environment.
Tower Extension and New Lighting Problem
Lastly, I extended the tower infinitely upward, but that introduced a new lighting issue, which I plan to fix next week.
Next Steps
- Model more books using atlas textures
- Create the floor
- Start building the staircases
- Do another lighting pass to enhance the atmosphere
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I’M LATE
Sorry for the delay! This week I made some adjustments to the height of a few objects because I had a small issue in Maya — the scale was off, so everything was either way too small or too big. It’s all fixed now.
Books and Textures Completed
I finished creating all the books with their respective textures. I made a total of 12 different books: 4 large, 4 medium, and 4 small.
Book Groupings for Unreal
I organized the books into groups with different arrangements to make them easier to place in Unreal Engine.
New Asset: Reading Bench
I created a small bench to complement the reading table.
Floor Progress
I also started working on the floor. I want to keep this layout, but I’m still deciding whether to add more detail or leave it as is — I don’t want it to feel too cluttered.
Gameplay.mkv (12.6 MB)
Next Steps
The only major piece left is the central structure that holds the chain as it connects to the floor.
My goals for this week are:
- Finish the floor
- Improve the lighting
- Start working on the final asset: the table and the chair
See you next week!
