2D Graphics in a 3D Look – Created with CINEMA 4D!

Sometimes 2D games are given a 3D look. This is achieved by using rendered 3D images as 2D sprites.

When Brains Intelligent Designs and Writing started to think about creating a game for iPhone and iPad, the search began for ways of completing this task smoothly and easily. The game was to be a virtual shooting gallery in which canons would be used to shoot projectiles into the mouths of passing clown heads. The more hits, the better the virtual prize that the player wins. The game’s name: Cannon Clowns! The makers had their very own special look in mind. They wanted the graphics to stir childhood memories of visits to the fairgrounds. They also wanted the game’s visuals to have a 3D look.

It was decided to develop the project using the Corona Game SDK. This development environment bears the advantage of being easy to learn but also the drawback of not having any real 3D capabilities. Nevertheless, the 3D look had to be achieved and senior 3D animator Nigel Allen was given the job of adding a 3D look in this 2D environment.

First, an illustrator created a master style guide, which was used by the 3D artists as reference. CINEMA 4D was used to model, illuminate and render these elements in 3D. These rendered items were then used as game assets. 2D images created using 3D elements convey a feeling of spatial depth, which was the intent for the game assets. Animations were rendered as individual images and used as sprites. Using sprites also solved another problem to boot: the 20 MB limit for assets set by Apple was not even an issue.

Even though this project was fairly new territory for the development team at Brains Intelligent Design and Writing, its realization went smoothly thanks in no small part to CINEMA 4D. Tools such as hair, which was used to create the clowns’ heads and many of the furry toy figures that served as virtual prizes were indispensible. The Subsurface Scattering shader made creating realistic plastic materials for the toys child’s play.

With this project, Brains Intelligent Design and Writing was able to successfully enhance its game development portfolio. ‘Canon Clowns’ is available as a game app in Apple’s App Store and the know-how gained through this project is now available to all clients.

Developer:
www.brainsdesign.com

Cannon Clowns in the App Store:
http://itunes.apple.com/en/app/cannon-clowns/id417134075?mt=8