On demo and assets

DTR · 12-31-2009, 10:32 PM

Lets assume one is making a programming demo that is supposed to display broad set of skills in close to engine level game programming including but not limited to:

- Animation ( Keyframe, skeletal)
- Collision detection and response
- Light and shadowing techniques.

In my understanding, to make a demo impressive is to make it run fast, sound smart and look pretty. Unfortunately its not too uncommon for the programmer to just plain suck at creating 3D assets and 2D art.

In this case I can see a few potential solutions:

- You can scavenge the internet for free stuff that may or may not look nice.
- You can use DirectX SDK's small set of sample assets to make the demo.
- You can waste huge amount of time to try learning to make decent art.
- And finally, you can purchase various assets online.

Each solution would seem to have its pros and cons and Im really wondering how people are in general handling this problem?

Protector one · 01-01-2010, 04:08 AM

Personally I'd try to create as much as I can myself. Sure, it won't look as good as sample 3D Ogre Oggro, but at least it won't feature sample 3D Ogre Oggro, if you get my drift.
Then again, every 3D project I ever worked on, did in fact star Oggro.

yaustar · 01-01-2010, 06:10 PM

I would just grab some free assets to be honest or let the user to be able to select the asset to be used so they are not just restricted to the ones you supply.

DTR · 01-01-2010, 10:08 PM

Thank you for advice guys.
Providing a free sample while allowing users to provide their own content would seem a very nice combination. Even the potential employer would probably appreciate the flexibility of such demo.

jwalters · 01-02-2010, 09:38 PM

Might I suggest another option? If you are so lucky as to meet some artists in your area (check the collaboration section of the forums), you could collaborate to create a cool-looking demo. I'm in this process right now; the demo I've created so far definitely has "programmer art" but I'm excited to see how it looks once they plug in their assets! This option should also demonstrate teamwork, another plus for your portfolio