Engagement Guide
Hire Anna Schmelzer for custom 3D character modeling
A transparent look at the professional workflow for booking high-fidelity character sculpting, digital portraiture, and manufacture-ready miniatures.
The Professional
Workflow
From initial brief to final asset delivery, the process is structured to ensure absolute clarity, regular feedback milestones, and production-ready results.
Brief & Feasibility
Every successful project begins with a clear scope. This phase involves reviewing your concept art or photographic references and establishing the technical requirements — whether it's watertight geometry for a 3D printable miniature, or an optimized, fully retopologized mesh for an Unreal Engine 5 cinematic.
Quote & Scheduling
Based on the brief, you will receive a custom-tailored quote and a realistic production timeline. Upon agreement, a standard 50% deposit secures your production slot in the studio schedule.
Sculpting & Milestones
The core craftsmanship. This phase is broken into collaborative feedback loops:
A. The Blockout (Establishing primary forms, silhouette, and proportions)
B. Secondary Detail (Anatomy, cloth folds, hard-surface definition)
C. Final Polish (Micro-details, skin pores, fabric weaves, pre-supported print prep)
Final Delivery
Delivery of the final, production-ready assets tailored exactly to your pipeline. Typical handovers include ZTL (ZBrush source files), OBJ/FBX for animation pipelines, or precision-engineered STLs for physical manufacture. Need a presentation-ready asset? I offer professional rendering, lighting, and look-dev services, including AI-augmented video animation (e.g., Kling AI, Runway) for compelling pitches.
Pricing Strategy
Quotes are custom-tailored to the project brief.
Because every character requires a vastly different level of technical engineering and sculptural detail, I do not use rigid "menu" pricing. A hyperrealistic likeness sculpt for a feature film has very different demands than a stylized 32mm tabletop miniature.
Factors that influence the final custom quote:
- Asset Complexity: Complex hard-surface armor, intricate mechanical assemblies, or elaborate hair/groom systems require significantly more development time than a standard portrait bust.
- Output Requirements & Look Dev: Does the asset require full retopology, UV mapping, and PBR texturing for game engines? Do you need final rendered images or AI video animations for a pitch deck?
- Production Context: A one-off personal project has different scope than an asset entering mass-market manufacture or a multi-season game title. The brief determines the quote.
- Project Timeline: Rush deadlines requiring weekend or extended overtime will incur a premium rate.
Daily Rates for Studios
- Film & VFX Shotsculpting: For specialized shotsculpting, facial blendshapes, and corrective workflows, pricing is structured on a daily rate basis for medium to long-term studio commitments.
- Game Development (Indie & AAA): Ongoing asset creation for real-time pipelines is also available via daily rates, ensuring flexible integration into your production sprints, whether you are a nimble indie team or an established AAA studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work under NDA?
Yes. I regularly work with unannounced IPs and major studio properties. A Non-Disclosure Agreement can be signed before any project details or references are shared.
Do you offer "test tasks"?
Test tasks are only undertaken if they are fully compensated at the standard studio rate. My extensive portfolio and client history provide a thorough demonstration of my capabilities and quality standards.
Do you print the miniatures yourself?
I operate solely as a digital sculptor. While I deeply understand the engineering requirements for resin/FDM printing (supports, keying, hollowing), I do not manufacture or ship physical resins. I deliver pipeline-ready digital files (.STL/.OBJ) for your manufacturer to produce.
How do revisions work?
The milestone workflow (Blockout -> Secondary -> Polish) is designed to catch major structural changes early. Typically, 2 rounds of minor revisions are included per milestone. Major structural changes requested after a milestone is approved may incur additional costs.
Ready to discuss your brief?
Provide your concept art, timeline, and technical requirements to receive a custom quote.