This week, I focused on painting the materials for the character’s mechanical body. Due to time constraints, I was unable to invest as much time as I originally hoped into highly detailed texturing, so my approach prioritised clarity of structure and readable surface variation over micro-level realism.
My main texturing strategy was to emphasise subtle variations in base color and roughness to enhance the form. By slightly shifting the roughness values across different planes, I allowed the lighting to catch the surfaces more effectively, making the mechanical shapes feel richer and more dimensional. Even minor roughness differences can create clear specular separation when the light hits surfaces with similar angles, which was important for highlighting the hard-surface construction.
I also added several emissive elements to the design to reinforce the sci-fi aesthetic. These include the glowing tubes, the small gaps within the hand components, and the light points embedded in the central circuitry of the torso. The emissive intensity can be adjusted freely inside Unreal Engine, which provides flexibility for creating mood and atmosphere during lighting and rendering.
Although I worked under a limited timeframe, this week’s material pass successfully established the overall visual direction of the character’s mech body. The combination of surface breakup and emissive accents gives the model a functional, technological feel that harmonises with the narrative and design language of the project.