Character artists in video game development create 3D models by starting with a concept, sculpting high poly models, optimizing them into low poly meshes, and using shaders for textures. Understanding anatomy is crucial for creating believable and unique creatures, while staying inspired and breaking down goals into smaller steps are key for aspiring character artists.

Exploring the role of character artists in video games, from creating heroes and villains to zombies, robots, dinosaurs, and even mushrooms. Their work involves sculpting, painting, and studying anatomy to bring these virtual beings to life.

The process of creating 3D models for game development involves starting with a quick proxy model to check proportions and silhouette, making adjustments based on in-game appearance, and enhancing readability with detail and contrast. A 3D model in games consists of vertices connected by line segments to form polygons, creating a polygon mesh.

The chapter discusses the transition from the high poly sculpt stage to the creation of a low poly mesh in digital sculpting for game development, emphasizing the need for optimization to enhance game performance. Techniques like UV mapping and texture baking are highlighted as methods to preserve details from the high poly sculpt.

The process of creating a UV map involves unwrapping the model to create an image of its surface area, followed by texture baking to transfer high poly details to a low poly mesh. Shaders, which are code chunks, control how a model's surface looks by adjusting color, transparency, and metallic effects.

Understanding anatomy is crucial for creating believable sculpts, enabling artists to bend the rules and invent new creatures while maintaining realism. Last-minute changes in character design may be necessary to ensure smooth animation and expression.