How to create realistic CG cloth

When working with cloth and fabrics in 3D, it can be hard to achieve both good resolution and a great look. Your work might look like fabric from far away, but once you zoom in, it may not be as believable. What usually happens is that either the details are not clear enough or the textures are too low-res.

Recently, there’s been a new wave of ready-made fabric textures, but I find that the cloths and fabrics are often unconvincing – mostly because of the patterns. 

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

TOPICS
Jesus is a 3D artist based in Costa Rica with more than eight years' experience. He has been freelancing on different projects for the last few years, from music videos to look dev and grooming characters for animation.
Latest in CGI
Big Ben wrapped in a yellow North Face puffer jacket
People are baffled as Big Ben is ’spotted’ sporting giant puffer jacket
How to keep your Node Graph organised in Nuke
How to keep your Node Graph organised in Nuke
How to use VDM brushes in Blender
How to use VDM brushes in Blender
Braided hair created in Blender
How to create braided hair in Blender
CGI in movies; a man looks over the top of a selection of Blu-ray cases
CGI in movies, what’s not to like?
An image from a video created in Simulon iPhone app
This new iPhone VFX app is already blowing minds
Latest in How to
Gesture drawing: all you need to know plus ways to practise in 2 and 5 minutes
How to draw a male figure
drawing of a naked woman with someone drawing it
How to draw a female figure
GIMP in pro work
Making GIMP 3.0 work for pro results: is it possible?
Pejman Rajabi 3D tutorial of Super Mario fan art
“One of the best creative experiences of my life, working with such an amazing artistic crew” – how VFX artist Pejman Rajabi and friends created a heartfelt tribute to Super Mario
Marco Teixeira 3D tutorial
“The challenge was to create a cool character design”: concept artist Marco Teixeira reveals the techniques and inspiration behind his superb 3D character render