LogInBüşra Öner and Dersu Değer, co-founders of Freshcan 3D, an art studio specializing in digital environments, spoke about their production workflows, explained how they simulate drone flythrough footage, and shared some advice on selling 3D assets.
If you need high-quality 3D environments and assets, Freshcan 3D's library is a place to visit. The art studio's expertise lies in a variety of settings, including wild forests, countryside farms, dystopian cities, and abandoned suburban areas created in popular game engines, including Unreal Engine.
Freshcan 3D also specializes in photogrammetry and mesh optimization services, using a range of techniques to capture real-world objects and with impressive detail and accuracy.
We've talked to the company's co-founders Büşra Öner and Dersu Değer to learn more about their platform and how they approach 3D asset creation.
"We discovered the Unreal Engine Marketplace at a time when we had no experience with Unreal Engine. However, we were immediately drawn to its potential and started learning the software to create assets. With our background in architecture, designing modular kits felt like a natural choice, allowing us to use our knowledge of structure and design effectively.
"Back then, getting into the UE Marketplace was quite challenging because of its strict approval process. Every product was carefully checked, and it took a lot of time and effort to get our first asset pack accepted. We also tried other digital asset stores, but each had its own issues. Some supported only a small number of creators, leaving many without enough exposure, while others lacked tools for proper promotion or steady sales.
"In the end, we decided to focus on the Unreal Engine Marketplace because it offered a reliable platform, high standards, and a strong community. Freshcan 3D was officially founded in 2019, around the time we received our first payouts from the Unreal Engine Marketplace. At that time, the store was smaller but still had many high-quality assets and skilled creators. Sadly, many of those early creators are no longer active or producing new content. Despite this, the lessons we learned in those early days still guide us, and we remain passionate about creating assets and tutorials for our audience."
"The Unreal Engine Marketplace became a space where we could sustain ourselves while learning and discovering more about both the game engine and our creative potential. Adapting to this ecosystem came naturally, and since then, our primary aim has been to passionately craft affordable environments that are accessible to everyone – from beginners to professionals – to help them start or advance their creative journeys.
"Today, Freshcan 3D has grown into an up-and-coming company specializing in the development and distribution of high-quality 3D environments and environmental simulations. Our techniques include photogrammetry, primarily for natural environments, and a traditional 3D workflow for modular kits. We serve a diverse range of clients, including indie game developers, studios, architecture firms, educational institutions, and hobbyists. Anyone is welcomed to check out our projects."
Freshcan 3D's environments are designed for various applications, including game development, VR and AR experiences, film and advertising production, and virtual simulations. The team also works on custom development, interactive storytelling, and research projects, collaborating with talented freelancers to expand its creative horizons, avoid repetition, and continue learning.
The Forest Essentials Scene
"Each year, we challenge ourselves to create natural environments, and this time, we set out to build a detailed pine forest. Our goal was to carefully compose assets, from large mountaintops and river valleys to the smallest details like ground foliage. We wanted the environment to be as versatile as possible, avoiding a monotonous forest setting. To achieve this, we incorporated pathways, dense forest areas, riversides, grasslands, and snowy mountain peaks.
"Implementing all these features within a 4x4 km square area while maintaining a realistic look was incredibly challenging. We focused heavily on the hierarchy and color composition of the 3D scene, guided by an abstract image in our minds throughout the process. The most difficult part was ensuring the scene looked good from every camera angle and in every location, using Unreal Engine's procedural tools.
"Sometimes, relying on references wasn't the most efficient approach. Instead, we identified key areas in the scene first and then found references specifically related to those zones to inspire our composition and overall design."
"For us, the most important aspect of creating an environment and selecting assets is to use as few unique models as possible. The initial stage of our process focuses on breaking down every component into reusable parts. We simply don't have the resources, time, or hardware to produce 200-300 unique assets for a single small scene if they don't provide significant value for both developers and us. We're constantly exploring new methods to optimize this workflow."
"We're also planning to share our creation process on our YouTube channel and ArtStation page in the near future. Anyone interested in learning more about our workflow can follow us there."
"We decided to create a drone flythrough video to demonstrate how easy it is to build a project using Freshcan 3D Environment packs along with additional assets from the Fab Marketplace. The process was incredibly quick, taking only minutes, as we utilized our ready-to-use Unreal Engine maps and a Drone Controller Kit purchased from the marketplace.
"The workflow is straightforward: we start by selecting an existing environment map from our library. Next, we set up the Drone Controller Kit. Once everything is configured, we focus on capturing the screen. Additionally, users can explore our demo maps if they want to experience our environments firsthand."
Selling the Assets
Freshcan 3D's founders believe Fab's most significant advantage is its strong commitment to listening to its community and valuing feedback. To give sellers more options and improve their visibility, they think sellers should identify industries utilizing Unreal Engine, Unity, or other 3D software and develop strategies tailored to their needs. YouTube remains an excellent platform for promotion, with its strong algorithm connecting audiences to publishers through engaging video content.
"Our key advice for new publishers is to steer clear of uploading single, simplistic models with the expectation of generating sales. This approach not only detracts from the overall quality of the marketplace but also fails to benefit the new creator. It can create a poor first impression for the new creator in the marketplace. Instead, focus on offering well-thought-out collections and kitbash packs that cater to real user needs and provide genuine value. This approach will not only benefit the marketplace but also set you up for long-term success."