Question: Cost Estimation Thread

Hi there,

supposed I provide a model sheet, how much would it cost (avg.) commissioning an freelance artist to design a character in the same quality (and proportions) as the one posted below? No animations, just modeling, texturing, and rigging.

This is not a job offer, I just want to estimate what my financial possibilities are, since it is for a hobby project.

Oh, and I don't intend to hire an artist with 20+ years of experience in the industry

I'm looking forward to your replies!

This is something I have been wondering myself. I hope this thread gets some useful replies!

The rigging is the tricky part, for the model, depending on texture size / poly count, 50 - 200$? Rigged add some more?
Turbosquid.com

The big thing here is time. And also information. Do you need a facial rig? Because that can increase time needed. There is a company called Mixamo that will actually rig a low poly character for free and a higher poly character for around 80 bucks or so (don't quote me on that they use some kind of on site currency and I never get the exchange right). This can include on of their facial rigs though I've found those to be less useful than the regular skeleton.

You also skipped a couple steps. UV-ing is required and there is the matter of any maps you need created like normals.

$200 is pretty low but a student might go for that. I don't know about quality though. My guess is around $300. Depending on the complexity of the facial rig you may need.

I have been a professional CG artist for a while now. Every case is different so I will tell you how I approach it.

1. What will the model be used for? If it is a low poly character for a game that actually takes a bit more work. (let me explain) Most modelers like myself will create the character you want in something like ZBrush or 3DS Max at the least. I usually work with high poly models to get what I need. If the model is to be used at a much lower poly count than I decimate the model and use the higher poly count to project the Normal, Displacement, and Bump maps onto the low poly version...that takes a bit of work.

2. If the character is used for animation then it will probably be used at a high poly count unless there are performance issues.

3. Rigging and skinning - As ExtroKolbRob mentioned if you need a facial rig (eyebrowns, eye movement and targeting, expressions) your price just went up by probably more than double. If it is for animation you could have it done cheaper because you can depend on morph targets instead of actually rigs.

4. The texture mapping on this is simple so that wouldn't factor too much.

I usually charge around $100 an hour for my work, and for some clients when I feel soft in the heart or what to do a friend a favor I will dip as low as $50. Having said that I would say you are looking at $800 minimum and more realistic with the rigging and all $1500.

I hope this helps you out, Sincerely Randell Trulson

www.NeuronGames.com