In this concise workshop, Senior Concept Artist Andre-Lang Huynh demonstrates his complete workflow for designing and sculpting a mech from scratch using Adobe’s Substance 3D Modeler. Created for concept artists, hard-surface artists, and anyone interested in VR sculpting, Andre’s workshop focuses on the design process for developing strong mechanical concepts and showcases how virtual reality can be integrated into a professional production workflow.

Beginning with simple geometric forms, artists will learn how to establish clear proportions, silhouettes, and shape language before gradually building complexity through secondary and tertiary forms, articulation, armor plating, color, and surface detail. Rather than simply demonstrating software features, each stage of the project is approached from a design perspective, with an emphasis on explaining the reasoning behind every major decision.

Along the way, artists will discover many of Substance 3D Modeler's core tools and features, including primitive shapes, sculpting brushes, booleans, layers, materials, stamps, symmetry, angle snapping, and reusable kitbash elements. The workshop also explores how VR can be used to rapidly iterate on ideas, evaluate forms from every angle, and maintain a fast, intuitive workflow throughout the design process.

Once the sculpt is complete, Andre moves into KeyShot, where he shows how to export the model, use Material IDs to quickly assign materials, build a simple lighting setup, and produce polished presentation renders.

By completing the workshop, artists will have a completed mech design and a practical workflow applicable to a wide range of hard-surface and concept design projects. 

Project files include the completed Substance 3D Modeler scene, allowing artists to examine the final sculpt, study the project's organization, and follow along with the techniques demonstrated throughout the workshop.