Log inBy Category
By Instructor
Learning PathsBrowse

Cityscape Set Design, Volume 1: Modeling

Photoshop, Maya & Arnold Workflow with Tony Ianiro

Description

Learn how to transition from a 2D to a 3D artist with this step-by-step tutorial. In this 5.5-hour workshop, Visual Development Artist Tony Ianiro shares his process for designing environments for Film, VR, and Video Games over twenty years.


The workshop begins with gathering reference images and using them to create an environment concept thumbnail through photo-bashing. Tony then guides you through the process of building a New York City set, starting in Photoshop to create correct-scale architectural 2D blueprints. These blueprints are then imported into Maya to build a complete production-ready 3D set in a modular and adjustable way. After building the set, Tony covers the basics of texturing, lighting, and camera setups in Maya. The workshop then moves on to cleaning and packaging the 3D file and rendering using Arnold in Maya.


Finally, you will apply what you've learned by creating a Photoshop composite of the Arnold renders. Tony discusses how to use the rendered outputs for underpaintings, rough line drawings, or as a foundation for final illustrations. This practical application bridges traditional 2D techniques with modern 3D workflows, making it an invaluable resource for artists seeking to transition into 2D/3D Visual Development roles within the video game and animation industries.


Subscribers will have access to Tony's layered Photoshop files, renders, textures, and reference files, which are provided as downloadable project files.


Watch Cityscape Set Design, Volume 2: Texturing, Lighting & Rendering by Tony Ianiro to take your Maya scene through to a professional Photoshop illustration.


Duration: 5h 12m

Format: HD 1920x1080

Tony Ianiro

Visual Development Artist for Meta

Tony Ianiro is a seasoned Visual Development artist with over 25 years of experience spanning animation, video games, and filmmaking. Throughout his career, he has taken on a variety of roles, including Concept Artist, Previs Modeler, Set/Background Designer, Senior and Lead 2D/3D Visual Development Artist, and Art Director. His versatility and passion have allowed him to work across multiple disciplines, bringing stories and characters to life in both film and games.


Tony has contributed to six animated feature films, including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, as well as several TV series such as Lego DC Superheroes, Scooby-Doo, and DC Superhero Girls, collaborating with studios like Sony, Disney, Nickelodeon, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Animation. In the gaming industry, he has shipped five AAA titles with Electronic Arts and Pandemic Studios, combining creative vision with technical expertise to craft immersive worlds.

  • I had the pleasure of working with Tony on our project together at WB Animation. His design work is amazing. He’s extremely hard working, detail oriented, and has a diverse set of skills. On top of that, he’s a joy to work with. Collaborating with Tony was easy as he brings a great attitude and friendly personality to the table.

    - Jonard Soriano
    Background Designer at Warner Bros.

  • Tony is one of the key visual development artists in our project. He is a brilliant environment designer with a diverse skill set, using 2D and 3D tools to convey his ideas and providing the most thorough and detailed designs. He has a great understanding of design, a sense of scale, and proportion. He is very imaginative and proactive, able to adapt to multiple styles, and always comes out with new design solutions.

    - Carlos Zaragoza
    Co-Founder of Latente Studio