Background Designs (Patreon)

Some of you may have already noticed that Alfea's classroom has changed a little. I tend to use screenshots from the show to create most backgrounds, but for season 2, I've been looking for other methods as well to make things a bit easier!

I love the architecture of the classrooms in Alfea, but it can be very tricky to replicate, and I don't always find the right angle in the original show for the scene I have in mind. So, I did some research into more user-friendly 3D programs. SketchUp was an option, but the software is incredibly limited unless you pay for the full version, and it is quite expensive in my opinion. Looking through their library, I also had trouble finding what I was looking for, and the available decor pieces were a bit too simple for Alfea. As for modelling myself... I fear I don't have the talent 😂

I also enjoy using 3D models in Clip Studio Paint, but those are very finicky to work with and pose.

Valtor's library was a pre-made model that I bought, which works well for new places, but I can never find the perfect model for all of Alfea's rooms 🥲

After looking into different options, I came across a program called Coohom. I was so surprised by all the options they had to offer and how easy it was to use for someone with no experience. Sadly, I won't be using it very often because, of course, it uses AI... 🫠 I didn't know when I first tried it, and by the time I found out, the episode I was working on was as good as done 🥲 I'll still be using the program for their 3D models which are all existing prodcuts and brands (Like they got the actual SMEG kettle and fridge lol), but will be avoiding the AI features going forward!

I feel so sad, because it looked so nice, and that's why I never expected there to be AI involved 😭 I really thought I had found the holy grail, but alas I've been bamboozled 😭

Learn from me, expect everything to use AI these days and do research! 💀 I genuinely don't know why I didn't notice, and now I feel very stupid 😭

Luckily, Avalon's office will not be necessary in the future, and the classroom didn't use the AI features much. I painted over most of it as well!

I prefer to share my mistakes with you all so we can learn from them together! I still recommend Coohom as a way to plan scenes, get your perspective right, etc. Just be careful and don't be fooled like me 😭

In the future, I might just commission a 3D artist to create all the rooms for me so I can easily snap screenshots, but I have no idea how expensive that would be... It is definitely an idea for any future projects I undertake, though! :)