Designer team Humster3D reveals the secret sauce of digital business

Humster3D is a team of designers passionate about cars. If you adore cars just as much as they do, it's very likely you'll enjoy their portfolio containing 3,425 models. Recently they have begun developing gadget and weapon models and have also designed an extraordinary 3D printable character from a fantasy book... When it comes to leading a diverse business, these guys know how to do it all.

Tell us about yourself - what do you do, where are you based?

Hello everyone! We are a team of 3D artists who love their job. We like introducing ourselves like this because knowing how big our collection of 3D models is, considering the amount of work done, one understands that it can’t be otherwise. Thousands of automobiles… Well, if you don’t adore it, you just can’t keep up the pace. 3D artists know us as a studio with the biggest collection of automobile 3D models, but it’s been a long time since we started working not only with them. Now we are actively developing 3D models of weapons and gadgets. And again, we like it and those guys from our studio who design guns, take a great interest in weapons and sometimes even go on a shooting-range.

What software do we use for modeling?

It's a common question, so let's get to it right away: mostly this is 3DS Max and Maya, but almost everyone in the studio likes Zbrush as well and learn other software, too. Every Wednesday we take some time to share what we have learnt recently. To be honest, what software have we not heard:) Since last year, we began holding competitions on the best renders. As artists ourselves, we know how hard it is to find time to do something really worthy. That’s why we came up with the idea of helping other CG-artists to create masterpieces. We are very pleased that CGTrader team actively holds competitions as well. Since the more interesting and high-quality discoveries we make, the better our entire industry feels. So we’d like to thank the organizers, well done and carry on!

How did you get started in 3D modeling?

It was in the distant 2005 with a one single 3D model of Peugeot 207. At that time, while being freelancers, we took a great pleasure from recreating a detailed model and soon realized that this is what we’d like to do on a regular basis. We started selling our model in one of the largest stores, but after they treated us badly (as well as many good authors, just remember NoneCg), we developed our own website and created the collection.

The old-timers of our studio are all self-taught; some started their learning with help references in 3DS Max. We began learning when there were no video tutorials and other common things, such as "how to" on YouTube. Some of us started with Flesh animation and then switched to CG. On the whole, 3D modeling is an amazing thing: it allows you to explore the world. When you model an insect, you should understand how exactly it moves the legs and antennae. So this is a profession for dreamers and those who are interested in the piece arrangement. As soon as we designed our first car 3D model we became inspired by the idea of creating a place where one can find any automobile. You see, totally ANY. Of course, not immediately, only after a few beers, it turned into a dream and the goal of our studio. That´s how we work.

Do you design for CG, 3D Printing or both? Why? What are your favorite design concepts to work on?

Of course, customers often order models for 3D Printing and we´ve got our hand in it. 3D Printing industry is actively developing requiring more and more models. Basically, these are custom models because clients need different dimensions and outlet detailization, hence, different wall thickness. Recently we designed a very interesting character from a fantastic book of the twenties: with a trunk and mustache - it was just amazing. I think we should give him the first place in our list.

We are ready to prepare for printing any of our 3D model at any time, taking into account the customer´s facilities for printing. We have two 2D-artists in our team, so we are always ready to develop concepts. Sometimes customers order short animations for advertising.

Why do you sell 3D models online?

Because our models are in demand and only an electronic garage can fit as many vehicles as we have:) All in all, we like to help people in their creative work – it´s always a pleasure to see your models in commercials, movies or just in art galleries. It is cool; it is worth all the effort. Sometimes you even feel that you are changing the world for the better.

How did you discover CGTrader?

We have learned about you in a news announcement. We were watching the progress of different marketplaces for a long time and CGTrader resulted to be the fastest developing and with very nice people. We couldn´t pass by you. You have a great team of marketers, so we can´t but find you. Of course, we would prefer to see CGTrader developing mainly in 3D modeling and not in 3D Printing, since it corresponds to our interests. As we know, judging by the latest conferences, the emphasis, however, is on the last thing. Hopefully, Marius and Dalia won´t be carried away by printers once and for all;)

Did you have any interesting stories as a result of your presence on CGTrader? Maybe it let you earn a nice income stream, meet interesting people, or land new clients?

Once a consignment of car 3D models was booked. The customer was worried about whether we could ferry them and what port they would get unloaded to. This is a common story that all 3D artists are facing from time to time:) As sellers, we are satisfied with everything and always recommend this site to young 3D-artists. By the way, we have won one of the competitions for the best CGTrader portfolio and proudly wear the winner´s T-shirt. It´s always a pleasure to be a part of a growing community.

What are the most inspiring 3D designers in the world for you?

There are many of them, every day we are viewing the galleries, looking for masterpieces we may learn from. Among those we can name without googling are Marek Denko, Rod Seffen (girl on a chair half-turn) and Toni Bratincevic (for his atmosphere). And speaking about the designers in general, we are in awe of little functional but beautiful things by Bauhaus (to be honest we’ve even got an idea to make some 3D models) and two American designers: Raymond Loewy and Henry Dreyfuss.