Theory

Pre-Production: Preparing for the Project

Define the Concept and Storyboard

• Decide the message of your commercial (e.g., durable, military-grade, rugged, premium).
• Sketch a storyboard outlining the scenes, key moments, and transitions.

Gather References

• Collect images of military-grade water bottles for inspiration (materials, shapes, textures).
• Study lighting setups from similar commercials for desired moods.

Set Up Your Workspace

• Ensure your VR system and Gravity Sketch software are installed and updated.
• Configure a clear, safe area for VR use.

Prepare Assets

• Gather any additional elements needed (e.g., logos, brand colors).
• Plan the final resolution and format for rendering.

Production: Creating the Mockup in Gravity Sketch

1. Modeling the Military-Grade Water Bottle

Launch Gravity Sketch

• Open Gravity Sketch in VR and select the "New Scene" option.

Set Up Workspace

• Import a reference image of a military-grade water bottle as a canvas.
• Scale and position the canvas for easy reference.

Create the Base Shape

• Use the "Revolve Tool" to create the bottle's body:
  • Draw half the bottle’s profile (side view).
  • Revolve the curve around its central axis to form a 3D object.
• Use the “Edit Points” feature to adjust the shape.

Add Details

• Use the "Stroke Tool" or "Surface Tool" to add grooves, caps, or embossed logos.
• Smooth transitions and sharp edges as needed.

2. Texturing the Bottle

Apply Base Material

• Use the “Material Editor” to assign a basic material (e.g., matte, glossy, or metallic).

Custom Textures

• Import textures (e.g., branding labels) as PNG files.
• Place and wrap textures onto the bottle using the "Decal Tool."

Fine-Tune Colors

• Use the "Color Picker" to refine material colors, transparency, or reflectivity.

3. Setting Up Camera Angles

Position the Camera

• Use the "Camera Tool" to set up dynamic angles (e.g., close-ups, wide shots).
• Experiment with perspectives to enhance the bottle's visual appeal.

Plan Transitions

• Sketch camera paths if you intend to create animations later.

4. Lighting

Add Key Lighting

• Use a "Directional Light" to simulate natural or studio light.
• Position the key light to highlight the bottle's contours.

Fill and Back Lighting

• Add "Fill Lights" to soften shadows.
• Add a "Back Light" for a rim effect to separate the bottle from the background.

HDRI Environments

• Import HDRI maps for realistic reflections and environment lighting.

5. Rendering

Render Settings

• Choose the desired resolution and output format (e.g., PNG sequence, MP4).
• Enable high-quality options like anti-aliasing and ray tracing.

Preview the Scene

• Use the “Preview Render” feature to check lighting, materials, and camera angles.

Render the Final Output

• Start rendering and export the final visuals.

Post-Production (Optional)

Edit the Footage

• Import rendered frames into video editing software (e.g., Premiere Pro or After Effects).
• Add background music, voiceovers, or text overlays.

Add Final Touches

• Adjust color grading to match the brand's aesthetic.
• Include motion graphics or transitions if needed.