Battle Axe: From Sketch to Steel
Self-Initiated / Personal Exploration
2023
A stylized motion test that transforms a 2D axe design into a cinematic 3D animation. This project explored the full creative pipeline — from AI-generated 3D modeling to lighting, animation, and post-production. Built as a personal R&D experiment, it highlights the potential of AI-assisted workflows for rapid prototyping in motion design and fantasy art.
Work Process:
Concept & Asset Creation: A battle axe image was sourced online and vector-traced in Illustrator to prep for 3D modeling.
AI Conversion: The vector design was converted into a 3D mesh using MeshyAI.
3D Animation: The model was imported into Blender, where custom lighting, camera rigs, and animation were applied.
Technical Challenge: The AI-generated mesh had irregular geometry, making UV unwrapping and texturing a time-consuming process.
Compositing: The final animation was enhanced in After Effects using cinematic post-effects and royalty-free sound/music from YouTube.
Timeframe: Completed over 3 days, with limitations due to a slow system configuration.
The result is a short, polished animation showcasing a single fantasy weapon — a battle axe — in a dynamic cinematic reveal. This test validated the creative potential of an AI-to-3D workflow, especially for solo designers seeking fast concept visualization. It also demonstrated practical problem-solving in mesh cleanup and lighting design — all packaged in a visually compelling sequence.
