Sci-fi Planetary Mining Installation
Early 3D block-out process based on existing oil rig structural elements
Right Hemisphere Platform. Here I thought of elements inspired from existing aircraft carrier decking. I wanted to show access points and gantry ways to highlight realism
Left Hemisphere Platform. This is the refinery processing deck with references based on industrial structures
The Mining Platform is the centre piece module of the installation. Based on a fracking plant, but with a heavy structural cover to protect the mining laser, which is supported by two crane mechanism
Inspiration from previous work I looked back on for this project.
Personal portfolio work drawn by my grim fascination with mega structures and brutalism especially in the sci-fi genre. I'm a massive fan of James Cameron's visuals of big industrial sci fi structures you see in the Aliens universe, Avatar, Neill Blomkamp's dystopian sci fi Elysium and Gareth Edwards, The Creator, so I wanted to use that as an inspiration for this project.
I wanted to produce a planetary sci fi mining rig, but with familiar elements that are around today in the form of an offshore oil rig, fracking installation and military naval elements. Instead of a bore drill mechanism I added a bit of sci fi fun by incorporating a giant mining laser hanging from a crane at the centre structure.
This process is a blend of 2D and 3D. At first from quick photo bash concepts and references to the 3D block-out. From there I started piling on more hard surface modelling while added existing 3D asset modules I added from my personal library for speed. This took a lot of time putting the structure together while looking at photo references of actual real installations to push that realism. Gantry ways, stairs, buildings, support columns and piping. I almost felt like level designing at one point.
Then after texturing and lighting using both Blender and Unreal, I then transferred the file to Photoshop for effects. Overall I had a lot of fun working on this. I'm new to hard surfacing, but this was good practice and put me in a good place for future projects.