QUESTION:
How did DAZ make Victoria 3.0's High Resolution Textures?

ANSWER:
DAZ Productions works hard to make some of the most advanced texture maps in the 3D industry. Their quality and versatility make them ready for film, broadcast, print, or any production imaginable. DAZ's attention to detail has led to a generation of high quality photo realistic texture maps.

This intensive project began with finding a breathtaking live model with appealing skin tone. Extensive research was done, and Internationally famous model Natalie Abramov was chosen. Having won awards such as Miss Ukraine, Hawaiian Tropic International Swimsuit Winner, and World Swimsuit Model 2001 gave DAZ the confidence that Natalie would be capable of such a unique project.

Lighting
A controlled environment is an essential component to creating such versatile maps. Two 4'X6' box lights were placed on either side of the camera to produce a very global and flat lighting. Great care was taken to ensure even skin tone in the photographs so that all highlight and specular information could be generated by the 3D software--enabling the artist to place Vicki 3 in any environment and under any lighting condition without having to battle mapped-in highlights.

Photography
Natalie was flown out to DAZ's headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah from her home in Los Angeles, California. Under the direction of the DAZ artistic staff, Michael Shoenfeld, a professional photographer, took hundreds of photos all from different angles, ensuring that the DAZ artists had quality reference for all areas of the maps. The photos were taken using a Hasselblad body and lens with a Kodak Digital back (valued at @ $20,000) producing a stunning 4000x4000 image. Jodie Watts, a professional make-up artist was on hand to help create the perfect skin tones for the shots.

Technique
Once the photos were taken, the photographs were projected onto the 3D model from a number of angles, using Right Hemisphere's Deep Paint 3D. Great care was taken in order to preserve the detail and integrity of the photographs while working in Deep Paint 3D and Photoshop. The same mapping techniques were used to create the Victoria 3 maps that have been tried and tested in such films as Men In Black II and others. DAZ worked closely with makeup artist, traditional painters, CG experts and enthusiasts to ensure that the most accurate and pleasing result was attained.