Marlindo Dias Pontes

Name: Marlindo Dias Pontes
Area of living: Macapá City, Amapá State, Country Brazil
Company: Owner of MDP 3D Visualization
Expertise: Interior and exterior
Project duration: 2 – 3 weeks
Software using: 3DsMax 2015, V-Ray 3.2, Photoshop CS6, Marvelous Designer 4 and a little bit of Autodesk Maya.

– Every project starts from collecting materials and client’s wishes. How do you negotiate with clients? What do you ask for?

I demand from my clients the projects in DWG or DXF formats, which should contain all necessary measures. Also I need information to develop the project as much as artistic and for this I ask the clients to provide references on desired results. This way it will be much easier to achieve result expected by the customer.

– How do you work: in your own style or under clients guidance?

I have my own style that I have developed over time.

– How is you working process look like? How many revisions allowed to make?

After client provides the files and information related to the project, I begin the modelling according to the information provided. With the finished model I send to the customer a picture with a basic light setting and a camera for the scene overview. After this first review, client can choose the type of lighting and camera angles. The next step is texturing – it is the most hardest part of the project. After texturing finished I send a picture to the client for final revision. If everything is ok all I need is to render final resolution and deliver result to the client.

– Have you refused to do the project and if yes why?

I didn’t pass through this kind of situation, but I would refuse, if don’t get enough time and information to develop a good result.

– With what kind of client you will never do business again?

With those who do not accomplish their financial obligations after delivery of the finished project.

– How do you calculate/estimate project price?

I charge according to the complexity of the project: modeling, desired details level and realism. The rendering is part of the process.

– Do you have technical education? Does it helps in 3D?

Actually I’m technician in electrical engineering and work directly with electrical projects. My 3D learning was all self-taught. What’s why I think it is very important to have technical education if you would like to work in 3D field.

– Client is nice, project agenda is clear, now you need inspiration to get started. What are your sources of inspiration?

I always seek inspiration and pictures. Sometimes even Google Picture Search helps a lot, but my favorite websites are:

• ArchDaily
• Pinterest
• Archello

– There are 2 types of visualizers: one who heavily rely on post-work (they do not render scene completely, but only parts of it, and one who try to get complete scene after render process and apply basic post-work) From which side you are and why?

I do everything in the render. My post-work is very simple.

– Who is your favorite 3D artist or company?

There is a very large list of excellent 3D artists worldwide, but my favorites are:

• Alex Roman
• Peter Guthrie
• Bertrand Benoit
• Victor Hugo
• Thi Lima
• Ramon Zancanaro

– How would you rate your level of expertise in 3D graphics on a scale 0 till 10. In what areas you would like to get more knowledge?

7.0. We never know everything, we are always learning. I continue my studies to improve knowledge in animation and character creation.

– What is your greatest work that you have done? The most challenging project you have worked on?

At the moment the greatest work and my biggest challenge is raising and solidifying my 3D artist career. Also I want to create a well known name in my country and around the world.

– What do you think about general 3D visualization level in your country

In my country there are many great artists in 3D, but they still do not have the deserved recognition.

– Market is overwhelmed with the low quality/price offers. There are many programs which allow creating simple 3D without any knowledge. Do you think such job as 3D artists will be still needed in future?

Yes, there will always be customers who pay a fair amount for a professional and quality work.

– What are your long-term goals or career plans?

I have many ideas, but right now I’m focused on the divulgation of my job as a 3D artist and later my website MDP – 3D Visualization. It is still under construction yet.

Advice from Marlindo to achieve high quality level in 3D visualization: There are many factors (modelling, lighting, texturing …), in order to have a realistic picture all of them are important. I think the overall composition (choice of colors, type of lighting, distribution of objects in the scene and camera angles) undoubtedly is very important to achieve a beautiful and realistic picture. And do not forget – always use good pictures as a references.